Other PC death=Not fun

[Vegepygmy]

So many people at DnD forums harp about how it is no fun if there is no risk, yet I find myself at the exact opposite.

I'm one of those people who think the game isn't much fun without risk of death. Sorry.

 

[jake22007]

we have had several characters die, each time you can see that the player is downhearted, personally it does not affect my enjoyment of the game if a character dies.

we had a discussion on alternatives for character death which were little less harsh on the penalties for raising dead
http://www.magicelephant.com/dnd/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=127

 

[Sound of Azure]

I would hazard that I'd feel the same way as you (as a player) in the case where another PC dies in an undramatic way. We've had a tendency to tease players who get their PCs killed through stupid actions they could have avoided. Dramatic, interesting death... sure, it sucks, but that's okay in my book. After all, it's a risky business, adventuring is.

Many of my characters have been messed up bad by the death of other PCs, though, and a few times my own PCs' death has caused a strong reaction from other PCs.
There was the case in Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil where my Halfling Rogue/Ranger PC, the Human Cleric, and the Dwarf Fighter were very closely bonded (they'd been adventuring since level 2, when we started- I know, low for the adventure). They began to become desensitised to the death of their comrades, as there was such a high rate of PC turn-over amongst the other two players. It almost became annoying in the end, as we rolled our eyes each time we conveniently found some new hapless adventurer.

Eventually, my PC fell to a death effect, then animated as a wight to attack the group. I remember the look on everyone's faces when she fell in battle initially, and later when the Dwarf "subdued" her with his axe. It was a great moment when she finally got resurrected, and we still talk about "Zombie Zenith" from time to time.

So, I guess I'm trying to say that dramatic death is ok, and death by stupidity can be ok (but annoying). While PC death does take a little wind out of everyone's sails, it can be very memorable. The life and death of these facsimilies of real people and personalities can serve as a reminder of our own mortality.

 

[frankthedm]

So, is anyone else like me?

Nope. I do have a player who hates when PCs fail. He was running an iron heroes game and was frustrated when my PC could not manage to bull rush a foe off a building.

I like failing / dying. I tells me that, yes, success is possible, if it is earned.

 

[Bagpuss]

So, is anyone else like me?

I'm sure you are not on your own, but all my favourite PC's are dead ones. I enjoy having my characters die, assuming they have had a decent innings, it brings their story to a close.

A character that doesn't die for me is like a book I don't finish reading, not as memorable or enjoyable.

 

[Thanee]

The players should always know that it is possible to die, but it does not necessarily ever have to happen. It's not necessary to prove the point, in order to make it, but sometimes it just happens.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Drowbane]

Crit Happens. Let the dice fall where they may.

I can't imagine playing D&D without having to worry about the possibility of failure or dying. Also, Galeros (did I spell that right?), mention to your fellow players than having backup characters ready to go previous to any PC Deaths will (possibly) get them back into the action faster.

When I run, I call for 3 PCs for each Player...

 

[Plane Sailing]

The way I see it, the only real issue is if it takes the player out of the game for a significant portion of the evening it is clearly not fun for that player (still, that could happen if you got stunned by a mind flayer on round 1 of a mega combat. 5 rounds and an hour later you are still stunned...)

From a story point of view, I love the fact that it adds depth to the story. Like last Sunday when the psychic warrior did his psionic lions charge to take out the Basalisk and failed his save just as he got there. Zap! Stoned (and not in a good way). Nothing the party could do about it, so we just left him there, but it was a good laugh for everyone.




...Did I mention this was our 'evil party' campaign?

 

[Numion]

Look at the bright side: you get his stuff

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I'm one of those people who think the game isn't much fun without risk of death. Sorry.

Me, too. RPGs without the possibility of character death is like playing cops and robbers when you were a kid, where everybody pointed their fingers and said 'Bang! but nobody fell down.