Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 52 minutes ago
Why Do We Kill Everything in D&D?
We'd love to hear any stories related to this, or if you experience the opposite (or any tricks or tips you have to promote or mitigate this concept).
I've been playtesting some systems that I'm working on with my 6-year-old daughter. Her only experience with RPGs is whatever I've played with her, and she's never played D&D. As I am working to create systems that have a unique feel and tone to them, it became illuminated to me that the default in D&D as I've experienced is to "kill the threat."
In this video we talk about why killing things is so often the default for many tables, and how it's not an incidental pattern, but one that is inherent to the game.
In this video we not only discuss why the default mode in Dungeons & Dragons is to kill, but also offer up some ways to change that up at your table! We hope these ideas can help!
PS - We love us some combat! This isn't intended to "dunk" on a good skirmish, or put down how fun a good fight can be -- it's an exploration of the default way that D&D is often played.
Chapters:
=======
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - My Daughter Sheds Some Light
1:30 - We LOVE Combat, this is just an exploration
1:46 - Jeff tells us why killing stuff is so common (the rules don't do that mindset any favors)
4:16 - So how can you change this at your table?
4:47 - James gives us the simplest way to shift the paradigm: straight up communicate it
5:50 - Build in a Panic Threshhold!
6:39 - What if 0 HP means unconscious, not dying?
7:16 - As a GM, don't be afraid to ask players not to kill everything
9:21 - How about some new mechanics? Let's brainstorm!
14:34 - Consider subscribing if you like fun, creativity and RPGs
15:18 - TabTerian Toast
15:33 - End Card: "This is not going to be in the video..."
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⁜ The Θubliette ⁜
═══════════════
Comment below!
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Why Do We Kill Everything in D&D?
We'd love to hear any stories related to this, or if you experience the opposite (or any tricks or tips you have to promote or mitigate this concept).
I've been playtesting some systems that I'm working on with my 6-year-old daughter. Her only experience with RPGs is whatever I've played with her, and she's never played D&D. As I am working to create systems that have a unique feel and tone to them, it became illuminated to me that the default in D&D as I've experienced is to "kill the threat."
In this video we talk about why killing things is so often the default for many tables, and how it's not an incidental pattern, but one that is inherent to the game.
In this video we not only discuss why the default mode in Dungeons & Dragons is to kill, but also offer up some ways to change that up at your table! We hope these ideas can help!
PS - We love us some combat! This isn't intended to "dunk" on a good skirmish, or put down how fun a good fight can be -- it's an exploration of the default way that D&D is often played.
Chapters:
=======
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - My Daughter Sheds Some Light
1:30 - We LOVE Combat, this is just an exploration
1:46 - Jeff tells us why killing stuff is so common (the rules don't do that mindset any favors)
4:16 - So how can you change this at your table?
4:47 - James gives us the simplest way to shift the paradigm: straight up communicate it
5:50 - Build in a Panic Threshhold!
6:39 - What if 0 HP means unconscious, not dying?
7:16 - As a GM, don't be afraid to ask players not to kill everything
9:21 - How about some new mechanics? Let's brainstorm!
14:34 - Consider subscribing if you like fun, creativity and RPGs
15:18 - TabTerian Toast
15:33 - End Card: "This is not going to be in the video..."
═══════════════
✠ The Dungeon ✠ (Get XP Below!)
═══════════════
► CHECK US OUT ON PATREON (10,000 XP)
patreon.com/TabletopTerrors
► SUBSCRIBE! (1,000 XP)
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=tabletopterrors
► COME HANG OUT! JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP! (1,000 XP)
facebook.com/groups/absolutetabletop
► SUPPORT: Our indie RPG publishing company! (1000 XP)
absolutetabletop.com
► MORE TIPS! See more content like this on our website!
TabletopTerrors.com
► LET'S CONNECT!
➜ facebook.com/tabletopterrors (1,000 XP)
➜twitter.com/tabletopterrors (1,000 XP)
➜ google.com/+tabletopterrors (1,000 XP)
➜ Mends the First Break eNewsletter
eepurl.com/4YjqP (10,000 XP)
═══════════════
⁜ The Θubliette ⁜
═══════════════
Comment below!
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
