Aquatic Adventures: Does Favored Terrain Extend To Boats?

There is some ambiguity surrounding the question of whether a boat is considered aquatic terrain. One source suggests that a boat is not considered aquatic terrain, but rather that it is in an aquatic terrain. This interpretation suggests that the boat itself is not part of the terrain and therefore the favoured terrain bonuses would not apply. However, other sources argue that a boat should be considered aquatic terrain, as it involves unusual movement underfoot, spray in the air, navigation by stars, extra sensitivity to wind, and other terrain matters characteristic of aquatic terrain. Additionally, it is suggested that a boat could be considered both aquatic and urban terrain, similar to how a house in a forest is considered both forest and urban terrain. Ultimately, it is up to the GM to decide how to rule this situation, and players should discuss with their GM to clarify how favoured terrain will apply in their specific campaign.

A boat is a vehicle, not a terrain

There is some debate among players of the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder as to whether a boat should be considered a type of terrain or a type of vehicle. This is an important distinction as it affects how certain character abilities function. For example, a ranger with the "Favored Terrain" ability can select a type of terrain and gain bonuses when they are in that terrain. If a ranger selects "Water (above and below the surface)" as their favoured terrain, it is unclear if this bonus would apply when they are on a boat.

Some players argue that a boat is a vehicle, not a terrain, and therefore being on a boat does not grant the "Favored Terrain" bonus. They compare it to riding a chariot through grasslands—even if the chariot is in the grasslands, the ranger is not directly interacting with the environment and therefore should not get the bonus.

However, others argue that a boat should be considered aquatic terrain because it is in the water and involves unusual movement, spray in the air, navigation by stars, and other characteristics of aquatic terrain. Additionally, they point out that a house in the middle of a forest would still count as forest terrain, so a boat in the water should count as aquatic terrain.

Ultimately, it is up to the Dungeon Master (DM) to decide how to rule this situation in their game. A possible compromise could be that the "Favored Terrain" bonuses only apply when the ranger is directly interacting with the water, such as when swimming or fishing, but not when they are inside a boat.

A ranger with an aquatic favoured terrain would still get bonuses while on a boat

The ranger's favoured terrain bonus is not dependent on whether they are directly interacting with the environment, but simply if they are there. So, if a ranger with a forest terrain bonus was in a house in the middle of a forest, they would still get their bonuses. This is because the house is in a forest, and so the ranger is still within their favoured terrain.

However, some people interpret the rules differently. One interpretation is that the ranger is not interacting with the terrain, and so does not get the bonuses. Another interpretation is that the bonuses only apply if the ranger can give a plausible reason for how the terrain is influencing what they are trying to do. For example, if the ranger was inside a house in their favoured terrain, they would get the bonus to initiative if they could hear the wildlife outside getting nervous.

Ultimately, it is up to the Dungeon Master to decide whether a ranger with an aquatic favoured terrain would get their bonuses while on a boat. However, it is worth noting that a boat is commonly encountered in aquatic terrain, just like a house is commonly encountered in a forest.

Terrain is cumulative

Terrain is indeed cumulative. If you are in a forest on a mountain, you benefit from both the mountainous and forest terrain bonuses. There is no part of the world that is not covered by at least one type of terrain, and terrains stack, though their bonuses do not.

A boat on the ocean would be considered aquatic terrain. A house in the woods would be considered forest terrain, though it could also be considered urban terrain as it is a man-made structure. A hut in the woods, however, would not be considered urban as it is not characterised by a high human population density.

Aquatic terrain is divided into two categories: flowing water (streams and rivers) and non-flowing water (lakes and oceans). Flowing water moves at a few miles per hour, but some rivers and streams are swifter, with the fastest rapids sending swimmers downstream at 60-90 feet per round. Non-flowing water simply requires a swim speed or successful swim checks to move through.

A hut in the woods is not 'urban' as per the handbook

A hut in the woods is not urban as per the handbook. This is an important distinction for players of role-playing games such as Pathfinder, where the setting and environment can have a significant impact on gameplay and character abilities.

In the Pathfinder game, a Ranger's ability, Favored Terrain, allows them to select a type of terrain and gain bonuses when they are in that environment. One of the options for Favored Terrain is 'Water (above and below the surface)'. This has led to some confusion among players about whether being on a boat or ship constitutes being in the Water terrain.

Some players and game masters interpret the rules strictly, arguing that the ship or boat itself is a separate entity from the water, and thus the Favored Terrain bonuses would not apply. Others take a more flexible approach, reasoning that a character interacting with the water environment from a boat or ship should still receive the benefits of their Favored Terrain.

This interpretation is supported by the idea that other forms of transportation, such as riding a horse through a plain or a chariot through grasslands, would not negate the Favored Terrain bonuses. Additionally, the absence of a specific terrain type for 'Ship Deck' suggests that being on a boat is still considered being in the water.

However, it is worth noting that the specific rules and interpretations may vary depending on the edition of the game being played and the decisions made by the game master.

The distinction between urban and non-urban settings also comes into play in other scenarios, such as the impact of surroundings on a character's skills and abilities. For example, a house in the woods might be considered both Forest and Urban terrain, depending on the interpretation of the handbook.

Ultimately, the classification of settings as urban or non-urban can have strategic implications in role-playing games, and players should refer to the specific rules and guidelines provided in the handbooks or by the game master to make informed decisions.

A hut in the woods is likely a commonly encountered structure in an aquatic terrain

In the context of tabletop role-playing games like Pathfinder, the interpretation of "aquatic terrain" and its interaction with structures like huts can be more nuanced. Some players and game masters (GMs) may interpret aquatic terrain more strictly, excluding areas that are not directly in the water. In this case, a hut in the woods near an aquatic terrain may not be considered part of that terrain. However, others may take a more expansive view, arguing that the surrounding environment and proximity to water are sufficient to qualify the hut as part of the aquatic terrain. This interpretation aligns with the idea that all locations should fall into one of the defined terrain categories, and aquatic terrain is often described as including areas "above and below the surface" of the water.

The presence of a hut in an aquatic terrain can have implications for character abilities, skills, and interactions. For example, a character with the "Favored Terrain (Water)" ability in Pathfinder may gain bonuses when in their favored terrain, and the interpretation of whether the hut is part of the aquatic terrain could impact the application of these bonuses. Some players argue that the bonuses should apply as long as the character is in or near their favored terrain, even if they are inside a structure like a hut. On the other hand, others suggest that the bonuses are contingent on directly interacting with the environment, and being inside a hut might negate those advantages.

Ultimately, the interpretation of whether a hut in the woods is considered part of an aquatic terrain can vary depending on the specific context and the decisions made by the players and GM. It is essential to establish a consistent understanding within the game to ensure fair and immersive gameplay.

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