overencumbered

Overencumbered is a common status effect found in many role-playing video games. It signifies that a player character is carrying too much weight, exceeding their defined carrying capacity. This excess weight typically impedes the character's movement and overall effectiveness.

When a character becomes overencumbered, their movement speed is often drastically reduced, making them slow to traverse the game world. In some games, this can manifest as a complete inability to run or even walk at a normal pace. Furthermore, actions such as dodging, jumping, or attacking may become slower or impossible, leaving the player vulnerable to enemies. Some games also impose penalties on other attributes, such as stamina regeneration or even combat effectiveness.

To alleviate the overencumbered status, players usually need to reduce the weight of their inventory. This can be achieved by dropping unwanted items, storing them in a designated location like a player home or a bank, or by selling excess goods to merchants. The exact mechanics and penalties associated with being overencumbered vary significantly between different games, with some implementing it as a minor inconvenience and others as a significant gameplay challenge. The concept is designed to encourage players to manage their inventory thoughtfully and make strategic decisions about what items to carry.