Barbarian and Armor

[coreyclark]

I would like some clarification on the following rule for the barbarian.

Fast Movement: The barbarian has a speed faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet when wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor (and not carrying a heavy load).


So, does this mean that a barbarian can wear a breastplate and still move 40' as long as he is not carrying a heavy load? Also, does heavy load me medium encumbered which he would be if he was wearing a breastplate as it drops normal movement by 10'.

Thanks.

Corey

 

[hong]

In order of precedence:

Heavy armour or heavy load: 20 ft
Medium armour or medium load: 30 ft
Light armour or light load: 40 ft

Use the first line that applies. For a human, "norm for the race" when wearing medium armour is 20 ft, and +10 on top of that is 30.

 

[Bagpuss]

A human barbarian, would have a move of

40ft in Light armour (or no armour) and/or a light load.
30ft in Medium armour and/or a medium load.
20ft in Heavy armour and/or with a heavy load.

I believe a Halfling or Gnome Barbarian would have a move of

30ft in Light armour (or no armour) and/or a light load.
25ft in Medium armour and/or a medium load.
15ft in Heavy armour and/or with a heavy load.

but some DM's say it should be

30ft in Light armour (or no armour) and/or a light load.
20ft in Medium armour and/or a medium load.
15ft in Heavy armour and/or with a heavy load.

 

[lambdaZUG]

We have always been in favour of applying the armour reduction first, and then applying speed modifications, for the simple expedient of the lack of a "40 ft." column on the armour chart. Ergo said Barbarian would move 30 ft. at medium encumbrance and 20 ft. at heavy. Therefore a Small Barbarian (or others of diminutive-yet-brutish persuasion) ought to move 30 ft. at light, 25 ft. at medium and 35 ft. at heavy, thus agreeing with Bagpuss' second.

 

[AGGEMAM]

I believe a Halfling or Gnome Barbarian would have a move of

30ft in Light armour (or no armour) and/or a light load.
25ft in Medium armour and/or a medium load.
15ft in Heavy armour and/or with a heavy load.

but some DM's say it should be

30ft in Light armour (or no armour) and/or a light load.
20ft in Medium armour and/or a medium load.
15ft in Heavy armour and/or with a heavy load.

The latter is correct, in that Fast Movement gives a (unnamed) speed bonus.

The 'penalty' for wearing medium or heavy armor or being medium or heavy loaded is not a real penalty, it is an effect of you being more encumbered.