D&D 4E How do death and dying really work in 4e?

[FireLance]

I'm guessing someone must have been knocked into the negatives at least once during the playtests. Could one of those who were present enlighten us on how the death and dying rules actually work in 4e? Do you continue to lose hit points if you fail a stabilization roll? If you roll a 20, do you get free hit points or do you have to use one of your healing surges?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Shroomy]

James Wyatt killed three PCs at once, so I'm sure someone will be able to answer the question fairly soon!

 

[FireLance]

Anyone? Or is everyone who knows already dead?

 

[WyzardWhately]

Anyone? Or is everyone who knows already dead?

I could have sworn this was already covered. If you go down, you start making saves every round. On a 1-9, you get worse, on a 10-19, you don't get worse. On a 20, you pop back up with 1/4 HP (I'm guessing this burns a healing surge, but who knows?) If you get worse three times (and not necessarily in a row) you die. You also die if bad guys beat you all the way down to -50% HP.

 

[OakwoodDM]

I could have sworn this was already covered. If you go down, you start making saves every round. On a 1-9, you get worse, on a 10-19, you don't get worse. On a 20, you pop back up with 1/4 HP (I'm guessing this burns a healing surge, but who knows?) If you get worse three times (and not necessarily in a row) you die. You also die if bad guys beat you all the way down to -50% HP.

I suspect that what was being asked is whether that is indeed how it works in 4e, and whether it uses a healing surge. Those who have been in a DnD Experience group with someone who went unconscious would presumably know.

After all, the mechanics you're quoting there are the "This is how to try it out in your 3e game" mechanics.