Movement in water

[Bagpuss]

Am I right in thinking it's quicker to walk along the bottom than swim.

On a successful swim check you move at half movement for a full round action, or 1/4 for a normal move action.

Walking on the bottom you move at half movement.

So a character with speed 20ft could move a maximum of 10ft swimming for a full round action, or do a double move walking along the bottom for a 20ft move.

In either case you can't make a 5ft step or withdraw, so will always provoke an AoO for movement out of a threatened square (unless you have a 'Swim speed' listed), you also can't run or charge.

I'm wondering why swimmer doing the crawl seem to move faster than a deep sea diver in lead boots?

 

[Bagpuss]

Could someone just confirm if I'm reading the rules correctly or not?

I don't mind the rules being illogical, I just want to know if I'm reading them correctly.

 

[Infiniti2000]

How do you walk along the bottom? If you figure out how to do that, without swimming, then maybe. Unfortunately, once you're in the water you're swimming.

 

[Bagpuss]

Look at the rules for Aquatic terrain in the DMG you are braced against the bottom if you are a medium character carrying at least 16lb in weight, I figure armour or even a heavy weapon and heavy steel shield achieves that.

 

[Pinotage]

How do you walk along the bottom? If you figure out how to do that, without swimming, then maybe. Unfortunately, once you're in the water you're swimming.

If your armor weighs more than 16 lb for a medium creature you can walk along the bottom at half speed.

The rules I think are correct. I'd agree that it doesn't make that much sense, although if you're entirely underwater than swimming crawl is of no use, and breastroke is generally slower. Realism hasn't always been D&D's strong points.

Pinotage

 

[werk]

Under aquatic terrain, combat adjustments underwater, it discusses walking through chest deep water or along the bottom with firm footing if they are weighted down.

SO, yes, you would be able to walk faster along the bottom, so long as the bottom is fairly clear and is able to be walked upon with firm footing. Swimming allows the benefit of 3D movement.

All the effects and penalties of being underwater apply regardless of the movement mode.

 

[Bagpuss]

I suppose the only advantage of swimming is if you are on the surface, as you don't have to hold your breath.

 

[werk]

I suppose the only advantage of swimming is if you are on the surface, as you don't have to hold your breath.

Or if there is a giant crevasse in the way, or if the bottom is covered with waist deep mud, or if the people you are fighting are swimming 10' above your head sticking you with tridents, or if...

 

[darthkilmor]

Or if there is a giant crevasse in the way, or if the bottom is covered with waist deep mud, or if the people you are fighting are swimming 10' above your head sticking you with tridents, or if...

Well why not just summarize that as "or if your DM hates you"

 

[Infiniti2000]

Well, the table in the Aquatic Terrain section of the SRD (and in the DMG if memory serves) is a little odd. Note that for the swim check it says "quarter or half" and for firm footing it says "half". The interpretation based on the footnote for the swim check is that "half" really means half speed as a full-round action, not just half speed, in contrast with the rest of the table.

Also, note that the entry for "none of the above" allows normal movement. Is "failed swim check" the only example of none of the above? If so, why would it list movement as normal?

I have no good answers to these issues except to possibly suggest houserules or use another source (various supplements).