Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

I'm looking for a solution to decrease penalty to knight's Basic Move that is induced by armor's encumbrance. Quick and dirty solution would be to increase his Basic Move but that solves only half of the problem.

- I don't want to make a professional runner with Basic Speed 9 so that he can move 6 yard while he is wearing armor.
- Also I don't want to create a character with high Dodge where he would be better off with less armor.

My opinion is based on the idea (and if I'm wrong I would like you to point it to me I'm in the wrong so I don't waste time on false theory) that weight is a less hindrance to a person who trained and has daily exposure to it. So through conditioning that person grown accustomed to the weight he is carrying and he can move more easily.




Here is an example for what I'm trying to find the answer

Basic Move 6, Dodge 9
Medium Encumbrance, Basic Move x 0.6, Dodge -2

Medium Encumbrance Basic Move 3,6 yards,
Medium Encumbrance Dodge 7

So is there a advantage, or perk to reduce penalty to movement and speed? (example: Increase movement by 1 yard/Increase Dodge by 1 while encumbered. This can't exceed your unencumbered Basic Move/Dodge)

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

Either an Accessibility limitation on Extra Move, or some extra Lifting ST to increase your encumbrance limits.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

No. None that I know of.

The best solution is to raise ST or Lifting ST to reduce the encumberance.
However, realize that 'running around' in 50+ lbs of armor is going to have a negitive effect on one's mobility.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

If magic is a thing in your game world and you can afford it, there's an enchantment to reduce the weight of armor.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

I know that properly made heavy clothing is easier to carry than an equal weight of things carried in a small messenger bag. This is current clothing, not medieval armor.

I don't know when people figured this out, but I've been told that good plate mail feels lighter than it actually is when worn. This was by recreationists, not of course by actual knights in armor. :)

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

This is true, but GURPS encumbrance rules are already assuming a well-balanced load. In any case, given a GM willing to let you do it, the cheapest option is generally Payload (External -50%; Limited: counts against max Extra-Heavy Encumbrance -10%); every 4 points will increase your Light, Medium, and Heavy encumbrance levels by 1xBL.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

As others have said, an increase to Lifting ST could reduce the Encumbrance penalty from Medium to Light without turning him into a dodgy ninja or world-class runner. Lifting ST (Accessibility: Only Applies to Worn Armor, -40% (number thrown in off the top of my head)) [1.8/lvl] could do what you're going for and be plausible.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

Use Low Tech weights instead of Basic Set, you'll get more realist stats.
Also, if even then you're on medium/heavy encumbrance, try buying lifting ST, or putting some of your stuff on your horse.

Most knights had 2+ horses, 1 for fighting, one as a beast of burden, maybe a third for riding. If you have a horse to put your bag, basic items, water, food, extra weapons etc... you get rid of 15+lbs.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

+2 or +3 Move, Limited -??% Only When at Medium or worse Encumbrance. Or Heavy.

Or +2 Lifting ST, Limited -??% Only When at Medium or worse Encumbrance. Or, again, Heavy.

The first construction is probably relatively less troublesome than the second.

Re: Armor and Encumbrance penalty on movement
 

Another option is +DR Limited to Only When Wearing Mail. That way, when this particular knight wears mail, he's as well protected as another character would be when wearig plate armour. Like the first two I suggsted, it's a bit weird, but at least this one is unproblematic, although it also may not be exactly what the OP wants.