What exactly does Speed Factor control?

pcgiant · 04-22-2003, 08:49 AM

Does it manage ApR? Does it manage who strikes first? I can't work it out! Is lower better? Please, if someone could explain it to me I would be most pleased.

Thanks, pcgiant.

[ 04-22-2003, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: pcgiant ]

Dundee Slaytern · 04-22-2003, 09:04 AM

Lower is better.

It merely determines who strikes first in a round.

Alson · 04-22-2003, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern:
It merely determines who strikes first in a round.

Or, to be more precise: It determines who strikes first per hit in a round.

Malthaussen · 04-22-2003, 10:38 AM

In the pnp game, speed factor, in juxtoposition with initiative, which is modified by dexterity, determines the sequencing of attacks in a 9-pulse combat round. However, in years of playing the game, I never ran across a DM who bothered to implement speed factor in his game. I have never been able to see any particular use for it, myself, although theoretically if a character with the initiative killed his opponent with his attack, the opponent's (slower) attack should not go in.

What difference it makes in the computer version is completely opaque to me. I rather think it's not much.

-- Mal

Wumpspawner · 04-22-2003, 12:36 PM

Speed factor is pretty important, actually. I used it in my years of game mastering, ages ago in the first edition era.

The way it works is at the beginning of every melee round, all combatants roll a ten sided die, add their weapon's speed factor to the roll, and then add/subtract any dexterity modifications to the sum. The lowest numbers go first. And, as Mal said, it's often possible for characters with the lower initiative to kill or otherwise incapacitate a character with a higher initiative before he/she/it gets to attack, thus eliminating the attack altogether. It adds a firm element of realism to combat. Anyone who frequently watches boxing can tell you that it's not infrequent to see someone get knocked out in mid punch.

Heya, Mal, could you do me a huge favor? Go down to Lee's Hoagie House, buy me a jumbo cheesesteak with mushrooms and jalapenos, and mail it to me via Two-Minute Priority? That was my favorite resteraunt, but, unfortunately, I haven'y been there in about 12 years...

04-22-2003, 08:49 AM	#1
pcgiant Symbol of Cyric Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: NZ Age: 38 Posts: 1,268	Does it manage ApR? Does it manage who strikes first? I can't work it out! Is lower better? Please, if someone could explain it to me I would be most pleased. Thanks, pcgiant. [ 04-22-2003, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: pcgiant ] __________________ If possible, I want to relive my life... not as a devil. This time, someone like you.

04-22-2003, 10:38 AM	#4
Malthaussen Manshoon Join Date: May 10, 2001 Location: Horsham, PA USA Age: 69 Posts: 151	In the pnp game, speed factor, in juxtoposition with initiative, which is modified by dexterity, determines the sequencing of attacks in a 9-pulse combat round. However, in years of playing the game, I never ran across a DM who bothered to implement speed factor in his game. I have never been able to see any particular use for it, myself, although theoretically if a character with the initiative killed his opponent with his attack, the opponent's (slower) attack should not go in. What difference it makes in the computer version is completely opaque to me. I rather think it's not much. -- Mal __________________ \"Of two choices, I always take the third.\"

04-22-2003, 12:36 PM	#5
Wumpspawner Manshoon Join Date: September 25, 2002 Location: St. George, Utah Age: 49 Posts: 166	Speed factor is pretty important, actually. I used it in my years of game mastering, ages ago in the first edition era. The way it works is at the beginning of every melee round, all combatants roll a ten sided die, add their weapon's speed factor to the roll, and then add/subtract any dexterity modifications to the sum. The lowest numbers go first. And, as Mal said, it's often possible for characters with the lower initiative to kill or otherwise incapacitate a character with a higher initiative before he/she/it gets to attack, thus eliminating the attack altogether. It adds a firm element of realism to combat. Anyone who frequently watches boxing can tell you that it's not infrequent to see someone get knocked out in mid punch. Heya, Mal, could you do me a huge favor? Go down to Lee's Hoagie House, buy me a jumbo cheesesteak with mushrooms and jalapenos, and mail it to me via Two-Minute Priority? That was my favorite resteraunt, but, unfortunately, I haven'y been there in about 12 years... __________________ \"I\'m a simple man. All I want is enough sleep for two men, enough whiskey for three, and enough women for four.\" - Walter Slovotsky

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04-22-2003, 09:04 AM	#2
Dundee Slaytern Ironworks Moderator Join Date: June 10, 2001 Location: Pasir Ris, Singapore Age: 42 Posts: 11,063	Lower is better. It merely determines who strikes first in a round.

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