I've created a droid slicer character. When I create it using Bren Waynero's spreadsheet, I come out very overencumbered, even though I've selected that items like my datapad, slicer gear, and comm-link are "Built-in."

Should built-in items not count against my encumbrance? Seems like that should be the case.

And just to make sure, am I correct in that these sorts of items can be purchased for droids and "Built-in" as part of my body? I'm thinking datapads, tool kits, comm-links, medpacs, binoculars, etc.

Thanks!

Built-in items still have their normal encumbrance values. Get a built-in backpack and built-in utility belt to help keep things workable.

That'll work. Thanks!

Built-in items still count against encumbrance, since there's still weight to deal with and all that. The benefits of having equipment built in are mostly narrative in nature, such as never needing to worry about 'forgetting' to bring something, or perhaps being able to justify a piece of equipment being harder to find (if not impossible to find) in a search, like with a commlink built in as a transmitter within the droid's head.

Technically you also don't get any 'free hands' to operate your built-in equipment. If you have a built-in blaster pistol or handheld comlink, you'll still need a hand free to operate it.

Also, obeying encumbrance means that you don't have an unlimited amount of things to "build in". A droid can only have so many attachments, after all, so following encumbrance in this case still makes sense.

It might not always seem logical. Many built in items probably wouldn't encumber as much, but I fully understand it from a balance standpoint. They already have the advantage of it not being possible to steal their equipment (not easily anyway). Giving them the an advantage dealing with encumbrance would be pretty unbalancing.

Built in or built on?

I would, without the additional cost of a backpack or utility belt equivalent (nice idea there), require that enc be calculated for all droid purchases. They simply get added onto the outside of the droid and the backpack helps install some of the tech internally. Keep in mind, droids already have a lot of internal mechanisms. There likely wouldn't be that much extra space.

i honestly treat any built in item as if its meant to be carried and reduce 3 ENC off any built in items much like wearing armor reduces the ENC of the armor itself when worn. I also allow Droids to double their Br when calculating weight.

A droid can only have so many attachments, after all, so following encumbrance in this case still makes sense.

Tell that to R2-D2. Jets, smokescreen, slicing tool, fusion welder, holo projector, electroshock weapon, buzz saw, radar antenna, lightsaber compartment w/ejector, etc.

A droid can only have so many attachments, after all, so following encumbrance in this case still makes sense.

Tell that to R2-D2. Jets, smokescreen, slicing tool, fusion welder, holo projector, electroshock weapon, buzz saw, radar antenna, lightsaber compartment w/ejector, etc.

R2 had a built-in bag of holding.

A droid can only have so many attachments, after all, so following encumbrance in this case still makes sense.

Tell that to R2-D2. Jets, smokescreen, slicing tool, fusion welder, holo projector, electroshock weapon, buzz saw, radar antenna, lightsaber compartment w/ejector, etc.

R2 had a built-in bag of holding.

I think he just had the Utility Belt Talent

Or Luke had the Hidden Storage talent.

What spreadsheet was this created using?

I haven't come across one yet which includes encumbrance calculations, it sounds useful!