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<blockquote data-quote="Mondas711" data-source="post: 6487867" data-attributes="member: 6788507">I have heard many arguments in this post asserting that we need to change the threshold of negative hps to make the negative hp threshold a more viable way to kill a character of mid-level.&nbsp; I think what people are missing here is that I don't think the system as written really meant for that option to matter at higher levels because when characters reach that level other options become available to the DM.&nbsp; The party can face things that petrify them, strength drain them, trap their souls, etc.&nbsp; So while this method of killing a player closes, several more come open to take its place.&nbsp; This option then becomes a rule mainly used for environmental deaths such as falling off a cliff or drowning in an ocean.&nbsp; The death saving throw and other special attacks will come into play more often during mid-level games.&nbsp; If you play your monsters well you can kill PCs even following the rules to the letter.&nbsp; You can set traps to soften hps, run encounters together to tax PC resources, and sometimes find a monster that exploits a group's weaknesses without even realizing it.&nbsp; The thing to remember is that no matter how well the party is mowing through monsters it only takes one encounter to go your way and those character sheets hit the trash bin.I agree with everyone that it is perfectly acceptable to hit a downed PC but, if you are going to do that, be consistent with it or some PCs might think you are being vicious.&nbsp; The example has been used of the starving ghoul munching on an unconsciuos PC.&nbsp; It is perfectly fine for him to munch on the PC but it wouldn't make sense if he takes a few bites until the PC dies outright then turns around without provocation to help his buddies attack the rest of the party.&nbsp; Keep thinking about what the monster is thinking, not how to most effectively kill the whole party.&nbsp; Unless, that is what the monster is thinking.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Mondas711, post: 6487867, member: 6788507"] I have heard many arguments in this post asserting that we need to change the threshold of negative hps to make the negative hp threshold a more viable way to kill a character of mid-level. I think what people are missing here is that I don't think the system as written really meant for that option to matter at higher levels because when characters reach that level other options become available to the DM. The party can face things that petrify them, strength drain them, trap their souls, etc. So while this method of killing a player closes, several more come open to take its place. This option then becomes a rule mainly used for environmental deaths such as falling off a cliff or drowning in an ocean. The death saving throw and other special attacks will come into play more often during mid-level games. If you play your monsters well you can kill PCs even following the rules to the letter. You can set traps to soften hps, run encounters together to tax PC resources, and sometimes find a monster that exploits a group's weaknesses without even realizing it. The thing to remember is that no matter how well the party is mowing through monsters it only takes one encounter to go your way and those character sheets hit the trash bin. I agree with everyone that it is perfectly acceptable to hit a downed PC but, if you are going to do that, be consistent with it or some PCs might think you are being vicious. The example has been used of the starving ghoul munching on an unconsciuos PC. It is perfectly fine for him to munch on the PC but it wouldn't make sense if he takes a few bites until the PC dies outright then turns around without provocation to help his buddies attack the rest of the party. Keep thinking about what the monster is thinking, not how to most effectively kill the whole party. Unless, that is what the monster is thinking. [/QUOTE]

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