What I like about D&D 1,2,3 and how it influenced my houserules

[Lanefan]

Should it not come up on average once in six melee rounds of play, i.e., on tied initiative dice?

Only if you don't allow things to happen simultaneously - if your init's are tied then you're both gonna get your swing in even if one of you dies in the process.

Lan-"otherwise how can two foes die together without third-party involvement"-efan

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Should it not come up on average once in six melee rounds of play, i.e., on tied initiative dice?

Well, against non-humanoids, it generally doesn't because natural weapons are faster than any melee weapon, reach trumps charge, spells take time to cast, etc. There's a lot going on in 1e besides swinging weapons (closing to melee, etc.) Also, a lot of combats never make it to initiative. Getting surprised in 1e sucks.