Author Topic: PHB Backpack  (Read 5012 times)

Offline Demelain

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PHB Backpack
« on: November 25, 2012, 12:03:04 AM »
What is the capacity of a mundane backpack from the PHB?

Offline Kethrian

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2012, 08:12:21 PM »
The rules don't cover that, as far as I've been able to find, but a quick google check has revealed that heavyweight backpacks (what I'd expect for D&D adventurers to use) is about 5500 to 7000 cu. in.  D20 Modern lists backpacks as able to hold 60 lbs of gear, if you'd rather use that calculation instead.

One houserule my group has incorporated is copied from D20 Modern.  Backpacks give a +1 circumstance bonus to your strength for determining how much you can carry.
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Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2012, 07:44:44 PM »
The Encumbrance rules don't get this refined.
Your speed modified by the weight that you
carry, is assumed to be carried in a way that
doesn't matter.

Masterwork Backpack vs. "magic" Shopping Cart.
Not resolvable.
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Offline Kethrian

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2012, 08:33:20 PM »
Masterwork Backpack vs. "magic" Shopping Cart.
Not resolvable.

Actually, it's completely resolvable.  A shopping cart (object with wheels that you push your stuff around in) would follow the push/drag rules, 5x your carrying capacity.  Then an additional 2x (total 10x) because it's much easier to push stuff with wheels.  Light load x 10 = light push load in a shopping cart.

Of course, as soon as your cart gets mired in a couple inches of mud, or hits other rough terrain....
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Offline ariasderros

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2012, 08:36:07 PM »
Masterwork Backpack vs. "magic" Shopping Cart.
Not resolvable.

Actually, it's completely resolvable.  A shopping cart (object with wheels that you push your stuff around in) would follow the push/drag rules, 5x your carrying capacity.  Then an additional 2x (total 10x) because it's much easier to push stuff with wheels.  Light load x 10 = light push load in a shopping cart.

Of course, as soon as your cart gets mired in a couple inches of mud, or hits other rough terrain....

Except that the magic shopping cart uses a levitating disk to haul around your stuff, and has its own limit for what it can hold based on CL.
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Offline altpersona

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2012, 08:40:29 PM »
dang ninjas  >:(

que tensors floating disk and its associated items. 
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Offline Kethrian

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2012, 08:43:49 PM »
I've never heard of Tenser's Floating Disk being called a magic shopping cart before....  That would explain much.

And it would still be resolvable.  Spell carries X weight, backpack can contain max of 60 lbs.  Compare.
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Offline ariasderros

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2012, 08:55:18 PM »
And Hoard Gullet wins all.
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Offline altpersona

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2012, 09:03:45 PM »
The goal of power is power. - 1984
We are not descended from fearful men. - Murrow
The Final Countdown is now stuck in your head.

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Offline Tempest

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2012, 10:04:18 PM »
I'd just use Pathfinder's backpacks:
-------

Backpack, Standard

A standard backpack is constructed of water resistant, reinforced leather and holds 2 cubic ft. or 60 lbs. of gear.

Empty Weight: 2 lb.1 Capacity: 2 cubic ft./60 lb.1

1. When made for Medium characters. Weighs one-quarter the normal amount when made for Small characters. Weighs twice the normal amount when made for Large characters. Containers carry one-quarter the normal amount when made for Small characters.
---------

Backpack, Masterwork

This backpack has numerous pockets for storing various items that might be needed while adventuring. Hooks are included for attaching items such as canteens, pouches, other small bags, or even a rolled-up blanket. It has padded bands that strap across the chest and the waist to distribute its weight more evenly. Like a common backpack, it can hold about 2 cubic feet of materials in its main container. When wearing a masterwork backpack, treat your Strength score as +1 higher than normal when calculating your carrying capacity.

Empty Weight: 2 lb.1 Capacity: 2 cubic ft./60 lb.1

1. When made for Medium characters. Weighs one-quarter the normal amount when made for Small characters. Weighs twice the normal amount when made for Large characters. Containers carry one-quarter the normal amount when made for Small characters.

Offline Demelain

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2012, 10:10:39 PM »
Well, the question was more out of curiosity than any application - virtually every carrying item in D&D has some sort of volume capacity rule, but I could never find one for the backpack.
If it ever came up (and I doubt it would, my players get haversacks as soon as they can), I'll probably just use the Pathfinder rules.

Offline Eagle of Fire

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2012, 10:19:52 PM »
The reason why it is not explicitly covered in the PHB is because it is left to the whim of the DM.

Who never heard of the running gag that some adventurers carry 20 axes, 5 halberds, 35 swords and 240 leather armor around to sell later at the nearest town?

All acquired from killing lowly monsters, of course. :P

I myself like I remind my players that if I happen to peruse a player backback and realize that there is two to three times as many objects as the backpack could realistically contain... There ought to be... Strange things happening.

Scaring my players this way worked great so far. :P

I do like the +1 strength carrying bonus for the backpack though. I'll give that some thought about a house rule.

Offline Halinn

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2012, 10:50:38 PM »
The reason why it is not explicitly covered in the PHB is because it is left to the whim of the DM.

Who never heard of the running gag that some adventurers carry 20 axes, 5 halberds, 35 swords and 240 leather armor around to sell later at the nearest town?

All acquired from killing lowly monsters, of course. :P

I myself like I remind my players that if I happen to peruse a player backback and realize that there is two to three times as many objects as the backpack could realistically contain... There ought to be... Strange things happening.

Scaring my players this way worked great so far. :P

I do like the +1 strength carrying bonus for the backpack though. I'll give that some thought about a house rule.

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2012, 08:33:52 PM »
slight oops


Wasn't there a DMag npc class that just carried stuff?
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Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2012, 03:58:37 PM »
Not DMag explicitly I don't think, but the Nodick Henchman class has been shown elsewhere elsewhere.  http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19871710/Chicken_Infested!_Basket_Weaving!_BAH!_Try_Henchman!

Offline nijineko

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #15 on: November 28, 2012, 04:26:48 PM »
heh. not to mention the infinite coin capacity....

Offline Eagle of Fire

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #16 on: November 28, 2012, 09:00:40 PM »
Many DMs simply don't care about weight of items and coins. It simplifies things for everybody... But it also leave out some possibilities.

The other day, my PCs of a new game found, without much of a fight, a coffer filled with about 47 thousand... Copper pieces. It was quite a small coffer too for the size of all that stuff together.

In the end they didn't bothered to bring the stuff along as it was weighing them down a whole 47 kilos. lol.

I wonder what face they'd do if they had realized that the coffer was way too small to contain all that stuff... And that it was in fact magical too. :P

Offline nijineko

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #17 on: November 28, 2012, 10:34:01 PM »
huh. did you give them a spot check or wis check to have a go at realizing that fact?

reminds me of this one character where i wound up maximizing his carrying capacity, just to see how far i could go. he was also big enough, so he wound up using a wagon for a backpack... we called it the Wagonpackâ„¢. we added a leather skirt/trim to it so that when he set it down, he could curl up and sleep under it too. built in security system.

Offline kitep

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Re: PHB Backpack
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2012, 11:09:41 PM »
  .