Please help: Calculating Skill Penalty

[Troy Pacelli]

I am using the eTools for managing my characters. From time to time I will discover a calculation that seems goofy, but time and again, further investigation proves that there was some rule I was overlooking (thus the value of a database program).

This time, however, I am at a loss. Past experience would infer that the program is right, but I need to know why, and I’m hoping you kind people can help me.

I have a 4th level dwarf character (Cleric/Wizard) with no ranks in Swim. His Strength is 10 (no bonus). The skill check penalty shows -15. Again, I don’t doubt it, but I cannot figure out why.

He’s carrying 60.31 lbs of gear. That’s Medium Load. He is wearing Studded Leather and carries a large wooden shield.

I’m not sure what else would effect the Swim skill.

Could anyone assist? Please??

[Rift]

Well, the skill says that both armor check penalties and encumbrance penalties count double.

So in your case -6(Medium load), -2(Studded leather), -4(Heavy shield) would make -12. How that thing comes to -15, I've got no clue.

[Ylissa]

I am unsure how it is getting -15; the 3.0 rules applied a -1 per 5lb of gear... but even if it used that, with 60lb that would only be -12. Unless it then (incorrectly) added in the armour and shield ACP.

I would advise the following -
1. Remove the armour and shield, note down the gear weight and Swim penalty;
2. With just the armour added back, note down the gear weight and Swim penalty;
3. With just the shield added back, note down the gear weight and Swim penalty.

Post the results back up here and we may have a better idea. But it does seem very odd!

[Troy Pacelli]

Now that you mention the 3.0 rule, I think I may have the answer. He's carrying 60 lbs, but the total weight of his gear is 101 lbs. The program may be figuring weight based on that.

I think what I need to do is install the 3.5 dataset and see if that clears up the problem. It could, in fact, be that (this time) the program actually IS wrong.

Thanks so much for your help.