Encumberance rules

[Phaedrus]

I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but I'm running my first star wars campaign. Luckly I've got a really experienced group that I play with. This can be both a blessing and a curse

I've recently come across a problem with the rules, and i was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction. It all started when one of the SpecOps characters decided to carry two sniper rifles with him on planet. The planet was a big game hunting planet so they didn't have a problem with it, but I just couldn't help thinking that with two HUGE rifles, armor, pistols, plus all the other stuff characters carry shouldn't they be slowed down a bit? I started looking through the rule book but couldn't find anything.

So I guess my question is, how do you guys handle encumberance in your games? Do you base it off of the strength die? Do you estimate the weight of euipment? How do you handle character who think they should be able to carry as much stuff as they want?

~ phaedrus
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"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche

[Crell Damar]

they don't really have anything official for how much a character can carry at any particular time. but... what I would do is assign each equipment an approximate weight in kg (because they don't have equipment weight), and then have the character roll his strength or lifting to see if he can carry everything that's there if he's overdoing it, like it seems that the character you mentioned is doing. If he fails, subtract from his move, dexterity, and any other skills that would be affected by someone having too much stuff packed on.


However, there is something in Rules of Engagement on carrying capacity and such... I'll look it up later and post it later tonight... but this i think is what they suggested in RoE. If your character is playing a SpaceOps trooper, then he's probably got the specforce handbook, look through in the Equipment section, and see what they say.
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Scrawprin]

I don't recall any official rules, but here is what I would suggest:


Make them roll Stamina rolls (how long can they carry the "beyond normal weight"). Over time, the Stamina rolls need to beat a higher and higher difficulty. And if they get into a combat round or any other physical feats that requires a dice roll, make it either:

A) more difficult (based on the prevous Stamina rolls),

B) subtract dice following the normal multiple action penalties (again, based on their previous Stamina rolls), or

C) both.

[Esoomian]

Hmmm I hadn't even considered not using stamina rolld for the weight carried but there is stull a limit to how much equipment you can hold.

Sure a wookie can carry a speeder bike but where does he put it... It won't fit inm his backpack so both his arms are full of speeder bike

[Crell Damar]

Optional Rule: Encumbrance

Star Wars is not ordinarily concerned with the concept of encumbrance, but with SpecTroopers entering the field with as much firepower as they can possibly get away with, it's good to have an idea of what a reasonable amount of equipment is. The following are methods that can be used to determine what a character can or can't carry in the field.

Characters that attempt to carry too many items are subject to the fatigue rules (specifically, the effects of arduous terrain) on page 53. *which i will also post*
The gamemaster has final discretion on what a character can reasonably be expected to carry.

Method 1: The characters can carry the items listed below with no penalty. They can also carry one addition item per die of Strength (excluding "pips"). For example, a character with Strength of 3D+2 can carry three additional items.
Almost any trooper can be reasonably expected to wear or carry the following items:
- Fatigues
- Boots
- Partial Armor (blast vest or other such minor combat armor)
- Helmet
- Main Weapon (probably a rifle)
- Three Grenades
- Three Days' Rations
- Roughly a half-dozen other small objects (power tools, spare blaster power packs, a secondary weapon: pistol, knife, etc...)

Note: Troopers are also likely to carry a great deal more than this in the unit's vehicle or on a pack animal. In addition, each trooper has a specific role within the squad: communications, heavy weapons, medic, and so on. Specialized items such as communications gear, an infantry support weapon, medical kits, and other such equipment should also be carried by the appropriate squad member with no penalty.

Method 2: A character can carry one medium-sized object for every "pip" of Strength that he or she possesses. Remember that 1D equals 3 "pips." For example, a character with a Strength of 3D+2 can carry 11 medium-sized objects: 3 "pips" per die multiplied by 3 dice equals 9; the additions "+2" in the die code brings the total to 11.

Medium-sized items include (in addition to the above list)*:
- Backpack
- Directional Transponder/automap
- Explosives
- Portable computer
- Comset (communications pack)
- E-web power generator
- E-web blaster
- Scanner
- Medical backpack
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Rathe Ehtar]

That's a cool option. I was thinking of it when reading this thread. I think this will work for really strict MOGs. I think it really works in survival situations, like SpecForce.
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"I don't know about angels, but it's fear that gives men wings." -Max Payne

"I don't buy that cluck like a dog, bark like a chicken stuff." -Col. Jack O'Neill

[Crell Damar]

I never really needed to resort to this rule... most of my players were pretty cool with not wanting to carry too much. And I didn't really give them too much of an option of loading themselves up with way too much equipment than they needed.
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Phaedrus]

Thanks for the rule Crell... I'll have to start using that one. I think that the Dex penalty more then anything will start making my PC's be concerned with what they're carrying. I find that encumberance is a very important part of any game, it helps keep my players in check. Cause if I let them, they'll carry everything on their backs and not think twice about it!

Hopefully this will keep the PC's from trying to lug a medium repeating weapon around everywhere they go

~ phaedrus
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"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche

[Crell Damar]

You're welcome, glad I could help you out
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"For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times... before the Empire. "

Obi-Wan Kenobi

[garhkal]

Most gms i have seen, who enforce encumberance, do it like this...

1 weapon, 1 suit of armor, a belt with 2 grenades, holster, knife sheath, and pair of med packs is a 'standard' wear. For each full D you had, you can add 2 items of 'medium size' which would be like another rifle, backpack etc. For each pip you could carry a small item as well... So someone who had 2d+2 could carry 2 medium and 2 small items extra.
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[KageRyu]

[garhkal]

Darn.... You found out my secret!
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[Lord Aramus]

I do this a bit differently when I actually decide to get picky about it,

I assign difficulty values to the items they carry, combine them together, and make that the target number for success on a stamina check which I perform one each character once per day.

small Items add 1 or less to the difficulty, bulky items add 5 (regardless of weight) and armor adds 5 and heavy weapons add 5

makes the players think a little
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[Argamoth]

I don't think a weight limit would be needed most of the time, but more of a measure of space. How much can you carry in your pockets, backpack, and hands, untill there isn't any more room?

[KageRyu]