Tilenas
Explorer
I've been quite dissatisfied with the current system so I worked on a replacement to make keeping track of encumbrance easier and more fun. The thing that bothered me most was that after some time PCs would walk around equipped like mobile pawnshops of sorts. Sure, the DM can always call on everyone to count their stuff and force medium or heavy load onto some characters, but in my experience, hardly anyone does. Same goes with keeping track of trail rations and water, people are just too slacky.
Another thing: where do PCs actually keep those six greatswords? Are they rolled up in the Persian rug they salvaged from the evil vizir's quarters?
Now let's get down to business:
My system might be too restrictive for some, as it not only limits the maximum weight someone can carry with him, but also forces him to allocate his equipment in containers.
There are three categories of weight: light (1 lb), medium (10 lbs) and heavy (40 lbs).
Max. load:
Each person can carry a certain number of items of each category, depending on his Str/Con modifier (DM decides which one applies. I go with Str.)
So a regular guy (Str 10/11) could carry ten light items + four medium weight items + one heavy item max.
I've tried to keep the progression close to the standard encumbrance table (it's 90 lbs here for Str 10/11 and 100 lbs in PHB), but given the categorization in 1/10/40 lbs, it's nowhere near as linear, of course
Weight of equipment:
Heavy items: metal armor, battering rams, ladders (see below)
Medium items: one- and two-handed weapons, heavy shields, leather/hide armor, tents, 40' rope, lanterns
Light items: light shields, light weapons, 5 trail rations, waterskin, flasks, 10 arrows, 20 sling stones, 5 crossbow bolts
Note that not only an item's weight counts towards its category, but also its general "bulkiness" ladders don't weigh much, but good luck carrying a couple of them...
As you have seen in the case of rations, it is possible to "stack" a number of very light items, usually the ones that come in multiple counts anyway.
Trading:
To remain fair and flexible, it is possible to "trade" 10 slots in the light category for 1 slot in the medium category or vice versa, as well as trade 4 medium against 1 heavy. You may not exceed the double limit in any category in this manner.
Medium/Heavy load:
Medium load occurs if the character has reached half his maximum load in two categories (round up, so that 0/1 or 3/5 isn't encumbering). Heavy load occurs when he has reached half his limit in all three or exceeded it in at least two (if he has traded slots).
Containers:
Every item that the character does not actively hold (in his hands, in his mouth, whatever) or wear (like armor or a shield strapped to his back) needs to be stowed away somewhere. That's what containers are for: A container is an item of a given weight (light, medium or heavy), that can hold three objects of its size or any equivalent combination (see Trading, above). An empty container weighs its weight category, but once you place something inside, it's own weight doesn't count against the limit (but the items inside it still do):
medium container (empty): 1M
(1M inside): 1M
(1M + 10L inside): 2M
(2M + 10L inside): 3M
Some containers are:
Heavy: crate, barrel
Medium: backpack, basket
Light: purse, belt pouch
Additionally, there are special containers like sheaths, scroll cases or quivers, that can accomodate a certain number of items of a certain type. Some of these don't weigh anything when empty, as they don't interfere with the character's ability to carry other stuff. Some stats are:
Quiver: light, 20 arrows
Sheath: no weight, 1 blade weapon
Scroll case: light, 20 scrolls
Note that containers don't "absorb" items placed inside (that's what a portable hole is for). Most have an "empty weight" to reflect that it is a hassle to carry them around, even when empty. Also, it should entice players to keep their characters organized, as it yields them a net benefit to have everything neatly stowed away.
...
Since you only have a relatively small number of slots available, it should be fairly easy to manage your character, you don't have to worry about single pounds, and you can shift around a little bit to avoid heavier load sometimes (if you like).
That is about all. The basic idea should be clear, you can modify this system in many ways (boundaries light/medium/heavy, base weight associated with each category, no. of items containers can carry, etc.)
All feedback welcome!
P.S.: I didn't check whether the very same thing has already been posted, but be assured that I came up this completely on my own
[EDIT: How do you insert tables into this thing?]
Another thing: where do PCs actually keep those six greatswords? Are they rolled up in the Persian rug they salvaged from the evil vizir's quarters?
Now let's get down to business:
My system might be too restrictive for some, as it not only limits the maximum weight someone can carry with him, but also forces him to allocate his equipment in containers.
There are three categories of weight: light (1 lb), medium (10 lbs) and heavy (40 lbs).
Max. load:
Each person can carry a certain number of items of each category, depending on his Str/Con modifier (DM decides which one applies. I go with Str.)
Code:
Mod. light medium heavy
-5 5 1 0
-4 6 1 0
-3 7 2 0
-2 8 2 1
-1 9 3 1
0 10 4 1
+1 12 5 1
+2 14 6 2
+3 17 8 2
+4 20 10 3
+5 24 12 4I've tried to keep the progression close to the standard encumbrance table (it's 90 lbs here for Str 10/11 and 100 lbs in PHB), but given the categorization in 1/10/40 lbs, it's nowhere near as linear, of course
Weight of equipment:
Heavy items: metal armor, battering rams, ladders (see below)
Medium items: one- and two-handed weapons, heavy shields, leather/hide armor, tents, 40' rope, lanterns
Light items: light shields, light weapons, 5 trail rations, waterskin, flasks, 10 arrows, 20 sling stones, 5 crossbow bolts
Note that not only an item's weight counts towards its category, but also its general "bulkiness" ladders don't weigh much, but good luck carrying a couple of them...
As you have seen in the case of rations, it is possible to "stack" a number of very light items, usually the ones that come in multiple counts anyway.
Trading:
To remain fair and flexible, it is possible to "trade" 10 slots in the light category for 1 slot in the medium category or vice versa, as well as trade 4 medium against 1 heavy. You may not exceed the double limit in any category in this manner.
Medium/Heavy load:
Medium load occurs if the character has reached half his maximum load in two categories (round up, so that 0/1 or 3/5 isn't encumbering). Heavy load occurs when he has reached half his limit in all three or exceeded it in at least two (if he has traded slots).
Containers:
Every item that the character does not actively hold (in his hands, in his mouth, whatever) or wear (like armor or a shield strapped to his back) needs to be stowed away somewhere. That's what containers are for: A container is an item of a given weight (light, medium or heavy), that can hold three objects of its size or any equivalent combination (see Trading, above). An empty container weighs its weight category, but once you place something inside, it's own weight doesn't count against the limit (but the items inside it still do):
medium container (empty): 1M
(1M inside): 1M
(1M + 10L inside): 2M
(2M + 10L inside): 3M
Some containers are:
Heavy: crate, barrel
Medium: backpack, basket
Light: purse, belt pouch
Additionally, there are special containers like sheaths, scroll cases or quivers, that can accomodate a certain number of items of a certain type. Some of these don't weigh anything when empty, as they don't interfere with the character's ability to carry other stuff. Some stats are:
Quiver: light, 20 arrows
Sheath: no weight, 1 blade weapon
Scroll case: light, 20 scrolls
Note that containers don't "absorb" items placed inside (that's what a portable hole is for). Most have an "empty weight" to reflect that it is a hassle to carry them around, even when empty. Also, it should entice players to keep their characters organized, as it yields them a net benefit to have everything neatly stowed away.
...
Since you only have a relatively small number of slots available, it should be fairly easy to manage your character, you don't have to worry about single pounds, and you can shift around a little bit to avoid heavier load sometimes (if you like).
That is about all. The basic idea should be clear, you can modify this system in many ways (boundaries light/medium/heavy, base weight associated with each category, no. of items containers can carry, etc.)
All feedback welcome!
P.S.: I didn't check whether the very same thing has already been posted, but be assured that I came up this completely on my own
[EDIT: How do you insert tables into this thing?]
Last edited:
