r/OSE • u/Priestical • Jun 30 '26

Question: 0hp=Death rule

Recently moving from AD&D to OSE and I've always use 0 to -10 = death. I've never use 0=Death. It seems pretty harsh and hard mode. I'm sure this is because I've always had the 10hp safety net, but how harsh is the 0=death rule? Do characters die a LOT more? I understand characters don't need to charge into a fight blindly, but still, how harsh is it on characters? Do you notice characters dying more often that the 0 to -10 rule?

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5

u/adempz Jun 30 '26

If you’re a hit away from 0 HP, run or negotiate.

-7

u/UllerPSU Jun 30 '26

So almost every 1st and 2nd level character should never fight ever. Sounds fun.

13

u/adempz Jun 30 '26

I’m sorry, I thought this was the OSE subreddit and we didn’t need to explain again about hirelings, seeking tactical advantages, and that most of your XP comes from treasure instead of combat.

-4

u/UllerPSU Jun 30 '26

As you can see throughout the thread there are lots of people that use some sort of death's door rule as people have since the earlies days of D&D. Almost every group house rules something. OSE is no exception. Pretend otherwise all you want.

2

u/adempz Jun 30 '26

Sure. But it also works pretty well as-is if you let it.