Advice for some quick and dirty EV?

[tylermo]

Hey, guys. I'm at work and don't have my phb in front of me. I'm running some C&C demos this weekend, and in my handful of past games, I feel as if I've glossed over encumbrance values. Don't have my pregens with me, but they probably run the gamut from full plate fighter with a shield(details sketchy on all of them), cleric with chain mail(?), rogue with leather, paladin(can't remember), wizard(no armor). What's the quickest, eyeballing it method to go with? Otherwise, full plate guy and leather guy are running around on equal footing, but fp guy has better protection. It's a con game, but I want to apply some penalties. I'll review EV, among other things, as my friend and I travel to DieCon tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

[Rikitiki]

For me, I just look over what each character has on their sheet, extrapolate their fantasy gear in my mind into a real-world equivalent and, depending on their strength, imagine what carrying all that stuff would be like -- if it's like hiking with a 50-lb pack or more, gig their movement rate a bit, and so on.
Probably best to do a quick review of EV before you run, just to have it fresh in you mind.

[zarathustra]

This is what I use. Similiar to BFRPG i think.

Optional Simple Encumbrance System.
Fast and simple.

● PC can carry as many items as he has strength points without penalty.
● Add 2 items for a strength prime.
● Add 2 items for a constitution prime.
● You can assume your blades have scabbards,
baldrics etc. or not, as fits your character image at no
item cost.
● Clothes come at no item cost.
● Do count all other arms, armour and equipment
(quivers, backpacks, pouches, helmets, blankets etc).

● Most objects simply count as 1 item for
encumbrance purposes.

● Objects in the PHB weapons and equipment
section with EV's of 1 count as 0.5 items.

● All objects listed with EV 4 and higher count as 2
items. This includes armour, shields, weapons etc.

● All objects listed as asterisk* EV get added together;
10 and less make 0.5 items, 11-20 make 1 item and so
on.

● 50 coins = 0.5 items. ● 3 sling bullets = 0.5 items.

● Encumbered PC's are 1/2 move, -2 on surprise rolls
and all dex checks, trying to keep all that gear in line.