GameBanshee Forums

Hi
This is a total noob question but it just occurred to me that I have no clue what the speed factor of any given weapon actually signifies. I've assumed that things like two-handed swords and crossbows are slower, but exactly how?

Is a speed factor of 4 better or worse than two? How exactly does speed affect the battle? Is it an important stat as opposed to, say, THACO? What is the difference between a speed factor and a weapon that gives additional strikes per round?

Any insight into this weapons stat is much appreciated.

As an aside, is Jan's crossbow really so amazing or is it just cute, in terms of role play? Should I ditch it for a better bow or even switch him to a sling or something? I tend to view crossbows and the apparent lack of easily-found high-powered bolts with some trepidation

Good questions. All I know is the higher the number, the slower the weapon. But you raise a good point. A round is 6 seconds real time so if you only get 1 attack per round, I fail to see the difference between a 9 (say a two-handed sword) and a 2 (say a short sword) except that you MAY be able to make your attack towards the beginning of the round with the Short Sword, whereas, the 2-handed sword stroke might come just as the 6-second round is concluding.

My guess (as above) is that it has to do with initiative *within* the round OR it more comes into play where your character has 2 or 3 attack-per-round capability and you need something with a higher weapon speed to fit all of those attacks within the 6 second time frame.

Can't wait to see the *real* answer though.

Use Power Word: Search
For example:
-> Some questions about 'game rules'
-> Speed factor
Low weapon speed is important for backstabbers and next to useless for others.

Weapons' "speed factor" (and spells' "casting time") refers to what is added to the elapsed time between a character initiating an attack (or spell) at the beginning of their personal 6-second combat round, and the attack (or spell) being performed. Example:

Let's say Edwin & Minsc are standing face-to-face right next to each other.

Game is paused. You command Edwin to cast the spell Sunfire (casting time of 3). You also command Minsc to attack Edwin with a magical Two Handed Sword +1 (speed factor of 9).

Game is unpaused, so we can work from the premise that both Edwin's & Minsc's personal 6-second combat rounds initate at the same time.

Even though both characters immediately start waving their arms all about, Edwin's Sunfire should explode before he gets whacked by Minsc, because Sunfire's casting time is lower than the sword's weapon's speed.

In retrospec, Minsc could have used a Dagger +1. It doesn't do as much damage, but with a speed factor of 1, Minsc's attack would have happened first, and a successful hit would make Edwin's spell fizzle.

Other thoughts on speed factor/casting time:

A second command would not be initiated until the character's previous personal 6-second combat round expired.

Magic weapons' speed factors get better (lower) as the magical 'plus' gets better (higher). A magical Two Handed Sword +2 has a speed factor of 8.

Many (but not all) spells' casting times will equal the spell's level. Invisibility, a second level spell, has a casting time of 2. Improved Invisibility, a fourth level spell, has a casting time of 4.

If Minsc has additional attacks per round (from high weapon proficiency or using two weapons or whatnot), all additional attacks should happen at the end of his personal combat round. Note: this is how it is in AD&D Second Edition rules, and I'm not sure how this is implemented in BG.

I read somewhere here on these forums that each point of speed factor/casting time is equivalant to .3 seconds.

Daggers and other tiny quick weapons will Rock and Roll enemy spellcasters. On the flip side, items that reduce casting time are a Big Deal.

Another tactical dimension to the Wonderful World of Baldur's Gate.

Hang on to Jan's crossbow, I've found it useful, he starts making unique items to use with it...or you could sell them for extra money....
I've always found Jan and his items/quests fun to have.