Understanding Pathfinder 2e's Bulk System: The Complete Guide
You're standing in a dragon's hoard, surrounded by treasure. Your GM says, "The pile contains 8,000 gold pieces, three suits of full plate armor, and a collection of magic weapons." Someone asks, "Can we carry all this?" Everyone looks at their character sheets nervously. Welcome to Pathfinder 2e's bulk system—arguably the best encumbrance mechanic in tabletop RPGs, once you understand how it works.
What Is Bulk? (And Why Should You Care?)
Bulk measures how cumbersome items are to carry—not just their weight, but their size, shape, and general awkwardness. A ten-foot pole weighs maybe five pounds, but it's still a pain to haul around, so it counts as 1 Bulk. Meanwhile, a bag of 500 gold coins might weigh ten pounds but fits in your pocket, so it's negligible.
Unlike D&D 5e (where most groups ignore encumbrance entirely because tracking pounds is tedious), Pathfinder 2e's bulk system is actually usable. It's abstract enough to not slow down play, but specific enough to matter tactically. Most PF2e groups actually track it.
The Four Types of Bulk
Every item in Pathfinder 2e falls into one of four categories. Understanding these is the foundation of the system:
1. Negligible Bulk (—)
Super light stuff that barely matters. Think chalk, individual coins (under 1,000), quills, or spell components. These don't count toward your total unless you're carrying "vast numbers" (GM discretion).
Rule of thumb: If it weighs less than a few ounces, it's probably negligible.
2. Light Bulk (L)
Small, manageable items. This is where it gets interesting: 10 Light items equal 1 Bulk. You round down, so 9 Light items = 0 Bulk, but that 10th item bumps you to 1 Bulk.
Examples: Daggers, potions, scrolls, torches, rope, most consumables.
Weight range: Roughly a few ounces to 5 pounds.
3. Numbered Bulk (1, 2, 3, 4, 5...)
Standard items with real weight. Most weapons and armor fall here. The general guideline is about 5-10 pounds per point of Bulk, but size and awkwardness matter more than exact weight.
Common examples:
- Longsword: 1 Bulk
- Greatsword: 2 Bulk
- Chain mail (worn): 2 Bulk
- Full plate (worn): 4 Bulk
4. Special Case: Coins
Coins have their own rule: 1,000 coins of any type = 1 Bulk. This means 999 gold pieces = 0 Bulk, but 1,000 gp = 1 Bulk. Important: fractions under 1,000 always round down—1,999 coins is still just 1 Bulk, not 2.
Pro tip: Don't track individual coins until you hit four digits. It's not worth the mental overhead.
How Much Can You Actually Carry?
Your carrying capacity is dead simple: it's based entirely on your Strength modifier, not your Strength score. This makes the math way easier than other systems.
The Capacity Formula
Encumbered Threshold = 5 + Strength Modifier
Carry this much or less and you're fine. One point over and you're encumbered (penalties apply).
Maximum Capacity = 10 + Strength Modifier
You physically cannot carry more than this. Trying to pick up items that would exceed this fails.
Quick Reference Examples:
- Str +0: 5 Bulk normal, 10 Bulk maximum
- Str +2: 7 Bulk normal, 12 Bulk maximum
- Str +4: 9 Bulk normal, 14 Bulk maximum
What Happens When You're Encumbered?
Unlike some systems with multiple encumbrance tiers, Pathfinder 2e keeps it simple: you're either fine or encumbered. No "heavily encumbered" middle state.
Encumbered Penalties
When carrying more than (5 + Str modifier) Bulk, you gain the Encumbered condition:
- •Clumsy 1: -1 penalty to AC, Reflex saves, and Dexterity-based skills (Acrobatics, Stealth, Thievery)
- •-10 feet to ALL speeds: Walking, climbing, swimming, flying—everything slows down
These penalties stick around until you drop items to get under your threshold. No amount of resting removes them while you're still overloaded.
The Backpack: Your Best Friend
Here's something many new players miss: backpacks aren't just flavor text. They have actual mechanical benefits that make them essential for every character.
How Backpacks Work (Post-Errata)
A worn backpack can hold up to 4 Bulk of items, but here's the magic: the first 2 Bulk stored doesn't count toward your encumbrance.
Example:
You have Str +2 (7 Bulk capacity). You're carrying:
- Full plate armor (worn): 4 Bulk
- Longsword: 1 Bulk
- Shield: 1 Bulk
- Backpack with 4 Bulk of adventuring gear: Only 2 Bulk counts (first 2 ignored)
Total: 4 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 8 Bulk... wait, you're encumbered!
Important: The backpack itself has negligible Bulk when worn, Light Bulk when carried. Always wear it, never carry it.
Common Bulk Values You Need to Know
You don't need to memorize every item's Bulk, but knowing these common ones saves constant rulebook lookups:
| Category | Bulk | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Light Weapons | L | Dagger, shortsword, hand crossbow |
| One-Handed Weapons | 1 | Longsword, rapier, mace, shortbow |
| Two-Handed Weapons | 2 | Greatsword, longbow, greataxe |
| Light Armor (worn) | 1 | Leather, studded leather |
| Medium Armor (worn) | 2 | Chain mail, breastplate |
| Heavy Armor (worn) | 3-4 | Full plate (4 Bulk when worn) |
| Consumables | L | Potions, scrolls, elixirs, most alchemical items |
| Adventuring Gear | L | Bedroll, rope, waterskin, week of rations |
| Shields | 1 (buckler: L) | Most standard shields |
The Tricks Nobody Tells You
Worn vs. Carried Armor
Here's a trap: armor has different Bulk depending on whether you're wearing it or carrying it. The listed Bulk assumes it's worn. When you carry armor in your pack (like loot), add +1 Bulk to the listed value.
Example: Chain mail is 2 Bulk when worn, but 3 Bulk when carried. Full plate goes from 4 Bulk (worn) to 5 Bulk (carried). This is why you don't loot every suit of armor you find—it's too heavy.
The Light Item Threshold Dance
Since 10 Light items = 1 Bulk, smart players track toward the thresholds. You have 9 potions? That's 0 Bulk. Pick up a 10th and suddenly you're carrying 1 Bulk. This matters when you're close to your encumbrance limit.
Strategy: Group your Light items mentally. "I have 7 potions, 2 scrolls, and 4 torches = 13 Light items = 1 Bulk." Makes tracking way easier.
Dragging Heavy Loot
Found a treasure chest that's 8 Bulk and you only have 7 Bulk capacity? You can drag it. When dragging, treat the item's Bulk as half (so 8 becomes 4). The catch: you move at about 50 feet per minute (super slow) and it requires both hands.
Practical use: Getting loot out of a dungeon when you can't carry it normally. Also works for unconscious allies.
Common Mistakes (Don't Make These)
✗ "Items in my backpack don't count at all"
WRONG. The backpack gives you a 2 Bulk reduction, not infinite storage. If you put 4 Bulk in your backpack, 2 Bulk still counts against you.
The backpack doesn't expand your maximum capacity—it just helps you use what you have more efficiently.
✗ "11 Light items = 2 Bulk because 11/10 = 1.1"
WRONG. You always round DOWN. 11 Light items = 1 Bulk. Even 19 Light items = 1 Bulk. You need exactly 20 Light items to reach 2 Bulk.
✗ "I'm at 6/7 Bulk capacity, I'm fine"
WRONG. If you have Str +2, your encumbered threshold is 7 Bulk, but that's your MAXIMUM normal capacity. You're not encumbered at exactly 7, but you are at 8. However, if your threshold is 5 and you're carrying 6, you ARE encumbered.
Know both numbers: your threshold (5 + Str) and your maximum (10 + Str). Stay under the threshold to avoid penalties.
✗ Forgetting coins add up
5,000 gold pieces = 5 Bulk. That's like carrying five longswords. When the party loots a dragon hoard with 20,000 gp, that's 20 Bulk total. Someone with Str +3 can only carry 12 Bulk maximum—you can't carry it all alone.
Practical Strategies for Managing Bulk
Smart Bulk Management
1. Invest in Strength Appropriately
Even if you're not a melee character, having Str +1 or +2 instead of +0 makes a huge difference. Going from 5 Bulk to 7 Bulk capacity is 40% more carrying power. For martials, Strength gives you both damage AND inventory space.
2. Always Use a Backpack
Costs 1 silver piece. Saves you 2 Bulk. There is no reason not to have one on every character. Wear it, don't carry it.
3. Distribute Party Loot Wisely
The barbarian with Str +4 can carry 9 Bulk comfortably. The wizard with Str -1 can only carry 4 Bulk. Give the heavy stuff to strong characters. Coins, gems, and trade goods should go to whoever has room.
After a big haul, take five minutes to redistribute. "I'll take 3,000 gp, you take 2,000 gp" prevents someone from being encumbered while others have free space.
4. Minimize Weapon Redundancy
Carrying six different weapons "just in case" is a fast track to encumbrance. Primary weapon + backup weapon is reasonable. Primary + backup + ranged option starts getting heavy. Choose versatile weapons when possible.
5. Track Light Items in Groups
Don't write down "potion 1, potion 2, potion 3..." on your sheet. Write "Healing Potions: 7 (0.7 Bulk)." When you hit 10, update it to 1 Bulk. Way less bookkeeping.
6. Leave Non-Essentials at Camp
Traveling to a dungeon? Bring combat gear and healing supplies. Leave the week of rations, extra rope, and crafting tools at base camp or on your mount. Return after the delve.
Magic Items That Solve Bulk Forever
Once your party hits mid-levels, bulk becomes much less of a concern thanks to magic items. These are worth prioritizing:
Bag of Holding (Type I-IV)
The gold standard for bulk management. A Type I (level 4) holds 25 Bulk and the bag itself is only 1 Bulk regardless of contents. Type II (level 7) holds 50 Bulk. By level 11+ you can get Type III or IV (100-150 Bulk).
Priority: Get one ASAP. This basically removes bulk as a limiting factor for your entire party. Everything goes in the bag.
Handy Haversack
Always counts as 1 Bulk no matter what you put in it. Items are magically organized so you can retrieve them quickly (no digging through a backpack). Expensive but convenient.
How This Compares to D&D 5e
If you're coming from D&D 5e, the biggest difference is that Pathfinder 2e's bulk system is actually designed to be used. In 5e, most groups say "we don't track encumbrance" because tracking pounds is tedious and slows down play. The math is a pain (Str 14 = 210 lbs capacity, longsword weighs 3 lbs, rope weighs 10 lbs...).
PF2e's abstraction makes it manageable. You don't need a calculator. You can eyeball it. "I have 1 Bulk of weapons, 4 Bulk of armor, 1 Bulk in my backpack (after reduction), and 1 Bulk of Light items = 7 Bulk total." Most groups actually track it because it's not annoying.
The Bottom Line
Bulk is one of Pathfinder 2e's best quality-of-life improvements over other systems. It's abstract enough to be fast, concrete enough to matter, and actually creates interesting decisions. Do you grab the extra loot or stay mobile? Do you wear heavy armor or maintain stealth? Can the party carry this treasure hoard in one trip?
The key is understanding the basics (Light vs. numbered Bulk, backpack benefits, your capacity) and not sweating the edge cases. Round in your favor, use your backpack, and get a Bag of Holding when you can afford one. After a few sessions, it becomes second nature.
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