Multiple attacks and HP dropping below zero

[InigoMontoya]

Today my level 2 (!) character was killed by an oppenent with two attacks. The DM rolled both attacks simultaneously; both hit and he told me the total amount of damage which meant instant death. However, the first attack already dealt enough damage to drop my HP to zero which means that my character dropped to the ground unconscious. The second attack's damage ensured that my HP dropped so far that he went to the happy hunting-grounds.

My questions is: shouldn't the DM have rolled the attacks individually so that the result of the first attack would have knocked my character unconscious and the second attack could have been targeted at one of my fellows (because 2nd level encounters should not attack unconsiousness characters)?

What do the rules and your experience say and what do you think is appropriate at this tier?

[swoosh]

Attacks happen sequentially, so yeah. The first attack dropped you and then the creature decided to attack a second time to make sure you were dead.

Ask your GM why he wanted to kill you so badly that the creature would rather hack at your unconscious body than try to defend itself against anyone else in your party.

[The Dandy Lion]

Yeah. With a full attack you can definitely do this, though I wouldn't fault the GM for rolling simultaneously.

Our group plays on roll20, and we often end up with full attack macros that do all three at once. It's more or less an unwritten rule among our group that extra attacks in a full attack will go on to the guy next to your target if you downed them and still have more.

Of course, this is our own group's rule and we came to this by our own experience. I wouldn't at all say it's expected of the GM but worth talking about, if not as a thing now, a future rule.

[BretI]

It really depends on the opponent and the situation.

Some types of creatures will go for the kill like that, others would rather deal with still active threats. If it was an animal being attacked by multiple people, I think it would definitely have gone after someone else with the second attack.

If you were all alone, no one nearby to threaten them, some intelligent creatures would go for the kill either because they are that vicious or they fear an ally would bring you back up.

I don't think most creatures would go for the kill, but it really depends on the circumstances.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Of course, if the beastie really does want to kill you in particular, you're actually better off with the GM rolling simultaneously. If the first one takes you down, the second one (if non-simultaneous) would have a much better chance to hit since you are prone (-4 AC vs melee attacks) and unconscious (no dex bonus, no dodge bonuses).

[Diego Rossi]

There is a good number of spells, abilities and other things that can change the effect of a single roll, so it is generally a good idea to roll the attack separately, but often we (GMs and players) roll then together to speed up the game.

Your GM could have rolled the attacks separately, but there is nothing saying that one way or the other it the "right" way to play.

[Statboy]

Attacks should be rolled separately for this reason. The GM should know ahead of time, if the first attack knocks this person unconscious what would he do?

[Z...D...]

The way I play it is, how intelligent is the creature attacking? Animals or other low intelligence creature have been known to shake a dead animal a few time to make sure it is dead. Also other animals have been known to keep squeezing until the heartbeat stops.

Now for intelligent creatures, what is its alignment or mission. Evil, oh yes, rip out the entrails, hang them from a spike. Mission, take no prisoners, got it.

Now flip the situation, depending on which character you have or playing as. When your enemy combatant drops, do you dead check him or just leave him lay.

Or if you get multiple attacks for your character, would you wait a second to see if you first swing hits before you swing the other way. I know I would not.

Mini Rant:

When you tell me you are going to full attack, I better get a full attack. Not this, rapid shot, ki shot, then decide, well it is down, I do not want to waste resources. You meant it when you said it, you better follow through.

Now I give you what I would do and this is why I always roll my dice in the open. If that is how the dice fall, then so be it. I am sorry your character is dead. But death is a matter IRL and in games video or tabletop.

Now the fun part,well for me, is you can make a character 2.0.

[Diego Rossi]

@ Z...D...
The rules allow you to stop your attack whenever you want.

The important things are:

1) If the attack choice applies some penalty (2weapon fighting, rapid shot, spell combat), you should apply them, even if you don't get the positive part of the ability (i.e. you down your only opponent with your first arrow).

2) Some kind of attack lock you into that action. While normally you can abort a full attack after the fist attack and take a move action, if you use mmanyshot with that first attack you can't then abort and take a move action as the manyshot attack trigger only from a full attack.

3) Nothing, absolutely nothing in the game force you to use all your attacks. I don't see why deciding not to fire a arrow with a 10 modifier because it it the 3rd iterative attack would make you ranting.