New Article: Death and Dying

[Wormwood]

Looks very cool fun interesting!

This might remove the necessity of yet another of my D&D house rules.

(Normally when I run D&D, a character cannot die without the player's consent. So while this rule is apparently more 'sim' than I'd prefer---I am willing to see how this rule works before tinkering with it)

 

[A'koss]

That's equivalent to a 15th-level 3e Fighter, without any equipment, with 14 Constitution. (12 HP at 1st level + average 7.5 HP/level for 14 levels = 117 HP)

Yup, but we still need to know how 4e arrived at those numbers - Static HPs? Die? Do Con bonuses factor in?

 

[Nahat Anoj]

I do wonder if, given how LARGE the negative values are, whether you need them at all. I mean, why not just have it so you have a "dying" state when knocked below 1hp, which would be very similar but prevent any fiddling with negative numbers? The article didn't seem to touch on that, other than to say you might get hit for enough to go from low-HP to perma-dead (sure, but it seems unlikely, frankly, and they just explained how that wasn't particularly fun).

Good point. Depending on how the system works, this may be my first 4e houserule.

The only reason I can see for having it is that high level monsters (who do more damage) will be able to one-hit kill low leve PCs. Depending on your game style, that may or may not be desireable.

 

[HeinorNY]

The only cheese I smell is mysteriously waking up with 1/4 HP.

I think that's only for the 3E House Rule. In 4E it's gonna be "wake up with 1/2 HP", if it uses the same logic from the #2 in the Try It Now part. Who knows?

 

[Storminator]

Interesting. Gets the job done. Gives you a lot of rounds to lay on the ground and moan, though- at the point you drop into the negatives, you can expect about 5 rounds before you die.

Of course, it may also be harder for the cleric to go rescue you in a game where multiple enemy combats are the norm. Its easier to disengage from one foe than twelve.

I foresee enemy Defenders standing over fallen comrades...

PS

 

[Peter LaCara]

Reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics.

This is a very, very good thing, by the way.

 

[Grog]

This rule will probably also scale pretty easily. If you want a more lethal game, reduce the -HP threshold to 1/4 of the character's max HP or something. If you want a less lethal game, increase it to 3/4 or whatever. There may even be an optional rule to that effect included.

 

[FabioMilitoPagliara]

Its...better...

It uses the "new saving throw" we have been seeing here and there for various conditions. (roll a 20 sider, 10 or less bad, higher good). That is something pretty easy to remember, if its used enough.

and it's more of a Luck Roll than anything else

 

[HeinorNY]

I do wonder if, given how LARGE the negative values are, whether you need them at all. I mean, why not just have it so you have a "dying" state when knocked below 1hp, which would be very similar but prevent any fiddling with negative numbers? The article didn't seem to touch on that, other than to say you might get hit for enough to go from low-HP to perma-dead (sure, but it seems unlikely, frankly, and they just explained how that wasn't particularly fun).

Maybe some characters will have powers that let them fight even when they have negative HPs.

 

[Darkwolf71]

I think that's only for the 3E House Rule. In 4E it's gonna be "wake up with 1/2 HP", if it uses the same logic from the #2 in the Try It Now part. Who knows?

Oh, yeah well that's... even worse. :\