Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Goober4473 Aug 21, 2014 8:06:32	How do people feel about using the variant encumberance rules? I like the scaling of it, where more stuff means more encumbered, but my players are concerned about the 5xStr limit on no encumerance not being enough for heavy armor users to carry anything but their weapons and armor.
#2 iserith Aug 21, 2014 8:14:40	I think when using Encumbrance rules, the DM and players need to ask themselves what goal it serves in the game experience. Its original intent appears to be to limit what a dungeon-delver can steal at any given time. If one's game doesn't really focus on those things, then encumbrance might not even be worth tracking except when it really matters to the scenario. I would only use it in very specific circumstances, such as when the players have to make a meaningful decisions about their carrying limitations in a dramatic scene (carry out sacks of treasure or our friend's body, etc.). In general, I don't give it a second thought.
#3 Atheosis Aug 21, 2014 9:59:04	It's actually 15 x Strength, which is an absurdly high number if you ask me.   Edit: Oh you are referring to the variant rule.  It creates realism which is something only you and your group can decide is desirable or not.  In real life wearing 60 pounds of armor plus a bunch of gear would be very cumbersome.
#4 Redbeard2 Aug 21, 2014 10:01:04	Goober4473 wrote:
#5 Goober4473 Aug 21, 2014 13:51:20	I've decided to go with something closer to the playtest: up to 10xStr is no penalty, up to 15xStr is encumbered, which follwos the rules for heavy encumberance, but only -10 foot movement speed. The normal rules for Strength and heavy armor still apply.   This allows most characters to carry anything they'd normally need, but weak characters, or those who decide to carry huge amounts of equipment, may start to hit their limits once they start looting. This adds a little bit of realism and adds an extra metric when choosing your equipment, but isn't gruling.