A player in my party has powerful build with 20 strength, arguing that he has a 600+ carrying capacity, and should be able to carry a medium creature weighing 160lbs without being encumbered. The rules state that a creature that is 2 sizes larger can carry a creature without being encumbered, so what would you rule here?
I think this is a question of the difference between weight and dead weight. When carrying something like a body, the weight shifts and moves making it more difficult to carry than a solid object of the same weight. The rules are also saying that creatures of a similar size are encumbered when trying to carry each other. Basically think about your mom carrying you as a baby then again as a teen. If she is strong she can do both, but it's still going to be awkward (more for you I would think) with a more similarly sized creature, and so encumbrance. If anyone has a more official explanation, I would also love to hear it. Thanks.
I think it depends on the situation. The only reference to being 2 sizes larger than the creature you are carrying I can find is under Moving a Grappled Creature which says that moving a grappled (and presumably struggling) creature reduces your speed by half regardless of your carrying capacity. Using a creature as a mount (to carry another creature) in combat requires the mount to only be 1 size larger and it presumably only becomes encumbered if the mounted creature and gear weigh more than its carrying capacity. I’m not even sure if a mount outside of combat has any size restrictions, under the rules for Mounts and Vehicles they’re only given a carrying capacity. I’d say that picking up/carrying a willing or unconscious/incapacitated/petrified etc. creature fall under the rules for lifting and carrying. I did not however do an exhaustive search so I may be missing something.
Also remember to include the weight and bulk of carried gear. It wouldn't surprise me if the carrying character is already carrying 200lbs of stuff, and another 100 or so for the carried creature and you start get to a point where it's not reasonable to carry everything without being encumbered.
The rule about moving a grappled creature makes no reference to the mover's carrying capacity, so if we're talking about the character moving someone they've grappled, I think the "2 sizes smaller" rule still applies. Even if Powerful Build counted, I'd say it would only let you move someone 1 size smaller unencumbered. Now, if we're talking about something like putting someone in a harness and carrying them on your back, like a wounded party member or something, I would probably argue that just the standard carrying capacity rules would apply, assuming you've taken into account the total added weight, from the person and their gear. It'd be up to the DM to decide how much complexity and realism to factor in. There's always a bit of silliness when it comes to carrying capacity, someone with a high Strength score can carry enough weight that if you had enough equipment to weigh that much they'd look ridiculous.
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A player in my party has powerful build with 20 strength, arguing that he has a 600+ carrying capacity, and should be able to carry a medium creature weighing 160lbs without being encumbered. The rules state that a creature that is 2 sizes larger can carry a creature without being encumbered, so what would you rule here?
I think this is a question of the difference between weight and dead weight. When carrying something like a body, the weight shifts and moves making it more difficult to carry than a solid object of the same weight. The rules are also saying that creatures of a similar size are encumbered when trying to carry each other. Basically think about your mom carrying you as a baby then again as a teen. If she is strong she can do both, but it's still going to be awkward (more for you I would think) with a more similarly sized creature, and so encumbrance. If anyone has a more official explanation, I would also love to hear it. Thanks.
It's a game balance thing and is up to DM to decide to follow or not. I would say if the person is stuffed into a backpack, sure. If not, nah.
I think it depends on the situation. The only reference to being 2 sizes larger than the creature you are carrying I can find is under Moving a Grappled Creature which says that moving a grappled (and presumably struggling) creature reduces your speed by half regardless of your carrying capacity. Using a creature as a mount (to carry another creature) in combat requires the mount to only be 1 size larger and it presumably only becomes encumbered if the mounted creature and gear weigh more than its carrying capacity. I’m not even sure if a mount outside of combat has any size restrictions, under the rules for Mounts and Vehicles they’re only given a carrying capacity. I’d say that picking up/carrying a willing or unconscious/incapacitated/petrified etc. creature fall under the rules for lifting and carrying. I did not however do an exhaustive search so I may be missing something.
Edit: grammar
Also remember to include the weight and bulk of carried gear. It wouldn't surprise me if the carrying character is already carrying 200lbs of stuff, and another 100 or so for the carried creature and you start get to a point where it's not reasonable to carry everything without being encumbered.
The rule about moving a grappled creature makes no reference to the mover's carrying capacity, so if we're talking about the character moving someone they've grappled, I think the "2 sizes smaller" rule still applies. Even if Powerful Build counted, I'd say it would only let you move someone 1 size smaller unencumbered. Now, if we're talking about something like putting someone in a harness and carrying them on your back, like a wounded party member or something, I would probably argue that just the standard carrying capacity rules would apply, assuming you've taken into account the total added weight, from the person and their gear. It'd be up to the DM to decide how much complexity and realism to factor in. There's always a bit of silliness when it comes to carrying capacity, someone with a high Strength score can carry enough weight that if you had enough equipment to weigh that much they'd look ridiculous.