Speed (Derived Attribute)
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Speed
Speed is how soon a character can act in a Combat Round - lower values of Speed means an Action occurs earlier in the round, on an lower (i.e. earlier) Speed Rank. The number is Speed Rank, the term is Speed Level. The Base Speed of a character is 5 - "Average" Speed Level. Speeds can range from Lightning Fast to Glacially Slow.
| Combat Phases | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Rank | Speed Level | |||||||||
| 1 | Lightning Quick | |||||||||
| 2 | Extremely Fast | |||||||||
| 3 | Very Fast | |||||||||
| 4 | Fast | |||||||||
| 5 | Average | |||||||||
| 6 | Sluggish | |||||||||
| 7 | Slow | |||||||||
| 8 | Very Slow | |||||||||
| 9 | Extremely Slow | |||||||||
| 10 | Glacially Slow | |||||||||
Personal Speed
Personal Speed determines the earliest a character can take action in a round for any action, typically allowing them to move before they attack, though they may attack at this point. Characters cannot commit to any effective action before this - no attacks, spells or ability use. Passive Actions continue and, if the character is capable of speech, they can talk at any time during a round.
Determining Personal Speed
The default value of Personal Speed is 5. This is then modified by the character's Size, Dexterity and other factors listed. Negative modifiers increase effective speed, lowering reaction time - positive modifiers increase the vale, meaning the character takes longer to take actions.
Personal Speed cannot be lowered below 1.
| Size | Speed Modifier |
| Tiny- | -3 |
| Tiny | -2 |
| Small | -1 |
| Medium | -0 |
| Large | +1 |
| Huge | +2 |
| Gigantic | +3 |
| Colossal | +4 |
| Colossal+ | +5 |
For example, a Halfling (Size - Small) has a Dexterity of 18. Their base Speed begins at 5 (Average) and their Size and Dexterity grant them a -2 bonus, reducing it to 3 (Very Fast).
Weapon Speed
Weapon Speed determines the earliest a character can use an equipped weapon in a round. As the character is presumed to spend the Speed Ranks between Personal Speed and the time the attack begins readying their attack, this usually refers to the earliest time in the round the character could decide to attack. This is modified by Dexterity.
Unless a weapon's attack is Interruptible or they are in a situation where preparing their attack would be an issue, the character only needs to specify that they attack on their Weapon Speed. If it is Interruptible, then the Weapon Speed Modifier is applied to the Speed Rank they decide to begin the attack in.
Determining Weapon Speed
Weapon Speed is determined by applying the Weapon Speed Modifier to a character's Personal Speed.
For example, the Halfling described above makes an attack with a Short Sword - this has a +0 Weapon Speed Modifier, allowing them to strike with it on the same Phase. If, however, they wielded a Long Sword, their attacks would have a +1 Speed Modifier, causing them to attack on the Fast phase. If they wielded a Great Axe, with a +2 Speed Modifier, they would attack on Average.
Action Speed
Action Speed determines the earliest time a character can use a specific action in a round. As the character is presumed to spend the Speed Ranks between Personal Speed and the time performing the action, this usually refers to the earliest time in the round the character could conclude this action. This is modified by Dexterity.
Unless an action is Interruptible or they are in a situation where performing it would be an issue, the character only needs to specify that they accomplish it on Action Speed. If it is Interruptible, then the Action Speed Modifier is applied to the Speed Rank they decide to begin the action in.
This is functionally identical to Weapon Speed, however most actions do not have a Speed Modifier and those that do will vary from action to action, it is not necessary to specify it on a character sheet.
Determining Action Speed
Action Speed is determined by applying the Action Speed Modifier to a character's Personal Speed.
Casting Speed
Casting Speed determines the earliest a character can cast a spell in a round. As the character is presumed to spend the Speed Ranks between Personal Speed and the time the power begins readying their spell, this usually refers to the earliest time in the round the character could decide to cast. This is 'not' modified by Dexterity.
Unless a spell is Interruptible or they are in a situation where casting their spell would be an issue, the character only needs to specify that they cast their spell on their Casting Speed. If it is Interruptible, then the Casting Speed Modifier is applied to the Speed Rank they decide to begin the Casting in.
It is important to note, however, that most spells are Interruptible and, as such, casting almost always must be declared in advance.
This is functionally identical to Weapon Speed, however most actions do not have a Speed Modifier and those that do will vary from action to action, it is not necessary to specify it on a character sheet.
Determining Casting Speed
Casting Speed is determined by applying the Casting Speed Modifier to a character's Personal Speed.
For example, the Halfling described above decides to cast Magic Missile. This Spell has a Casting Speed Modifier of +1 meaning that it will be cast on the phase after they begin acting; in this case on Speed Rank 4 - Fast.
