diff --git a/code/game/mecha/combat/combat.dm b/code/game/mecha/combat/combat.dm
index d618d276c3..7661bb3255 100644
--- a/code/game/mecha/combat/combat.dm
+++ b/code/game/mecha/combat/combat.dm
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 	max_special_equip = 1
 	cargo_capacity = 1
 
+	encumbrance_gap = 1.5
+
 	starting_components = list(
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/hull/durable,
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/actuator,
diff --git a/code/game/mecha/combat/phazon.dm b/code/game/mecha/combat/phazon.dm
index 17aea92345..3ae3e41e13 100644
--- a/code/game/mecha/combat/phazon.dm
+++ b/code/game/mecha/combat/phazon.dm
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 	max_universal_equip = 3
 	max_special_equip = 4
 
+	encumbrance_gap = 2
+
 	starting_components = list(
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/hull/durable,
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/actuator,
diff --git a/code/game/mecha/mecha.dm b/code/game/mecha/mecha.dm
index b1aa1fb888..e9e3397bba 100644
--- a/code/game/mecha/mecha.dm
+++ b/code/game/mecha/mecha.dm
@@ -31,7 +31,10 @@
 	var/initial_icon = null				//Mech type for resetting icon. Only used for reskinning kits (see custom items)
 	var/can_move = 1
 	var/mob/living/carbon/occupant = null
+
 	var/step_in = 10					//Make a step in step_in/10 sec.
+	var/encumbrance_gap = 1			//How many points of slowdown are negated from equipment? Added to the mech's base step_in.
+
 	var/dir_in = 2						//What direction will the mech face when entered/powered on? Defaults to South.
 	var/step_energy_drain = 10
 	var/health = 300 					//Health is health
@@ -193,6 +196,7 @@
 	var/datum/action/innate/mecha/mech_toggle_cloaking/cloak_action = new
 
 	var/weapons_only_cycle = FALSE	//So combat mechs don't switch to their equipment at times.
+
 /obj/mecha/Initialize()
 	..()
 
@@ -641,18 +645,21 @@
 /obj/mecha/proc/get_step_delay()
 	var/tally = 0
 
-	if(overload)
-		tally = min(1, round(step_in/2))
+	if(LAZYLEN(equipment))
+		for(var/obj/item/mecha_parts/mecha_equipment/ME in equipment)
+			if(ME.get_step_delay())
+				tally += ME.get_step_delay()
+
+		if(tally <= encumbrance_gap)	// If the total is less than our encumbrance gap, ignore equipment weight.
+			tally = 0
+		else	// Otherwise, start the tally after cutting that gap out.
+			tally -= encumbrance_gap
 
 	for(var/slot in internal_components)
 		var/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/C = internal_components[slot]
 		if(C && C.get_step_delay())
 			tally += C.get_step_delay()
 
-	for(var/obj/item/mecha_parts/mecha_equipment/ME in equipment)
-		if(ME.get_step_delay())
-			tally += ME.get_step_delay()
-
 	var/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/actuator/actuator = internal_components[MECH_ACTUATOR]
 
 	if(!actuator)	// Relying purely on hydraulic pumps. You're going nowhere fast.
@@ -674,7 +681,10 @@
 					break
 			break
 
-	return max(1, round(tally, 0.1))
+	if(overload)	// At the end, because this would normally just make the mech *slower* since tally wasn't starting at 0.
+		tally = min(1, round(tally/2))
+
+	return max(1, round(tally, 0.1))	// Round the total to the nearest 10th. Can't go lower than 1 tick. Even humans have a delay longer than that.
 
 /obj/mecha/proc/dyndomove(direction)
 	if(!can_move)
diff --git a/code/game/mecha/working/ripley.dm b/code/game/mecha/working/ripley.dm
index 86405b6934..aff19e301d 100644
--- a/code/game/mecha/working/ripley.dm
+++ b/code/game/mecha/working/ripley.dm
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 	minimum_penetration = 10
 
+	encumbrance_gap = 2
+
 	starting_components = list(
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/hull/durable,
 		/obj/item/mecha_parts/component/actuator,
diff --git a/html/changelogs/Mechoid - Encumbrance.yml b/html/changelogs/Mechoid - Encumbrance.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f013a3bcad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/html/changelogs/Mechoid - Encumbrance.yml	
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+################################
+# Example Changelog File
+#
+# Note: This file, and files beginning with ".", and files that don't end in ".yml" will not be read. If you change this file, you will look really dumb.
+#
+# Your changelog will be merged with a master changelog. (New stuff added only, and only on the date entry for the day it was merged.)
+# When it is, any changes listed below will disappear.
+#
+# Valid Prefixes: 
+#   bugfix
+#   wip (For works in progress)
+#   tweak
+#   soundadd
+#   sounddel
+#   rscadd (general adding of nice things)
+#   rscdel (general deleting of nice things)
+#   imageadd
+#   imagedel
+#   maptweak
+#   spellcheck (typo fixes)
+#   experiment
+#################################
+
+# Your name.  
+author: Mechoid
+
+# Optional: Remove this file after generating master changelog.  Useful for PR changelogs that won't get used again.
+delete-after: True
+
+# Any changes you've made.  See valid prefix list above.
+# INDENT WITH TWO SPACES.  NOT TABS.  SPACES.
+# SCREW THIS UP AND IT WON'T WORK.
+# Also, all entries are changed into a single [] after a master changelog generation. Just remove the brackets when you add new entries.
+# Please surround your changes in  double quotes ("), as certain characters otherwise screws up compiling. The quotes will not show up in the changelog.
+changes: 
+  - rscadd: "Added system for exosuit over-encumbrance. Combat mechs and Ripleys have higher than default."