We don't use kill points and also characters advance about 1 level per 10 sessions, or if the GM rules that something significant wortyh of this has been achieved.
As for the criticals which give so many rounds to death with no other effect we have a house rule which basicaly goes along the lines of unless the "dead man walking" is literally cut to pieces, decapitated etc. no other critical will have any effect, he can't be stunned (we figure he is already dead) and is now operating on pure adrenaline. When it gives out in 6 rounds he falls to the ground dead. (A bit Hollywood but we like it)
