Ran into some problems with the definition of base speed. Is it purely landspeed (some spell descriptions support this) or is it any movement type (some references to land speed support this)?
Some abilities modify base speed instead of defining exactly what it modifies so a method of distinction would be helpful
Would like some offical reference if possible (errata, faq, etc)
Thanks in advance
Ran into some problems with the definition of base speed. Is it purely landspeed (some spell descriptions support this) or is it any movement type (some references to land speed support this)?
Some abilities modify base speed instead of defining exactly what it modifies so a method of distinction would be helpful
Would like some offical reference if possible (errata, faq, etc)
Thanks in advance
Base speed is the natural speed at which a creature moves no matter the movement type.
If a dragon has a land speed of 20, but a fly speed of 100 then it's base land speed for walking is 20, but the base fly speed for flying is 100.3.5 had base land speed---> http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_bas elandspeed&alpha=B
Pathfinder dropped a lot of the definitions from the glossary even though the words are still used, I am guessing to save space in the core book. There are monsters that can only fly, such as air elementals, so that is why I say base speed refers to the natural movement that creature has.
+1
take Jumping for example, a dolphin or such creature should be able to leap out of the water, but if it`s movement mode it`s depending on prior to the jump is swimming (i.e. it`s in water), that`s the base speed it should use to determine it`s Jump modifier.
If base speed is interpreted as the creature's natural movement, then what about an Ashworm? Both its land speed and burrow speed are 30'.
If I give an Ashworm a cosmetically modified set of Horseshoes of Speed, should I only increase the Ashworm's land speed? Or should I increase its burrow speed as well?
Given the equal speeds, I would say yes. I'm only looking for an outside opinion.
-Kurocyn
If base speed is interpreted as the creature's natural movement, then what about an Ashworm? Both its land speed and burrow speed are 30'.
If I give an Ashworm a cosmetically modified set of Horseshoes of Speed, should I only increase the Ashworm's land speed? Or should I increase its burrow speed as well?
Given the equal speeds, I would say yes. I'm only looking for an outside opinion.
-Kurocyn
"These iron shoes come in sets of four like ordinary horseshoes. When affixed to an animal's hooves, they increase the animal's base land speed by 30 feet."
They specifically call out the base land speed. Burrow is a different type of movement, just like flying or swimming. Now if they just said base speed I would be inclined to say it increases all speed like Haste would.
"...All of the hasted creature's modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, "
...They specifically call out the base land speed...
Ah, thanks. I haven't had my books on hand, so I wasn't sure on the exact reading.
-Kurocyn
Hm. So what about Merfolk? Sure, they have a land speed, but is that really their "base speed"?
I'm inclined to say yes, but a few comments in this thread have me curious.
Ok, I am an unmodified Human, so I have a base speed of 30 with a zero speed in all modes of movement besides land speed. If I use haste or expeditious to increase my land speed to 60, does this count for climb and swim checks? Meaning that I could move 15 or 30 feet, rather than 7 1/2 or 15 feet. Expeditious retreat affects only land speed, and Haste affects all modes of movement up to double your base speed.
Yes, that works. I'm pretty sure developers have commented on it in the past.
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The confusion over in the pathfinder fb post is whether expeditious retreat's boost to your speed (land based) translates into extra distance when using the climb or swim skill. Some posters were taking the wording in expeditious retreat about not affecting other modes of movement (i.e. actual swim speed or climb speed, etc) as evidence that you don't get any extra distance using the spell when using those skills.
--Schoolhouse Vrock
climb and swim checks without a climb or swim speed are derived from base land speed. Increasing the base land speed will increase them, but not directly, it only increases them because what they are based on has increased.
For example, a human with expeditious retreat would be able to swim faster than normal, not because his swim speed has increased, but because his base land speed has increased which effects how far he can move using the swim skill.
A merfolk under the effects of expeditious would slither faster, but wouldn't actually swim any faster because swim speed would be unaffected. There might be a few rare cases where creatures with a swim speed would be faster using a bolstered land speed and the swim skill, but those are going to be very few.