As a DM, I don’t think you should be using Power Word Kill at all. “I’ve set up this awesome encounter that you’re all going to love. Except you. You’ll have to sit this one out.”
Can make for some epic moments depending on the party and setting and fight etc. My character in the first stage of the final fight of the campaign got power word killed after getting the BBEGs lair action enabling staff away from him, because taking the staff hurt him enough to put him under 100. Incredible narrative moment, didn’t expect the disarm to work and he passed it off with his dying breath. Got revived in a later stage once reinforcements started showing up
Makes for a great BBEG move to use against a favorite DMPC or other beloved party companion, though. You don’t use it on a player, you use it on their feelings.
As a DM, I don’t think you should be using Power Word Kill at all. “I’ve set up this awesome encounter that you’re all going to love. Except you. You’ll have to sit this one out.”
Can make for some epic moments depending on the party and setting and fight etc. My character in the first stage of the final fight of the campaign got power word killed after getting the BBEGs lair action enabling staff away from him, because taking the staff hurt him enough to put him under 100. Incredible narrative moment, didn’t expect the disarm to work and he passed it off with his dying breath. Got revived in a later stage once reinforcements started showing up
Makes for a great BBEG move to use against a favorite DMPC or other beloved party companion, though. You don’t use it on a player, you use it on their feelings.
It’s definitely one of those things that you shouldn’t just throw out there. Gotta plan for it