Backpack- quickrelease? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Backpack- quickrelease? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zorminster
07-13-05, 01:02 PM Okay, im not sure what the ruling on this is or should be- perhaps you could help me out?

If we fall under attack- is dropping my backpack a free action or a move action? We have conflicting opinions within the group.

If it turns out to be anything other than a free action answer me this-
what would it take to have a special backpack that could be quickly released as a free action? I assume that in the fantasy setting the backpack would have its straps held by coter pins or something similar that could simply be jerked to allow the straps to fall lose? How much would something like this cost? What would the extra weight be?
Santrilla
07-13-05, 01:12 PM RAW for carrying things is a bit sketchy as it is. Technically, a backpack isn't "worn" anywhere, and it doesn't take up a slot; you're just seen to be holding it. I wouldn't say it would take more than a second or two to drop your backpack; I know when I get home from college my bag is on the floor before the front door's shut. However, I suppose an adventuring backpack might be more properly fastened, and thus would take longer to removed. DM's discretion, I suppose.

Since the backpack isn't a magical item, and since dropping it as a free action is hardly gamebreaking, I'd price a quick-release backpack at something like 15 gold.
Zorminster
07-13-05, 01:55 PM as a second question- RAW? just started coming to these forums today and im afraid i don't yet know all the acronyms thrown about here :)
jaerad
07-13-05, 02:05 PM as a second question- RAW? just started coming to these forums today and im afraid i don't yet know all the acronyms thrown about here :)
RAW = Rules as Written.

The FAQ contains a list of other acronyms, slang, and all them other fancy words we like to throw around.
DragonWatcher
07-13-05, 02:09 PM Realistically, I would consider it a move action to drop a worn backpack, but then as far as game balance and mechanics go, I don't see what the big deal would be about dropping it as a free action.

I guess to answer this question properly, I must ask, why would you want to drop a worn backpack during combat anyhow? It doesn't generally get in the way, but maybe I'm missing some strategy here?
Zorminster
07-13-05, 02:17 PM weight for movement distance.
red-gregor
07-13-05, 02:25 PM i never droped my back pack before i geuss if it was heavy you would but i would say it would be a free action i mean it cant take that long if you have spike armor i geuss it would be a full action but i think that the back would just slide of your body and so it would be a free action
Zorminster
07-13-05, 03:07 PM im glad to see that at least my general feelings have been confirmed that it is either a free or a move action :)

My uncertainty spawns from the term backpack. Is it a rutsack? A duffle bag? A backpack?

well, a rutsuck would be easily slipped off the shoulders in a matter of a second or two- given another second and some muscle with some aim and you have a heavy projectile using the moment with which is comes off- this is how my backpack gets launched to the other side of my bed every day i get back from classes.

a duffle bag would be just as easy to drop- but that would mean carrying weapons while traveling with it would be nearly impossible.

a backpack would like have shoulder straps, a fairly sturdy frame of wood, and a chest (and maybe waist) strap as well. This would take considerably longer to remove.

I think rutsack is probably most like to what the equipment listings are refering to- would anyone object to that?

PS: a backpack for my character (im sure to be the party packmule soon enough) will be enough to push me from a light to medium or medium to heavy loading. any extra distance in combat is worth noting in my opinion
jaerad
07-13-05, 03:30 PM I'd go with it being a rutsack, as opposed to a framed backpacking style pack. The description and the weight make it seem a lot more like a simple rutsack than anything else, imo.

I basically treat it as a free action because I don't generally think it's important enough to tie up combat actions. If it's an ambush, or suprise attack, I might treat it as a move action just because suprise attacks are supposed to be a hassle. :) Kinda like being attacked at night and hassling with no armor, etc. Not something to do a lot, but once and a while is nice. Keeps your players on their toes.

But this is something that's really dependant on the amount of realism you want. More realism almost always equals slower gameplay, so you have to decide what compromise you like as far as realism<>fluidity. Some people don't might playing for 4-5 hours and making it through 2-3 encounters.
Bohica
07-13-05, 04:34 PM A military ALICE Pack has quick release straps that are pretty easy to pull, and these can be mounted on frames. If I were the DM, I would charge extra. Maybe the same price as the quick straps available for armor in the Races of Stone book.

Now it does take a little coordination to pull those straps so I would only allow a character with light or no weapons to take the action as a free action. The straps need to be pulled at the same time. Former infantrymen would agree, it can cause a headache when ONE breaks or comes undone on a heavy pack.

Bohica
Timlagor
07-13-05, 04:37 PM If your DM says it's not a free action, carry your stuff in a sack instead.
Rulebook
07-13-05, 05:53 PM the quick release straps would turn removing it from a full round action to a move action IMO. (if its a proper travelling backpack) those things are strapped and secured to you pretty well, or else they fall off or bounce around and get very uncomfortable. even with modern plastic clips it takes a few seconds to remove (and remember a round is 6 seconds)

with special quick release straps to pull it could be dropped to a move action that can be taken as a part of another move action (like drawing a sword)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zorminster 07-13-05, 01:02 PM	Okay, im not sure what the ruling on this is or should be- perhaps you could help me out? If we fall under attack- is dropping my backpack a free action or a move action? We have conflicting opinions within the group. If it turns out to be anything other than a free action answer me this- what would it take to have a special backpack that could be quickly released as a free action? I assume that in the fantasy setting the backpack would have its straps held by coter pins or something similar that could simply be jerked to allow the straps to fall lose? How much would something like this cost? What would the extra weight be?
Santrilla 07-13-05, 01:12 PM	RAW for carrying things is a bit sketchy as it is. Technically, a backpack isn't "worn" anywhere, and it doesn't take up a slot; you're just seen to be holding it. I wouldn't say it would take more than a second or two to drop your backpack; I know when I get home from college my bag is on the floor before the front door's shut. However, I suppose an adventuring backpack might be more properly fastened, and thus would take longer to removed. DM's discretion, I suppose. Since the backpack isn't a magical item, and since dropping it as a free action is hardly gamebreaking, I'd price a quick-release backpack at something like 15 gold.
Zorminster 07-13-05, 01:55 PM	as a second question- RAW? just started coming to these forums today and im afraid i don't yet know all the acronyms thrown about here :)
jaerad 07-13-05, 02:05 PM	as a second question- RAW? just started coming to these forums today and im afraid i don't yet know all the acronyms thrown about here :) RAW = Rules as Written. The FAQ contains a list of other acronyms, slang, and all them other fancy words we like to throw around.
DragonWatcher 07-13-05, 02:09 PM	Realistically, I would consider it a move action to drop a worn backpack, but then as far as game balance and mechanics go, I don't see what the big deal would be about dropping it as a free action. I guess to answer this question properly, I must ask, why would you want to drop a worn backpack during combat anyhow? It doesn't generally get in the way, but maybe I'm missing some strategy here?
Zorminster 07-13-05, 02:17 PM	weight for movement distance.
red-gregor 07-13-05, 02:25 PM	i never droped my back pack before i geuss if it was heavy you would but i would say it would be a free action i mean it cant take that long if you have spike armor i geuss it would be a full action but i think that the back would just slide of your body and so it would be a free action
Zorminster 07-13-05, 03:07 PM	im glad to see that at least my general feelings have been confirmed that it is either a free or a move action :) My uncertainty spawns from the term backpack. Is it a rutsack? A duffle bag? A backpack? well, a rutsuck would be easily slipped off the shoulders in a matter of a second or two- given another second and some muscle with some aim and you have a heavy projectile using the moment with which is comes off- this is how my backpack gets launched to the other side of my bed every day i get back from classes. a duffle bag would be just as easy to drop- but that would mean carrying weapons while traveling with it would be nearly impossible. a backpack would like have shoulder straps, a fairly sturdy frame of wood, and a chest (and maybe waist) strap as well. This would take considerably longer to remove. I think rutsack is probably most like to what the equipment listings are refering to- would anyone object to that? PS: a backpack for my character (im sure to be the party packmule soon enough) will be enough to push me from a light to medium or medium to heavy loading. any extra distance in combat is worth noting in my opinion
jaerad 07-13-05, 03:30 PM	I'd go with it being a rutsack, as opposed to a framed backpacking style pack. The description and the weight make it seem a lot more like a simple rutsack than anything else, imo. I basically treat it as a free action because I don't generally think it's important enough to tie up combat actions. If it's an ambush, or suprise attack, I might treat it as a move action just because suprise attacks are supposed to be a hassle. :) Kinda like being attacked at night and hassling with no armor, etc. Not something to do a lot, but once and a while is nice. Keeps your players on their toes. But this is something that's really dependant on the amount of realism you want. More realism almost always equals slower gameplay, so you have to decide what compromise you like as far as realism<>fluidity. Some people don't might playing for 4-5 hours and making it through 2-3 encounters.
Bohica 07-13-05, 04:34 PM	A military ALICE Pack has quick release straps that are pretty easy to pull, and these can be mounted on frames. If I were the DM, I would charge extra. Maybe the same price as the quick straps available for armor in the Races of Stone book. Now it does take a little coordination to pull those straps so I would only allow a character with light or no weapons to take the action as a free action. The straps need to be pulled at the same time. Former infantrymen would agree, it can cause a headache when ONE breaks or comes undone on a heavy pack. Bohica
Timlagor 07-13-05, 04:37 PM	If your DM says it's not a free action, carry your stuff in a sack instead.
Rulebook 07-13-05, 05:53 PM	the quick release straps would turn removing it from a full round action to a move action IMO. (if its a proper travelling backpack) those things are strapped and secured to you pretty well, or else they fall off or bounce around and get very uncomfortable. even with modern plastic clips it takes a few seconds to remove (and remember a round is 6 seconds) with special quick release straps to pull it could be dropped to a move action that can be taken as a part of another move action (like drawing a sword)