Vic Wertz
Chief Technical Officer
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I guess this is an FAQ, anyway...
The manual states: "You cannot take a 5-foot step if your movement is slowed or you are moving into terrain that slows you down".
Since one of the basic rules of both D&D 3E and Pathfinder is that some types of armor (or even carrying too much) slow you down, does this bars you from taking a 5' step free action. To be clear, can an Elf in plate armor take a 5' step free action?
You might think of it as saying "..if your movement is slowed beyond that which you are used to." Reduced speed due to armor does not prevent you from taking a 5' step.
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Sean K Reynolds
Designer, RPG Superstar Judge
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What Vic said. This sort of slowed movement is mainly for magical or environmental effects that severely hamper your movement.
For example, quicksand (GMG page 41) says you have to make a DC 15 Swim check to move 5 feet horizontally; you can't just take a 5-foot-step.
Likewise, difficult terrain (where movement costs you extra squares) prevents you from taking a 5-foot-step... if you're trying to move, there's no "easy" move, and you have to spend a move action to do it, even if you're only moving 5 feet.