User blog comment:Zathronas/Speculative Author - Who might die in episode 12 Part 2/@comment-14539881-20160209045314/@comment-24218038-20160210004141

I agree! You don't have to kill a character, but RWBY story sorely demanded it. The Grimm seemed underpowered, So was Cinder at the time. They needed something drastic to legitimize them.

Look how we perceive Adam after his first true appearance.