====== Barding ======

All barding encumbrances listed in UA are reduced to 40% of their listed value when equipped. If not being worn by the mount, encumbrance is as listed.<sup>Ex</sup>((Inspired by Dragon #118 Forum.))Here is the reasoning:

Rules for barding were introduced in 1983((Dragon #74.)) and reprinted in UA in 1985. They are basically broken -- mainly, the barding is far too heavy. Encumbrance was dramatically increased from the OD&D numbers, to the point where medium and heavy horses may not even be able to move at all.((https://deltasdnd.blogspot.com/2023/07/how-much-weight-can-horse-carry-in-d.html)) This was brought up in Dragon #118, but via a forum submission which was apparently not replied to by TSR.

^ Barding  ^ AC mod  ^ AC type  ^ Eq. cn.  ^ Uneq. cn.  ^ Base MV" and Mi./day (L/M/H Warhorse)  ^
| Leather  | -1      | 8        | 640      | 1600       | 21/17/15                               |
| Scale    | -2      | 6        | 1000     | 2500       | 15/15/14                               |
| Chain    | -3      | 5        | 1400     | 3500       | ---/12/13                              |
| Plate    | -4      | 3        | 2000     | 5000       | ---/---/12                             |

Don't forget, MV is halved if the mount's first encumbrance threshold has been met. If the mount's maximum encumbrance has been reached, it is unable to move.