Actually, this is an area where I think it ould be interesting to have the hero go down (excuse my French) but the follower remain standing in an extended contest. I never feel particularly happy when a follower gets knocked out, because they are often interesting characters. The follower saving the hero is an interesting situation too and I think a very common occurrence in fiction.
(The monkey sidekick ability, Save the Day at the Very Last Moment, comes to mind.)
Sam.
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