Speed System

POWDER's speed system is turn based, so with a proper understanding of the system you can predict what will happen and take advantage of it.

Phases

Each turn consists of 5 phases, including two "Normal" phases. Which phases a monster moves on is determined by their speed modifiers:

Phase Name	Creatures that move
Fast	Creatures with Fast
Normal ❤	All creatures, always
Slow ❤	Creatures which are not Slow
Quick	Creatures with Quick
Normal ❤	All creatures, always

❤ Heartbeat phases include things like naturally regaining HP and MP, taking poison or environmental damage, and counting down durations. They happen on each Normal and Slow phase, even if the creature didn't get a move.

Speed Dancing

If you have any advantage in speed over your opponent, you can take advantage of the speed system to be (almost) untouchable in melee combat. This works by "dancing" away from them (pillars and other loops are good for this), and repeatedly attacking only when you have an extra turn. If you have room to retreat and no distractions, Speed Boots or any Quickness boost can let you safely take out nearly anything: Green Dragons, Cockatrices, Ghasts, Gold Beetles.

• If the enemy is Normal speed and you are Fast or Quick, you get 4 turns to their 3. So move until they do not make a move. Then count three moves, and attack on the fourth. This is the basic "you have an edge" case.
• If the enemy is Slow and you are Normal speed, you get 3 turns to their 2. So move until they do not make a move. Then count two moves, and attack on the third. This covers slugs and zombies, and most victims of a wand of slowness.
• If the enemy is Slow and you are Fast or Quick, you get 2 turns to their 1. So move until they don't, then you can dance and attack on alternate turns.

• If the enemy is Normal speed and you are Fast and Quick, you get series of 2 turns to their 1 and 3 turns to their 2. So move until they do not make a move. Then keep moving 2 or 3 turns until you can guess if you can attack on the second turn or on the third. Then count one move, and attack on the second. Then count two moves and attack on the third. Repeat as needed.
• Similarly, if the enemy is Slow and you are Fast and Quick, you get series of 2 free turns and 2 turns to their 1.
• If both of you are above normal speed, things can get even trickier! In particular, if the enemy is Fast, while you are Quick, or vice versa, you will both get free shots at each other, every 4 moves. At this point, see the table below, or just back off for distance attacks.
• If your opponent is faster than you, you have a problem! Happily, monsters don't seem to purposely speed-dance the avatar, but even so, if you can't manage a fast takedown, it's a good time for teleportation (you or them).

A note of caution when doing this: Try to move into explored territory only -- an unexpected pit can ruin your day, let alone if more monsters show up to block your retreat!

Breakdown of Moves

Creatures↓ Phase➜:	Fast	Normal❤	Slow❤	Quick	Normal❤
Slow		X			X
Normal		X	X		X
Quick & Slow		X		X	X
Quick		X	X	X	X
Fast & Slow	X	X			X
Fast	X	X	X		X
Fast & Quick & Slow	X	X		X	X
Fast & Quick	X	X	X	X	X