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From: dwex@wxlvax.UUCP (David Wexelblat)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Foo on the time-number of attacks business
Message-ID: <289@wxlvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 2-Jun-84 13:25:39 EDT
Article-I.D.: wxlvax.289
Posted: Sat Jun  2 13:25:39 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 5-Jun-84 19:42:53 EDT
References: <1406@ittvax.UUCP> qubix.1156
Lines: 64


Here we go again:

    I always believed this to be a typo, since a "round" is
    60 seconds, and a "segment" is 6.  This would mean a fighter
    could swing his sword once a minute.  If this is the case,
    then that means that the '1" to 10 feet over a turn of
    10 minutes' is ALSO not a typo, and people walk at an
    astounding rate of 6 feet per minute.  Now while that is
    a reasonable speed for a tape recorder, it hardly fits
    for humans in a combat situation.

    Steven Maurer

If Steve would read his Player's Handbook, he would find the following:

1) In reponse to his first statement above: See page 105 of the PHB (First
   Strike) :

	The 1 minute melee round assumes much activity -- rushes, retreats,
	feints, parries, checks, and so on.  Once during this period each
	combatant has the opportunity to get a real blow in.  Usually this is
	indicated by initiative, but sometimes other circumstances prevail.

	(See book for the rest of the discussion)

   In this case Mr. Maurer is interpreting the rules incorrectly.  However

2) In response to his second statement: See page 102 of the PHB (Movement in 
   the dungeon) :

	The movement distance is 1" to 10' over a turn of ten minutes duration
	while exploration and mapping are in progress.  If the party is
	following a known route or map, the movement rate is 5 times greater,
	so each move takes 1/5 of a turn (2 rounds).  If the party is fleeing,
	all movement -- excluding encumbered movement is 10 times faster, so
	each move takes only 1/10 of a turn, or 1 round.

	(See book for discussion of melee movement)

   If Mr. Maurer would take the time to think a little, he would realize that
   while these rates are a little slow, there are other things to take into
   account other than just walking.

	a) The 6' per minute is for someone weaeing plate mail with a full
	pack, not knowing where he is going, and trying to make a map of it,
	while avoiding pits, rocks, stalactites and stalagmites, on rough
	ground, etc.

	b) A normal character will move  at 9" or 12".

	c) As someone who is a member of the Society for Creative Anacronism,
	an infrequent hiker, and an even less frequent spelunker, I can say
	from experience that these rates are NOT unbelievable.

Mr. Maurer: I suggest two things
	1) Read your books
	2) Try wandering around in armor, with sword and shield, and a pack,
	where you don't know where you're going, and your only light is a
	torch; then argue with the rules.

					I've done it,
					   David Wexelblat
					   (...decvax!ittvax!wxlvax!dwex)