Encumbrance Systems

Why Track Encumbrance?

Encumbrance transforms inventory from a shopping list into a meaningful game mechanic. When carrying capacity matters, players make interesting choices about what to bring.

ScryRPG supports multiple encumbrance styles to match your game system.

Encumbrance Styles

Style	Description	Example Systems
Weight	Track pounds/kilograms	D&D 5e (variant)
Slots	Track inventory slots	Knave, OSR games
Both	Track weight AND slots	D&D 5e (default)
Bulk	Pathfinder 2e system	PF2e
None	No encumbrance tracking	Narrative games

Weight-Based

Items have weight in pounds or kilograms. Characters and containers have maximum weight capacity.

Good for: Realistic simulation, games where strength matters.

Slot-Based

Each item stack uses one slot. Characters and containers have a maximum number of slots.

Good for: Quick play, OSR-style games, simplified tracking.

Both (Default)

ScryRPG tracks BOTH weight AND slots simultaneously. This creates richer gameplay:

Character Build	Constraint	Strategy
Strength Fighter (300 lb, 20 slots)	Hits slots first	Must consolidate items
Dexterity Rogue (150 lb, 25 slots)	Hits weight first	Must choose light gear

Bulk (Pathfinder 2e)

Native PF2e bulk system with special rules:

• Negligible (-) - Coins, tiny items
• Light (L) - Small items, 10 Light = 1 Bulk
• Bulk (1-99) - Standard items

Containers can have special properties:

• Bulk Limit - Maximum bulk capacity
• Bulk Negation - Reduces bulk of contents
• Extradimensional - Special storage rules

None (Narrative)

No encumbrance tracking at all. Perfect for story-focused games where gear management isn’t the point.

Stack Caps (Optional)

Stack caps are an optional rule, off by default for new parties. Most tables leave them off and carry as much as their encumbrance allows. If your table wants tighter slot bookkeeping, turn on Enforce Item Stack Caps in the party’s encumbrance rules. With it on, each item’s stack size sets how many identical items fit in one slot. Think of it as what’s reasonable for one inventory slot, not a physical maximum:

Item Type	Stack Size	Rationale
Arrows	20	One quiver
Potions	10	One belt pouch
Longsword	3	Main + backup
Plate Armor	1	One suit per slot
Currency	1000	QoL exception

Game System Settings

Party-Level Settings

Parties can configure encumbrance style for all members:

• Encumbrance style (weight, slots, both, bulk, none)
• Encumbered threshold (default: 75%)
• Overencumbered threshold (default: 100%)
• Enforce encumbrance (block actions at cap)

Character Override

When characters are in a party, party settings override personal settings. Solo characters use their own settings.

Encumbrance Thresholds

Threshold	Status	Effect
0-75%	Normal	No restrictions
75-100%	Encumbered	Warning indicators
100%+	Overencumbered	May be blocked (if enforced)

Visual indicators (green/yellow/red capacity bars) show status at a glance.

System-Specific Recommendations

System	Recommended Style	Notes
D&D 5e	Both	Weight + slots for full experience
Pathfinder 2e	Bulk	Native bulk system
Draw Steel	None	Encumbrance abstracted by design
Daggerheart	None	Weight tracking is optional
OSR/Knave	Slots	Simple slot-based
Fate	None	Narrative focus

Learn More

• Inventory Guide - Practical container management
• Templates & Instances - How items work under the hood