Art of the Game – How to Handle Player Character Deaths as a Game Master

In this episode of Art of the Game, the three Game Masters tackle a pivotal topic: Dungeon Masters balancing danger and drama in tabletop RPGs, whether it’s D&D, DC20, Daggerheart, Powered by the Apocalypse, BRP, Mythras, or anything else. They explore the art of managing player character deaths, from philosophical considerations to practical strategies, and discuss how to challenge players effectively without derailing the story. Learn about approaches to raising stakes, implementing homebrew rules, and maintaining narrative tension across different game systems—all while keeping the experience exciting and rewarding for your players.