[d20 Modern] Unbearable... [encumbrance Q]

[The Shaman]

An encumbrance conundrum...

Two characters, STR 13, need to carry a load weighing 150 lbs. Alone each character would be heavily encumbered. Working together both characters would be medium encumbered (75 lbs. each)

However, according to the rules, if one of the characters drags the weight, he can 'carry' five times his normal maximum.

My question is, how is this 5x modifier applied for dragging a weight? Does it apply to the maxium weight in each category (light, medium, heavy) or does it apply only to the high end maximum?

Using the example above, if one character was to drag the 150 lb. weight, under the RAW, would it be considered light encumbrance (5 times 50 lbs. = 250 lbs.) or would it still be considered heavy encumbrance (in the range of 101-750 lbs.)?

Assume the load is one suitable for dragging over a 'standard' surface for purposes of answering the question.

 

[Roudi]

The answer is simple: dragging an object precludes that object being an encumberance to you. Dragging the object might affect your movement rate, but shedding that weight is as simble as letting go, and thus encumberance rules won't apply in combat. The 5x modifier only refers to the maximum amount of weight you can move. Dragging an object does not cause the object to encumber you.

That's my two cents, anyhow.

 

[The Shaman]

Dragging the object might affect your movement rate...

Exactly the point of my question, actually.

These two characters need to move this 150lb. weight. If one carries it, his move drops from 30' to 15'. If both carry it, their moves drop from 30' to 20'. If one drags it...?

That's why I need to know which limit of encumbrance is affected by the dragging multiplier - if it's by each weight category, then light encumbrance becomes 250lbs. and one character can drag the weight at a rate of 30'. If it's the upper limit only, then the character is still heavily encumbered and his move is 15'.

In my head I can make an argument for both, and neither, which is why I turned to the boards for additional thoughts...

 

[Bobitron]

If they drag Martinez, Marcel will have a word or two to say

I think dragging or carrying should be treated the same; as though the character was heavily encumbered. If the weight is shared between the two characters, dragged or carried, treat it as medium.

In actuality, I think the dragging speed would be even slower, but let's not get weighed down with the details

 

[Henry]

I don't have a rules source for this, but common sense tells me that the load would be dragged at somewhere between the lesser rate (20 ft for 30 speed characters) and 5 feet per round. I'd be willing to give the player a benefit of the doubt and say at 20 feet. However, I'd also ask them if they are coming up with any protection for the dragged thing, or it's going to experience quite a bit of wear and tear over long ditances.

 

[The Shaman]

If they drag Martinez, Marcel will have a word or two to say

Marcel is not having great luck with his patients, is he? He treats their wounds just fine, but then WORSE stuff happens...!



I'm inclined to think that dragging simply increases the heavy load limit rather than increasing the range of values, which is one of the reasons Lavareaux assigned both Dinter and Berg to the task, so they can cover up to 40' per round at least.

 

[Starglim]

I'm not sure if the rules support it, but my group's rule is that dragging an object reduces your movement rate to 5 feet (that is, full-round move 10 feet).