Comments on: The Plot Kill http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Fri, 25 May 2012 14:18:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Critical Hits: 5 Years and Counting : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-75730 Critical Hits: 5 Years and Counting : Critical Hits Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:03:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-75730 [...] Pain of Campaigning: The Plot Kill [...] [...] Pain of Campaigning: The Plot Kill [...]

]]> By: James http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-75251 James Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:49:30 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-75251 I had a character in my group die by dint of horrible coincidence, and rather than come up with some far-fetched world changing rules to allow the 5th level characters to bring him back, I had his spirit embody the sword of one of the other PCs, and when they discovered it, they started minor rituals around his former bad habits, rubbing chewing tobacco on the sword before cleaning it, letting it rest next to an open flagon of ale, etc. As the party leveled, the sword became progressively better, which reinforced the role-playing from the group. I had a character in my group die by dint of horrible coincidence, and rather than come up with some far-fetched world changing rules to allow the 5th level characters to bring him back, I had his spirit embody the sword of one of the other PCs, and when they discovered it, they started minor rituals around his former bad habits, rubbing chewing tobacco on the sword before cleaning it, letting it rest next to an open flagon of ale, etc. As the party leveled, the sword became progressively better, which reinforced the role-playing from the group.

]]> By: Ravenous Role Playing » Blog Archive » Sunday Six: 2010-05-02 http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-71082 Ravenous Role Playing » Blog Archive » Sunday Six: 2010-05-02 Sun, 02 May 2010 18:31:01 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-71082 [...] The Plot Kill TPK usually stands for “total party kill,” but in this case a single character must die to move the plot forward. It’s a rough thing to do, and I’ve seen it happen a few times. As a player, I love being the one that dies because my death has meaning and purpose other than falling to that random encounter that was tougher than the GM thought it was going to be. If a character must die for the plot to move forward, I can totally handle it. I think it’s a great idea, but it has to be done just right or the whole thing falls flat and turns into the loss of yet another character… and possibly another player. [...] [...] The Plot Kill TPK usually stands for “total party kill,” but in this case a single character must die to move the plot forward. It’s a rough thing to do, and I’ve seen it happen a few times. As a player, I love being the one that dies because my death has meaning and purpose other than falling to that random encounter that was tougher than the GM thought it was going to be. If a character must die for the plot to move forward, I can totally handle it. I think it’s a great idea, but it has to be done just right or the whole thing falls flat and turns into the loss of yet another character… and possibly another player. [...]

]]> By: Damon B. http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-71081 Damon B. Sun, 02 May 2010 17:56:13 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-71081 I try to, at least once per session, allow one player the option to retire their character (based on what's happened in the plot of the adventure) and take it out of the game, and in exchange they can build a new character with extra experience or more booty or whatever seems appropriate. Obviously, this works better for some settings than others. I try to, at least once per session, allow one player the option to retire their character (based on what’s happened in the plot of the adventure) and take it out of the game, and in exchange they can build a new character with extra experience or more booty or whatever seems appropriate.

Obviously, this works better for some settings than others.

]]> By: Juan http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70973 Juan Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:33:00 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70973 I had a hand in the "plot kill" of my first 4E character. I didn't really feel comfortable playing him so I figured killing him off and making a new character was the way to go. It wasn't until after the "plot kill" that I really started to appreciate him and got a sense of who the character was. Character death can bring the best in realism and fantasy to the table. Good post. I had a hand in the “plot kill” of my first 4E character. I didn’t really feel comfortable playing him so I figured killing him off and making a new character was the way to go. It wasn’t until after the “plot kill” that I really started to appreciate him and got a sense of who the character was.

Character death can bring the best in realism and fantasy to the table. Good post.

]]> By: TheMainEvent http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70947 TheMainEvent Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:40:38 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70947 I have to admit, The Game used The Plot Kill quite well recently. After WotC newest nerfings (cough, i mean errata) my Deva Avenger Student of Caiphon (an 18+ Critical Machine with an Executioner's Axe) was made completely and utterly inviable. The Game and I talked about it, and decided to kill him off and have him reincarnate as a new build, same character (not that the other PCs new it was gonna happen). In summary, use the plot kill to un-nerf trapped players. I have to admit, The Game used The Plot Kill quite well recently. After WotC newest nerfings (cough, i mean errata) my Deva Avenger Student of Caiphon (an 18+ Critical Machine with an Executioner’s Axe) was made completely and utterly inviable. The Game and I talked about it, and decided to kill him off and have him reincarnate as a new build, same character (not that the other PCs new it was gonna happen).

In summary, use the plot kill to un-nerf trapped players.

]]> By: Jason Dawson http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70928 Jason Dawson Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:45:34 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70928 This is suuuch a fine line to walk, especially if the Plot Kill isn't lined up with the PC beforehand. I've had it work amazingly well using a couple of the themes in the post above... and I've also had it backfire brutally on me, almost tearing a campaign apart midstream. I think to do this you need to know your players very, very well. but if done right the rewards can be tremendous. .-= Jason Dawson´s last blog ..<a href="http://theactionpoint.wordpress.com/2010/04/28/old-adventurers/" rel="nofollow">Old Adventurers</a> =-. This is suuuch a fine line to walk, especially if the Plot Kill isn’t lined up with the PC beforehand. I’ve had it work amazingly well using a couple of the themes in the post above… and I’ve also had it backfire brutally on me, almost tearing a campaign apart midstream. I think to do this you need to know your players very, very well. but if done right the rewards can be tremendous.
.-= Jason Dawson´s last blog ..Old Adventurers =-.

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70927 The Game Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:52:24 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70927 It also helps to Plot Kill a character that can't permanently die- maybe not always as dramatic, but you know it won't sting quite as much as arbitrarily killing off a character who will be lost. For example, killing off a Deva who will reincarnate later... It also helps to Plot Kill a character that can’t permanently die- maybe not always as dramatic, but you know it won’t sting quite as much as arbitrarily killing off a character who will be lost.

For example, killing off a Deva who will reincarnate later…

]]> By: Kyle Ferrin http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70926 Kyle Ferrin Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:37:02 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70926 Just had a text today from a player asking if we could kill his character, this has given me some great ideas! Great Post! Just had a text today from a player asking if we could kill his character, this has given me some great ideas!

Great Post!

]]> By: Chris Sims http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70923 Chris Sims Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:19:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70923 Great post. I fully support this kind of play, especially in cahoots with willing players. This sort of thing is good for allowing a player to switch characters, too, or to dramatically send off a character whose player is departing the game. .-= Chris Sims´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CriticalHitsAnalysisParalysis/~3/OTnjxShjTPg/" rel="nofollow">Mailbag 3 – The Pitch</a> =-. Great post. I fully support this kind of play, especially in cahoots with willing players. This sort of thing is good for allowing a player to switch characters, too, or to dramatically send off a character whose player is departing the game.
.-= Chris Sims´s last blog ..Mailbag 3 – The Pitch =-.

]]> By: Scott http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70921 Scott Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:55:43 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70921 My group once had a warrior that stood alone against a Collosal red dragon... at level 10. He managed to last longer than i thought he would and after his great sacrifice the parties Spirit Shaman summoned the spirit of their now dead friend. He travelled with the group as a PC in spectre form and developed some interesting and unique powers. In the end he decided to sacrifice himself again in order to save another PC. Great character. I definitely agree that character death should be turned into a major event, even if they are killed by a goblin, there should be major ramifications. Thank for some great ideas Scott .-= Scott´s last blog ..<a href="http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/23/the-planar-orphan/" rel="nofollow">The Planar Orphan</a> =-. My group once had a warrior that stood alone against a Collosal red dragon… at level 10. He managed to last longer than i thought he would and after his great sacrifice the parties Spirit Shaman summoned the spirit of their now dead friend. He travelled with the group as a PC in spectre form and developed some interesting and unique powers.

In the end he decided to sacrifice himself again in order to save another PC. Great character.

I definitely agree that character death should be turned into a major event, even if they are killed by a goblin, there should be major ramifications.

Thank for some great ideas

Scott
.-= Scott´s last blog ..The Planar Orphan =-.

]]> By: Charisma http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70917 Charisma Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:13:10 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70917 "Maybe the PCs needed a conduit to another plane, and their departed companion's spirit can provide it" Consider this tool placed into my pocket until needed... Thanks. .-= Charisma´s last blog ..<a href="http://stuffershack.com/rescuing-racel-steal-this-adventure/" rel="nofollow">Rescuing Racel – Steal this Adventure</a> =-. “Maybe the PCs needed a conduit to another plane, and their departed companion’s spirit can provide it”

Consider this tool placed into my pocket until needed…

Thanks.
.-= Charisma´s last blog ..Rescuing Racel – Steal this Adventure =-.

]]> By: TheMainEvent http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70916 TheMainEvent Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:52:58 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70916 @Swordgleam: Great solution and exactly what I advocate. @Andy: Thank you, Sir. Star Wars, by drawing on a source that showcases such a sacrifice as the climax of three (or six if you choose) movies is a definite source of inspiration for this idea. The Game, during his hodgepodge 'include everything cool D&D game' from our adolescence let my 2E psionicist go into negative power points to use a massive disintigrate to ruin Darth Vader's plans (sorry Lord Dort Invader). The downside was that it basically destroyed his brain. The second part of the game saw the party use a ship named partially in his name. @Swordgleam: Great solution and exactly what I advocate.

@Andy: Thank you, Sir. Star Wars, by drawing on a source that showcases such a sacrifice as the climax of three (or six if you choose) movies is a definite source of inspiration for this idea.

The Game, during his hodgepodge ‘include everything cool D&D game’ from our adolescence let my 2E psionicist go into negative power points to use a massive disintigrate to ruin Darth Vader’s plans (sorry Lord Dort Invader). The downside was that it basically destroyed his brain. The second part of the game saw the party use a ship named partially in his name.

]]> By: Andy http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70910 Andy Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:53:08 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70910 Good post. PC death can be one of the most intense and rewarding things to happen in a game. I think that a GM should definitely offer players the chance to have a heroic sacrifice take place. I recall reading a Star Wars RPG rulebook that told GMs exactly this: you have to give each player the chance to die heroically. Cool thought. .-= Andy´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePlayersSideOfTheScreen/~3/TjEx5Fxp0W4/hiatus.html" rel="nofollow">Hiatus</a> =-. Good post. PC death can be one of the most intense and rewarding things to happen in a game. I think that a GM should definitely offer players the chance to have a heroic sacrifice take place. I recall reading a Star Wars RPG rulebook that told GMs exactly this: you have to give each player the chance to die heroically. Cool thought.
.-= Andy´s last blog ..Hiatus =-.

]]> By: Swordgleam http://critical-hits.com/2010/04/28/the-plot-kill/#comment-70901 Swordgleam Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:37:46 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=13245#comment-70901 I once ended up with a PC tied to an altar, about to be sacrificed to a dark god. It was a tricky situation to handle, since while the PC agreed to be tied to the altar, at the time he'd been sure that the rest of the party could find an alternate sacrifice in time. It would be absurd to have the character escape from that kind of situation - especially since the rest of the party was standing around not helping him (for perfectly good reasons, they all claim). But that player did not intend for his PC to end up dead, and there wasn't a single roll he could take to change things. It was a tough situation. I ended up compromising. The PC was sacrificed and died, but he was brought back almost immediately as a servant to the goddess who accepted the sacrifice. He got a few small stat changes and a few big fluff changes, and a whole host of plot complications that he had to deal with before being able to get his original destiny back on track. I once ended up with a PC tied to an altar, about to be sacrificed to a dark god. It was a tricky situation to handle, since while the PC agreed to be tied to the altar, at the time he’d been sure that the rest of the party could find an alternate sacrifice in time. It would be absurd to have the character escape from that kind of situation – especially since the rest of the party was standing around not helping him (for perfectly good reasons, they all claim). But that player did not intend for his PC to end up dead, and there wasn’t a single roll he could take to change things. It was a tough situation.

I ended up compromising. The PC was sacrificed and died, but he was brought back almost immediately as a servant to the goddess who accepted the sacrifice. He got a few small stat changes and a few big fluff changes, and a whole host of plot complications that he had to deal with before being able to get his original destiny back on track.

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