A player with a problem: Death and level loss

[Blue]

Or you can ask your players if they want the level loss. There's no reason to keep something if it does not add to the game.

I think you said something important. You can ask the playerS. If none of them want the level loss, it adds nothing. However, taking away the level loss from the character that died reduces the victory for all the others. "I was brilliant and managed to survive. He played poorly and died. Yet there's no difference between us?"

Death is more then just one PC.

Now, one system I've played had a "death meter" when people died (no resurrection), and a wimpy death (PC deserved it, etc) was the most XP lost, a normal death normal XP loss, a heroic death had no XP loss, and a fantastic death (martyr, etc) was not only no XP loss, but a bonus on stats for the next character. Made characters less risk adverse and addressed the issue. But just removing any consequence of death only works if all of the players and the DM are on the same page about it.

Cheers,
=Blue(23)

 

[Fenes]

But just removing any consequence of death only works if all of the players and the DM are on the same page about it.

Any game system only works if all of the players and the DM are on the same page about it.

 

[pawsplay]

Any game system only works if all of the players and the DM are on the same page about it.

That sounds like a Forge-ism. I'm going to cautiously disagree.

 

[Fenes]

What's Forge?

 

[Crothian]

What's Forge?

It is a website of indie RPGers. It is known for creating definitions for words to apply them to gaming. They have almost another language at times.

 

[Fenes]

It is a website of indie RPGers. It is known for creating definitions for words to apply them to gaming. They have almost another language at times.

I don't see why that would apply here, to be honest. I just think - based upon my experiences - that a game won't work, no matter the rules, if the players and the DM are not in a consensus about it.

If one wants to play hack & slash, beer & pretzels, the other wants to play "Us against the DM", the next deep immersion and the last player wants to play dark and gritty, shades of gray, with a DM that wants run a high fantasy, epic campaign, things won't work well.

 

[Klaus]

Instead of level loss, I use a negative level that can be removed through an active quest for the God that raised them. That lets the DM get rid of it as slowly or quickly as you like. People who have this negative level are half in and half out of the living world... they look sickly, animals don't like them, and shadows fall on them more heavily. It's all special effects, of course, but gives some neat role playing hooks when they run across superstitious villagers.

This is why P-Kitty rocks.

Negative levels work wonders in this regard.

Other than that, tell the player to put lots of effort into roleplaying and reward him accordingly.

 

[Switchblade]

I think you said something important. You can ask the playerS. If none of them want the level loss, it adds nothing. However, taking away the level loss from the character that died reduces the victory for all the others. "I was brilliant and managed to survive. He played poorly and died. Yet there's no difference between us?"

Death is more then just one PC.


Cheers,
=Blue(23)

If death has no consequence it cheapens the victory and/or sacrifice.

I remember one campaign back when I was a student (far to much time on my hands in those days) when we kept track of character losses. Most had only lost 1PC, one lost 3, another lost something like 12 characters (he averaged, I kid you not, 2PC deaths a game), all but 1 through stupidity rather than lack of PC experience. (This was Shadowrun so the difference in power between veteran and inexperienced was quite small) Had he come in as strong as the longer running PC's each time it would have been quite unfair on the rest of them who worked hard to survive.

 

[fba827]

I'll state off that it sounds like a very childish player...

But having said that, if it's being disruptive to the game or enjoyment of others then it is a problem, you could always simply ask everyone (not asking him specifically or directly singling him out).

"Since it seems that some people don't like the level loss associated with coming back to life, I'm willing to listen to opinions. What are some options everyone would like to consider as a replacement consequence for having their character die?"

(or something along those lines; but phrasing the question to keep it _group_ focused, and also to keep it focused as the penalty for death (not the penalty for being brought back to life))

without leading the conversation or suggesting any ideas of your own at first, just brainstorming in effect.

If there is something that everyone seems to like or prefer, then possibly go with that option if it seems reasonable to you.

I mean, lots of the options presented here are good (including not doing a thing about it and making the player suck it up) but ultimately it really will be about what works best for your players and whatever option all your players will 'buy in' to


(Me personally, I am on the side that says he should shut up and grow a pair )

 

[Tewligan]

It really depends on what as a DM you want to have happen with this. You can be nice and listen to them and explain that these things happen but it is just a minor set back and one they can over come. Or if you are just tired of their complaining you can tell them to shut up and deal with it and you can even make fun of them if they complain more.
I would not give in and restore the level.

Sir, I like the cut of your jib.