Expertise Feat Problem

[Illuman]

I have a mage in my party that I gave the expertise feat to with the intention of him basically walking around with it on all the time because his attack bonus and damage is relatively insignificant compared to the rest of my party. One problem: the feat plain doesnt work. I turn it on, to any levels 1-5, and the attack bonus and armor class are both unmodified. Does this feat have anything to do with whatever equipment a character is wearing, such as not being cumulitive with other types of armor bonuses? I think I have the latest patch installed, and the fact that this feat doesnt work is plain frusturating. Any suggestions?

[Talonsblade]

hey if u look in the players handbook you'll find: Expertise;you are trained in useing your combat skill for defence as well offence when u use the attack action or full attack action in melee, u can take a penalty of as much as -5 on your attack and add the same number (up to +5) to your armor class. this may not exceed your base attack bonus. the bonus to your armor class is a dodge bonus.

in other words u take 5 points from your attack role and it's added to your defence, it's not a permanet thing it works only when u start your attack.

[Illuman]

I know it isnt permanant, but shouldnt the base attack bonus and armor class modifiers be in effect while you use the feat, regardless of whether you are attacking or not? That would make sense to me.