Encumbrance in low G
 

Hello,

The rules of the basic set (p 350) say that in low G environments you multiply the weight of your equipment with local gravity to determine encumbrance. While this might be a good approximation at close to 1 G, I have the impression it becomes problematic at very low Gs.

I currently run a campaign on Titan, which has 0.1 G, so an average character could walk around with 100 kg (200 lbs) without any penalty. However, the mass of the equipment stays the same, and I have problems visualizing how that guy is going to nimbly dodge while carrying that mass.

I was thinking that there should be maybe some cap to the weight reduction to simulate the effect of mass. Or the encumbrance reduction should only count for skills like hiking and not for skills like acrobatics or dodging.

Has anybody run into this problem or made a house rule for it?

Thank you!

Re: Encumbrance in low G
 

In this case, where a person can bench-press an automobile without too much effort due to low gravity, you're well within your rights as GM to rule that encumbrance due to weight is applicable to "long-distance" feats like hiking, while encumbrance due to mass is applicable to "immediate" feats like jumping and ducking in combat.

Another take would be to apply any positive SM of whatever is being carried as a penalty to the feat. For example, your guy may be able to carry that SM +3 half ton compact automobile on his back without killing his muscles, but he's still carrying an SM +3 compact automobile. That makes him a much larger object overall.

Re: Encumbrance in low G
 

Yes, maybe the best way to go is to separate between different types of encumbrance (mass and weight).

In practice, that does not help much, since player encumbrance is mostly due to small objects like body armor and excessive weaponry... :)