A lot of times there seems to be a mind-set that getting taken out -- or even concession -- has to indicate physical incapacitation. Which it doesn't. It just means you
lose. You fail the task you were attempting to accomplish. You lose the object, you fail to save the hostage, the bad guy escapes, you get arrested... it doesn't have to mean you're left in a heap on the floor.
But I'm not disagreeing with Taran -- yes, the GM needs to communicate when the results of a fight are going to be death. It even says so in the book. At the same time I get frustrated with that mind-set that some GMs have where every fight is basically to the death. Just because a troll probably
wants to eat me, doesn't mean getting taken out by him should automatically mean he
does. It's that thing where every fight needs to have a clearly defined "win condition", and "the other side are all dead" should be very rare. Even if somebody's trying to kill you, your death is usually only a means to an end.
That's fine, but it is important to note that's not an opinion or interpretation of rules; you're describing a house rule. The Rules as Written are clear that concessions occur before a dice roll.
...If your PCs are getting beaten up and then you plan on throwing a Weapon 10 area attack at most of them, then the GM should pick up the dice, make an evil grin and say "This warlock is getting pretty desperate. Who knows what he might do next. Anyone want to concede?" Etc
Well, it says
at the latest, you concede before a dice roll. You can concede on your turn, or after your big gun fails, or interrupting the bad guy before he does his thing.
That last one is the big one, though. Some GMs play this game with the players where they won't announce the enemy's action before rolling.
"Okay, so it's the warlock's turn now. Hmmm... okay." <marks on sheet> <rolls> "The warlock lifts his hands and sends a wall of black magic rushing towards you, you all take seven stress!"There's no opportunity to do what the book says and interrupt the action before the dice hit the table; when exactly was I supposed to concede in there?
A better option is to stop trying to surprise the players, and tell a story.
"The warlock lifts his hands and starts gathering black energy. He throws his arms forward and cries 'NECROSIS!'" <picks up dice> "Okay, this is a weapon 5 spell, so--" "Whoa! No way! I'm already in bad shape, I concede!"