New Feat: Stocky, Not Slow

[da chicken]

It always annoys me how Dwarves move slowly in armor. It just doesn't make sense to me. With that in mind, I created the following feat.

Originally, I was going to make this a new racial characteristic, but I wasn't willing to remove any dwarven abilities for it. Note that is doesn't require the character to be a dwarf, but a dwarf is the only common PC race who could take it.

I'm looking for general comments, mainly balance considerations.

[color=gold]
[b]Stocky, Not Slow[/b] [General, Fighter]
  Prerequisites:  Con 15+, Dex 13+, heavy armor proficiency, 
medium size, base speed 20.
  Benefit:  When wearing medium or heavy armor, your base 
speed is not reduced from 20 to 15.  However, your run speed is 
still reduced when wearing heavy armor, and your speed is still 
reduced due to encumbrance.
  Normal:  A character with base speed 20 has his or her 
movement reduced to 15 while wearing medium or heavy armor.

[/color]

 

[kreynolds]

It always annoys me how Dwarves move slowly in armor.

Everyone moves more slowly in medium or heavy armor, not just dwarves. Even a will-o-wisp would move more slowly in full plate. There are already class abilities (i.e. barbarian base speed), magic items (i.e. Boots of Striding and Springing), and an epic feat (can't remember what it's called) that increase your movement rate. I just don't see the need for something like this.

 

[da chicken]

Re: Re: New Feat: Stocky, Not Slow

Everyone moves more slowly in medium or heavy armor, not just dwarves. Even a will-o-wisp would move more slowly in full plate. There are already class abilities (i.e. barbarian base speed), magic items (i.e. Boots of Striding and Springing), and an epic feat (can't remember what it's called) that increase your movement rate.

However, dwarves are medium sized with a base speed of 20. The only race I might add. The entire rationale behind that is that they are stocky. It ends up making them slow. Hence the name of the feat. Now consider that dwarves have fighter as a favored class.

The game already acknowledges that medium-sized creatures in heavy armor moving at speed 20 is not unbalancing, doesn't it?

I just don't see the need for something like this.

Strictly speaking, that's exactly what I wasn't asking.

I've also considered adding BAB +1 to the prerequisites. This would allow fighters to take it at 1st level, but would restrict clerics until 3rd. Also, if it seems like every dwarf would want it, I'd consider adding Endurance as a prerequisite feat.

 

[kreynolds]

Re: Re: Re: New Feat: Stocky, Not Slow

However, dwarves are medium sized with a base speed of 20. The only race I might add. The entire rationale behind that is that they are stocky. It ends up making them slow. Hence the name of the feat. Now consider that dwarves have fighter as a favored class.

So what? They gain benefits that make up for their slower speed.

The game already acknowledges that medium-sized creatures in heavy armor moving at speed 20 is not unbalancing, doesn't it?

And you're point?

Strictly speaking, that's exactly what I wasn't asking.

Look. You asked for an opinion. I gave one. If you only want to get opinions that you like, don't bother asking.

 

[da chicken]

Re: Re: Re: Re: New Feat: Stocky, Not Slow

So what? They gain benefits that make up for their slower speed.

And I'm asking, "Is it unbalancing to give them a feat to negate the penalty?" I don't care if you like the feat or not.

Look. You asked for an opinion. I gave one. If you only want to get opinions that you like, don't bother asking.

It is fine that you think the feat is inappropriate or that you don't like it. I just want to know if it is unbalancing. You opinon, thus far, has not been pertinant.

 

[-Eä-]

Personally, I think this feat makes sense. Much sense. Dwarves should be faster in armour trhan any of the small races, so I don't think it's unbalancing. On the other hand, I would never take a feat like that, even when being a Dwarf. Personally I would up the benefits a bit, so that people might actually take it. I know I wouldn't. It isn't much of a flavour feat, so don't expect anyone to take it because "it's cool." It's a utility feat.
I don't have suggestions for appropriate improvements, though.

 

[da chicken]

Personally, I think this feat makes sense. Much sense. Dwarves should be faster in armour trhan any of the small races, so I don't think it's unbalancing.

That was the point, seeing as they're not really small.

On the other hand, I would never take a feat like that, even when being a Dwarf. Personally I would up the benefits a bit, so that people might actually take it. I know I wouldn't. It isn't much of a flavour feat, so don't expect anyone to take it because "it's cool." It's a utility feat.
I don't have suggestions for appropriate improvements, though.

It is supposed to be a utility feat. It is there to overcome the primary drawback of being a dwarf: the slow speed. It's like being an elf and taking Toughness (especially the NWN version, +1hp/lvl) or being a Halfling and taking Weapon Finesse.

Still, a feat isn't supposed to give a huge bonus. +1 AC, +1 to hit, +3 hp. I could extend the feat to encumbrance, but I don't think that's necessary. Movement rates are pretty powerful things, especially when you consider the overland distances you need to walk.

The prereqs as listed are not that hard to qualify for, especially for a dwarven fighter-type, the target for the feat. 15+ Con for a dwarf really means 13+ due to the racial bonus. A dwarven fighter could take this feat even with the default array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and still have a good score (15) in strength.

 

[Volefisk]

Re: Re: Re: New Feat: Stocky, Not Slow

However, dwarves are medium sized with a base speed of 20. The only race I might add. The entire rationale behind that is that they are stocky. It ends up making them slow. Hence the name of the feat.

Interesting. I always felt that Dwarves were basically short creatures (which is why they moved slower), considered medium-sized creatures because of their girth!

<volefisk>

 

[Crothian]

I'd add endurance as a prerequite to show that they are able to speed up through physical determination.

 

[trentonjoe]

I feel the feet is a great and balanced addition to the game.
I would add the BAB +1 so dwarven clerics couldn't take it at 1st level though.