D&D 5E Encumbrance by carrying capacity - an easier way

[toucanbuzz]

Just a side note - one thing that's almost never taken into consideration is that most armour has two effective "weights" - one when it's being worn and another when it's being carried....

That'd probably factor in to carrying capacity. While there's a spot on the body to wear armor, very few will pack nicely into a backpack/pouch, and probably would have to be carried in the hands otherwise if not worn. None of this video game stuff where you load up on 6 suits of enchanted plate mail and sell it at the vendor later.

 

[Laurefindel]

That'd probably factor in to carrying capacity. While there's a spot on the body to wear armor, very few will pack nicely into a backpack/pouch, and probably would have to be carried in the hands otherwise if not worn. None of this video game stuff where you load up on 6 suits of enchanted plate mail and sell it at the vendor later.

I think that's exactly what Lanefan meant; armour is easier worn then carried. No video game capacity logic applied here.

To be analogous with your system, perhaps a Scale Mail (45 lbs) "weighs" 9 slots when carried, but it may only use half when worn because that weight is better distributed.

And I get that armour is heavy, but that puts plate+shield+sword at 15 slots. Not even the strongest human is going to be able to carry a 6-slot pack on top without being encumbered. RaW might be too generous, but this might be pushing things a bit too far in the other way IMO.

Also, rations are still proportionally under-weighted. Carrying food for a week and water for a day should be heavy. Having worn both armour and hiking packs, I'll take the heavy armour over a pack any day. Heck, I'd prefer wearing the armour over carrying a shield all day.

I like the concept. My own approach is similar, but I think your implementation is a bit off.

 

[Don Durito]

Really there's no way to realistically square the idea of someone wearing full plate and adventuring gear while marching through the wilderness.

They'd have a mule at the very least to transport that much gear. (And likely a servant or squire to help look after the armour and get it on or off.)

 

[Sadras]

Just a side note - one thing that's almost never taken into consideration is that most armour has two effective "weights" - one when it's being worn and another when it's being carried.

Yes the actual physical weight of the armour itself doesn't change, but when it's being worn its weight is much better distributed and balanced thus making is considerably easier to carry than if it's all stuffed in a bag.

How do you account for this difference in your own games?

I like the concept. My own approach is similar, but I think your implementation is a bit off.

I agree with this. Like it, but needs some tweaking.

 

[Coroc]

Rations might be with water, thus 2 Lbs., no?

 

[Shiroiken]

The biggest issue with carrying capacity isn't the actual weight, but the container capacity that DMs usually ignore. If you are strict with it, it keeps down the amount the party carries. A few things might be carried in hand (such as a suit of armor for sale), but it would take both hands, leaving nothing for weapons/torches/etc.

For example, here's my current character's equipment:

Standard Equipment (55/110/165 – 159 lbs.)
Worn/Carried (84 lbs): Traveler’s Clothes (4 lbs.), Plate Armor (65 lbs.), Shield w/Holy Symbol (6 lbs.), Backpack (5 lbs.), Quarterstaff (4 lbs.)
Belts (11 lbs.): 3x Pouch (3 lbs.), Glour (2 lbs.), Waterskin (5 lbs.), Stoutale Tankard (1 lbs.)
Backpack (30/30 +10 lbs): Bedroll (7 lbs.), Mess Kit (1 lb.), 10 days rations (20 lbs.), 50 ft Hemp Rope (10 lbs. outside), Poor Quality Maps (Farun from Great Rift to Sword Coast), 20x sandals, 2x torch (2 lb)
Pouch 1 (4/6 lbs): coins (0 lbs.), diamonds, Healer’s Kit (3 lb.), Runestones, Incense, Torch (1 lb.)
Pouch 2 (6/6 lbs): Tinderbox (1 lb.), 5x Torch (2 lbs.)
Pouch 3 (6/6 lbs): 4x Holy Water (4 lb.), 2x Potion of Healing (2 lb.)

 

[Sadras]

For example, here's my current character's equipment

Firstly I do not think worn clothing (except for fur coats) counts against your encumbrance.
Secondly 20 sandals?

 

[Oofta]

Really there's no way to realistically square the idea of someone wearing full plate and adventuring gear while marching through the wilderness.

They'd have a mule at the very least to transport that much gear. (And likely a servant or squire to help look after the armour and get it on or off.)

Modern soldiers carry 100 lbs or more, medieval armor weighed about 60 and was better "distributed" so as to allow free movement. Not saying I'd want to hike in any kind of armor, but then I don't have to worry about being randomly attacked multiple times per day.

On the other hand the pack mules would be handy for carrying supplies. As others have said, food, water, tents, cooking utensils, a spare set of clothes and blankets are always going to weigh a lot.

 

[toucanbuzz]

Really there's no way to realistically square the idea of someone wearing full plate and adventuring gear while marching through the wilderness....

Someone wore a real suit of plate armor all day and while sweaty was able to function, but he didn't pack any gear. SCA people might tell you it's the helmets (trapping all the heat in your head) rather than the armor that makes it intolerable.

 

[prenzie]

I would be really interested to learn how realistic it would be to carry (not wear) any armor out of a dungeon as treasure. How feasible would it be for one person to carry a suit of plate? What about chain mail? What about leather?

has anyone ever done this IRL?