Greetings!

I have a question regarding the Jedi Utility Belt (KtP:52) and all the miraculous perks for 0 Encumbrance. This item list: Food for 3 days, Emergency Medpac (1 Enc), glow rod (1 Enc), Comlink, Aquabreather and a Lightsaber (1 Enc), and gives +1 Encumbrance.

Do you consider this item balanced, compared to any other storage items? I know, this item is restricted and cost 1000 credits, but nevertheless, its basically a backpack on your belt (4 Enc). Am I missing something?

The encumbrance listed is only for the belt which (increases your encumbrance capacity by 1). Just because the other gear is bought in the same box doesn't mean you don't have to carry them.

Encumbrance isn't solely weight. It also factors in things like mass, balance, volume, awkwardness to carry, etc... It's why the Devs have spoken about being able to contain several blaster rifles in a crate, reducing their encumbrance to that of the crate.

8 hours ago, Rithuan said:

Greetings!

I have a question regarding the Jedi Utility Belt (KtP:52) and all the miraculous perks for 0 Encumbrance. This item list: Food for 3 days, Emergency Medpac (1 Enc), glow rod (1 Enc), Comlink, Aquabreather and a Lightsaber (1 Enc), and gives +1 Encumbrance.

Do you consider this item balanced, compared to any other storage items? I know, this item is restricted and cost 1000 credits, but nevertheless, its basically a backpack on your belt (4 Enc). Am I missing something?

No, you're not missing anything, and I do consider the item to be balanced. Also remember that it's got a very high Rarity value, meaning it's going to be very difficult to come across.

Though the lightsaber's own encumbrance value isn't automatically waived, from what I can recall of the game text, so that effectively offsets the +1 to encumbrance threshold the belt provides, and not sure the total cost of what comes equipped is equal to 1000 credits; the food rations are 15 credits total, glow rod and comlink are 25 credits each, and the emergency medpac is 100 credits; so unless the aquata breather has a price tag of more than 800 credits, you're paying quite a bit more than you would if you bought those items plus a standard utility belt individually.

Nothing there is the slightest bit game breaking, so I dont see the problem. If someone wanted to get rid of the utility stuff to carry a couple extra weapons I would not let them, but having a little food and a couple minimal utility items for no encumbrance is not a bad thing.

If any thing I would add the items to the normal utility belt more than take them off the Jedi belt

That belt is a 1000 credits, rarity 8 and Restricted. First, there is the fact that it's rarity 8 so it's not like it's something that can be easily found accidently. At that rarity and GM is pretty justified to limit their availability as they see fit. At 1000 credits there are a LOT better options for gear storage. I mean you can trick out a modular backpack with some pretty nice stuff for that price and still fit in the stuff in the belt. Also there is the fact that, and this is the important bit, they are Restricted. There aren't a lot of belts that can land you in an imperial prison but this is one of them.

Are they cool, sure, but they are pretty far from unbalanced. Be glad your players are spending their credits on something so mundane as gear storage and know that if it's ever an issue you can always have the authorities confiscate it.

7 hours ago, Donovan Morningfire said:

No, you're not missing anything, and I do consider the item to be balanced. Also remember that it's got a very high Rarity value, meaning it's going to be very difficult to come across.

Though the lightsaber's own encumbrance value isn't automatically waived, from what I can recall of the game text, so that effectively offsets the +1 to encumbrance threshold the belt provides, and not sure the total cost of what comes equipped is equal to 1000 credits; the food rations are 15 credits total, glow rod and comlink are 25 credits each, and the emergency medpac is 100 credits; so unless the aquata breather has a price tag of more than 800 credits, you're paying quite a bit more than you would if you bought those items plus a standard utility belt individually.

Dont forget the jedi multi tool

If it's still a concern, I don't really remember reading where it says all of that weight isn't being counted, nor do I read where it says it reduces the weight of a carried lightsaber to 0. All in all, though, I don't think a flashlight, a hand radio, and some granola bars are going to unbalance a game.

1 hour ago, Daeglan said:

Dont forget the jedi multi tool

Good point.

So, to the OP's question, with my copy of Keeping the Peace on hand, let's take a look at just what the Jedi Utility Belt includes:

- Basic utility belt = 25 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- Glowrod = 10 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 1
- Handheld comlink = 25 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- 3 Food capsules/rations = 15 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- Emergency medpac = 100 credits/Rarity 1/Enc 0
- Aquata breather (essentially any overpriced breath mask that only works in aquatic environments) = 100 credits/Rarity 7/Enc 1
- Jedi multitool (aka Lightsaber Maintenance Kit) = 700 credits/Rarity 9/Enc 2

So the total Encumbrance value of the component elements a 4, with a total credit cost of 975 credits, and the most expensive item being Rarity 9.

So yeah, the Jedi utility belt is nice for all the goodies that a PC gets to carry without having to stress about all that Encumbrance, but it's hardly what I'd call game-breaking. The most valuable item in the lot (the Jedi multitool) only adds an Advantage to Mechanics checks pertaining to lightsabers, which is handy but not all that potent of a bonus.

And since most PCs that go the Jedi route tend not to load themselves down with high-Encumbrance gear to start with, getting what amounts to a net savings of 3 points from their total Encumbrance is again not that big a deal.

Just bear in mind that the player doesn't get to customize the gear load-out of the belt; for instance, they can't drop the Jedi multitool for a tool kit and expect to get a similar reduction in Encumbrance.

1 minute ago, Donovan Morningfire said:

Good point.

So, to the OP's question, with my copy of Keeping the Peace on hand, let's take a look at just what the Jedi Utility Belt includes:

- Basic utility belt = 25 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- Glowrod = 10 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 1
- Handheld comlink = 25 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- 3 Food capsules/rations = 15 credits/Rarity 0/Enc 0
- Emergency medpac = 100 credits/Rarity 1/Enc 0
- Aquata breather (essentially any overpriced breath mask that only works in aquatic environments) = 100 credits/Rarity 7/Enc 1
- Jedi multitool (aka Lightsaber Maintenance Kit) = 700 credits/Rarity 9/Enc 2

So the total Encumbrance value of the component elements a 4, with a total credit cost of 975 credits, and the most expensive item being Rarity 9.

So yeah, the Jedi utility belt is nice for all the goodies that a PC gets to carry without having to stress about all that Encumbrance, but it's hardly what I'd call game-breaking. The most valuable item in the lot (the Jedi multitool) only adds an Advantage to Mechanics checks pertaining to lightsabers, which is handy but not all that potent of a bonus.

And since most PCs that go the Jedi route tend not to load themselves down with high-Encumbrance gear to start with, getting what amounts to a net savings of 3 points from their total Encumbrance is again not that big a deal.

Just bear in mind that the player doesn't get to customize the gear load-out of the belt; for instance, they can't drop the Jedi multitool for a tool kit and expect to get a similar reduction in Encumbrance.

I would give them just the +1 encumbrance and have the other items still give encumbrance. Not that big of a deal. My jedis don't carry that much more. A lightsaber, some electrobinocs maybe a training remote..

On 21/2/2017 at 0:04 PM, Blackbird888 said:

All in all, though, I don't think a flashlight, a hand radio, and some granola bars are going to unbalance a game.

On 21/2/2017 at 6:23 AM, korjik said:

If any thing I would add the items to the normal utility belt more than take them off the Jedi belt

Love that first Quote!

Thank you so much for the answers above. It was really helpful to review the insight of several GM/Players. I agree that this is hardly game braking since it targets only utility items. (and yes, I won't allow guns or grenades)

I do not agree with the interpretation that the items contain in the utility belt add their individual encumbrance (so in reality is an item of Enc 4 when fully equipped and not 0) Please note that the Emergency medpac has Enc 1. So effectively, this item holds Enc 5 items at value of 0. However, I agree with Donovan on the lightsaber encumbrance should be consider independent, and for that the +1 encumbrance is lost when a Lightsaber is equipped

As Daeglan mentioned, Character pursuing the ways of the Jedi do not wear armor, heavy blasters and grenades on them. So encumbrance is not an issue. My question on balance was aiming the other characters (EotE and AoR). Utility belts adds only +1 to encumbrance, and I don't recall any alternative that allow to add more items.

So the thing is that this item is ok (and probably over priced for a FaD character), but is extremely useful for a EoT and AoR character.

Regarding the last quote from Korjik, I find it an excellent idea. Not 5 Enc worth of items, but possible a customize utility belt for a Technician that allows to carry Tool kit for Enc 2, or allow to carry an utility belt that carry a Extra Reload or Emergency medpac for 0 Enc. There are many possibilities

If you want to add more encumbrance there are a number of items like back packs, satchels surveyors bags etc. All work similar to a utility belt.

So, I know this is an old question that was left open to interpretation. But I wanted to take the time and add an update, based on the Order 66 podcast (btw, I never listen), episode 103.

On 1:21 mark, there is a question involving the Jedi Utility Belt and encumbrance (Thanks for the question EliasWindrider). The answer from Sam Stewart is that per RAW, the Jedi Utility Belt is considered 0. He also mention that if it plays agains the spirit of the game (for the Ascetic example), it's better to talk to the GM.

Thought It was a good Idea to have this in written. Thanks again for all the answers!

14 hours ago, Rithuan said:

So, I know this is an old question that was left open to interpretation. But I wanted to take the time and add an update, based on the Order 66 podcast (btw, I never listen), episode 103.

On 1:21 mark, there is a question involving the Jedi Utility Belt and encumbrance (Thanks for the question EliasWindrider). The answer from Sam Stewart is that per RAW, the Jedi Utility Belt is considered 0. He also mention that if it plays agains the spirit of the game (for the Ascetic example), it's better to talk to the GM.

Thought It was a good Idea to have this in written. Thanks again for all the answers!

You're welcome