How do you guys rule when say, three PC's want to work together to carry a heavy object? Say its something that is far too heavy for one person to carry. Do you just add all of their strengths together? That would seem to be too strong. Do you use some version of Aid Another, like have the additional carriers make Aid Another checks and if they succeed they give the initial carrier a +2 strength for the purposes of carrying the heavy object? Just wondering what other people do or if there is a rule I am missing.

Sounds like you have a good idea there on how to do it.

If the object is large enough to ocupy multiple squares you might allow one character per square of the object to carry an amount equal to his load.

It Is strong, but thats sorta the point.

Just remember that each character can only lift as much as his/her str allows, and divvy it up as appropriate.

Remember Encumbrance penalties and such for 1) movement and 2) combat.

How do you guys rule when say, three PC's want to work together to carry a heavy object? Say its something that is far too heavy for one person to carry. Do you just add all of their strengths together? That would seem to be too strong. Do you use some version of Aid Another, like have the additional carriers make Aid Another checks and if they succeed they give the initial carrier a +2 strength for the purposes of carrying the heavy object? Just wondering what other people do or if there is a rule I am missing.

Couldn't find any ruling anywhere but I would say since you assume each would have an equal load, multiply the number of movers by the lowest carrying capacity. If they have STRs of 12, 15 & 18 that would be heavy load ratings of 130, 200 & 300lbs. If they work together they can lift 390lbs (3x130) or if just the 2 strongest lift together they can lift 400lbs (2x200). Just my 2cp.

How do you guys rule when say, three PC's want to work together to carry a heavy object? Say its something that is far too heavy for one person to carry. Do you just add all of their strengths together? That would seem to be too strong. Do you use some version of Aid Another, like have the additional carriers make Aid Another checks and if they succeed they give the initial carrier a +2 strength for the purposes of carrying the heavy object? Just wondering what other people do or if there is a rule I am missing.

So would people generally just add up the total lifting capacity of all lifters or would the total lifting capacity be some number above or below that number?

I think the easiest way is to simply add the maximum weight allowance of each character, and see if it matches the weight of the item.

I think the easiest way is to simply add the maximum weight allowance of each character, and see if it matches the weight of the item.

Agreed. Obviously, whether one character is supporting 1/2 the weight and the rest between 4 others is more complicated (for purposes of determining Encumbrance - which isn't even important in every situation), but this isn't exactly your every-day task. I might also negate DEX bonuses due to unwieldiness (if relevant), but adding up the weight allowances is where to start.

How do you guys rule when say, three PC's want to work together to carry a heavy object? Say its something that is far too heavy for one person to carry. Do you just add all of their strengths together? That would seem to be too strong. Do you use some version of Aid Another, like have the additional carriers make Aid Another checks and if they succeed they give the initial carrier a +2 strength for the purposes of carrying the heavy object? Just wondering what other people do or if there is a rule I am missing.

In the real world the capacity of twenty horses to pull a very heavy load are not the same as what an individual horse can pull x 20. I forget the chart as a whole but it curves off to something like 0.8 @ 20 horses.

The same applies to Humans and their lift capacity.

RR: Lysaght Referee

In the real world the capacity of twenty horses to pull a very heavy load are not the same as what an individual horse can pull x 20. I forget the chart as a whole but it curves off to something like 0.8 @ 20 horses.

That's the kind of info I was looking for. I guess this comes down to one of two real options:

1) Use standard "Aid Another for Ability Checks" rules for determining how much they can lift.

-OR-

2) All players/creatures combine their Strengths, and use that number for determining how much they can lift.

I am leaning towards using standard Aid Another rules for this but want to see if anyone has a strong argument the other way before I make a ruling for my campaign.