{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053","type":"mechanic","id":"role-playing-systems--t053","lang":"en","title":"Equipment, affixes and item sets","summary":"Equipped items change attributes and available actions. The player chooses a useful combination while accounting for each item’s drawbacks.","updatedAt":"2026-10-21","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053.md","aliases":["Equipment and properties"],"tags":["Role-playing systems","Mechanics and variants"],"sourceIds":["source-3817d420df0baa92","source-8fcf1671c353b49b"],"sources":[{"id":"source-3817d420df0baa92","title":"Robert Nystrom: State","url":"https://github.com/munificent/game-programming-patterns/blob/master/book/state.markdown","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-8fcf1671c353b49b","title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Equipment changes character properties, while affixes and sets connect item selection to actual behavior."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Mechanic variants\n\n<a id=\"t053-variants\"></a>\n\n- An affix grows stronger under a stated condition. <a id=\"t053-v1\"></a>\n- A set changes a rule after enough pieces are worn. <a id=\"t053-v2\"></a>\n- Weight limits combinations of heavy equipment. <a id=\"t053-v3\"></a>\n- Replacing a property preserves a valuable item base. <a id=\"t053-v4\"></a>"},{"id":"example","title":"Design example","body":"Light boots improve attacks after dodging, but the full set rules out a heavy shield.\n\nPrototype check: Test item comparisons: players should see a bonus trigger and the cost of replacing equipment."},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Role-playing systems connect character identity, party composition, equipment and consequential choices. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map."}],"relations":[{"type":"uses","direction":"outgoing","label":"Sources in the selection","key":"resource/state-pattern","title":"State: Game Programming Patterns","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/resources/#resource-state-pattern","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.md"}],"placements":[{"catalogId":"role-playing-systems","id":"t053","title":"Role-playing systems","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/role-playing-systems/#t053","categoryIds":["mechanics"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-21","title":"Equipment and properties","description":"Equipped items change attributes and available actions. The player chooses a useful combination while accounting for each item’s drawbacks.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/disco-elysium-inventory.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Disco Elysium","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/632470/ss_4f5fdc3cf42feca8dafb1f7d2910ef96e62708a2.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780913406","credit":"ZA/UM","rights":"© ZA/UM. All rights reserved.","caption":"A hat improves one skill and weakens another","alt":"Disco Elysium: the selected hat adds Logic and reduces Suggestion; the left panel lists combined equipment bonuses.","markers":[{"x":85,"y":43,"label":"The item has both a benefit and a drawback"},{"x":16,"y":56,"label":"The summary shows the combined effect of equipped items"}]},"tips":["Show the net effect of a replacement, including lost bonuses.","Connect properties to gameplay decisions as well as rarity."],"examples":[{"title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/role-playing-systems"}}