slow question

[Mengu]

The line has to be drawn somewhere. A blanket statement of intent that says you can't move more than 2 squares is very ambiguous. There are powers that allow a move or shift as part of another action, sometimes even before and after the action. There are even ways to move or shift multiple squares outside of your turn. And there are powers that let you exceed your speed, like tiger's leap.

Currently slow just reduces your speed to 2. That's the strict definition I prefer to use, and intended or not, it makes resolution easy.

 

[Turtlejay]

That is how I interpreted it, and ruled it when I DMed. But to me it looks like that is wrong. I am kind of confused by it now, and glad I am just a player at the moment. =\

Jay

 

[Samir]

If it seems weird to you, here's how I view it.

Anything that involves moving your speed is a reflection of what you are capable of doing with your own two feet (or two wings). Slowed affects this.

Anything that does not mention your speed (shift X squares, fly X squares) is typically the effect of a power that's either superhuman or magical in nature and doesn't depend on how fast you can physically run or fly. For example, why should taking a shot to the knees affect your ability to control the weather (Dominant Winds, Sorcerer U16)?

Consider a power that tells you to "move 6 squares." If your Speed is 5, the power is speeding you up, whereas if your Speed is 7, the power is slowing you down. This of course has to mean that the power is independent of your normal physical ability, and therefore something that affects your normal physical ability (Slowed) shouldn't affect the power.

That's how I rationalize it. There are of course still fluff inconsistencies, but fewer of them.

 

[keterys]

The problem is especially notable for monsters - many, many of which use a specified number of squares rather than a fraction or whole of speed, for ease of play.

I'd not be surprised if the intent is that you reduce such things to 2. In fact, I'd be surprised if it _wasn't_. How many abilities become problematic if you change any form of non-teleport to max of 2, when speed is not mentioned, when slowed? *curious*

 

[xatharas]

there is also the problem of believebility, for example if you get entangled in a web of braches and underground which in game terms has you slowed
DM: branches reach out and grab your char (save fails)
Player: a well I use my attack power and can shift 8 squares!
DM: doh!
Player: (takes his move action) I move 2 squares as I'm held in place by entangling undergrowth! (while standing on solid rock far out of the zone he got entangled in)
DM: yeah!!??

In that contexed I would have to agree with CS (Yikes! )