Suicidal players

[Bullgrit]

I've had this happen only a couple of times when I was a DM. The thing that really got me about it, both times, is that the Players never thought to *tell me* they wanted another character. In one instance, the PC suicide ended up taking the out the whole party, and campaign.

I would have had no problem, either time, letting the Players drop the old character for a new character. But they didn't bother to say what they wanted.

Bullgrit

 

[Stormonu]

I guess I must be mean. I always start replacement characters 1 level lower than the last and without magical gear. (New players start with XP as if they've just hit the same level of the characters, and with about 3/4 the level-appropriate wealth - it helps to support comradarie actually, because PCs often donate extra gear to the new player).

I do allow players to tweak their PCs (during downtime) if they are unhappy with their character. I've let more than one PC change race, class and even swap stats.

 

[LostSoul]

I've had players lose their PC and then try to come in with the exact same character.

Trés lame.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

I've had players lose their PC and then try to come in with the exact same character.

Trés lame.

I agree. I've had a long-standing rule-of-thumb that players in my group are not allowed to play the same race or class as their previous character. The only exception was human (modeling the fact that they are the most numerous race in the campaign worlds I run). I've also made the exception when a player really HATES this "rule." IOW, its meant to be fun for all and my players have always been on board with the rule anyway.

 

[Fifth Element]

To which you might reply, "Because you're not the only guy here and constantly switching PCs pisses the rest of us off. We're not saying you can't still do it, but there will be some cost to it, validating our choice to stick with our PCs. That's something that this group values and something we choose to reward with our system."

But you are assuming this. Player behaviour that bothers other players is a bad thing. But DM behaviour that bothers a player who is not bothering other players is also a bad thing.

Assuming that the other players are pissed, sure. But that's quite an unstated assumption you were working with there.

 

[Fifth Element]

I agree. I've had a long-standing rule-of-thumb that players in my group are not allowed to play the same race or class as their previous character. The only exception was human (modeling the fact that they are the most numerous race in the campaign worlds I run). I've also made the exception when a player really HATES this "rule." IOW, its meant to be fun for all and my players have always been on board with the rule anyway.

Good stuff. Gentle prodding to try something new can be great, as long as you realize if the player really hates the idea it's not a big deal. Only a game and all that.