D&D 4E Movement & Time in 4e

[Sadrik]

I would prefer 10 second rounds.

I agree, having combats last a little longer even if artificially so just makes more sense.

When a combat lasts 10 rounds right now that is 1 minute! That doesn't seem appropriate.

I might even say 12 second rounds, so that their are 5 rounds per minute. Then a 10 round combat would last 2 minutes.

However increasing the length of the round makes one want to increase the movement rate of creatures.



The move score could also be taken down to represent Strategic movement easier.
Move 5 fly 7 could also translate into:
Tactical: move 5 or fly 7 spaces per round
Strategic: move 5 or fly 7 miles per hour

If this were the case I can see humans being 4.

 

[Sadrik]

Much simpler than using the old ariel mobility stuff. Quick! What is the mobility class of a manticore? What restrictions does it have when flying?

Much simpler to give those creatures with perfect manoeuvrability high flight movement scores (they can do what they want) while those with low manoeuvrability have lower flight movement scores (it takes them more effort to do the same kind of manoeuvring).

A multiplier for out of combat speed then handily covers overland or chase movement to allow for slow will o wisps and fast dragons in those circumstances.

I know which I'd prefer!

Actually rather than a simple multiplier and a maneuverability class I would rather see fly just be fly- with the same capabilities for every creature. Then in the special cases where maneuverability is perfect I would want to see a special ability added on that describes that ability the creature has. Something like:

Perfect Maneuverability: This creature can hover in place, fly backwards and does not need to make turns over multiple spaces.

Something like that. If they dont have that ability then they cannot do that other stuff. Real simple. Fly is fly.

 

[JohnSnow]

What can we guess about with the new playtest and the whole take "3 steps" part.

Maybe each square is called a step? So instead of saying taking a free 5' step, it's just a free step. I would wager that that is where the term evolved from.

So movement on the spine devil card is measured in these steps wich are one square each.

If a class can get a manuver that lets them get 3 free steps I doubt that the base rate for medium creatures is 4.

That actually occurred to me when I read the rogue preview as well. Glad I'm not the only one.

1 square = 1 Step = 5' = ~1.5 meters.

Aside from the obvious argument that the term is a bit bothersome for "small" characters, for whom 5' is more than "1 step," it does nothing but clean up the terminology.

I like it.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Personally, I find movement speeds and especially RANGES listed in squares MUCH easier to use, whether I'm using a battlemat or not. Bravo to this change!

 

[pedr]

While we're thinking about steps/squares/movement, has anyone seen or heard any suggestions about whether or not they're bringing across the Star Wars Saga development of 'every diagonal costs two squares' (instead of the current 1-2-1 counting)?