Roundtime
Roundtime (RT) refers to the period of time after a character performs an in-game action. During this time, most further combat-related actions cannot be performed, including movement, attacking, casting a spell, and more. Roundtime is measured in seconds.
Hard vs. Soft RT
Normal roundtime is also known as "hard" RT, in contrast with cast roundtime which is known as "soft" roundtime. In most standard game clients, hard RT is shown with a red bar and soft RT with a blue bar. Cast roundtime is incurred after casting a spell, is always 3 seconds, and permits some combat actions such as moving and changing stance.
| Hard RT | Soft RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Speak | Yes | Yes |
| Move/Stand | No | Yes |
| Change Stance | No | Yes |
| Attack | No | No |
| Prepare/Cast Spell | No† | No |
| Use Society Power | No† | No |
† A few specific spells and society powers are usable during roundtime with an associated penalty. For example, Sigil of Escape may be activated, but will drain all stamina and mana and may only be used in such a fashion once per day. It is not possible to activate these powers during cast roundtime.
Factors
One of the most common sources of roundtime is engaging in physical combat. When a character ATTACKs or uses an offensive Combat Maneuver, they incur some amount of roundtime based on the type of weapon or maneuver.
Each weapon has a Base RT and Minimum RT. Base RT is the standard duration before accounting any factors that may increase or decrease RT. Minimum RT is the shortest duration to which the attack's roundtime may be reduced by physical means, though there are some magic spells such as Haste (506) and Song of Tonis (1035) that can further modify RT.
Some non-combat actions such as standing up from a prone or seated position, climbing, swimming, moving over difficult terrain, and artisan skills may also have associated RT.
Melee RT
| Agility + Dexterity |
Roundtime reduction |
|---|---|
| 8 - 22 | 1 |
| 23 - 37 | 2 |
| 38 - 52 | 3 |
| 53 - 67 | 4 |
| 68 - 82 | 5 |
| 83 - 97 | 6 |
| 98 - 112 | 7 |
| 113+ | 8 |
| Roundtime reductions above 5 are not achievable without enhancive items. | |
Characters will see an increase to melee roundtime if they are under encumbrance from carrying too many items, or if they are insufficiently trained for their armor. The AMBUSH verb adds 3 seconds to Base RT and 1 second to Minimum RT.
All characters experience a natural reduction in melee roundtime based on the sum of their agility and dexterity bonuses, as indicated to the right. This bonus is sometimes referred to as AGIDEX.
| Race | Max DEX |
Max AGI |
Max sum |
Max RT reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halfling | 25+15 | 25+10 | 75 | 5 |
| Burghal gnome | 25+10 | 25+10 | 70 | 5 |
| Elf | 25+5 | 25+15 | 70 | 5 |
| Aelotoi | 25+5 | 25+10 | 65 | 4 |
| Dark elf | 25+10 | 25+5 | 65 | 4 |
| Forest gnome | 25+5 | 25+10 | 65 | 4 |
| Half-elf | 25+5 | 25+10 | 65 | 4 |
| Sylvankind | 25+10 | 25+5 | 65 | 4 |
| Half-krolvin | 25+0 | 25+5 | 55 | 4 |
| Erithian | 25+0 | 25+0 | 50 | 3 |
| Human | 25+0 | 25+0 | 50 | 3 |
| Dwarf | 25+0 | 25−5 | 45 | 3 |
| Giantman | 25−5 | 25−5 | 40 | 3 |
Ranged RT
When using ranged or thrown weapons, every +10 strength bonus reduces roundtime by 1 second. Crossbows are a special case as they have a fixed roundtime for FIRE, with strength instead being a factor in COCK. The AIM verb for ranged attacks adds 1 second to Base RT.