I think it's fine. It's my experience that PCs like to losing is pretty bad in most situations even if it doesn't involve death (i.e. getting humiliated in front of the princess is in some cases the proverbial "fate worse than death." Same for loss of a limb.

-Marco

Quote from: James McMurrayIf the group knows in advance that death is not an option it can work great. There's game systems built with this in mind, ranging in power levels from Nobilis (God of Nukes with Immortality) to Paranoia (which clone are you on?).

What Nob has in common with Kult is the sentiment that "death is not the end" (although their respective takes on it are, eh, somewhat different). In these games, even if a character dies, it's quite possible for her to simply reincarnate or hang around as a spectre of some sort.

I like knowing that my PCs life is on the line every time swords are drawn.

That being said, I in know way reject the idea of an RPG that doesn't kill the PCs.  As a DM I don't like killing the PCs.  It makes me feel like a big meanie-head.

Quote from: RPGPunditI do think that if we're talking a standard RPG here (and not something like Toon)

Whoa!  Hold up!  Now Toon, Teenagers from Outer Space and Tales from the Floating Vagabond aren't roleplaying games?  When'd that happen?  Did I miss the memo?

Quote from: TonyLBWhoa!  Hold up!  Now Toon, Teenagers from Outer Space and Tales from the Floating Vagabond aren't roleplaying games?  When'd that happen?  Did I miss the memo?

Dude, blink round here and you find someone has ruled that your favourite game ain't an rpg.

Me, I'm just waiting for CoC and Runequest to get ruled out of bounds for not containing classes or somesuch.

I think the pundit meant "standard" as in "run of the mill".  He probably should have said "standard FRPG" or "standard adventure RPG" perhaps.  I don't think he was saying Toon *isn't* an RPG -- just not what he was talking about.

What death means in a game like D&D is "your character is out of the game" and the player has to sit out for a while, either until they get a new character in the game, or the "dead" one is magically returned to life.

Whether there is "death" in the game or not, these two elements should be included.  Basically, this is "lose a turn" or "go back to the start".

This could be represented by character death, serious injury, inprisonment, retirement, becoming an Evil NPC, etc.   Or in a more light hearted game it could be something like leaving for vacation, graduation, moving house, etc

Think about reasons characters leave TV shows -- both action shows, and soap operas.

Edit:  And think of reasons characters leave TV shows, but come back again.

Quote from: TonyLBWhoa!  Hold up!  Now Toon, Teenagers from Outer Space and Tales from the Floating Vagabond aren't roleplaying games?  When'd that happen?  Did I miss the memo?

I think he said 'standard' RPG. Although theyre definitely all RPGS, I don't think of Toon, Teenagers or Tales as standard either.

Was he originally only asking whether unkillable PCs were acceptable in "standard" RPGs?  'cuz that seems a bit of an odd thing to have suddenly creep in there for no reason.

I mean ... Toon really does seem to settle the question here.  Yes, people play RPGs where the characters cannot die.  Is there anything else to discuss?

Apparently so, or we wouldn't be on page 3.

Quote from: Hastur T. Fannondoesn't "Tales..." have a similar character immortality rule?

In "Faery's Tale" you run out of essence. Then you fall into a deep sleep (coma?). No death.

Quote from: StuartI think the pundit meant "standard" as in "run of the mill".  He probably should have said "standard FRPG" or "standard adventure RPG" perhaps.  I don't think he was saying Toon *isn't* an RPG -- just not what he was talking about.

Yes. Toon etc. are RPGs. I just meant "typical" RPG.

RPGPundit

Quote from: James McMurrayApparently so, or we wouldn't be on page 3.

Oh, you have such wonderful faith in humanity.  I envy you.

Quote from: TonyLBWas he originally only asking whether unkillable PCs were acceptable in "standard" RPGs?  'cuz that seems a bit of an odd thing to have suddenly creep in there for no reason.

I mean ... Toon really does seem to settle the question here.  Yes, people play RPGs where the characters cannot die.  Is there anything else to discuss?

I meant specifically in my BESM Bleach game.

Quote from: RedFoxI meant specifically in my BESM Bleach game.

Shonen Jump's editorial department says go crazy with PC immortality.  If it's Bleach you want, it's plot immunity you need.

Quote from: fonkaygarryShonen Jump's editorial department says go crazy with PC immortality.  If it's Bleach you want, it's plot immunity you need.

So is the method I proposed good for it?