Which one do you prefer your character suffer? Death vs Rust Monster vs Level Drain

[AllisterH]

Heh...let's say you're playing a heavily armoured character.

Of the 3 options, which one is the MOST preferable outcome that you as a player would prefer to be subject to?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Rust Monster.

I frequently define my character by my possessions, yes-- but only by the possessions I happen to have at the moment.

If subsequent to the Rust Monster encounter I go from being Korgoth the Plate-Clad Armiger to Korgoth the Stick-Wieldling Loincloth Guy, well, I'm cool with that.

 

[Dausuul]

Level drain. There are spells that fix level drain completely, sometimes even putting you ahead on XP. Neither death nor rust monster attacks can be wholly reversed (especially pre-3E, where death costs you a permanent point of Con).

Of course, it depends somewhat on what level I'm at. If I'm a 1st-level fighter, my answer will be the rust monster, since mundane gear is relatively easy to replace and level drain will kill me. But in general, assuming a friendly cleric of sufficient level, I prefer level drain.

 

[nightwyrm]

Depends on the rules under which one can bring in a new char to replace the dead one.

But I think I'd prefer to be level drained.

 

[billd91]

Definitely rust monster. In 1e/2e, coming back from the dead isn't a sure thing because of resurrection survival. Level drain is a painful hassle because restoration is hard to get and the XP amount to get back up may not be trivial.

Gear can be replaced, and fairly easily too.

 

[Grymar]

Death, and that is in games without resurrection rules. Player deaths are pretty rare in our games, frankly, and I enjoy exploring the ramifications a death has on the party.

For instance in my current campaign, the party leader (it was a military band and this charcter WAS the commander) was killed in battle. Now there is a power vacuum and what was a very organized, decisive, brutal party is now a confused mess. It's been a great shift in campaign styles.

Losing a level or some equipment isn't nearly as interesting.

 

[Dausuul]

Gear can be replaced, and fairly easily too.

This is entirely dependent on the generosity of the DM. Mundane gear, yes. But a suit of +4 full plate? Remember, we're talking about the editions that specifically said there were no magic shops.

 

[billd91]

This is entirely dependent on the generosity of the DM. Mundane gear, yes. But a suit of +4 full plate?

Why would you need a suit of +4 full plate, even if it is desirable? You make do with what you can get like you did before you got that suit of +4 full plate to begin with.

 

[pawsplay]

Rust monster. Loss of gear is temporary. Losing levels feels like slipping backwards and un-accomplishing progress.

 

[Dausuul]

Why would you need a suit of +4 full plate, even if it is desirable? You make do with what you can get like you did before you got that suit of +4 full plate to begin with.

The same argument could be made for a lost level. In fact, if you're a fighter of the "meat shield" school (and into the levels where you're only getting 3 hit points), +4 full plate might well provide you more benefit than a level would.