Reactions

Reactions

In fiction, movement over long distances and movement over short distances - which can be dubbed "combat distances" - tend to be remarkably different for different characters, resulting in serious discrepancies when considering their overall speed. On this wiki, we therefore differentiate between various types of speed, including reaction speed.

Reaction speed is defined as a single movement in a defined timeframe, which a character has been shown capable of. A series of movements in similar timeframes makes this combat speed, so this term should only be applied for a single, quick movement. Examples include ducking backwards to dodge bullets and diving away to dodge extremely fast vehicles.

When measured in terms of a single movement of often undefined, small distance, humans have displayed between 300 millisecond (subhuman) to 100 millisecond (peak human) reactions. Autonomous body reactions for humans can also reach as high as 40 milliseconds, but this is oftentimes inapplicable to reaction speed and shouldn't be used.

Rules Regarding Reaction Speed and Scaling

Reaction speed has both a distance and a timeframe component, so all calculations that are completed for reaction speed cannot simply be a timeframe by itself. Do not randomly assume a 1 meter distance for each timeframe and use that speed for the reaction speed.

If only a timeframe is known (for example, characters who do not need to move to attack or defend), then it is still possible to list that timeframe in parenthesis in the speed section of the character profile. It may also be listed in the skills section of the profile or as a feat.

If character A can blitz character B, A's movement speed may be scaled to B's reaction speed.

If character A is considered an equal in combat to character B, then reaction speed may be scaled if there is no discrepancies or showings that suggest the opposite.

All other scalings of reaction speed are circumstancial and must be discussed with the staff.