"Slowed" and 5' step free action

[Reckall]

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?

[Vic Wertz]

Reckall wrote:

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.

[The Bane]

Is the 5' step in the Beginner Box?

*Goes to pull out copy of Game Master's Guide...*

[Reckall]

Hero's Handbook, page 54.

FREE ACTIONS

"...5-FOOT STEP: You can move 5 feet (one square) in any
direction, but only if you don’t use your move action or
standard action to move [...]
You cannot take a 5-foot step if your movement is slowed or
you are moving into terrain that slows you down."

[Sean K Reynolds]

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.