The difference was 1.
Leap to the left.
This seems like it could easily get unwieldy in larger combats, or when some people are in combat and some are doing SCIENCE!.
Not really. Out of combat this isn't happening, you just act normally. And since no one is targeting you, you don't react. It will slow down actual combat a bit, but it gives people the chance to counter spell, choose their reactions, etc. Plus it makes speed less broken since the other guy can still react, not just fall under a hail of 9 speed, 1 pot 1 channeling glass cannons. And it's true that it will slow things down a bit, especially in larger situations, but really, it shouldn't extend a volley more then three or so turns, even in large groups. Plus it makes fighting uneven numbers actually mean something and be much more difficult. You can't just speed roll your way out of everything.
[speed:4+1]
Of course, you went for the standard "jump of the way" rather then counter spelling.
You leap to the side as the beam of concetrated miasma hisses by with a smell like gangrene and sewer water. You say your own words.
[pot:3]
You summon a piece of tungsten carbide about the size of your fist. You try to pick it up. [6-1] Despite your tiny muscles, you heft the thing into the air and then hurl it at Elephant's head like an expert shot putter.
Now Elephant reacts, then we start again. Really, compared to something like d&d, this shit is simple.