Container Capacity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Container Capacity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
azardm
10-31-05, 09:16 PM I have a problem.

Recently in my game, it bacame apparent that the group was carrying a LOT of equipment and treasure in their backpacks. One such backpack was carrying over 250lbs. of stuff. I have been playing 3.5 since its inceptiona dn have played all the previous editions as well and as far as I can tell, this is one topic that the 3.x edition is totally silent on.

Does anyone know of a place in the WotC books where this topic is covered? I know that the focus now is to remove realism to improve game speed but this is a pet peeve of mine.

Any help would be appreciated,

AzarDM
ScipioX
10-31-05, 11:21 PM Really, the matter is too complex to cover with rules. Just use your common sense.

first, make sure the players are calculating encumberance correctly.

then look at where that weight is distrubted and what it consists of.

A well made backpack can hold quite a bit of weight, its the volume that becomes an issue. Just ask them to list what they are carrying in their backpack. If its 250 pounds of dense objects (like steel or gold) then they are probably ok. If its 250 pounds of say, lumber, then obviously its not going to fit in a backpack. Similarly, large weapons aren't going to fit in a backpack either. Those have to be carried or worn across the back. I'd limit it to one large weapon on the back personally, but a generous DM might allow 2. Just tell em they will need a cart or a bag of holding if their stuff obviously woudln't fit in a backpack.

Although be fair about it and institute this ruling at a place where they can do something about it. Don't just say they have to much stuff to carry when they are in the middle of the wilderness.
StormCrow42
10-31-05, 11:55 PM Check the link in my sig for the web article on container capacities. I believe that that information was included in 3.0 and left out of 3.5 for some reason (probably space constraints). The latest rules of the game series is dealing with carrying capacities, it's likely that part 3 or part 4 will deal with containers again (in a week or two).

Edit: looks like the latest web article made a liar out of my as far as mentioning container capacities again. I'm also not sure I agree with Skip's comment about being permited to nest bags of holding, but I don't remember exactly where I've seen references to it before.
Jaid
11-01-05, 10:33 PM merry 'going metric article' appreciation day!!! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040406a)

uhhh... yeah... but anyways, that article, towards the bottom. not sure if it's 3.0 or 3.5, but i kinda suspect it really, really won't make a difference. things still have the same volume and whatnot as they did before ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
azardm 10-31-05, 09:16 PM	I have a problem. Recently in my game, it bacame apparent that the group was carrying a LOT of equipment and treasure in their backpacks. One such backpack was carrying over 250lbs. of stuff. I have been playing 3.5 since its inceptiona dn have played all the previous editions as well and as far as I can tell, this is one topic that the 3.x edition is totally silent on. Does anyone know of a place in the WotC books where this topic is covered? I know that the focus now is to remove realism to improve game speed but this is a pet peeve of mine. Any help would be appreciated, AzarDM
ScipioX 10-31-05, 11:21 PM	Really, the matter is too complex to cover with rules. Just use your common sense. first, make sure the players are calculating encumberance correctly. then look at where that weight is distrubted and what it consists of. A well made backpack can hold quite a bit of weight, its the volume that becomes an issue. Just ask them to list what they are carrying in their backpack. If its 250 pounds of dense objects (like steel or gold) then they are probably ok. If its 250 pounds of say, lumber, then obviously its not going to fit in a backpack. Similarly, large weapons aren't going to fit in a backpack either. Those have to be carried or worn across the back. I'd limit it to one large weapon on the back personally, but a generous DM might allow 2. Just tell em they will need a cart or a bag of holding if their stuff obviously woudln't fit in a backpack. Although be fair about it and institute this ruling at a place where they can do something about it. Don't just say they have to much stuff to carry when they are in the middle of the wilderness.
StormCrow42 10-31-05, 11:55 PM	Check the link in my sig for the web article on container capacities. I believe that that information was included in 3.0 and left out of 3.5 for some reason (probably space constraints). The latest rules of the game series is dealing with carrying capacities, it's likely that part 3 or part 4 will deal with containers again (in a week or two). Edit: looks like the latest web article made a liar out of my as far as mentioning container capacities again. I'm also not sure I agree with Skip's comment about being permited to nest bags of holding, but I don't remember exactly where I've seen references to it before.
Jaid 11-01-05, 10:33 PM	merry 'going metric article' appreciation day!!! (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040406a) uhhh... yeah... but anyways, that article, towards the bottom. not sure if it's 3.0 or 3.5, but i kinda suspect it really, really won't make a difference. things still have the same volume and whatnot as they did before ;)