D&D General How Often Should a PC Die in D&D 5e?

[Oofta]

That doesn't mean that the game doesn't tell you, implicitly or explicitly, what they expect that rate to be though. Those expectations are part of the rules.

The only expectations that matter as far as I am concerned are the expectations of the people sitting at the table.

 

[ezo]

I've seen more 5e PCs die than 1e ones, so I guess demonstrably 5e is more PC-lethal than 1e was?

When I DM I just enjoy killing off 5E PCs more than the 1E ones.

 

[Alerad]

Considering Revivify is 3rd level a medium level party (level 5+) can take 1 PC death every few sessions with no problems. IRL I have rarely seen PC deaths though. After level 5 you have to beef up the encounters, most PCs are quite powerful.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The only expectations that matter as far as I am concerned are the expectations of the people sitting at the table.

Agreed, as far as we ourselves are concerned.

 

[prabe]

When I DM I just enjoy killing off 5E PCs more than the 1E ones.

I find I get more enjoyment from watching the players/characters figure out how to avoid dying, but you do you.

 

[ezo]

I find I get more enjoyment from watching the players/characters figure out how to avoid dying, but you do you.

You realize it was a joke? Or maybe you don't...

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Considering Revivify is 3rd level a medium level party (level 5+) can take 1 PC death every few sessions with no problems. IRL I have rarely seen PC deaths though. After level 5 you have to beef up the encounters, most PCs are quite powerful.

Revivify requiring 300gp in diamonds each time it is cast is a key limitation. So not exactly “no problems”, IME.

 

[prabe]

You realize it was a joke? Or maybe you don't...

Maybe you were joking, maybe I wasn't, maybe tone and nuance go to the Internet to die.

 

[Maxperson]

I've seen more 5e PCs die than 1e ones, so I guess demonstrably 5e is more PC-lethal than 1e was?

Or your 1e DM used kid gloves. Save or die poison starting at level 1 encounters. Level drains before you could do anything about them. Starting with 1-3 hit points and no con bonus a good portion of the time. No at will cantrips.

If you truly saw fewer 1e PCs die something has gone wrong with either 1e, 5e or both with you I think.

Did you play 1e?

 

[prabe]

Or your 1e DM used kid gloves. Save or die poison starting at level 1 encounters. Level drains before you could do anything about them. Starting with 1-3 hit points and no con bonus a good portion of the time. No at will cantrips.

If you truly saw fewer 1e PCs die something has gone wrong with either 1e, 5e or both with you I think.

Did you play 1e?

Or the 1e games I played in, in 1986 and thereabouts, and the one I was playing in when 3e came out, just weren't stereotypical meatgrinders.