Defense & Speed

Evading hits & moving

There are two final numbers you need to calculate for your pony: Defense and Speed.

Defense

Defense measures how hard it is to hit your pony in combat. The higher the Defense, the better. You calculate Defense as follows:

Defense = Body + Special Skill: Endurance + Shield Bonus (if applicable)

Shield bonuses are explained in Weapons, Armor, & Gear. For the moment, you just need to know that light shields have a +1 bonus and medium shields a +2 bonus.

Speed

Speed measures gait and quickness of hoof or wing. Basically, your pony can move up to a number of yards equal to Speed when taking a move action. This is explained in greater detail in Playing the Game. You calculate Speed as follows:

Deep Dweller Speed = 8 + Body + Special Skill: Running – Armor Penalty (if applicable)

Kirin Speed = 12 + Body + Special Skill: Running – Armor Penalty (if applicable)

Yak Speed = 10 + Body +Special Skill: Running – Armor Penalty (if applicable)

Other Races Speed = 10 + Body – Armor Penalty (if applicable)

Most suits of armor have a penalty that represents their weight and bulk; this naturally slows characters down some. You can learn more about this in Weapons, Armor, & Gear. For the moment, you just need to know that light leather barding has no penalty and heavy leather barding has a –1 penalty.
If you can Fly, calculate a separate Flying Speed, replacing Special Skill: Running with the Fly talent.