Man in the Funny Hat
Hero
Doesn't really seem that way to me. I mean, sure, not many DM's really enjoy killing a PC, especially when they see that the PC is really, really vulnerable, but I'm not seeing how the death of the PC in question actually screws up the game. A simple, quick mention by the DM that they see the PC as not survivable is about the extent of the DM's concerns here. After that isn't it supposed to be up to the player to decide whether they find that their own concern?I believe it is precisely this scenario that is in fact under discussion.
Certainly under 3rd Edition rules it would be. The player would be expected to utilize their "system mastery" to ensure their characters survival - or demonstrate that they have more to learn along those lines as they see their PC get cut down. Under earlier editions there wouldn't be any cause for the DM to get involved either. In fact, SOME dm's would call it a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how the game is played by taking out that character asap. Not as familiar with 4E but my impression has been that it's supposed to be hard to make a character that is woefully less survivable than anyone else. Less effective, yes, in particular if not played up to others expectations, but not outrageously vulnerable.
I will say that 3E and 4E (especially 4E) seem to me to have created expectations on the part of players that if OTHER players fail to create and play characters to one's own personal satisfaction of what those OTHER player's characters are supposed to be/do, then they have basis for complaint. However, I see that as more of a mindset developed for a particular table or gaming group than something that the rules ever meant to enforce.
I think either the DM takes it in stride after a duly considered warning to the player - and then if the PC dies, they die. The player either then begins to take steps to ensure the survival of the resurrected PC, or at some point they won't have a choice in simply creating a new PC altogether and, one would hope, learn that their own enjoyment of the game is dramatically improved by creating a PC that isn't so weak. I mean, it's either that or the DM simply takes the character sheet, makes changes to suit him/herself, and then hands it back saying, "THAT is your character - now play it correctly."