Encumbrance - how strict are you?

[gnfnrf]

I myself and many of the people I game with use a spreadsheet that automatically tracks weight and encumbrance, so I play pretty strictly.

Before, we paid occasional attention, but didn't agonize over it.

--
gnfnrf

 

[Deset Gled]

In groups I have played in, weight was rarely brought up. Unless the character had a strength penalty (or was swimming, etc). Then, it became important.

 

[azhrei_fje]

I don't wait until an "inconvenient moment", I just tell them the next time they try to move. It's really easy for me, though: I use DM Genie at the table to track my entire game, including the PCs equipment. The gnome and the halfling have lousy STR scores and are constantly in the "Load: Medium" state, dropping their speed to 15 feet. The half-orc barbarian is carrying a bag of holding with a bunch of party gear, but the bag currently has 248.3 pounds of stuff in it and it has a limit of 250 pounds! Also, in DM Genie, the normal HHH simply ignores the weight of the items inside it. But I created three "sub-containers" (each side and the main compartment) and individual items go into each sub-container. Since the sides can only hold 20 pounds and the main bag 80 pounds, this helps me track it. I also require that players state that they are wrapping their dangerously sharp items in cloth or slipping them into a scabbard or sheath before placing them into an bag or HHH. And I make sure they take the appropriate action to unwrap them when pulling them out!

 

[Storyteller01]

Not very. I ask what everyone's carrying before they leave somewhere. If it seems strange, I question it. I did notice that when I didn't check, everyone's 'basic equipment' tended to grow over time though.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm strict at 1st level, but unless I notice you're abusing my trust, you're on the honor system after that.

 

[pawsplay]

I tend to go for common sense, with an accounting to be done every so often, particularly if there are large changes in gear. I am strict down to the pound, if it comes up in game. But I handwaive on arrow fired here, a couple of potions picked up there, until a more appropriate time to do an audit.

 

[Hellefire]

In older versions of DnD I was pretty relaxed about it. I'm still learning 3.x though, and to give it a fair shake I'm trying to thoroughly learn and use the rules. I generally do the weight accounting between sessions though. At the moment the half-orc barb with 22 str is carrying half of the groups stuff (non-essentials like extra arrows, bed rolls, etc) and money-type loot. Hm. A chaotic evil half-orc barbarian with all the money. Wonder if they'll wake up one morning and realize that was a mistake, along with putting the half-orc on the last watch.

Aaron

 

[Phlebas]

When i Ref, I've always asked the players to write down exactly where their equipment is (backpack, belt, pack animal etc) which makes it easy to stop the silly overloading ("so how exactly are you carrying two glaives, two tents, 500 gp and a heavy crossbow in your backpack?") without having to get too excited on the totals, but the players are fairly good about tracking total weights to avoid getting slowed in combat - possibly because the only time i ever check is when PC's insist that their light loaded without me seeing the sums....

Last night (me as player) we had to get a statue back to the owner and ended up making a warforged drawn sledge. Because everyone knew approx what they were carrying it was easy to work out how to drag the sledge, and if we could carry anything else (the answer turned out to be either one warforged, with misc. equipment spread between the rest of the party, or one warforged and one cleric with the rest of the party combat ready) the conversation took only a few minutes and didnt effect the flow of the adventure - most amusement came from the artificer continually adding bits and pieces to the sledge ("Whats the candlestick for?" "It might get dark....I've put a brake on as well as some railings for me to stand on the back" )

Because we have got into the habit of doing it automatically it doesnt become a chore and so doesnt really require policing.

As I side effect, i've noticed that we continually seem to be running short of supplies, even with 2 x HHH in the party, as everyone tries to optimise their own gear. Having run out of sacks and light rods last night we're going to get together before the next adventure and make sure we have stuff spread over the party. Seems more realistic this way......and definitely encourages the last minute shop before starting any adventure !

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

I run my games with DMGenie, so I usually have a good idea of what their common loadout is. I build characters when I'm playing in DMGenie as well, so when I'm playing I have a good idea.

Luckily my character has a high strength. He's got a weapon of legacy that he uses 99% of the time, but I've still got two longswords, a falchion, a composite longbow, and two or three javelins. One of the guys at the table custom built his mini, which reflects his highly-armed state.

And I'm the guy with the most levels of Cleric.

--fje

 

[RigaMortus2]

I think it is more or less up to the players to track their encumberance. If the player is encumbered, they should make the appropriate adjustments (such as speed reduction and what not).