Strength (statistic)
Strength is one of three statistics, or "stats", that constitute a character's "physical" form. The amount of strength a character possesses determines his or her Hit Points, melee damage, carrying capacity, and the types of weapons, shields, and armor that can be used. Strength, along with a host of other information, is displayed on the Character Status Menu.
Strength Requirement
Armor, Shields, and weapons all possess an Item Property entitled Strength Requirement. Stated plainly, not just anyone can wear Plate Armor, swing a Maul, or tote a large Heater Shield. The strength requirement is the minimum strength required to equip the item in question.
Carrying Capacity
For Humans, 125 Strength gives a carrying capacity of 520 stones. Each point of strength adds about 3.5 stones carrying capacity. Maximum useful carrying capacity is probably around 600. The backpack capacity is fixed at 550 stones, and whether you benefit from having more than that depends on the weight of the gear you are wearing/holding.
Strength Bonus
Another Item Property that affects strength is the Strength Bonus, which imparts a one-for-one increase in a character's base strength statistic. The non-artifact range for Strength bonus is +1 to +8. There are items that when equipped, reduce a character's strength (e.g., the Evil Orc Helm).
Other's Strength
A character can use the Anatomy skill to assess the strength, and other attributes, of creatures, NPCs, and other players. A practitioner of Anatomy will see the following strength message in-game; the table below includes a range for the applicable strength statistic:
| Strength Message | Target’s Strength |
|---|---|
| Rather feeble | 1-10 |
| Somewhat weak | 11-20 |
| To be of normal strength | 21-30 |
| Somewhat strong | 31-40 |
| Very strong | 41-50 |
| Extremely strong | 51-60 |
| Extraordinarily strong | 61-70 |
| Strong as an ox | 71-80 |
| One of the strongest people you have ever seen | 81-90 |
| Superhumanly strong | 91-100 |
| Stronger than anything you have ever seen | 101+ |