Is RAISE DEAD (etc.) too readily available in most D&D campaigns?

[Emirikol]

Is RAISE DEAD (etc.) too readily available in most D&D campaigns?

Is it because it's built into the system at such a low level? (5th spl). Should it be pushed back to 7th spl level for "higher levels."

[edit] Have you added any remedies? (e.g. raising or lowering the level of the spell?)

jh
(Just going with this Raise Dead theme for a couple threads)
Famous People Obituaries: http://einsiders.com/features/obituaries.php

 

[Hussar]

I would say no. The price for casting is prohibitive enough that you don't see it too often below about 7th, 8th level. For my bunch, that's the better part of a year of gaming. I don't mind if they get rez'd instead of rolling up a new charrie. Meh, it's their character, if they want to put in another quarter and keep going, who am I to gainsay that?

 

[kolikeos]

unless we're playing at mid to high levels AND have a cleric in the group, no.
we don't always have a cleric in the group and we don't usually play at mid to high levels.

 

[FireLance]

Depends on what you value more: role-playing, game, or story.

 

[Emirikol]

Depends on what you value more: role-playing, game, or story.

Meaning if you value role-playing there should be no raise dead right? So it's more like real life drama? If it's story, then it's there because of DM mistakes (aka a take-back). If it's "gaming" then it really doesn't matter.

Thoughts?

jh

 

[KrazyHades]

who am I to gainsay that?

The DM .

But seriously, I think its good to let players revive their characters. After all, as has already been mentioned, the cost is huge, and the effort in getting from lvl 1 to level 7 or whatever is pretty big. It's not the same when all of a sudden you're presented with a new lvl 7 character, and working your way back up from lvl 1 is a pain. Let them resurrect.

 

[DragonLancer]

I have to say yes. It doesn't keep to the verisimilitude of most settings to allow raise dead so easily IMO.

On the other hand, its a good spell for allowing lower level characters to come back from the dead.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Meaning if you value role-playing there should be no raise dead right? So it's more like real life drama...

jh

I say its good for role playing because it means you aren't switching out PCs as much. That means players can put more effort into their characters knowing that they are less likely to use those characters. It's better for story because the DM knows that he or she can design plot threads around specific PCs knowing that even if they do die, they can be brought back to life. It is irrelevant to game because, encounter to encounter, it doesn't matter if the same PCs participate.

 

[FireLance]

Meaning if you value role-playing there should be no raise dead right? So it's more like real life drama...

The absence or rarity of raise dead probably makes it easier for PCs to act in character, although PCs being willing to take more risks because they know they are likely to get raised can be considered "good roleplaying" as well.

 

[Bavix]

Absolutely

IMO, raise dead is absolutely too available and the spell should be removed from the spell list completely. Raising a dead companion should be a legendary quest, accomplished only once in any character's lifetime. Also, it should only be available by using major artifacts or by dealing with greater powers. I actually feel the same way about wish, miracle and many similar spells.