---
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
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
---
# Equipment, affixes and item sets
id: role-playing-systems--t053
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/role-playing-systems--t053/
Equipped items change attributes and available actions. The player chooses a useful combination while accounting for each item’s drawbacks.
## At a glance
[Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) · © ZA/UM. All rights reserved.
1. The item has both a benefit and a drawback
2. The summary shows the combined effect of equipped items
- Show the net effect of a replacement, including lost bonuses.
- Connect properties to gameplay decisions as well as rarity.
- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/)
## How it works
Equipment changes character properties, while affixes and sets connect item selection to actual behavior.
## Variants
### Mechanic variants
- An affix grows stronger under a stated condition.
- A set changes a rule after enough pieces are worn.
- Weight limits combinations of heavy equipment.
- Replacing a property preserves a valuable item base.
## Design example
Light boots improve attacks after dodging, but the full set rules out a heavy shield.
Prototype check: Test item comparisons: players should see a bonus trigger and the cost of replacing equipment.
## Context and limits
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.
## Connected materials
- Sources in the selection: [State: Game Programming Patterns](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/resources/#resource-state-pattern) (key: resource/state-pattern)
## Sources and 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.
- [Robert Nystrom: State](https://github.com/munificent/game-programming-patterns/blob/master/book/state.markdown) (id: source-3817d420df0baa92)
- [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/) (id: source-8fcf1671c353b49b)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors