I just can't comprehend this. If there are no stakes,
Stop. Stop right there.
There are stakes. Those stakes are not death. Unless and until you can accept that that is a possibility, we will not be able to have a productive conversation.
and your character can never die, what is even the point of combat and dice rolling.
To experience challenge (because defeat ≠ death, because losses can be things other than losing your
character, e.g. items, money, limbs, levels if that's your bag, values, face, personal quests, allies, homes...there is
so much someone can lose.)
To permit branching story; after all, you should never roll to determine success if it isn't the case that
both success and failure are interesting results.
To add tension, since you don't know whether any given roll will push things toward or away from success.
All the reasons, I should think, that apply with death, just...not actually death.
The entire game is built on success/failure with randomness intervening via dice. It seems impossible to have a success/success model.
Because it isn't one. Failure does not mean death. Lack of (permanent, random, irrevocable) death does not mean lack of failure.
If you cannot die, why use dice in combat at all? Just have everyone narrate cool scenes and move on with gameplay.
I already said why, above.
I like the thought of alternate styles of gameplay entering the 2024 DMG.
It really would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath.