DM's: Are you afraid to kill PC's because of how players might react?

[Elf Witch]

I will kill the PCs if they do something stupid or if they are in combat and the bad guys get more hits than they do. I will fudge if I think they are losing because I am more lucky with the dice that day. But that rarely happens.

I let them bring a new character in one level lower with the wealth of that level but they can't spend more than 50% on a magic item the rest are rolled randomly.

I have a problem with looting of the body. First of all it brings in to much wealth into the game if I also allow the new PC to come in with the right amount of wealth. I usually allow PCs to have a family heirloom weapon that goes up in power as they do. So this weapon will be sent back to the PCs family along with the sale of magic items to help them with the loss.

If someone is unhappy with their character for any reason I allow them to bring a new one in or make changes to the character they are playing. If they bring a new one in I allow it to come in as the same level as the one they are playing. I don't understand the idea of penalizing a player just because they are not happy with their current PC. Its a game and the entire point of the game is to have fun.

 

[Dykstrav]

Oh yeah, the character replacement rules...

1) I generally let people bring in new characters at the same level as the APL, with the minimum experience they need for that level. Higher-level characters wouldn't feel challenged and lower-level characters would be outclassed. This general rule of thumb might not always be "logical" but it's a compromise I'm willing to accept in the name of keeping the game moving.

2) Starting treasure is a sticky issue and I rule it on a case-by-case basis. It's not logical for D&D characters to leave valuable gear on a dead body, which could be easily looted by the monsters and used against the PCs. In most cases, you'd have to be seriously dumb to leave a staff of fire on your dead wizard, if for no other reason than critters could use it to blast you later. If it's expected that the new PC gets his pick of the old character's gear (I usually leave this for the players to work out amongst themselves), then I only allow the new character half gold for their level. Either way, if there's a treasure imbalance I'm stingy with the treasure until things get back within the guidelines.

3) I allow people to switch out characters within reason (i.e., usually not in the middle of an adventure). People get bored with their jobs, there are falling outs, or maybe they want to try their hand at something less dangerous. It happens. I don't see why characters wouldn't want to switch jobs just as much as people in real life do. Bringing in new characters (or even switching between active characters) is fine by me, with the understanding that they aren't two pools of resources for one player to draw on. For example, I don't let gear change hands between characters and they rarely exchange character knowledge.

 

[was]

Not afraid to off a pc..new characters come in 1 level lower than party average.

 

[rgard]

Are you afraid to kill PC's because of how players might react?

Also, post if you actually have the following rules in your house rulebook:
1. Replacement character rules (how much x.p. and how much g.p. they start with)
2. Whether or not a dead PC's items are buried with them or if the party gets to loot the body
3. Rules for switching characters without PC death.

Is it true that people without cut and dried rules in these regards are more likely to be afraid to kill PC's?

jh

For the poll question I voted 'no' because I'll kill pcs just to see how the player reacts!

In order above:

1. Sometimes we allow characters to start 1 lvl with full gp if the character dies. After the first couple of deaths the character comes in at 1st lvl from then on.
2. The other PCs always loot the dead pc's stuff.
3. Never heard of that and can't see having a use for it.

As for your last question, there is insufficient data for a meaningful answer.

 

[megamania]

Are you afraid to kill PC's because of how players might react?

No especially if it was from a foolhardy stunt on their part

Also, post if you actually have the following rules in your house rulebook:
1. Replacement character rules (how much x.p. and how much g.p. they start with)

Begin at base of the lowest level a surviving member has.

2. Whether or not a dead PC's items are buried with them or if the party gets to loot the body

I wish. No they loot and place in a shallow grave. I have selfish and cut throat players/munchens

3. Rules for switching characters without PC death.

They need to talk to me about it and give a reason for one departing and the next joining. Also can not do this in the middle of an storyline.

Is it true that people without cut and dried rules in these regards are more likely to be afraid to kill PC's?
jh

It could it being intimidating. My players know what to expect so it makes it much easier for all involved.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

See, I've abandoned the idea of a "story." I figure the story will make itself out of the adventure. A "random/meaningless" death can be just as dramatic as one vs. the BBEG; it's all a matter of the atmosphere during the combat.

p.s. I'm not saying having a story is wrong; I'd just rather go without. Plus I'm too lazy! I had all these grand ideas for a long-term, adventure-spanning story, but it was too much work, and both the players and myself kept forgetting the story leads.

My approach as well.

As for the original question

Also, post if you actually have the following rules in your house rulebook:
1. Replacement character rules (how much x.p. and how much g.p. they start with)
2. Whether or not a dead PC's items are buried with them or if the party gets to loot the body
3. Rules for switching characters without PC death.

1. They start one level behind the party with an averge type of gear that I will dole out.
2. Of course the party loots the body...I think any adventurer would want it that way.
3. If you want to switch just make a new one up and he is one level behind the rest of the party.

 

[KB9JMQ]

One point: I don't kill PCs. Dice and bad tactical decisions kill PCs. (Mostly dice.)

If a player likes a PC, they'll get a resurrection or the like. They have the funds.

I've also got good players, so I'm not worried about juvenile reactions.

So, no, I'm not really afraid to kill them.

Cheers, -- N

Pretty much sums it up for me. I don't go outta my way to put the PCs in a "you are going to die" situation but only because a death is a lot of hassle for the DM.

 

[Midknightsun]

Stupid would definitely get a character killed in my campaign. Fortunately (or unfortunately ) this doesn't happen often.

I've been running an Arcana Evolved campaign for over a year now and there have been no PC deaths as of yet. That comes in no small part from the tactical effectiveness of one of our players. He's, frankly, amazing at grid tactics, never leaving himself vulnerable unless there's no other choice. It doesn't hurt that his character is powergamed to cover all of his weaknesses, (though he'd vehemently deny it).

disclaimer-- not that I have anything against powergaming, but he does, which makes it all too ironic.

I've brought up the possibility of character death several times with this group, and they all seem understanding of the fact that it can happen. It sucks, but it can happen. Since I have this same kinda mentality it works out pretty well . . . or at least it should. The few times I've pulled out harsh tactics (sundering weapons, powerful enemies with high ACs,) or near kills (I've knocked pretty much all of the party memebers down into negative BUT him at least once), the Tactician has gotten mopey and all but accused me of being unfair, of singling him out, and makes snide comments. He gets unnaturally attached to his characters and whines if he feels he's 'underpowered'-- meaning I might have actually knocked him below half hit points . . I've even pulled a few punches because I was afraid of how he would react. He's my friend, so it is a bit of a sticky situation. And despite that, he is a good player (yes, its hard to explain)

It baffles my mind, though, that people can have such a hang up about their character's getting killed. I understand liking a character you've made, but after a certain point it seems to cry of a person whose own life sucks so much that they need to feel invulnerable in the game to compensate. That's when its time to put the books down and look into some therapy, IMHO . . .but I digress. Now, if the DM was being completely unfair that's one thing, but all the feedback I've gotten would indicate that I'm quite fair with them.

Now they're an average of 11th level party with 6 members and are all tough customers, so I've had to up the dangers to compensate. (A couple higher than normal hit dice Rage Drakes put the fear of gods into them ). I'm of the mind of "let the dice fall where they may" at this point, and even start rolling in clear view of my players. I don't go out of my way to destroy the PCs, but if there is no real and genuine threat of death (at least in many of the adventures), then what's the point?

As far as coming back, I would generally enforce the level loss, or if they want to bring in a new character, or tweak a current one, that's fine. Sometimes we get tired of a particular concept and want to try something new. I've done it before myself as a player (My poor Soulknife just got deaded so much it got annoying, and we seemed to be encountering an unusual number of undead and constructs . . . ) Of course, they're are exceptions to this, such as when I suspect a player may be purposely trying to manipulate the rules.

 

[+5 Keyboard!]

I have no problem killing characters. My players know I run a tough, but fair game and I "let the dice fall is they will". However, a few of my players are a bit more prone to have character deaths than others. Whether this is because they "don't get it" or it's just bad luck, I do feel bad when I take out another one of their characters and will try to help them out by giving some advice on ways they can avoid another PC death when I see it coming. Since I try to maintain a stance of neutrality, I don't usually come right out and say, "Hey if you do such and such, your character is going to die." I try to sway them away from their potentially fatal actions by telling them what COULD happen if they do and somewhere in my hypotheticals I'll actually spell it out. Sometimes it doesn't work and... another dead character.

 

[The_Ditto]

Also, post if you actually have the following rules in your house rulebook:
1. Replacement character rules (how much x.p. and how much g.p. they start with)
2. Whether or not a dead PC's items are buried with them or if the party gets to loot the body
3. Rules for switching characters without PC death.

1. Yes - 1 level lower than their character
2. varies - as a DM I will often try to control the amount of magic items coming into a game, either by handing out less, or a tactically placed MDJ, a PC being "removed" entirely ... (I had a wizard once get "eaten" by a crab .. entire body got carted off .. party wasn't high enough level to go "fishing" so they left ...), or by bringing in the new character with no items (ie prisoner of something and no items ..)
3. Yes, see #1 ....

Is it true that people without cut and dried rules in these regards are more likely to be afraid to kill PC's?

Not sure, but for your study ... I voted "No" ...