this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2025
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[–] Hegar@fedia.io 36 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Probably encumberance, almost certainly the single most ignored rule in rpgs.

But honorable mention goes to old school AC/THAC0 - the mechanics were originally for modern-era battleship game where armor class referred to size. Using the smallness of boats to model the defensive power of better armor was never going to produce sensible results. THAC0 was always unweildy at the table, slowed play, and turned combat into a chorus of "uggghhhh does a 13 hit?" "Ugh.... no."

[–] oyo@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] Hegar@fedia.io 3 points 1 day ago

Fight me

I would, but if we're using 2e it's gonna take hours.

[–] Soggy@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Encumbrance makes a lot of sense in the context of old D&D, progression was tied to how much treasure you could get out of a dungeon. It also works well in survival-type games where resource management is a key mechanic. But like many facets of old D&D it is applied widely with no consideration.

[–] Hegar@fedia.io 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I also think that like a lot of old d&d, it just wasn't very good.

Having an encumbrance system isn't necessarily bad - there are plenty of design goals it can support, as you point out. But counting out every pound and ounce has always been more work than most players want to do.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 3 points 2 days ago

so many dm's would give bags of holding and such early on so that it became just keep track of what you get and sell what you don't.

[–] Quetzalcutlass@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago (2 children)

At least THAC0 was fun to say!

[–] scutiger@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] Quetzalcutlass@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Instead of having a high or low THAC0, do you say you have a soft or hard taco?

[–] Hegar@fedia.io 2 points 3 days ago

Oh yeah that's true, it is somehow unreasonably fun to say.