Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Judou_Hanabi Nov 02, 2014 13:14:56	Does AL use the regular rules, or the variant version of encumbrance?
#2 TheBreen Nov 05, 2014 12:00:33	As you can probably tell by the deafening silence on this question, it hasn't been formally declared. The variant rules for encumbrance are listed in the downloadable basic rules so they can be used, but there's nothing that specifies that they must be used.   In my opinion, the best way to handle this would be to eyeball the character sheet. If there's only a few things listed (e.g., the starting items from the classes/backgrounds), then there's probably no reason to even calculate encumbrance. However, if the PC is loaded down with dozens of items and has a low Strength score, I'd probably pull out the calculator. (For my own use, I created a database for character creation that includes the weights of all the items PCs can buy and carry—no vehicle weights, for instance—from the Players' Handbook.)   I hope this helps.
#3 Pauper Nov 06, 2014 9:49:13	The DM could choose to use either the basic or variant encumbrance rules -- the basic rules are just the rules for wearing heavy armor without the prerequisite Strength score. However, the DM should use the same rule for all players at the table.   -- Pauper
#4 Jay_Ibero_911 Nov 09, 2014 11:58:20	I would assume that the standard rules for everything are used unless an exception is specifically called out, such as with allowing variant human. Any variant rules would have to be specifically permitted by the campaign guide.
#5 Pauper Nov 10, 2014 7:53:02	The ALPG does say that optional or variant rules from the DMG aren't used (with the exception of 'playing on a grid') (ALPG, p.9); it also says that all rules for character options are available except for specific examples of rules that aren't used (ALPG, p.3).   Encumbrance doesn't really fall into either category; it's not in the DMG, and it's not really a 'character option'. If a DM is comfortable with the extra bookkeeping required by the variant encumbrance rule (since, as noted, the basic encumbrance rule is, 'if you're wearing heavy armor and don't have a high enough Strength score, the armor slows you down' and that's it), there doesn't appear to be anything in the ALPG to specifically restrict the DM from enforcing that rule. For consistency's sake, though, the DM should not just suddenly bust out the variant encumbrance rules when the party finds a large treasure horde if she hasn't already been using those rules.   -- Pauper