Armor of Speed

[kigmatzomat]

Hmmm, I run a low magic game where 95% of the spellcasters have limited spell lists. The "item of MEA" makes an excellent replacement for haste/speed items. Still gives a signficant boost but not as powerful as Haste.

I'd cost it out at about 10,000gp. That's about a third again more than boots of springing & striding but that fits with the power increase. Trade some jumping ability for a tad more maneuverability and some more options.

Yes... I like this very much. Good idea.

 

[Corwin]

I'd cost it out at about 10,000gp. That's about a third again more than boots of springing & striding but that fits with the power increase. Trade some jumping ability for a tad more maneuverability and some more options.

Yep. Because remember, using this alternate fix, the armor ability stays at +3. That's not cheap. It's equivelant to 75% Fortification. I think it is a fair ability for what it costs.

 

[Dimwhit]

I can't agree with that. With the boots, you are usually moving 60 with each MEA. So a human can do that 60' as a MEA and still do something else. Worse, they can still be hasted on top of that. The armor would give you the extra 30 feet as its MEA and that's it. So a double move by the boots guy gets him 120 feet. THe armor guy (if he's moving 30) only get 90. Basically 3 MEA. So the boots guy is still moving faster. Plus he gets the jump bonus.

I do see your point. But there is a lot more to MEA than just an extra move. There are also a lot of other extra actions that would be useful if you get an additional MEA every single round all day long. We'll just agree to disagree. It really just depends on the campaign I guess.

 

[Corwin]

I do see your point. But there is a lot more to MEA than just an extra move. There are also a lot of other extra actions that would be useful if you get an additional MEA every single round all day long.

And I even listed a few of the most common, like drawing a weapon or loading a light crossbow. Sure there are lots of neat MEAs to choose from, but none that lead me to seeing this armor as broken. Unless there are some you can think of? Is there anything you are seeing that leads you to think there are some outrageous combos waiting to happen?

We'll just agree to disagree.

Done deal. But that shouldn't stop us from debating it.

 

[Dimwhit]

And I even listed a few of the most common, like drawing a weapon or loading a light crossbow. Sure there are lots of neat MEAs to choose from, but none that lead me to seeing this armor as broken. Unless there are some you can think of? Is there anything you are seeing that leads you to think there are some outrageous combos waiting to happen?

I can think of several feats they'd basically be getting for free. Spring attack: You could move 30' in, take an attack, then move back out (though you would still get an AoO). Quick Draw: No need if you get the extra MEA to draw a weapon. Being tripped or knocked down won't affect you as much, since you can stand back up with your extra MEA and still get a full round in. Dismounting is now virtually free (there's a feat in KoK that makes it a free action). And there are a number of spells that can benefit. For example, flaming sphere can now be redirected without losing your full round.

There just seem to be too many MEAs that basically become free actions for an item to grant it at all times. Limiting it like Haste normally does seems reasonable. Maybe make it 20 rounds instead of 10 or something.

 

[Corwin]

... and +5 enhancement bonus weapons are broken because they bypass all DR...

OK, sarcasm aside, you bring up a lot of neat uses of the armor. What you may be missing is that you don't just get them willy-nilly. You have to "buy" those things by acquiring this expensive armor ability. There are lots of magic items, many costing less, that provide great advantages as well. To say the item can't do neat stuff is a bit short sighted, IMO. It's a magic item of decent power. It should do stuff.

And just like any other magic item that is useful and advantageous to use, there are ways around it and ways to neutralize it. This armor does not make it's wearer unbeatable. No more so, IMO, than moderate fortification or any other magic item of decent power.

 

[Corwin]

And a few of your examples need direct attention...

Spring attack: You could move 30' in, take an attack, then move back out (though you would still get an AoO).

Avoiding the AoO is probably the biggest advantage for taking this feat. Spring attack is neat, but easily dealt with. I admit this isn't one of my biggest contentions. In fact, I think it's one of your strongest arguments. Especially if combined with a reach weapon. But for 10k+ gp (and that's minimum), I still don't think it's unreasonable.

Quick Draw: No need if you get the extra MEA to draw a weapon.

I don't mind it. Again, quick draw isn't a big deal to me. IME, most people carry their weapons around anyway. They still can't draw until their action. Unlike combining Quick Draw with Combat Reflexes.

Being tripped or knocked down won't affect you as much, since you can stand back up with your extra MEA and still get a full round in.

Except that you can't stand up until your action. Being knocked down is still a bad thing. Sure, standing up and getting a full-round is nice. That's why you paid 10k+ gp, right?

Dismounting is now virtually free (there's a feat in KoK that makes it a free action).

How is that any different than having a +19 skill check? At some point, dismounting is free for anyone who wants it. Again, this is a 10k+ gp item. By the time someone gets this, they can do stuff like this anyway.

And there are a number of spells that can benefit. For example, flaming sphere can now be redirected without losing your full round.

This still doesn't let the caster cast two spells per round. They just get to move while also directing the spell and taking an action. Nice, but I'll bet the player still wants to be hasted.

 

[Caliban]

An interesting alternate fix, one I think I like better, is to allow it to be always on, but limit the ability to just give an extra MEA each round. This would not stack with haste of course. Then keep it at the +3 equivelant listed.

Makes it useful and fun. But doesn't make it unplayable, IMO.

Call it "Swiftness" instead of speed. Armor of Swiftness

 

[LokiDR]

I will have to propose this to my current DM. Maybe he will be interested. MEA seems more balanced than a partial action, in general.

 

[kreynolds]

Call it "Swiftness" instead of speed.

Good idea. Pardon me while I fire up Word.