Most common cause of PC deaths

FreeTheSlaves

Adventurer

• Jun 18, 2005

• #1

I'm just wondering what is the most common direct cause of character deaths that people have noted. It was a bit hard coming up with the poll list because some save or die just lower hps to -10 but oh well, use your best judgement.

* Loss of hit points
* Negative energy level loss
* Save or die magic
* Excessive ability damage (poison)
* Other

 

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ThirdWizard

First Post

• Jun 18, 2005

• #2

In my experience, unexpected damage output the PCs didn't anticipate has been the main factor in PC death. This can take the form of double criticals, rends, or just plain underestemating the foe. Almost inevitably it occurs because the PCs didn't heal up from the last fight and would have survived had they used a few more charges from their cure wand.

 

Bobitron

Explorer

• Jun 18, 2005

• #3

Loss of HP, normally in a big bad boss battle.

 

Agamon

Adventurer

• Jun 18, 2005

• #4

It does depend on the APL of the party, but for the most part, especially at low to mid levels, it's hit point loss. At higher levels, it usually comes down to a badly rolled saving throw.

 

Herremann the Wise

First Post

• Jun 18, 2005

• #5

Directly: hit point loss.
Generally: stupidity.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

Tanager

Registered User

• Jun 18, 2005

• #6

Herremann the Wise said:

supidity

Click to expand...

That's what I was going to say.

 

A'koss

Explorer

• Jun 18, 2005

• #7

I accidentally checked "Save or Die" though that might actually have some validity at higher levels (it would certainly be #2, if not #1). Of course, straight damage will be the most common.

 

I

IamTheTest

First Post

• Jun 18, 2005

• #8

ditto for stupidity.

 

Aeson

I am the mysterious professor.

• Jun 18, 2005

• #9

Tanager said:

That's what I was going to say.

Click to expand...

Me too.

Most of the character deaths I've seen have been from HP loss because of stupid actions. Its just like in horror movies. The stupid die first.

 

IronWolf

blank

• Jun 18, 2005

• #10

In the current campaign it has been due to hit point loss...