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Other players keep dieing!

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
canuk
Jul 28, 2009 19:20:54 Hey guys in my group the other players except one other person and me die almost each session. The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies. Now the other character with yet to die has gotten character development and 1 of the other half of our group even commits suicide. Now recently I came close to dieing and another player of the other half tried to kill me so at least one person could die! Now I want my character to get story and development but it's hard when the other party wants you to die for the pure reason of I haven't died yet and have no development. What should I do about this.

P.S. they don't care when I ask them to not kill me
#2
salla
Jul 28, 2009 19:32:45
Hey guys in my group the other players except one other person and me die almost each session. The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies. Now the other character with yet to die has gotten character development and 1 of the other half of our group even commits suicide. Now recently I came close to dieing and another player of the other half tried to kill me so at least one person could die! Now I want my character to get story and development but it's hard when the other party wants you to die for the pure reason of I haven't died yet and have no development. What should I do about this.

P.S. they don't care when I ask them to not kill me

Quit.
#3
nsibystander
Jul 28, 2009 19:34:54
Quit.

I agree wholeheartedly with Salla. Get as far away from that group as possible.
#4
Janx_14
Jul 28, 2009 19:51:20 Run...fast...

A good adventure is challenging. I can see maybe a goal of brining a player below 0 once an adventure, but to actually make it a goal to kill atleast 1? That goes too far.

Maybe there are people out there that like this style, but my gaming friends don't, and its clear you dont either. So, I suggest quit that group, and find some other gaming friends, or possibly see if anyone else wants to do something else instead of die every adventure.
#5
canuk
Jul 28, 2009 20:15:31 Just so you all know half number 2 is used to dieing so they don't care. Them dieing is what inspired the DM to try to kill atleast one person per adventure. They really are my best friends outside D&D and my town has no other groups at all. I've checked
#6
salla
Jul 28, 2009 20:18:53
Just so you all know half number 2 is used to dieing so they don't care. Them dieing is what inspired the DM to try to kill atleast one person per adventure. They really are my best friends outside D&D and my town has no other groups at all. I've checked

Regrettable, but the bottom line is, if this isn't fun for you, you shouldn't play. If your friend were all playing basketball, and you didn't enjoy playing basketball with them, you'd sit out. Same principle applies. You'll just need to be more polite about it than just storming out.

Friends are great, but you don't have to do everything together.
#7
gregt_314
Jul 28, 2009 20:30:45 Get a new DM.

The only argument I've ever seen put forward for killing off PCs in battle is that players won't feel challenged, threatened, or respected if you don't.

If you, the players, are sick of dying then the DM doesn't have a leg to stand on. Raise your concerns with him politely but forcefully and if you don't get change then quit his game and start your own.
#8
humanmind
Jul 28, 2009 20:59:08 Why are these other players dieing? Are they just not fighting well? Do they not like their characters or found something else to play? Is the DM perpously out to kill players?

I would sit the whole group down and talk about this problem. Discuss with them your concern and explain that you really like your character. Tell them that your not having fun playing this way and want to see some characters that live. If their your friends then they will listen and either change or explain why they play this way. If they don't listen to you then their not your friends and leaving would be the best option.

Hope this helps
#9
lynadianya
Jul 28, 2009 21:11:02 If they are your best friends and you really want to play D&D together, but you don't like the way the current game is running, then you could always offer to DM occasionally. I know it's not the same as "playing" but it can be so much fun. You are still having time playing with your friends, the DM gets a break now and again, and you can show them through example what you like in a game. It could be enlightening for everyone.

And honestly, the dieing once a game has to be a running gag for them. I might just think it's hilarious and they can't understand why you are being so uptight about it. I can completely understand your point and I have friends who I repeatedly wish to strangle because of running gags they think are hilarious that I find no humor in, but I doubt they are being malicious about it. Although, not having seen your dynamic at the table, I can say I'm right...just my opinion from what you've stated in your post.
#10
johnnyslick
Jul 28, 2009 21:31:51
Get a new DM.

The only argument I've ever seen put forward for killing off PCs in battle is that players won't feel challenged, threatened, or respected if you don't.

If you, the players, are sick of dying then the DM doesn't have a leg to stand on. Raise your concerns with him politely but forcefully and if you don't get change then quit his game and start your own.

"

As has been stated elsewhere, it takes 3 or 4 sessions at least and sometimes 8-10 to really get into and understand your character to the point that you're truly roleplaying and not just either playing yourself as your race/character class or clinging to stereotypes. If your character dies every other session, you never get to play the game at this level. That strikes me as rather sad, like if you traveled all the way to London, spending a good deal of money and even more time, but never got to go to the Tower. While I appreciate the notion of wanting to have death a tangible force in the game so the characters (and players) properly fear it, this is the element that makes me want to fudge dice on occasion and stay away from "omg ur stupid u dei now" situations.

On the DM's side of things, it's easier to run the game when you constantly kill off the PCs. Since many of the players never get down to the nitty-gritty of role-playing, you can keep your adventures generic without the entire party hijacking things to their own ends (an action which is, often, the natural actions of well-rounded PCs with a sense of agency). Since the players are constantly trying to understand the mechanics of their new character within the group (speaking in encounter, non-encounter and psychological terms), you as a DM don't need to worry about tailoring... well, much of anything to the PCs. It strikes me as the perfect situation for a DM who wants to railroad his group into a particular story. It also strikes me as terribly lazy.
#11
navar100
Jul 28, 2009 21:51:50 Ditto re quitting. When the DM says it's not a good session unless a character dies, that proves he hates his players. There's no point in playing.
#12
turbowombat
Jul 28, 2009 22:05:24 Whoa whoa, I think there's been a miscommunication here guys. let me resolve it.

Left 4 Dead forum this way -------------------------->
#13
ambulacetus
Jul 28, 2009 23:02:49 Sometimes, I enjoy running or playing a good meatgrinder of a campaign, but its not for everyone all the time. Their is nothing inherently wrong with this style of gameplay, but if you don't want to play it that is perfectly understandable.

If you want to play a more in depth character driven game, you might try to offer running it yourself. I know it is not the ideal solution for you, but from the description it sounds like the DM and the rest of the group enjoy a killer game (I wouldn't want to change their style if they enjoy it). If your game runs well, it might encourage them to partially adopt it in the future.
#14
illithid_tentacles_02
Jul 29, 2009 12:43:16
Quit.

QFT.
#15
trashcrap
Jul 29, 2009 14:00:35
...The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies...
What should I do about this.

Suggest he play Paranoia. Find a different group for D&D.
#16
falstyr
Jul 30, 2009 3:11:25 I can see how a DM could play a hard game and due this characters die. Actually saying that 1 character must die per session that is just...well...pathetic and lame. I'd rather not play D&D then have such a DM.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 canuk Jul 28, 2009 19:20:54	Hey guys in my group the other players except one other person and me die almost each session. The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies. Now the other character with yet to die has gotten character development and 1 of the other half of our group even commits suicide. Now recently I came close to dieing and another player of the other half tried to kill me so at least one person could die! Now I want my character to get story and development but it's hard when the other party wants you to die for the pure reason of I haven't died yet and have no development. What should I do about this. P.S. they don't care when I ask them to not kill me
#2 salla Jul 28, 2009 19:32:45	Hey guys in my group the other players except one other person and me die almost each session. The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies. Now the other character with yet to die has gotten character development and 1 of the other half of our group even commits suicide. Now recently I came close to dieing and another player of the other half tried to kill me so at least one person could die! Now I want my character to get story and development but it's hard when the other party wants you to die for the pure reason of I haven't died yet and have no development. What should I do about this. P.S. they don't care when I ask them to not kill me Quit.
#3 nsibystander Jul 28, 2009 19:34:54	Quit. I agree wholeheartedly with Salla. Get as far away from that group as possible.
#4 Janx_14 Jul 28, 2009 19:51:20	Run...fast... A good adventure is challenging. I can see maybe a goal of brining a player below 0 once an adventure, but to actually make it a goal to kill atleast 1? That goes too far. Maybe there are people out there that like this style, but my gaming friends don't, and its clear you dont either. So, I suggest quit that group, and find some other gaming friends, or possibly see if anyone else wants to do something else instead of die every adventure.
#5 canuk Jul 28, 2009 20:15:31	Just so you all know half number 2 is used to dieing so they don't care. Them dieing is what inspired the DM to try to kill atleast one person per adventure. They really are my best friends outside D&D and my town has no other groups at all. I've checked
#6 salla Jul 28, 2009 20:18:53	Just so you all know half number 2 is used to dieing so they don't care. Them dieing is what inspired the DM to try to kill atleast one person per adventure. They really are my best friends outside D&D and my town has no other groups at all. I've checked Regrettable, but the bottom line is, if this isn't fun for you, you shouldn't play. If your friend were all playing basketball, and you didn't enjoy playing basketball with them, you'd sit out. Same principle applies. You'll just need to be more polite about it than just storming out. Friends are great, but you don't have to do everything together.
#7 gregt_314 Jul 28, 2009 20:30:45	Get a new DM. The only argument I've ever seen put forward for killing off PCs in battle is that players won't feel challenged, threatened, or respected if you don't. If you, the players, are sick of dying then the DM doesn't have a leg to stand on. Raise your concerns with him politely but forcefully and if you don't get change then quit his game and start your own.
#8 humanmind Jul 28, 2009 20:59:08	Why are these other players dieing? Are they just not fighting well? Do they not like their characters or found something else to play? Is the DM perpously out to kill players? I would sit the whole group down and talk about this problem. Discuss with them your concern and explain that you really like your character. Tell them that your not having fun playing this way and want to see some characters that live. If their your friends then they will listen and either change or explain why they play this way. If they don't listen to you then their not your friends and leaving would be the best option. Hope this helps
#9 lynadianya Jul 28, 2009 21:11:02	If they are your best friends and you really want to play D&D together, but you don't like the way the current game is running, then you could always offer to DM occasionally. I know it's not the same as "playing" but it can be so much fun. You are still having time playing with your friends, the DM gets a break now and again, and you can show them through example what you like in a game. It could be enlightening for everyone. And honestly, the dieing once a game has to be a running gag for them. I might just think it's hilarious and they can't understand why you are being so uptight about it. I can completely understand your point and I have friends who I repeatedly wish to strangle because of running gags they think are hilarious that I find no humor in, but I doubt they are being malicious about it. Although, not having seen your dynamic at the table, I can say I'm right...just my opinion from what you've stated in your post.
#10 johnnyslick Jul 28, 2009 21:31:51	Get a new DM. The only argument I've ever seen put forward for killing off PCs in battle is that players won't feel challenged, threatened, or respected if you don't. If you, the players, are sick of dying then the DM doesn't have a leg to stand on. Raise your concerns with him politely but forcefully and if you don't get change then quit his game and start your own. " As has been stated elsewhere, it takes 3 or 4 sessions at least and sometimes 8-10 to really get into and understand your character to the point that you're truly roleplaying and not just either playing yourself as your race/character class or clinging to stereotypes. If your character dies every other session, you never get to play the game at this level. That strikes me as rather sad, like if you traveled all the way to London, spending a good deal of money and even more time, but never got to go to the Tower. While I appreciate the notion of wanting to have death a tangible force in the game so the characters (and players) properly fear it, this is the element that makes me want to fudge dice on occasion and stay away from "omg ur stupid u dei now" situations. On the DM's side of things, it's easier to run the game when you constantly kill off the PCs. Since many of the players never get down to the nitty-gritty of role-playing, you can keep your adventures generic without the entire party hijacking things to their own ends (an action which is, often, the natural actions of well-rounded PCs with a sense of agency). Since the players are constantly trying to understand the mechanics of their new character within the group (speaking in encounter, non-encounter and psychological terms), you as a DM don't need to worry about tailoring... well, much of anything to the PCs. It strikes me as the perfect situation for a DM who wants to railroad his group into a particular story. It also strikes me as terribly lazy.
#11 navar100 Jul 28, 2009 21:51:50	Ditto re quitting. When the DM says it's not a good session unless a character dies, that proves he hates his players. There's no point in playing.
#12 turbowombat Jul 28, 2009 22:05:24	Whoa whoa, I think there's been a miscommunication here guys. let me resolve it. Left 4 Dead forum this way -------------------------->
#13 ambulacetus Jul 28, 2009 23:02:49	Sometimes, I enjoy running or playing a good meatgrinder of a campaign, but its not for everyone all the time. Their is nothing inherently wrong with this style of gameplay, but if you don't want to play it that is perfectly understandable. If you want to play a more in depth character driven game, you might try to offer running it yourself. I know it is not the ideal solution for you, but from the description it sounds like the DM and the rest of the group enjoy a killer game (I wouldn't want to change their style if they enjoy it). If your game runs well, it might encourage them to partially adopt it in the future.
#14 illithid_tentacles_02 Jul 29, 2009 12:43:16	Quit. QFT.
#15 trashcrap Jul 29, 2009 14:00:35	...The DM now says it's not a good adventure unless at least 1 person dies... What should I do about this. Suggest he play Paranoia. Find a different group for D&D.
#16 falstyr Jul 30, 2009 3:11:25	I can see how a DM could play a hard game and due this characters die. Actually saying that 1 character must die per session that is just...well...pathetic and lame. I'd rather not play D&D then have such a DM.