D&D General Typical procedure after character death?

[Mort]

Per the thread title: What is your typical procedure after a character in the group has died?

Does the player immediately roll up a new character and join right away or do they sit out until an "appropriate point?" (or something in between)

Do players typically have backup characters?

Do characters joint the group at the same level, a lower level, 1st level?'

What about equipment?

These questions are just guidelines/suggestions - the main question what does your group typically do after a character has died?

 

[Fanaelialae]

We allow players to rejoin as soon as reasonably possible. Typically, players are encouraged to have backup characters ready, but it isn't mandatory and even those who do rarely keep them leveled up. If they need to roll up a character, we will usually continue playing while they do so.

The level you come in at varies by campaign and DM. Usually you come in at the same XP or one level down at most. Generally you get basic equipment and some additional starting gold depending on your level. Whether you start with a magic item is up to the DM and, even when granted, players don't generally get more than one.

Gear is the big loss from dying, not XP. Usually, the dead character's gear is left on them as a sign of respect. That doesn't apply to McGuffins, of course. I think we started doing that after I ran a campaign where it was believed that if you stole from dead companions, that they would haunt you and bring you bad luck. If the "new guy" is lucky, after a bit of time getting acquainted, the other party members might toss him a few spare magical items that they don't use too often.

 

[Jd Smith1]

My player run two PCs each (5 players), so the game continues. The deceased's gear goes to the party, and a new PC is rolled up before the next session. The new PC inherits the dead PC's XP for the last session, but otherwise starts at level 1.

 

[R_J_K75]

As I run sessions about 3-4 hours on average I generally make the player wait out the rest of the session before making a new character. If its feasible I always encourage the party to try and get the character raised if possible, providing the player want to go that route. Otherwise I'll work with them between the next session to make a new PC which starts at 2 levels lower than the lowest PC in the current party. I may allow them some magical items depending on what the rest of the party looks like, but they will get average gold for their level to buy equipment, but then again I don't worry much about mundane equipment other than armor and weapons.

 

[J-H]

Same level, reintroduced as fast as possible (same session or start of next session; same session if right before a boss fight). Gear transfers over to the new character, who has that and whatever the party has available to work with (like if going from a sorc to a paladin).

 

[R_J_K75]

Usually, the dead character's gear is left on them as a sign of respect.

I have never ever once seen players be so honorable. The character is looted before they hit the ground. Its like when someone gets fired from your work, the first thing to get looted is the desk chair and monitor, then mouse and cork board, until all that's left on their old desk is a staple puller and hole punch.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Same level, normally similar equipment if the original character's equipment was lost, introduced as quickly as possible.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I have never ever once seen players be so honorable. The character is looted before they hit the ground. Its like when someone gets fired from your work, the first thing to get looted is the desk chair and monitor, then mouse and cork board, until all that's left on their old desk is a staple puller and hole punch.

Yeah, this has never happened to me. If I mentioned the concept to my players, they would look at me like I'm crazy.

 

[R_J_K75]

Gear transfers over to the new character

I find this interesting as I have never thought to do this as, see above usually its looted, and realistically I couldn't justify a new character showing up with all the gear the last player that just died had. Is this an OOC house rule?

 

[ccs]

In our 5e game;
When a new character enters play they come in at lv.-1/at lv./lv.+1 (roll a d3) as compared to the average party lv.
They start with the standard PHB gear for class/background & then we have a lv. based chart of how much extra gold & % chance for magic.
They enter play "at an appropriate time". It just depends upon what's going on playwise at the time.

Some of the players have a back-up character partially ready to go, some have an idea or two, and one definitely has no plan.

So what happens to the dead characters gear?
Well, the 1st question that has to be answered is: What happened to the body? Obviously if the PCs don't have the body for whatever reason, they most likely don't have the gear/treasure....
Assuming the PCs have the body/gear though? It's up to them.

In our PF game?
When a new character enters play they come in at lv.
They start with the Wealth By Lv as appropriate to their lv. what they spend it on is up to them.
They enter play "at an appropriate time". It just depends upon what's going on playwise at the time.

Usually the players have a back-up character partially ready to go.

So what happens to the dead characters gear?
Well, the 1st question that has to be answered is: What happened to the body? Obviously if the PCs don't have the body for whatever reason, they most likely don't have the gear/treasure....
Assuming the PCs have the body/gear though? It's up to them.