Okay, so this is going to be a bit of a noob question. When making a new character, you have the option to either purchase your starting equipment based on gold from your class and background etc, or you can select starting equipment including one of the various equipment packs (diplomat, scholar, burglar etc). I am asking these questions because I'm a bit confused/skeptical on account of the practicality / logistics of it, but here goes:
Is the equipment pack similar to a backpack, in the sense that it can be worn on your back, or is it just a.. for lack of better terms, a duffel bag?
Or is the pack just the provided container with the contents inside said container?
I ask because I play a Rogue in one of the campaigns I PC in, and I chose the Burglar's Pack, which includes a Backpack. The backpack weighs 5 pounds and can hold 1 foot of cubic space and/or 30 pounds of equipment.
The burglar's pack (standalone item) weighs 47.5 pounds, but details no storage capacity in either cubic feet or weight limit. After going through the items and checking their individual weights against the weight of the pack, I get 42.5 pounds instead of 47.5 pounds (detailed within the spoiler)
To further add to my confusion, when you create a character and add the equipment to the character, if you selected a pack, the pack itself is not included with your equipment. But if it has its own weight of 5 lbs, then it must exist in a physical form correct? and if so, why would I need a backpack if I have the burglar's pack? and if not, why would I get a backpack with starting equipment weighing more than what my backpack can carry, even before I add weapons to the mix?
The diplomat's pack and the monster hunter's pack do not include an actual backpack. They have chests instead.
By your answer, does this mean then that the pack is a backpack and includes an additional backpack, or that the pack is the backpack and holds the contents? Because if it is the second option, that still means that the contents of the pack can not all fit inside of the backpack. The backpack can only hold 30 pounds, and the contents of the burglar's pack totals 32.5 pounds, assuming the 50 feet of hempen rope is tied to the side on the outside as detailed
The "pack" is not an object, it is a collection of objects which can be purchased as a set - and one of those is a backpack (or chest) to contain the rest. Some things like rope and waterskins might be tied outside or hung from belts or whatever. A backpack is not the limit to your actual carrying capacity, that is governed by your characters strength.
If you have any concerns about how much of what you can carry about your person, in or attached to backpacks or otherwise then speak to your DM. If you are the DM then consider how much fun (if any) keeping track of backpack capacities is going to be, and adjust your rules accordingly.
[5e]
Okay, so this is going to be a bit of a noob question. When making a new character, you have the option to either purchase your starting equipment based on gold from your class and background etc, or you can select starting equipment including one of the various equipment packs (diplomat, scholar, burglar etc). I am asking these questions because I'm a bit confused/skeptical on account of the practicality / logistics of it, but here goes:
Is the equipment pack similar to a backpack, in the sense that it can be worn on your back, or is it just a.. for lack of better terms, a duffel bag?
Or is the pack just the provided container with the contents inside said container?
I ask because I play a Rogue in one of the campaigns I PC in, and I chose the Burglar's Pack, which includes a Backpack. The backpack weighs 5 pounds and can hold 1 foot of cubic space and/or 30 pounds of equipment.
The burglar's pack (standalone item) weighs 47.5 pounds, but details no storage capacity in either cubic feet or weight limit. After going through the items and checking their individual weights against the weight of the pack, I get 42.5 pounds instead of 47.5 pounds (detailed within the spoiler)
String (10 feet) + 0.0 lbs
Bell + 0.0 lbs
Candles (5) + 0.0 lbs
Crowbar + 5.0 lbs
Hammer + 3.0 lbs
Pitons (10) + 2.5 lbs
Lantern, Hooded + 2.0 lbs
Oil (Flask) (2) + 2.0 lbs
Rations (1 day) (5) + 10.0 lbs
Tinderbox + 1.0 lbs
Waterskin + 5.0 lbs
Rope, Hempen (50 feet) + 10.0 lbs
________________________________________
42.5 lbs
- 47.5 lbs
________________________________________
Surplus of 5.0 lbs
To further add to my confusion, when you create a character and add the equipment to the character, if you selected a pack, the pack itself is not included with your equipment. But if it has its own weight of 5 lbs, then it must exist in a physical form correct? and if so, why would I need a backpack if I have the burglar's pack? and if not, why would I get a backpack with starting equipment weighing more than what my backpack can carry, even before I add weapons to the mix?
Each of the "Packs" include an actual backpack, as well as the contents. Backpacks weigh 5 lbs.
The diplomat's pack and the monster hunter's pack do not include an actual backpack. They have chests instead.
By your answer, does this mean then that the pack is a backpack and includes an additional backpack, or that the pack is the backpack and holds the contents? Because if it is the second option, that still means that the contents of the pack can not all fit inside of the backpack. The backpack can only hold 30 pounds, and the contents of the burglar's pack totals 32.5 pounds, assuming the 50 feet of hempen rope is tied to the side on the outside as detailed
The "pack" is not an object, it is a collection of objects which can be purchased as a set - and one of those is a backpack (or chest) to contain the rest. Some things like rope and waterskins might be tied outside or hung from belts or whatever. A backpack is not the limit to your actual carrying capacity, that is governed by your characters strength.
If you have any concerns about how much of what you can carry about your person, in or attached to backpacks or otherwise then speak to your DM. If you are the DM then consider how much fun (if any) keeping track of backpack capacities is going to be, and adjust your rules accordingly.
This more clearly answers the questions I was having. Thank you for your patience and responses.