Hello all. I'm new here, and frankly I come to you in desperation. I'm playing Fallout: NV on hardcoe mode and have noticed that it seems my encumbrance level is decreasing. I had a bit over 300 (I think it was 310 or 315) not long ago, and that has decreased to 250. I'm not sure why. I am not addicted to anything, I'm not sick w/ rads, or starving, or dehydrated. I've had to resort to giving my companions much of my gear including ammo for guns they are holding. It is getting pretty annoying. I don't know if it is a glitch or if there is something I am missing. If more information is needed just say so I'm more than happy to oblige. Thank you!

250 is the natural maximum, which comes at 10 Strength. Did you have the Strong Back perk and then reload to an earlier save before the perk was selected? That adds another 50 units of weight capacity.

the maximum you can carry is 300. some chem thingys can boost you carrying weight to 300 but they are temporary.

Have you been using Super Stimpacks? They decrease strength. Alcohol (even when you're not addicted) adds strength, as does things like Power Armor (so if your armor died, the strength boost would drop). Otherwise... not sure what it could be.

Thanks for all the ideas. In answer to your questions.

I don't drink much alcohol so I donno if that would be the cause. I wouldn't doubt that something I ate would increase it past 300, but it has been stead at ~300 for a number of levels now. Maybe I just eat stuff that always makes me strong when I need food?

And yes I have had the perk that allows you to carry +50.
I'm not sure where my strength is. I think 8. I'm not sure. Operative word there being not. The next time I play I'll take a closer look. I just feel like I've had to unload a surprising amount of stuff compared to before.

If you eat "raw" meat (gecko, dog, coyote,big horner), strange meat/pie, it will give you temporary -2 strength on each different kind of meat, to avoid it has to be converted to steaks on a campfire, except strange meat.


On hardcoe mode ammo has weight, so you have to watch your inventory.


It's a good idea to take the RAT PACK perk: every item that weights up to 2 pounds gets reduced by half, only if you carry it, doesn't apply for companions.

some addictions will decrease strength. this can be checked out. you will be able check out everything that is affecting your pc.

Do rad scorp. stings affect it? poison?