What is the preferrable option after a PC death?

[Abraxas]

As Player - dead is dead. New character time. Of course, in all but 1 instance, when my character dies it was a TPK anyways. In that 1 instance I was offered a true res in return for completing a task, the task seemed cool and it kept the game going without a break while new characters were created and introduced.

As DM - I don't care. The players decide what they do, I make it work. I never wrap the story so tightly around any of the characters that their absence blows it - In fact the players don't have to follow any of the leads I put out - if they choose some wing nut path, I roll with it and improvise.

 

[sniffles]

As a player, I couldn't really choose any of the options. It depends on the circumstances. If I'm playing in an Eberron campaign then I'm going to assume that raising/resurrecting a PC is unlikely and plan on rolling up a new PC. If I'm in the Forgotten Realms then my attitude may be different. But it also depends on the tone of the campaign and the attitude of the DM who's running it.

I'll happily take a cheesy resurrection or a cheesy introduction of a new PC if that's what it takes to keep the game running smoothly and everyone having fun.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

As either a GM or a player, I would prefer that no gameplay effect cause the death of a PC. Obviously if player and GM work out a PC's death as part of a story sequence, he's not coming back

If gameplay-based death is an option, I could go either way as a player; I always have lots of character ideas, but on the flip side, if a character survives long enough for raise dead to be available, I'm probably attached to him.

As a GM, I would prefer not to have resurrection possible via game mechanics and would rather than player bring in a new character.

 

[Ltheb Silverfrond]

As a player - I prefer true resurrection. If it isn't available, I'll make a new character who fills whatever niche the party is lacking, and hopefully I can make one the DM can throw in easily.

As a DM - I have to err on the side of common sense. If the players can get resurrected, undoing all the villains; well laid plans, so too can the villains escape retribution. As cool as a 'final showdown' with the PCs squaring off against the current villain and all the past villains who the current one sought out to revive is, it generally means death. (and very frustrated PCs)

 

[snowcone]

It depends on campaign rules, do I have to roll a brand new level 1 char or will I be able to roll one at or near the level I was at. I've had some DM's make you roll a new 1st level guy even if the party was level 12. If I can play a character on the same power level as the rest of the pcs (same level) then I'll always roll a new one.

 

[Mercule]

Dead is dead. I don't like the "reset point" feel of the raise spells and never have.

For me, a game isn't really fun w/o the possibility of losing. If my character can't die, I'd rather go write bad fan fiction or something. That doesn't mean I like my character to die, just that surviving isn't much of an accomplishment if it's guaranteed.

As a game, that random element is important.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

As others have said: It depends. Some, none, or all of the choices may apply depending on the character, campaign, and conditions of death.

 

[Desdichado]

Dead is dead. I don't like the "reset point" feel of the raise spells and never have.

For me, a game isn't really fun w/o the possibility of losing. If my character can't die, I'd rather go write bad fan fiction or something. That doesn't mean I like my character to die, just that surviving isn't much of an accomplishment if it's guaranteed.

Q.F.M.F.T. With a full stop after each letter of the acronym. Hell's yeah.

My preferred option as a player AND a GM is to whip up a new character. The idea that new characters make stories and continuities impossible is completely counter to my experience.

 

[Nightfall]

Nightfall, as the DM, prefers more flesh blood. Blood, blood, blood, blood makes the demons grows.

Nightfall as the player, prefers to get a new PC IF said old PC wasn't really a) that compelling (it does happen folks), and/or b) the party make up worked okay/well with the now non-existing PC.

 

[Lanefan]

Voted "other" to both as so much depends on the character, the situation, and the party. As DM, I have no problem with people raising their PCs, or leaving 'em dead. As player, it's to some extent a measure of how well the party like my PC as to whether they're willing to bring it back...it's their call, after all.

Lanefan