What's the point of quivers?

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Quivers weigh one pound and hold twenty arrows. Twenty arrows weigh one pound.



What's the point of having a case that weighs the same as what it holds? It won't let you hold more?










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  • 5




    Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 15:42






  • 4




    Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 16:52






  • 1




    @HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
    – KRyan
    Sep 19 at 17:16






  • 4




    @KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 17:30






  • 2




    @HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
    – Joel Harmon
    Sep 20 at 11:40
















up vote
22
down vote

favorite












Quivers weigh one pound and hold twenty arrows. Twenty arrows weigh one pound.



What's the point of having a case that weighs the same as what it holds? It won't let you hold more?










share|improve this question



















  • 5




    Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 15:42






  • 4




    Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 16:52






  • 1




    @HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
    – KRyan
    Sep 19 at 17:16






  • 4




    @KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 17:30






  • 2




    @HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
    – Joel Harmon
    Sep 20 at 11:40












up vote
22
down vote

favorite









up vote
22
down vote

favorite











Quivers weigh one pound and hold twenty arrows. Twenty arrows weigh one pound.



What's the point of having a case that weighs the same as what it holds? It won't let you hold more?










share|improve this question















Quivers weigh one pound and hold twenty arrows. Twenty arrows weigh one pound.



What's the point of having a case that weighs the same as what it holds? It won't let you hold more?







dnd-5e equipment encumbrance






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Sep 20 at 9:15









Jack

8,48323279




8,48323279










asked Sep 19 at 15:36









Nathan Santee

17718




17718







  • 5




    Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 15:42






  • 4




    Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 16:52






  • 1




    @HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
    – KRyan
    Sep 19 at 17:16






  • 4




    @KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 17:30






  • 2




    @HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
    – Joel Harmon
    Sep 20 at 11:40












  • 5




    Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 15:42






  • 4




    Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 16:52






  • 1




    @HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
    – KRyan
    Sep 19 at 17:16






  • 4




    @KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
    – Hey I Can Chan
    Sep 19 at 17:30






  • 2




    @HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
    – Joel Harmon
    Sep 20 at 11:40







5




5




Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 15:42




Welcome to the site! Take the tour. I'm a little concerned that the question doesn't address an alternative that you're imagining. That is, do you imagine it'd be narratively easier, more convenient, or just totally allowed mechanically to, instead, carry arrows in a sack, bandoleer or pocket? Thank you for participating and have fun.
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 15:42




4




4




Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 16:52




Based on comments, it seems this isn't an issue with quivers per se but with how the encumbrance rules function. That is, it seems the actual question is Does a container subtract from a creature's maximum load or does a container allow a creature to exceed its maximum load? with a quiver being an example. Is that accurate?
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 16:52




1




1




@HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
– KRyan
Sep 19 at 17:16




@HeyICanChan I agree, but I’d caution that, at this point, it would probably be better to ask that as a separate question.
– KRyan
Sep 19 at 17:16




4




4




@KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 17:30




@KorvinStarmast Really? I mean, I guess that pun was on target. Take a bow.
– Hey I Can Chan
Sep 19 at 17:30




2




2




@HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
– Joel Harmon
Sep 20 at 11:40




@HeyICanChan Puns and wordplay are always a long shot. Some people nock them, others quiver with laughter, while most draw a blank. If you don't get a grip on that, some folks will just string you along...
– Joel Harmon
Sep 20 at 11:40










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
80
down vote













They answer the question of “where did you put your arrows such that they’re easily accessible?” If you tell me, as DM, that you have 20 arrows but no quiver, then I’m wondering where the arrows are and how you’re grabbing them to shoot your bow. Some alternative answers might be fine, but if they’re just stowed in your pack somewhere, then I will probably say you can’t easily shoot your bow as quickly as you otherwise could because you have to go and get out an arrow every time. And the rules back me up there:




Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon).




With a quiver, we know you don’t need any extra special effort to get your ammunition. Without a quiver, well, that’s unclear and it’s going to be up to the DM to decide.



Also, having stats for a quiver is useful simply because archers usually have one, and people will want to know how many arrows they can hold, how much they weigh, and how much they cost. The Player’s Handbook description answers those questions for us.






share|improve this answer






















  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – doppelspooker♦
    Sep 19 at 17:04

















up vote
28
down vote













Quivers have the same point as a suitcase when you fly on an airplane.



When you check in your baggage at the airport, your suitcase (which has an empty weight of a few pounds) is also filled with clothes and other things that each have their own weight. On the scale at the airport, the result is the total weight of container and its contents. The person at the airport weighs them to make sure that you are not exceeding the weight allowance for luggage.



Total weight = the container's weight plus the contents' weight.



Your quiver, like the suitcase, is a larger thing that carries a number of smaller things. It has an empty weight (1 pound) and a certain volume - the volume is "20 arrows" when full. The contents (arrows) plus the quiver (container) each weigh one pound, which adds up to 2 pounds total weight when full.



For whatever game mechanics reasons they had, the game designers assigned "1 pound" as the weight of a quiver. They could just as easily made it "half a pound" or "two pounds." Note that IRL, quivers also play a role in protecting the arrows from damage, but that's more granular / simulationist detail than we need to get to for this question.



Regarding your actual question, having to do with encumbrance.



From our comments under @KRyan's answer:




@NathanSantee Is your DM using the variant Encumbrance rules? (Basic
Rules, page 60). The basic carrying capacity is 15 times your
strength. – KorvinStarmast 5 mins ago

Yes but I interpreted it as 5 x strength + containers. – Nathan Santee 4 mins ago




Then you read something into the rules that is not there. From the Basic Rules, page 60; PHB p. 176).




Lifting and Carrying

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.emphasis mine



Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.



Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.



[...]



Variant: Encumbrance

When you use this variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5. If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet. If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.




You can carry more, but it slows you down



You will note that nowhere in the rules above are the weights of the containers set to zero, nor are they waived. The key result of carrying more than 55 pounds with a strength of 11 is that your speed is reduced by 10. For example, if you are a human, your speed will be 20 instead of 30 until you reduce the total weight to 55 pounds or less.



You asked in a comment why you need containers.



Just as in real life, you typically use containers to hold things, which frees your hands to do what you are trying to do until you need those things in the container.



@Graham points out an exception to the general case:



If you are in a static defense situation tactically (you don't need to move at all) then you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one".






share|improve this answer






















  • So how much can I carry without any containers?
    – Nathan Santee
    Sep 19 at 16:46






  • 11




    @NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 16:47







  • 4




    Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
    – aslum
    Sep 19 at 18:31






  • 1




    @aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 18:33






  • 1




    @KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
    – Graham
    Sep 19 at 19:37










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2 Answers
2






active

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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

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up vote
80
down vote













They answer the question of “where did you put your arrows such that they’re easily accessible?” If you tell me, as DM, that you have 20 arrows but no quiver, then I’m wondering where the arrows are and how you’re grabbing them to shoot your bow. Some alternative answers might be fine, but if they’re just stowed in your pack somewhere, then I will probably say you can’t easily shoot your bow as quickly as you otherwise could because you have to go and get out an arrow every time. And the rules back me up there:




Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon).




With a quiver, we know you don’t need any extra special effort to get your ammunition. Without a quiver, well, that’s unclear and it’s going to be up to the DM to decide.



Also, having stats for a quiver is useful simply because archers usually have one, and people will want to know how many arrows they can hold, how much they weigh, and how much they cost. The Player’s Handbook description answers those questions for us.






share|improve this answer






















  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – doppelspooker♦
    Sep 19 at 17:04














up vote
80
down vote













They answer the question of “where did you put your arrows such that they’re easily accessible?” If you tell me, as DM, that you have 20 arrows but no quiver, then I’m wondering where the arrows are and how you’re grabbing them to shoot your bow. Some alternative answers might be fine, but if they’re just stowed in your pack somewhere, then I will probably say you can’t easily shoot your bow as quickly as you otherwise could because you have to go and get out an arrow every time. And the rules back me up there:




Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon).




With a quiver, we know you don’t need any extra special effort to get your ammunition. Without a quiver, well, that’s unclear and it’s going to be up to the DM to decide.



Also, having stats for a quiver is useful simply because archers usually have one, and people will want to know how many arrows they can hold, how much they weigh, and how much they cost. The Player’s Handbook description answers those questions for us.






share|improve this answer






















  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – doppelspooker♦
    Sep 19 at 17:04












up vote
80
down vote










up vote
80
down vote









They answer the question of “where did you put your arrows such that they’re easily accessible?” If you tell me, as DM, that you have 20 arrows but no quiver, then I’m wondering where the arrows are and how you’re grabbing them to shoot your bow. Some alternative answers might be fine, but if they’re just stowed in your pack somewhere, then I will probably say you can’t easily shoot your bow as quickly as you otherwise could because you have to go and get out an arrow every time. And the rules back me up there:




Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon).




With a quiver, we know you don’t need any extra special effort to get your ammunition. Without a quiver, well, that’s unclear and it’s going to be up to the DM to decide.



Also, having stats for a quiver is useful simply because archers usually have one, and people will want to know how many arrows they can hold, how much they weigh, and how much they cost. The Player’s Handbook description answers those questions for us.






share|improve this answer














They answer the question of “where did you put your arrows such that they’re easily accessible?” If you tell me, as DM, that you have 20 arrows but no quiver, then I’m wondering where the arrows are and how you’re grabbing them to shoot your bow. Some alternative answers might be fine, but if they’re just stowed in your pack somewhere, then I will probably say you can’t easily shoot your bow as quickly as you otherwise could because you have to go and get out an arrow every time. And the rules back me up there:




Drawing the ammunition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-handed weapon).




With a quiver, we know you don’t need any extra special effort to get your ammunition. Without a quiver, well, that’s unclear and it’s going to be up to the DM to decide.



Also, having stats for a quiver is useful simply because archers usually have one, and people will want to know how many arrows they can hold, how much they weigh, and how much they cost. The Player’s Handbook description answers those questions for us.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Sep 19 at 16:15

























answered Sep 19 at 15:40









KRyan

207k23513900




207k23513900











  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – doppelspooker♦
    Sep 19 at 17:04
















  • Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
    – doppelspooker♦
    Sep 19 at 17:04















Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– doppelspooker♦
Sep 19 at 17:04




Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– doppelspooker♦
Sep 19 at 17:04












up vote
28
down vote













Quivers have the same point as a suitcase when you fly on an airplane.



When you check in your baggage at the airport, your suitcase (which has an empty weight of a few pounds) is also filled with clothes and other things that each have their own weight. On the scale at the airport, the result is the total weight of container and its contents. The person at the airport weighs them to make sure that you are not exceeding the weight allowance for luggage.



Total weight = the container's weight plus the contents' weight.



Your quiver, like the suitcase, is a larger thing that carries a number of smaller things. It has an empty weight (1 pound) and a certain volume - the volume is "20 arrows" when full. The contents (arrows) plus the quiver (container) each weigh one pound, which adds up to 2 pounds total weight when full.



For whatever game mechanics reasons they had, the game designers assigned "1 pound" as the weight of a quiver. They could just as easily made it "half a pound" or "two pounds." Note that IRL, quivers also play a role in protecting the arrows from damage, but that's more granular / simulationist detail than we need to get to for this question.



Regarding your actual question, having to do with encumbrance.



From our comments under @KRyan's answer:




@NathanSantee Is your DM using the variant Encumbrance rules? (Basic
Rules, page 60). The basic carrying capacity is 15 times your
strength. – KorvinStarmast 5 mins ago

Yes but I interpreted it as 5 x strength + containers. – Nathan Santee 4 mins ago




Then you read something into the rules that is not there. From the Basic Rules, page 60; PHB p. 176).




Lifting and Carrying

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.emphasis mine



Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.



Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.



[...]



Variant: Encumbrance

When you use this variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5. If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet. If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.




You can carry more, but it slows you down



You will note that nowhere in the rules above are the weights of the containers set to zero, nor are they waived. The key result of carrying more than 55 pounds with a strength of 11 is that your speed is reduced by 10. For example, if you are a human, your speed will be 20 instead of 30 until you reduce the total weight to 55 pounds or less.



You asked in a comment why you need containers.



Just as in real life, you typically use containers to hold things, which frees your hands to do what you are trying to do until you need those things in the container.



@Graham points out an exception to the general case:



If you are in a static defense situation tactically (you don't need to move at all) then you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one".






share|improve this answer






















  • So how much can I carry without any containers?
    – Nathan Santee
    Sep 19 at 16:46






  • 11




    @NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 16:47







  • 4




    Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
    – aslum
    Sep 19 at 18:31






  • 1




    @aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 18:33






  • 1




    @KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
    – Graham
    Sep 19 at 19:37














up vote
28
down vote













Quivers have the same point as a suitcase when you fly on an airplane.



When you check in your baggage at the airport, your suitcase (which has an empty weight of a few pounds) is also filled with clothes and other things that each have their own weight. On the scale at the airport, the result is the total weight of container and its contents. The person at the airport weighs them to make sure that you are not exceeding the weight allowance for luggage.



Total weight = the container's weight plus the contents' weight.



Your quiver, like the suitcase, is a larger thing that carries a number of smaller things. It has an empty weight (1 pound) and a certain volume - the volume is "20 arrows" when full. The contents (arrows) plus the quiver (container) each weigh one pound, which adds up to 2 pounds total weight when full.



For whatever game mechanics reasons they had, the game designers assigned "1 pound" as the weight of a quiver. They could just as easily made it "half a pound" or "two pounds." Note that IRL, quivers also play a role in protecting the arrows from damage, but that's more granular / simulationist detail than we need to get to for this question.



Regarding your actual question, having to do with encumbrance.



From our comments under @KRyan's answer:




@NathanSantee Is your DM using the variant Encumbrance rules? (Basic
Rules, page 60). The basic carrying capacity is 15 times your
strength. – KorvinStarmast 5 mins ago

Yes but I interpreted it as 5 x strength + containers. – Nathan Santee 4 mins ago




Then you read something into the rules that is not there. From the Basic Rules, page 60; PHB p. 176).




Lifting and Carrying

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.emphasis mine



Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.



Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.



[...]



Variant: Encumbrance

When you use this variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5. If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet. If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.




You can carry more, but it slows you down



You will note that nowhere in the rules above are the weights of the containers set to zero, nor are they waived. The key result of carrying more than 55 pounds with a strength of 11 is that your speed is reduced by 10. For example, if you are a human, your speed will be 20 instead of 30 until you reduce the total weight to 55 pounds or less.



You asked in a comment why you need containers.



Just as in real life, you typically use containers to hold things, which frees your hands to do what you are trying to do until you need those things in the container.



@Graham points out an exception to the general case:



If you are in a static defense situation tactically (you don't need to move at all) then you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one".






share|improve this answer






















  • So how much can I carry without any containers?
    – Nathan Santee
    Sep 19 at 16:46






  • 11




    @NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 16:47







  • 4




    Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
    – aslum
    Sep 19 at 18:31






  • 1




    @aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 18:33






  • 1




    @KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
    – Graham
    Sep 19 at 19:37












up vote
28
down vote










up vote
28
down vote









Quivers have the same point as a suitcase when you fly on an airplane.



When you check in your baggage at the airport, your suitcase (which has an empty weight of a few pounds) is also filled with clothes and other things that each have their own weight. On the scale at the airport, the result is the total weight of container and its contents. The person at the airport weighs them to make sure that you are not exceeding the weight allowance for luggage.



Total weight = the container's weight plus the contents' weight.



Your quiver, like the suitcase, is a larger thing that carries a number of smaller things. It has an empty weight (1 pound) and a certain volume - the volume is "20 arrows" when full. The contents (arrows) plus the quiver (container) each weigh one pound, which adds up to 2 pounds total weight when full.



For whatever game mechanics reasons they had, the game designers assigned "1 pound" as the weight of a quiver. They could just as easily made it "half a pound" or "two pounds." Note that IRL, quivers also play a role in protecting the arrows from damage, but that's more granular / simulationist detail than we need to get to for this question.



Regarding your actual question, having to do with encumbrance.



From our comments under @KRyan's answer:




@NathanSantee Is your DM using the variant Encumbrance rules? (Basic
Rules, page 60). The basic carrying capacity is 15 times your
strength. – KorvinStarmast 5 mins ago

Yes but I interpreted it as 5 x strength + containers. – Nathan Santee 4 mins ago




Then you read something into the rules that is not there. From the Basic Rules, page 60; PHB p. 176).




Lifting and Carrying

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.emphasis mine



Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.



Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.



[...]



Variant: Encumbrance

When you use this variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5. If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet. If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.




You can carry more, but it slows you down



You will note that nowhere in the rules above are the weights of the containers set to zero, nor are they waived. The key result of carrying more than 55 pounds with a strength of 11 is that your speed is reduced by 10. For example, if you are a human, your speed will be 20 instead of 30 until you reduce the total weight to 55 pounds or less.



You asked in a comment why you need containers.



Just as in real life, you typically use containers to hold things, which frees your hands to do what you are trying to do until you need those things in the container.



@Graham points out an exception to the general case:



If you are in a static defense situation tactically (you don't need to move at all) then you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one".






share|improve this answer














Quivers have the same point as a suitcase when you fly on an airplane.



When you check in your baggage at the airport, your suitcase (which has an empty weight of a few pounds) is also filled with clothes and other things that each have their own weight. On the scale at the airport, the result is the total weight of container and its contents. The person at the airport weighs them to make sure that you are not exceeding the weight allowance for luggage.



Total weight = the container's weight plus the contents' weight.



Your quiver, like the suitcase, is a larger thing that carries a number of smaller things. It has an empty weight (1 pound) and a certain volume - the volume is "20 arrows" when full. The contents (arrows) plus the quiver (container) each weigh one pound, which adds up to 2 pounds total weight when full.



For whatever game mechanics reasons they had, the game designers assigned "1 pound" as the weight of a quiver. They could just as easily made it "half a pound" or "two pounds." Note that IRL, quivers also play a role in protecting the arrows from damage, but that's more granular / simulationist detail than we need to get to for this question.



Regarding your actual question, having to do with encumbrance.



From our comments under @KRyan's answer:




@NathanSantee Is your DM using the variant Encumbrance rules? (Basic
Rules, page 60). The basic carrying capacity is 15 times your
strength. – KorvinStarmast 5 mins ago

Yes but I interpreted it as 5 x strength + containers. – Nathan Santee 4 mins ago




Then you read something into the rules that is not there. From the Basic Rules, page 60; PHB p. 176).




Lifting and Carrying

Your Strength score determines the amount of weight you can bear. The following terms define what you can lift or carry.emphasis mine



Carrying Capacity. Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry, which is high enough that most characters don’t usually have to worry about it.



Push, Drag, or Lift. You can push, drag, or lift a weight in pounds up to twice your carrying capacity (or 30 times your Strength score). While pushing or dragging weight in excess of your carrying capacity, your speed drops to 5 feet.



[...]



Variant: Encumbrance

When you use this variant, ignore the Strength column of the Armor table in chapter 5. If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet. If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution.




You can carry more, but it slows you down



You will note that nowhere in the rules above are the weights of the containers set to zero, nor are they waived. The key result of carrying more than 55 pounds with a strength of 11 is that your speed is reduced by 10. For example, if you are a human, your speed will be 20 instead of 30 until you reduce the total weight to 55 pounds or less.



You asked in a comment why you need containers.



Just as in real life, you typically use containers to hold things, which frees your hands to do what you are trying to do until you need those things in the container.



@Graham points out an exception to the general case:



If you are in a static defense situation tactically (you don't need to move at all) then you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one".







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Sep 21 at 10:55

























answered Sep 19 at 16:43









KorvinStarmast

67.8k16212375




67.8k16212375











  • So how much can I carry without any containers?
    – Nathan Santee
    Sep 19 at 16:46






  • 11




    @NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 16:47







  • 4




    Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
    – aslum
    Sep 19 at 18:31






  • 1




    @aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 18:33






  • 1




    @KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
    – Graham
    Sep 19 at 19:37
















  • So how much can I carry without any containers?
    – Nathan Santee
    Sep 19 at 16:46






  • 11




    @NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 16:47







  • 4




    Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
    – aslum
    Sep 19 at 18:31






  • 1




    @aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
    – KorvinStarmast
    Sep 19 at 18:33






  • 1




    @KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
    – Graham
    Sep 19 at 19:37















So how much can I carry without any containers?
– Nathan Santee
Sep 19 at 16:46




So how much can I carry without any containers?
– Nathan Santee
Sep 19 at 16:46




11




11




@NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
– KorvinStarmast
Sep 19 at 16:47





@NathanSantee Whatever your hands can hold, which is typically a heck of a lot less volume than using a container. Do you understand the difference between volume and weight? If you are carrying all 20 arrows with your hands, how do you hold, draw, and shoot the bow? Answer is You Don't. Therefore, you use containers to hold things that you will need, which frees your hands to do the things that you need to do.
– KorvinStarmast
Sep 19 at 16:47





4




4




Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
– aslum
Sep 19 at 18:31




Note also that Quivers are containers specifically designed for two purposes, to hold arrows without damaging them, and to provide quick access to them. It's kind of like asking what the point of a magazine is when I can just keep the bullets for my gun in my pocket, except that arrows are much more likely to be damaged by being placed in a container other than a quiver than bullets.
– aslum
Sep 19 at 18:31




1




1




@aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
– KorvinStarmast
Sep 19 at 18:33




@aslum agree. I am going with the assumption that Nathan hasn't yet arrived at a point in life where familiarity with magazine-fed weapons is a given. ;)
– KorvinStarmast
Sep 19 at 18:33




1




1




@KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
– Graham
Sep 19 at 19:37




@KorvinStarmast One exception to that rule. If you have prepared defenses on a battlefield, you may well have a small forest of arrows stuck in the ground in front of you, as you wait for the enemy to attack. Access to them is "reach down, grab one". Not so useful on a dungeon crawl though...
– Graham
Sep 19 at 19:37

















 

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