Really B/X gives two methods for calculating the encumbrance for a character:
Method 1 - Add up all of the "coins" for all of the equipment carried. Similar to other versions of D&D. The nice thing about B/X is that they give the slush number of 80 coins for all of the miscellaneous equipment and provisions.
However, I always use method 2 as seen on the right side of the "OR" in the first column of the table - Strictly determined by what armour is worn and if they are carrying treasure. No numbers, no math - ridiculously simple. Your dwarf enters the dungeon wearing platemail - his movement rate is 60-ft. Hopefully, when he leaves the dungeon his movement rate is 30-ft because he is now wearing platemail and carrying treasure.
Heh, heh...and here I thought this post was an honest question.
ReplyDeleteI've been known to use both myself. Lately (my last three turns as a B/X DM, I've been using the "simpler" system to just eyeball weight. However, I generally don't worry about encumbrance movement too much except for pursuit circumstances.
Here’s my expansion on method 2, used only on occasions when I want to encourage PCs to drop things whilst fleeing.
ReplyDelete1. I take the list of everything the PC is carrying from the player.
2. I ask the player how the PC is carrying any items that aren’t obvious.
3. I meet each response with a doubtful expression.
4. I envision the PC with all that gear and choose which of the encumbrance categories seems to fit.
OK, step 4 isn’t really important. ^_^
I also use the 'OR' side... when I don't ignore the whole issue.
ReplyDeleteI mean, what party doesn't have an armoured Dwarf in it anyway?
Besides, there's enough PC bodies rotting in the ravine-like area that counting encumbrance just seems petty ;)
I honestly some times feel like a hypocrite for using the "OR". A large part of OD&D, B/X, etc is the resource management. But I have decided that the benefits of worrying about how many candles a character is carrying is out-weighed by the bookkeeping hassle.
ReplyDelete