Acute hearing and darkness

[phiwum]

There seems to be a discrepancy in the rules for movement in total darkness and acute hearing. In the section on Darkness, we see

Originally Posted by ITL 119

A figure in complete darkness strikes at -6 DX and must make a 3-die saving roll vs. DX each turn he moves more than half his MA, to avoid falling, as though on broken ground.

On the other hand, in the entry for acute hearing, we learn that characters with this talent may

Originally Posted by ITL 37

travel in the dark at only half her normal speed, though with no chance of noticing hidden doors, traps, etc.[/B]

Thus, whether one has Acute Hearing or not, he can move safely in darkness at up to 1/2 MA. This can't be correct, since the text strongly suggests that those with Acute Hearing have movement advantages in darkness.

My thought is that the text one 119 is too generous and that someone without Acute Hearing should be in danger of tripping at lower speeds than 1/2 MA. One could decide that 1/4 MA, rounding down, is a better limit. That would still allow a character with MA 10 to move at a walk without fear, which may or may not be reasonable. An MA 12 character could move faster than a walk. The penalty for darkness on broken ground could be cumulative, so that one couldn't walk faster than 1/8 MA, rounding down but minimum one hex.

Surely someone else has noticed this issue?

[tomc]

Perhaps the first quote refers to when you're in combat, and the second quote when just moving around.

[Axly Suregrip]

Good find. I agree with your take that this is a conflict and that pg 119 is too generous.

Instead of doing 1/4 MA, I would just limit MA without saving roll to MA 2 in the dark.

[Shostak]

Even in familiar settings and moving slowly, it is easy to stumble and trip on things. I’d be inclined to require those without Acute Hearing 5/DX for moving in darkness at more than half-MA and 4/DX at half MA, and those with the talent to roll 3/DX at more than half-MA and no roll if moving no more than half.

[warhorse11h]

A suggestion, for those who wish to, would be to read the sections on Playing the game, Did he see it, did he recognize it, Mapping the Adventure, Time, Speed and distance, How many turns, Light and Lights effect on Combat. I would suggest reading the entirety of the talent Acute Hearing as well. Relevant page numbers are 68, 69, 70. Clarity will be provided for those who do so. But do as you wish, YMMV.

[phiwum]

Originally Posted by warhorse11h

A suggestion, for those who wish to, would be to read the sections on Playing the game, Did he see it, did he recognize it, Mapping the Adventure, Time, Speed and distance, How many turns, Light and Lights effect on Combat. I would suggest reading the entirety of the talent Acute Hearing as well. Relevant page numbers are 68, 69, 70. Clarity will be provided for those who do so. But do as you wish, YMMV.

If there is something relevant to the issue of moving in total darkness on those pages, I certainly missed it. It happens, of course.

So, perhaps you could just come right out and say what you mean. What on those pages is directly relevant to the question of how fast one may safely move in total darkness and how Acute Hearing affects that speed? That strategy might be a little more useful than giving a three page reading assignment in a voice dripping with condescension.