Death and Dying

Dying at -10 hits in AD&D was never satisfying to me.  Too soft.  Nor is being unconscious at 0 Hits but dead at -1. Too arbitrary, even with effects that only bring a character to exactly 0 Hits. So what to do?

In Mythical Journeys' Player's Guide, it suggests that unconsciousness should last from 0 Hits to a negative number equal to character level.  Lower than that, the character is dead.  The character, at -1 or lower Hits, loses one Hit per Round (1 minute) until dead, or until aided by another character with bandages or healing magic.  This gives the good guys plenty of time to clean up a battle and get their compatriot to his feet if that PC or NPC is of sufficiently high level.

5th Edition has introduced the concept of the Death Save, which I love conceptually.  When you're at negative Hits, you roll a special save.  If you fail it three times (or twice with one roll being a 1), then you die.  Otherwise, you lose a hit point each round until you are at negative your starting number. So you have at least two rounds, and usually many many more, before you're well and truly dead.

Great concept.  But how do we old school it?

Death Saves in Old School D&D 

Characters at 0 or fewer Hit Points are unconscious, hovering on death's door. A character with negative Hit Points between 1 and the number equal to his level must Save versus Death each Round. Failing three of these saves means he is dead. Taking damage while unconscious applies a penalty to the roll equal to the amount of Hit Point damage sustained during the last round. 

However, any ability which increases the character's current Hits means he does not need to attempt any more rolls. His condition is stabilized and he will subsequently gain Hits through natural means as normal. 

If the player rolls a natural unmodified 20 on any of these special Saves, the character immediately awakens with 1 Hit Point and may act normally.

What do you think?