Shrapp Hamnier
Explorer
I have seen a few posts here and there on this topic, but none of the ones I've seen have been able to settle my confusion.
Here is what it says in the PHB
Fast Movement (Ex): A barbarian’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the barbarian’s speed because of any load carried or armor worn. For example, a human barbarian has a speed of 40 feet, rather than 30 feet, when wearing light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 30 feet. A halfling barbarian has a speed of 30 feet, rather than 20 feet, in light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 20 feet.
To reiterate, it says "This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor" I read that as saying that it applies as long as he is not wearing heavy armor. Because it says "no armor, light armor, or medium armor", it implies wearing these three categories do not affect the barbarian. If it meant you cannot wear light armor or heavy armor, it would not also say "no armor" (It would be like saying "you can't use a gun, a small gun, a big gun". It's redundant). This is reinforced by stating the barbarian must "NOT (be) carrying a heavy load".
However, every time after that it indicates that medium armor does negate this. "A human barbarian has a speed of 40 feet, rather than 30 feet, when wearing light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 30 feet." I know all the armor has it's own penalties to speed, but the question here is about what can a barbarian use to keep his fast movement?
So is fast movement applied when wearing medium armor or not? Is it negated only when carrying a heavy load, or does a medium load as well? The book seems to directly contradict itself.
Here is what it says in the PHB
Fast Movement (Ex): A barbarian’s land speed is faster than the norm for his race by +10 feet. This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor and not carrying a heavy load. Apply this bonus before modifying the barbarian’s speed because of any load carried or armor worn. For example, a human barbarian has a speed of 40 feet, rather than 30 feet, when wearing light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 30 feet. A halfling barbarian has a speed of 30 feet, rather than 20 feet, in light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 20 feet.
To reiterate, it says "This benefit applies only when he is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor" I read that as saying that it applies as long as he is not wearing heavy armor. Because it says "no armor, light armor, or medium armor", it implies wearing these three categories do not affect the barbarian. If it meant you cannot wear light armor or heavy armor, it would not also say "no armor" (It would be like saying "you can't use a gun, a small gun, a big gun". It's redundant). This is reinforced by stating the barbarian must "NOT (be) carrying a heavy load".
However, every time after that it indicates that medium armor does negate this. "A human barbarian has a speed of 40 feet, rather than 30 feet, when wearing light or no armor. When wearing medium armor or carrying a medium load, his speed drops to 30 feet." I know all the armor has it's own penalties to speed, but the question here is about what can a barbarian use to keep his fast movement?
So is fast movement applied when wearing medium armor or not? Is it negated only when carrying a heavy load, or does a medium load as well? The book seems to directly contradict itself.
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