Encumbrance is an oddly hot topic of debate in TTRPGs. Inventory management is clearly a core part of TTRPG design, but many players, especially in modern TTRPGs, simply ignore it completely. Why? Well, the most popular TTRPG system has a horribly designed afterthought of an Encumbrance System.
Many OSR systems have their own, simple, and easy to use Encumbrance Systems. Even in those systems, however, there is sometimes a stigma to actually tracking Encumbrance. In all honesty, I believe this comes from a place of ignorance, not laziness.
Regardless of what system you play, you should try to track Encumbrance one way or another. It adds a fun challenge to the game, and it allows for more realism. Hopefully, one or both of those reasons is enough for you.
Encumbrance in Dungeon!
Encumbrance is an additional mechanic in Dungeon! For the reasons mentioned above, including Encumbrance as a required mechanic tends to scare people off. However, adding Encumbrance is as simple as grabbing a blank sheet of lined paper.
On this sheet of lined paper, make a numbered list. The length of this list should equal (10 + the Max roll of your Class's HP die). For example, a Mage's Encumbrance List would be 16 lines long while a Fighter's would be 20 lines long. Finally, place each of your Items into the list. Each individual Item takes up 1 line. The only exceptions to this are Items that are used up when used, such as Ammo, Potions, Torches, Rations, etc. Single-use Items like this may be placed together in “stacks” of 20 onto a single line. Finally, Coins may be placed together in "stacks" of 1000.
And that's it!
At the end of the day, the mechanic of Encumbrance is only as complicated as you let yourself think it is. With the right system and the right mindset, Encumbrance is incredibly easy to use and enjoy.
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