...why?

Many roleplaying games have "wound levels". These include terms like injured, seriously injured, mortally wounded, utterly fucked, and - okay, I made that last one up. They also include "dead" and "knocked out." The question is, why are they on the character sheet? I might forget my character is "injured" - will I forget my character is knocked out or dead?

"Okay Jim, your turn."
"I swing my sword at the orc! I roll... 18! I hit!"
"Rightyo, roll for hit damage."
"What damage do I do, let's see...."
"Hang on a minute, isn't your guy dead? He died last session."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. If only there were a "dead" wound level written down on my character sheet, I would have remembered!"


How would you forget?!

Why do we have the "dead" and "knocked out" wound levels on our character sheets?

'Dead' and 'Knocked Out' are the Zeros of our hit point system.

A good character sheet doesn't just remind the player of the qualities and status of their character, it reminds them of the game system and guides them through using it.

At the very least it's an easy to include reminder of when the health/status system ends, clearly showing the player how near death the character is.

Because if it isn't there I can't laugh gleefully as I fill it in on the character sheet the player just forfeited to me when he decided that his fresh from the streets street sam could spit in Lofwyr's eye?

Quote from: C.W.RichesonAt the very least it's an easy to include reminder of when the health/status system ends, clearly showing the player how near death the character is.

This was pretty much going to be my response.  It's like the big "E" at the end of your car's fuel gauge opposite the big "F" -- you already know what the consequences are, but sometimes when you're dipping low it's good to be reminded with a nice, bold visual cue.

!i!

Clearly it is useful to know if your character is "dead" or "knocked out."
Besides, if you are playing a monster character, dead may be "full health".

=

Quote from: JimBobOzWhy do we have the "dead" and "knocked out" wound levels on our character sheets?

To be a nitpicky nerd If it wasn't there, someone would complain

Quote from: JimBobOzWhy do we have the "dead" and "knocked out" wound levels on our character sheets?

So there can be a decisive point at which the GM says, "Yep, dead.  You just crossed into the bottom box."  

Quote from: AnemoneSo there can be a decisive point at which the GM says, "Yep, dead.  You just crossed into the bottom box."  

I thought we were supposed to take their character sheet off them, and solemnly tear it into little strips while "taps" played in the background?

Quote from: JimBobOzI thought we were supposed to take their character sheet off them, and solemnly tear it into little strips while "taps" played in the background?

Wow, I wish I'd known that.  I stand over the player and force them to eat their sheet while shouting at them "FAILURE, FAILURE, FAILURE".  Is that wrong then?

Quote from: BalbinusWow, I wish I'd known that.  I stand over the player and force them to eat their sheet while shouting at them "FAILURE, FAILURE, FAILURE".  Is that wrong then?

Only if you feel aroused while doing so.

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaOnly if you feel aroused while doing so.

!i!

Who wouldn't?

I like it when I´m allowed to say:

"Make a cross next to languages."
"Bigger."
"Bigger."
"That´s good!"

"But my character sheet is now totally crossed out?!"

Am I the only one here who plays super-hero games?  "Dead" is totally a wound state.  It means you can only operate from the shadows for an issue or two (for foreshadowing ).  Then you return as a robot-nano-clone of your alternate reality sister's psychic doppelganger ... with new powers!

Quote from: TonyLBAm I the only one here who plays super-hero games?  "Dead" is totally a wound state.  It means you can only operate from the shadows for an issue or two (for foreshadowing ).  Then you return as a robot-nano-clone of your alternate reality sister's psychic doppelganger ... with new powers!

Tony, you know Tim Kirk's here, and Pundit plays/runs supers as well!

-clash