Total party kill

A total party kill (TPK), total party wipe, or total party wipeout is the colloquial term for the demise of the entire party of player characters in a single encounter during the course of a role-playing game adventure. While many games permit other player characters to resurrect deceased comrades in some fashion, a TPK often results in all of the players making new characters (or the end of the campaign if the group is less cohesive). In roleplaying games outside of the traditional pencil and paper medium, such as video games, a TPK is usually only a temporary setback that at most results in loss of time or carries other penalties, depending on the game.

Total party kills are situations that may first appear to be only disadvantageous but can rapidly degenerate.[1] Usually a series of small changes in situation combine to make the situation lethal.[2] Total party kills can be symptomatic of overconfidence or carelessness, usually occurring during smaller mid-game encounters rather than anticipated climactic battles.[3] Frequently players do not realize the severity of the situation until it is too late.[4] The players may not appreciate the risk because of lack of obvious clues.[5] Lack of communication is a common problem that can lead to a total party kill.[6]

Some players consider a total party kill to reflect poorly on the game master,[7] while others feel that a game should have some encounters where a total party kill is possible, for the sake of a dramatic narrative.[8]

Examples

TPKs have many causes, including:

A TPK or near-TPK can make a dramatic conclusion for a one-shot session, particularly in a horror game. Challenging players to encounters with a high probability of TPK is considered an exciting challenge for some game masters and players. Other game masters and players prefer encounters which, while difficult in their own way, will not frustrate players if the luck of the dice runs against them.

Notes

  1. "All four TPKs shared a very gradual pacing. ... The PCs' tactical situation became worse very gradually — and it wasn't until long after they'd crossed some sort of 'TPK event horizon' that they realized how dire their situation was." (Decker 2005)
  2. "But the TPKs I saw didn't have obvious turning points like that. The building blocks of the TPKs were small, unfortunate events." (Decker 2005)
  3. " In all four cases, the TPK happened in 'just another room in the dungeon'. It wasn't a climatic encounter where the PCs knew going in that their lives were at risk." (Decker 2005)
  4. "Even though the DM may not have overestimated his characters' abilities, if the players don't recognize the threat in a timely manner, the fight may get a lot uglier than intended." (Collins 2006)
  5. "Even more importantly, there weren't enough clues as to the level of risk that faced the PCs." (Collins 2006)
  6. "Another thing I noticed is that lack of communication among the players was really the monster that earned the TPK, not the rogues or the mind flayer." (Decker 2005)
  7. "A full TPK (total party kill) is an appalling abandonment of the players to the whims of gaming fate. It is a failure to be worthy of that trust they offered you when they sat down." Adams III, Roe R. (2003-08-25). "First Night". RPGA Feature Article (Wizards of the Coast). Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  8. "To keep the blood flowing, you should have one overwhelming encounter that the party can't handle without serious risk of a total party kill." Baur, Wolfgang (2006-07-28). "Writing Your First Adventure". Adventure Builder (Wizards of the Coast). Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  9. "Sometimes the dice just don't fall for the players, and your own are on a hot roll." (Nelson 2003)
  10. "Sometimes you underestimate how viciously effective a particular strategy or situation is going to be, or you overestimate the PCs' ability to deal with challenges." (Nelson 2003)
  11. Sometimes all it takes is one lucky blow or unlucky save to turn the tide of the battle and change a tough fight into an absolute rout or, in the worst case scenario, complete annihilation." (Nelson 2003)

References

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