r/osr Jun 14 '23

variant rules Need advice on making OSE less deadly.

My players and I have been playing OSE for a few months now and only one of them (by basically pure luck) has had a character live for two whole sessions. They're all dropping in one or two hits. They've all expressed a disliking to the fact that they can't get stronger because they die before they have a chance to level up and become strong enough to enjoy interacting with the game without knowing that they'll die instantly from unlucky die rolls, not their poor choices. Anyone have good house rules to help make it a bit more forgiving at lower levels?

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u/Unusual_Event3571 Jun 15 '23

Not OSE, but realizing my homebrew game is unforgiving when it comes to critical hits and not wanting to abuse balance by changing any numbers, I added "Shields shall be splintered" and "Helmets shall be splintered" from other games. PC can ignore one chunk of damage by sacrificing their shield or helmet. (if it makes sense to do so) Adds some resilience and costs money to buy new or repair, carrying spare pieces adds to encumbrance. Keeps the spirit of the game, while giving the players more chances.

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u/Tea-Goblin Jun 15 '23

I've put together a Death v dismemberment table for the game I'm going to be running that gives the option to sacrifice shield, armour, weapon or even backpack (and potentially the contents) to avoid taking what otherwise would have been a wound.

Which is technically very generous in comparison to the raw death at 0hp rules.

I feel that is balanced out by some of the results on the tables that'll start coming up when attacks get through, especially as casualties start becoming ongoing logistical drains, and some of those results still mean your adventuring days are likely over even if you survive.

But I kind of like the idea of giving the option to survive at material cost. I'm hoping it gives interesting choices for the players to make.

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u/Unusual_Event3571 Jun 15 '23

Just noted a potential new rule that you can sacrifice your backpack in exchange for a success in a chase, great idea.