Which edition had more PC Deaths
Thornir Alekeg
Albatross!
What I posted in the "ignore this thread" thread:
I couldn't possibly say since I didn't play with the same DMs over multiple editions. I personally think deaths come more from the DM and his or her style of play than from a particular edition.
I couldn't possibly say since I didn't play with the same DMs over multiple editions. I personally think deaths come more from the DM and his or her style of play than from a particular edition.
Mouseferatu
Hero
Definitely more in 3e/3.5.
However, I need to add a caveat to that statement. I hate save-or-die effects. I prefer "save or be dying," "save or be badly injured," "save or suffer some other really nasty effect." But I don't want someone to be taken out of play, forced to sit around and watch everyone else having fun, by a single bad roll.
So I've tended to modify save-or-die throughout all the editions--1st, 2nd, and 3rd--and that may have impacted the death toll.
Still, in terms of deaths brought about through combat, injuries, non-insta-kill spells, and the like, 3E all the way.
However, I need to add a caveat to that statement. I hate save-or-die effects. I prefer "save or be dying," "save or be badly injured," "save or suffer some other really nasty effect." But I don't want someone to be taken out of play, forced to sit around and watch everyone else having fun, by a single bad roll.
So I've tended to modify save-or-die throughout all the editions--1st, 2nd, and 3rd--and that may have impacted the death toll.
Still, in terms of deaths brought about through combat, injuries, non-insta-kill spells, and the like, 3E all the way.
I voted for 3rd.ed. but I've had a fair amount of player deaths (and the occasional TPK...) in my earlier campaigns, as well.
The 2nd.ed. Darksun campaign setting was pretty tough, but that's why every player had a roster of 4 characters and started at level 3...
I strongly believe it depends more on the individual DM than on the ruleset. I've played with a DM who was notorious for slaughtering parties with loaded encounters and home-brew monster creations and I've played with a DM who didn't dare to take off the kids' gloves. If you've ever fought a beholder who took great pains (literally!) to never open more than three eyes at a time (and certainly none of the save-or-die ones, at that), you know what I mean
The 2nd.ed. Darksun campaign setting was pretty tough, but that's why every player had a roster of 4 characters and started at level 3...
I strongly believe it depends more on the individual DM than on the ruleset. I've played with a DM who was notorious for slaughtering parties with loaded encounters and home-brew monster creations and I've played with a DM who didn't dare to take off the kids' gloves. If you've ever fought a beholder who took great pains (literally!) to never open more than three eyes at a time (and certainly none of the save-or-die ones, at that), you know what I mean
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