...where each time you die, you have to roll a new PC up with these starting experience points: (experience points needed for Level 3) - (500*[number of PC deaths you have suffered this campaign])xp.

Would this work?  Might allow for the 'sweet spot' of PC level, while still having fear attached to level draining monsters and penalising death.  What do you think?

Quote from: AndrewSFTSN;919843...where each time you die, you have to roll a new PC up with these starting experience points: (experience points needed for Level 3) - (500*[number of PC deaths you have suffered this campaign])xp.

Would this work?  Might allow for the 'sweet spot' of PC level, while still having fear attached to level draining monsters and penalising death.  What do you think?

That doesnt sound very good at all? Progressively penalizing a player for bad luck (assuming death not due to willfull stupidity)

Why not just have the player select from one of their hirelings or retainers whos probably around the same level or a level behind? That was one suggestion in the D&D rulebooks.

Or just have the new PC start off 1d4 levels lower than the lowest level PC? Or just 3 levels behind?

Though personally from experience its been pretty easy to catch up more or less in levels if the other players are willing to safeguard the new character long enough till they can stand on their own.

Example. In the time it takes my BX magic user to get from level 8 to 9. Jans replacement fighter will have leveled up to 8.

Other example: wayyy back I lost one of my MUs when the group was just hitting level 6. In the time it took the fighters to reach level 7 my MU had reached level 5 and was closing in on 6.

When I was running leveled games, new characters came in using the amount of XP's the old character had earned at the time of their demise.

I've done variations of that, but I've ended up just having them come in at the same level. I originally wanted to avoid incentivizing stupid deaths, but my players are generally so risk-averse that isn't necessary.

Another option (for OD&D, et al) is just come back at first level...and let the party divide the treasure (and thus, xp) how they want. "Here, torch bearer, have the lion's share of loot from this run. Welcome to 3rd level!"

The increasing penalty seems like it would discourage cooperation.  Heroic last stand while the rest of the party runs?  Being the one to go fetch the too-obvious treasure with a rope tied around your waist?  Sorry, not only are you dead but you're penalized for it.

Nothing wrong with just starting at level 3, period, though.  Supposedly that was Gygax's own house rule later in life.  I wish I'd known that all those years I was playing in games starting at level 1, and when we finally got up around 3rd or 5th level having the GM reset with a new campaign to "keep it gritty."

If you want to do something like this, I'd just have players start at lv.3 every time they die.  The penalty is that other players will be higher level by then.

Here's a crazy idea - take the character to a temple to get them raised.

One of the things that drives me crazy about the OSR is the reluctance to do that. Even though it's in OD&D and Clerics can cast it fairly early (since their spell progression is funky).

It's a great way to relieve characters of treasure

Quote from: JeremyR;920854Here's a crazy idea - take the character to a temple to get them raised.

One of the things that drives me crazy about the OSR is the reluctance to do that. Even though it's in OD&D and Clerics can cast it fairly early (since their spell progression is funky).

It's a great way to relieve characters of treasure

And/or make it a quest.