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

[TiQuinn]

You said you desired no lethality but if it happens it happens...right?

Correct.

 

[dave2008]

isn’t that a contradiction? or do they get captured / revived?

No, they mostly investigate, plan, strategize, and escape if needed to avoid deadly situations.

For example, when the group was 4th level they came across an ancient black dragon. It would have been a quick TPK, but instead of fighting they escaped. And that was an atypical (being surprised like that) deadly encounter. The are more likely to thoroughly investigate, research, and plan before they engage in a dangerous activity. They are adventurers, not heroes.

 

[dave2008]

not sure, isn’t this whole discussion about a norm? I mean, everyone can create a TPK if they set their mind to it

IDK Unless someone is privy to data aren't we all just basing it on our own preferences or uninformed guesses? Does anyone know what the "norm" is? I doubt. It seems to me most people are responding with their personal preferences. In fact, each option in the poll starts with: "I prefer..." Seems like personal preference not norms to me.

 

[Imaro]

Correct.

Then I asked as someone who desires no lethality in their game is 5e too lethal for your tastes... where am I assuming anything? I'm asking

 

[dave2008]

Can you run a very deadly game where PC's. Rarely or never die... seems like it wouldn't be a deadly game at all. Maybe a better question to ask is how are you defining deadly?

I gave me explanation here: post #172

However, my definition of deadly is one in which almost any encounter could kill you. That is how I run the game. I don't make level appropriate encounters. It is on the PCs to avoid deadly situations. By investigation, research, and preparation they mostly do that. If not, they run when they can't hack it.

 

[mamba]

It seems to me most people are responding with their personal preferences.

yes, and a lot of opinions inform the norm, if a large percentage of people does something, that becomes the norm

This started with me saying your group is not the norm based on its composition, as it has one caster only. My point is that I expect most groups to have more than that, and that is why your group is outside the norm. Do you think that a significant number of groups have one caster only?

 

[TiQuinn]

Then I asked as someone who desires no lethality in their game is 5e too lethal for your tastes... where am I assuming anything? I'm asking

No, it’s not too lethal, IMO.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

And think deadly and popular don't go together. I want more death but I'm not a very popular person.

 

[dave2008]

This started with me saying your group is not the norm based on its composition, as it has one caster only.

It very well could be. I responding by saying I don't think the norm is relevant to personal preference which is what the poll asks.

Do you think that a significant number of groups have one caster only?

I have no idea. I've played 5e with two groups. 1 caster in one (5 players) and 2 in the other (6 players). So for me the norm is 1/5 players I guess!?

I don't really try to speculate what or how other people play.

 

[mamba]

I responding by saying I don't think the norm is relevant to personal preference which is what the poll asks.

sure, but my question about the norm was not about personal preference, it was about group composition, specifically your vs the ‘average’

I don't really try to speculate what or how other people play.

it is relevant for the experience you are having though, the one caster makes it less superheroic and ‘let’s solve everything through spells’ than if you had three casters