Carrying Capacities [Archive] - Wizards Community

Carrying Capacities [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Raistlin1245
07-24-05, 02:40 PM I thought I saw a chart in a book that listed how much weight different items could hold along with how much cubic area they could contain, but now I can not find it. I am asking cause I don't think that a player can put as much stuff in his backpack has he has listed on his character sheet, but I wanted more than just what I think to get him to lighten how much he is carrying. Any help would be great!
Zorminster
07-24-05, 02:49 PM 2nd edition PHB has that chart, 3.5 no longer has the same chart. I made a post here somewhere about 5 days ago with the chart copied over- it was in the "how many coins in a chest" thread (not sure of exact title, you can find it though).
I remember the backpack is 2x3x1' - 6 cubic feet
Santrilla
07-24-05, 02:57 PM Actually, the chart was reproduced for 3.5. The website published an article on it, which you can find here! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040406a)!
Raistlin1245
07-24-05, 03:19 PM thanks for the quick responses. Got another question for you all. Is there a listing on how much space weapons take up? So like can a person place 2 short swords in their backpack along with a few other small objects? If so what else would he be able to fit into it?

Another on a slightly different note, if a character has a full water skin and knows that he will not be able to refill it soon, how long would it last him? I think that to remain hydrated it would last him about 2-3 days if that.

Thanks again.
Raist
Caterane
07-24-05, 07:25 PM Just buy all the things he has on his sheet and tell the player to equip himself here and now with all that :D

Seriously, use common sense. We all have backpacks at home.
Santrilla
07-24-05, 07:56 PM I wouldn't worry too much about the deep specifics of volume and measurement. Like Caterane rightly says, use common sense. In real life you could probably fit two short swords in your backpack as long as they were scabbarded, and maybe squeeze a few more things in as well. When your party start trying to shove altars and statues in, though, you should probably intervene.

As for how long a waterskin lasts... well, I've always assumed that a single waterskin will last you a day if you're not frugal about it. If you were being careful to conserve it, you might be able to make it last two or even three days. As far as I'm aware there is no hard-and-fast ruling for that, though, so I'd just houserule it if I were you.
SALDAR
07-24-05, 08:40 PM See Starvation and Thirst, DMG pg 304. That should help.
Zorminster
07-25-05, 12:13 PM i think a waterskin should be able to hold you for 2 days, and you could probably stretch it as much as 4 if you tried REALLY hard.

As far as a backpack- think about HOW you would pack it- you guys think i can just get 2 short swords in it? Thats funny, because I would probably put them vertically lashed to the outside, or just inside protruding around the edges of the flap. They each may take up 3/4" in thickness? That leaves you with a good 22.75" width wise at full depth and height- you can get PLENTY in a backpack

The only thing with storage i ever consider is this-
1) Would it fit dimensionally? (Polearms/anything other than shortswords really cant be contained)
2) Could it be lashed on? (Bedroll below the backpack, longsword on the side, morningstar on the other side, great axe or shovel on the back)
3) Is it rigid or can it conform to its container? (Money pouches can be shaped to fit a container by squeezing them in, a chest, cannot.)

Really its not gamebraking to goof up on cointainers and stuff, as the group will always find a way to carry it anyway. (What? I cant get another backpack and another sack? Okay, I buy a mule with saddlebags. Im outta space again? I buy another mule / haversack / bag of holding / portable hole / rope trick etc etc etc)
quaiven
07-25-05, 12:32 PM STARVATION AND THIRST
Characters might find themselves without food or water and with no means to obtain them. In normal climates, Medium characters need at least a gallon of fluids and about a pound of decent food per day to avoid starvation. (Small characters need half as much.) In very hot climates, characters need two or three times as much water to avoid dehydration.
A character can go without water for 1 day plus a number of hours equal to his Constitution score. After this time, the character must make a Constitution check each hour (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage.

A character can go without food for 3 days, in growing discomfort. After this time, the character must make a Constitution check each day (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage.

Characters who have taken nonlethal damage from lack of food or water are fatigued. Nonlethal damage from thirst or starvation cannot be recovered until the character gets food or water, as needed—not even magic that restores hit points heals this damage

1 gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds, a waterskin is listed as 4 pounds when full which means it holds 1/2 a gallon of water. This means that in normal climate a medium sized character would require 2 full waterskins of water per day, and up to 6 full waterskins in a desert climate. This is about right if you ask me for moderate to heavy work like hiking, climbing, fighting, etc. Particularly while in heavy armor.
Mace Windu, Jedi Master
07-25-05, 02:30 PM So let me get this straight.....A waterskin holds one half gallon of water and the average person needs one gallon a day in normal conditions. Ok......so how is a level one supposed to travel then if they start with only one waterskin in the starting package? Something doesnt seem right here.....
The Admiral
07-25-05, 02:37 PM Okay I checked a conversion and a 1/2 gallon of water is roughly 64 oz, which is what the minimum of water needed for the adult human for today is. So as long as they are not in a desert climate or some other place that needs more water than normal then the water in the waterskin will hold them for a day, 2 if they only drink half of it. If a person needed a full gallon of water then the starting package would give 2 waterskins instead of the one.
quaiven
07-25-05, 02:55 PM So let me get this straight.....A waterskin holds one half gallon of water and the average person needs one gallon a day in normal conditions. Ok......so how is a level one supposed to travel then if they start with only one waterskin in the starting package? Something doesnt seem right here.....

The designers probably assumed that your average DM either wouldn't really care about food/water or would place streams, rivers, and wells in strategic locations.

Okay I checked a conversion and a 1/2 gallon of water is roughly 64 oz, which is what the minimum of water needed for the adult human for today is.

I found this online but I'm sure opinions vary.

Current recommendations for water are 8, eight ounce glasses per day which would equal 64 ounces. This amount should be sufficient for most healthy persons who are not in a hot, humid environment or sweating from physical work or exercise and should drink more water, more often.

I highlighted the relevant portion, recommendations for today don't really apply to adventurers. Since most adventurers don't spend 4 hours per day watching TV, 4 hours per day online, or sit in an air-conditioned office for 8-10 hours per day. Most adventurers spend the majority of their day walking with upwards of 50 pounds of gear on their backs, and fighting for their lives an average of 3-4 times per day.

As someone who has spent alot of time hiking and fighting in armor in terrains as varied as near arctic (Ft. Drum, NY), to desert (Fallujah, Iraq) I believe I have some experience in the matter. One gallon in normal climes doesn't seem to much of a stretch for the minimum required per day.
woodwalker
07-25-05, 05:45 PM the human body requires 2 quarts (one half a gallon) to survive. a some of the water is gained through food. this is why CamelBaks have a 2 quart capasity, and soldiers are alwas seen with 2 one quart canteens one their belts. oh, but rangers drink a gallon or more a day. i bet they pee a lot.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Raistlin1245 07-24-05, 02:40 PM	I thought I saw a chart in a book that listed how much weight different items could hold along with how much cubic area they could contain, but now I can not find it. I am asking cause I don't think that a player can put as much stuff in his backpack has he has listed on his character sheet, but I wanted more than just what I think to get him to lighten how much he is carrying. Any help would be great!
Zorminster 07-24-05, 02:49 PM	2nd edition PHB has that chart, 3.5 no longer has the same chart. I made a post here somewhere about 5 days ago with the chart copied over- it was in the "how many coins in a chest" thread (not sure of exact title, you can find it though). I remember the backpack is 2x3x1' - 6 cubic feet
Santrilla 07-24-05, 02:57 PM	Actually, the chart was reproduced for 3.5. The website published an article on it, which you can find here! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040406a)!
Raistlin1245 07-24-05, 03:19 PM	thanks for the quick responses. Got another question for you all. Is there a listing on how much space weapons take up? So like can a person place 2 short swords in their backpack along with a few other small objects? If so what else would he be able to fit into it? Another on a slightly different note, if a character has a full water skin and knows that he will not be able to refill it soon, how long would it last him? I think that to remain hydrated it would last him about 2-3 days if that. Thanks again. Raist
Caterane 07-24-05, 07:25 PM	Just buy all the things he has on his sheet and tell the player to equip himself here and now with all that :D Seriously, use common sense. We all have backpacks at home.
Santrilla 07-24-05, 07:56 PM	I wouldn't worry too much about the deep specifics of volume and measurement. Like Caterane rightly says, use common sense. In real life you could probably fit two short swords in your backpack as long as they were scabbarded, and maybe squeeze a few more things in as well. When your party start trying to shove altars and statues in, though, you should probably intervene. As for how long a waterskin lasts... well, I've always assumed that a single waterskin will last you a day if you're not frugal about it. If you were being careful to conserve it, you might be able to make it last two or even three days. As far as I'm aware there is no hard-and-fast ruling for that, though, so I'd just houserule it if I were you.
SALDAR 07-24-05, 08:40 PM	See Starvation and Thirst, DMG pg 304. That should help.
Zorminster 07-25-05, 12:13 PM	i think a waterskin should be able to hold you for 2 days, and you could probably stretch it as much as 4 if you tried REALLY hard. As far as a backpack- think about HOW you would pack it- you guys think i can just get 2 short swords in it? Thats funny, because I would probably put them vertically lashed to the outside, or just inside protruding around the edges of the flap. They each may take up 3/4" in thickness? That leaves you with a good 22.75" width wise at full depth and height- you can get PLENTY in a backpack The only thing with storage i ever consider is this- 1) Would it fit dimensionally? (Polearms/anything other than shortswords really cant be contained) 2) Could it be lashed on? (Bedroll below the backpack, longsword on the side, morningstar on the other side, great axe or shovel on the back) 3) Is it rigid or can it conform to its container? (Money pouches can be shaped to fit a container by squeezing them in, a chest, cannot.) Really its not gamebraking to goof up on cointainers and stuff, as the group will always find a way to carry it anyway. (What? I cant get another backpack and another sack? Okay, I buy a mule with saddlebags. Im outta space again? I buy another mule / haversack / bag of holding / portable hole / rope trick etc etc etc)
quaiven 07-25-05, 12:32 PM	STARVATION AND THIRST Characters might find themselves without food or water and with no means to obtain them. In normal climates, Medium characters need at least a gallon of fluids and about a pound of decent food per day to avoid starvation. (Small characters need half as much.) In very hot climates, characters need two or three times as much water to avoid dehydration. A character can go without water for 1 day plus a number of hours equal to his Constitution score. After this time, the character must make a Constitution check each hour (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. A character can go without food for 3 days, in growing discomfort. After this time, the character must make a Constitution check each day (DC 10, +1 for each previous check) or take 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Characters who have taken nonlethal damage from lack of food or water are fatigued. Nonlethal damage from thirst or starvation cannot be recovered until the character gets food or water, as needed—not even magic that restores hit points heals this damage 1 gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds, a waterskin is listed as 4 pounds when full which means it holds 1/2 a gallon of water. This means that in normal climate a medium sized character would require 2 full waterskins of water per day, and up to 6 full waterskins in a desert climate. This is about right if you ask me for moderate to heavy work like hiking, climbing, fighting, etc. Particularly while in heavy armor.
Mace Windu, Jedi Master 07-25-05, 02:30 PM	So let me get this straight.....A waterskin holds one half gallon of water and the average person needs one gallon a day in normal conditions. Ok......so how is a level one supposed to travel then if they start with only one waterskin in the starting package? Something doesnt seem right here.....
The Admiral 07-25-05, 02:37 PM	Okay I checked a conversion and a 1/2 gallon of water is roughly 64 oz, which is what the minimum of water needed for the adult human for today is. So as long as they are not in a desert climate or some other place that needs more water than normal then the water in the waterskin will hold them for a day, 2 if they only drink half of it. If a person needed a full gallon of water then the starting package would give 2 waterskins instead of the one.
quaiven 07-25-05, 02:55 PM	So let me get this straight.....A waterskin holds one half gallon of water and the average person needs one gallon a day in normal conditions. Ok......so how is a level one supposed to travel then if they start with only one waterskin in the starting package? Something doesnt seem right here..... The designers probably assumed that your average DM either wouldn't really care about food/water or would place streams, rivers, and wells in strategic locations. Okay I checked a conversion and a 1/2 gallon of water is roughly 64 oz, which is what the minimum of water needed for the adult human for today is. I found this online but I'm sure opinions vary. Current recommendations for water are 8, eight ounce glasses per day which would equal 64 ounces. This amount should be sufficient for most healthy persons who are not in a hot, humid environment or sweating from physical work or exercise and should drink more water, more often. I highlighted the relevant portion, recommendations for today don't really apply to adventurers. Since most adventurers don't spend 4 hours per day watching TV, 4 hours per day online, or sit in an air-conditioned office for 8-10 hours per day. Most adventurers spend the majority of their day walking with upwards of 50 pounds of gear on their backs, and fighting for their lives an average of 3-4 times per day. As someone who has spent alot of time hiking and fighting in armor in terrains as varied as near arctic (Ft. Drum, NY), to desert (Fallujah, Iraq) I believe I have some experience in the matter. One gallon in normal climes doesn't seem to much of a stretch for the minimum required per day.
woodwalker 07-25-05, 05:45 PM	the human body requires 2 quarts (one half a gallon) to survive. a some of the water is gained through food. this is why CamelBaks have a 2 quart capasity, and soldiers are alwas seen with 2 one quart canteens one their belts. oh, but rangers drink a gallon or more a day. i bet they pee a lot.