Encumberance system (taken/modified from "storage capacity" thread

[Faldred]

(As with all of my "idea" postings, I don't know the level of effort required or whether this has been brought up before.  I also expect this would be significant enough to wait for the NWN2 conversion, assuming it happens on schedule.)  Other than movement speed (which can, in some cases be dangerous, but is usually just an annoyance), there doesn't seem to be any type of penalty for carrying too much weight.  But honestly, if you can't move very well, you can't fight very well either.  So, would it be possible to have some sort of tiered system of skill and stat penalties based on encumberance levels?  As a baseline idea, subject to balance issues and playtesting:  UNENCUMBERED (up to 100% of weight limit)

No adjustments
[/list] LIGHTLY ENCUMBERED (100% to 125% of weight limit)


No positive DEX bonus to AC or AB (ranged/weapon finesse) allowed
-2 to Initiative checks
[/list] ENCUMBERED (125% to 150% of weight limit)


No positive DEX bonus to AC or AB (ranged/weapon finesse) allowed
-2 to AB
-2 to DEX-based abilities (including Reflex saves)  
-4 to Initiative checks
-2 to STR-based abilities
10% arcane spell failure chance (if spell has a Somatic component)
[/list] HEAVILY ENCUMBERED (150% to 200% of weight limit)


Maximum modified DEX = 8
-4 to AB
-4 to DEX-based abilities (including Reflex saves)  
-6 to Initiative checks
-5 to STR-based abilities  
Lose 1 attack/round (minimum 1 attack/round)
30% arcane spell failure (if spell has a Somatic component)
[/list] MASSIVELY ENCUMBERED (over 200% of weight limit)


Maximum modified DEX = 6
-2 to touch/base AC  
-4 to AB
-4 to meleee/ranged Damage (minimum 0 damage, does not apply to spells)
-8 to DEX-based abilities (including Reflex saves)  
-12 to Initiative checks
-8 to STR-based abilities  
Lose 2 attacks/round (minimum 1 attack/round)
Always considered flat-footed
All melee attacks provoke Attacks of Opportunity (as if unarmed without Improved Unarmed Strike)
60% arcane spell failure (if spell has a Somatic component)
[/list] NOTES


All penalties listed for stats and skills stack with each other from the same tier, e.g. at Massively Encumbered the cumulative Initiative penalty (assuming DEX 6) is -20: -2 DEX, -6 to DEX-based abilities, -12 to Initiative
Arcane spell failure chances are added to any existing penalties
As a racial trait, Dwarves can bear heavy burdens, so when encumbered, they are treated as if they are one category less encumbered than they actually are
Barbarian Endurance will allow a Barbarian to likewise be one category less burdened than they actually are
Dwarven and Barbarian encumberance reductions do NOT stack
[/list]

[Filatus]

The arcane spell failure would be certain death for a mage or sorceror who gets hit by crippling strike. As for the rest of them, they all favour strength based melee builds. A rogue getting hit by crippling strike might also be dead within several rounds.

[darkstorme]

Agreed - the loss of a DEX bonus to all lightly-armoured classes would be beyond "crippling".  They'd have to rename the attack.

[Faldred]

No offense, but if a -2 or -4 STR penalty is "crippling", perhaps a small investment in Bull's Strength potions as a backup measure will make your local alchemist's day.

I admit the penalties are harsh -- and they should be tested for balance, etc., -- but don't think the fighter classes get off easy.  The loss of attacks per round hurts a fighter far more than a wizard, for example.  The original cut above is trying to inject some "realism" into the system -- if you're encumbered, you aren't going to be good at anything that requires agility.  Frankly, I'd think about adding a penalty in Fortitude saves due to the strain already on your body, but then you'd really think I was picking on the casters.  

[Gulnyr]

I usually imagine a huge weight to be something like a big sack tossed over a shoulder.  If you go out to mine ore or dig up some sand, you don't fill your pockets, you fill a bag that you carry back home.  If combat occurs, you drop the bag.  The game isn't complex enough to do that sort of thing, but that's what imagination is for.

If Jennara were attacked while carrying a heavy load, she would drop it (unless it were a person or something fragile, but she would still put it down).  Any Dex-heavy character would, and I bet any Str-heavy Fighter would want that hand free for their sword.  We can't do that in NWN.  I would feel cheated if she were to die because there is a new system that aims for realism without considering the limitations in the game.