What is the preferrable option after a PC death?

[the Jester]

So a new nth-level character popping up out of nowhere and ready to join the party is less of a "problem" or obstacle to suspension of disbelief than bringing a character back from the dead?

Quasqueton

No, but I'm much more willing to accept the problem or obstacle and let it pass without notice, rather than being annoyed for a session or six.

To qualify and clarify: it can all be cheesy, and anyone that knows me can tell you that I hate cheese. But even if it is, I can stomach it for a new pc, but cheesy resurrection blows the whole game for me.

 

[Herzog]

I voted 'other' on both accounts, mostly because I disagree with the 'cheesy' part.

As a player, I'm allways eager to play new characters. However, if the storyline and campaign allows for ressurrection or reincarnation (I actually prefer the latter) I am not unwilling to let my character be resurrected.
Anything goes, as long as it is not 'cheesy'.

As a DM, I have a tendency to 'let the dice fall'. So, no 'cheating' on my part to rescue characters. This, on occasion, may result in character death. It has never resulted in a TPK, mostly because I do let characters get away easily once they decide to run away.
I must say I have never had a character resurrected, but that is mostly because the players in question where eager to try something new.
Again, anything the players come up with goes, as long as it is not 'cheesy'.

Herzog

 

[Firedancer]

Here's another "it depends" answer. Because it really does depend (I DM and play).
A character dies. How, why? Stupidity - new character please and I'll work a way in for them, trying to avoid cheese the best I can. Usually this is easy as the PC's have made a number of social contacts with leveled NPCs and with a bit of time we have a functional PC.

Bad dice rolls, I prefer to get the character back (as a DM I often have subplot revolving around each character, as player I often have goals and aspirations for the character outside of the current quest).

If the death is in-character (noble warrior sacrificining themselves so the group can continue) new character. But avoiding cheesy intro if possible. Bearing in mind several of my characters have stipulated to fellow party members that they are not to be res'd should they die.

 

[Elf Witch]

As a player it depends. Do I really like my character or do I want another one. I won't play in a DnD game that makes it impossible to bring back a character.

As a DM I want my players to have fun so its up to them if they want to be brought back. Or if they want a new character we find aaway to work it in.

I don't care about the cheese factor. Its a game and some times for the sake of fun you have to be a little cheesy.

 

[Bagpuss]

As a player - I'd usually rather start a new character.

As a DM I ticked other - Other being whatever the player in question prefers.

 

[megamania]

In all of my years of gaming, only once did a player not make a new character to run. As for their introduction being cheesy... I try to avoid that though this sometimes means a player must wait a session for a good point to introduce the new character.

This is not to say there have not been "cheesy" intros however.

 

[Henrix]

I'm considering houseruling death so that a character who is in current D&D terms "dead", but where the player wants to continue playing him, instead would be "mortally wounded" and require expensive treatment and rest, a.ka. "raise dead".

This would alleviate cheesiness, and allow for continuity.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Depends on the setting and lethality I'm going for.

If I'm running straight D&D, the preference is "whatever you want." Some people have character ideas they're dying to try out, and the death of one is just a reason to use another one. Some people get really attached to one character, and love to ride it out, and would get sad if they had to use another one. So to each their own. Resurrection is readily available, but has a high cost, and it might not always be worth it for a particular player.

But if I'm tweaking the system, I won't make any promises. For instance, in FFZ, characters will rarely die beyond the hope of coming back, but that's because FFZ games focus a lot on character development and personal dynamics, and it would suck buns to have those eradicated by a random die roll.

 

[Wombat]

In most cases, dead = dead.

Move on, get a new character.