Long Jump higher than High Jump?

[CapnZapp]

I can't read the Jumping rules any other way than you achieving a higher height during a long jump than during a high jump.

Also, the Acrobatics skill allows you to somersault over an enemy. This too suggest a (significantly) higher altitude than the measly result/5 in feet given by the high jump.

I haven't found anything regarding this either googling or searching the errata.

Have I missed something?

 

[Baumi]

As far as I understand is that how high you jump depends how FAR you jump. So if you don't have the space to fully jump forward then you cannot reach the height.

Also the difference is not that high...

If you have 5 Athletics (level 1 trained), roll a 10 and have a running start:
long jump: 3 squares forward, 1,5 squares (7 feet) up
high jump: 8 feet (human) + 3 feet = 11 feet up

lets say you have 20 athletics (level 30 + trained) and roll a 10:
long jump: 6 squares forward, 3 squares (15 feet) up
high jump: 8 feet (human) + 6 feet = 14 feet up

 

[Mengu]

Also, the Acrobatics skill allows you to somersault over an enemy. This too suggest a (significantly) higher altitude than the measly result/5 in feet given by the high jump.

Somersaulting over an enemy probably assumes using the enemy to aid the jump. Perhaps you hold onto his shoulders, or maybe force him on to a knee, or take a feint at his head making him duck first before you jump, or use some other method.

Actually I hate that somersault example. People keep trying to do it and expect there to be no consequence such as an opportunity attack from the enemy. Since skills can (typically) be used at will, it's important to make sure skills don't duplicate class powers, racial powers, feats, and the like. The use of a skill to imitate a power should always have some greater consequence.

 

[Syrsuro]

I think it's intentional.

A vertical leap is harder than reaching the same height at the peak of a long jump.

Solution: If your players have the room to do it, let them do a long jump to reach the height they need.

I.e.:

They want to jump onto a five foot ledge.

With a running start, the would take a roll of a 25 (25/5 = 5) for a vertical leap.

But with a running start, one also reaches a height of 5 on a jump of 20' or 4 squares. A jump of 20' with a running start requires a roll of 20 (20/5 = 4).

The difference is: To do the vertical leap, the player only needs to move two squares before the leap. To do the horizonal leap with the apex at the ledge the player needs to move four squares (two before the jump and half-way into the four-square jump is two more squares.)

Also note the difference in failure consequences:

While attempting the vertical leap you suffer no penalty for failure and can still get up on the ledge by using your body length to reach the edge and pull yourself up.

While attempting the 'apex of the horizonal jump' approach if you fail to roll high enough your movement ends and you are prone at the base of the ledge.

So the two are different in that one is harder but safer while the other is easier but takes more space and has a greater consequence for failure.

Carl

 

[Christian]

I think it's intentional.

A vertical leap is harder than reaching the same height at the peak of a long jump.

Oh, OK. Now I know why Olympic high jumpers always take off from ten feet away from the bar.

Wait--no, they don't.

 

[Minigiant]

It's a bit silly. High jump converts the roll staight into feet (every 10 or 5 is a foot). Long goes to squares then feet (every 10 or 5 is a square and a quarter of those is a foot).

One thing...
Do you get your full height reach on an long jump?

 

[CapnZapp]

I think it's more than a bit silly. It's a clear example of two rules developed by different people not talking. It is stupid and it needs errata.

 

[Syrsuro]

Oh, OK. Now I know why Olympic high jumpers always take off from ten feet away from the bar.

Wait--no, they don't.

They also land flat on their back and would easily break thier neck if they tried a Fosbury flop in a dungeon.

I don't think Olympic high jump technique is particularily relevant. If anything, it falls in the category of Acrobatics stunt.

Carl