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Where does optimizing end and min-maxing begin? And is min-maxing a bad thing?
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<blockquote data-quote="Libramarian" data-source="post: 7080424" data-attributes="member: 6688858"><p>Min-maxing does not properly mean "setting some stats to the minimum and others to the maximum". It comes from the game theory concept of the minimax strategy, which means minimizing the maximum loss. In D&D terms this would usually mean making your character strong in combat but without glaring weaknesses, avoiding negative mods, boosting weak saves, not choosing abilities that are only useful if the DM chooses certain monsters/environments, etc.</p><p></p><p>Turning your character into a one-trick pony actually represents the maximax strategy: maximizing the maximum gain. This is the best strategy if you know the DM won't try to expose your weaknesses and will even interpret your character build choices as "flags" for what you want to see in the game. If everyone gets what they ask for, the winner is the person who asks for the most. A well-rounded character is at risk of not "shining" very brightly in this type of game.</p><p></p><p>As for whether you are at fault for choosing a cheesy stat line, I wouldn't say so. It's the DM's fault for using point-buy. If the DM cares about the aesthetics of stat lines, they should use the (default) method of rolling stats or the standard array. This seems a much better solution than trying to direct your point-buy with snide comments.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Libramarian, post: 7080424, member: 6688858"] Min-maxing does not properly mean "setting some stats to the minimum and others to the maximum". It comes from the game theory concept of the minimax strategy, which means minimizing the maximum loss. In D&D terms this would usually mean making your character strong in combat but without glaring weaknesses, avoiding negative mods, boosting weak saves, not choosing abilities that are only useful if the DM chooses certain monsters/environments, etc. Turning your character into a one-trick pony actually represents the maximax strategy: maximizing the maximum gain. This is the best strategy if you know the DM won't try to expose your weaknesses and will even interpret your character build choices as "flags" for what you want to see in the game. If everyone gets what they ask for, the winner is the person who asks for the most. A well-rounded character is at risk of not "shining" very brightly in this type of game. As for whether you are at fault for choosing a cheesy stat line, I wouldn't say so. It's the DM's fault for using point-buy. If the DM cares about the aesthetics of stat lines, they should use the (default) method of rolling stats or the standard array. This seems a much better solution than trying to direct your point-buy with snide comments. [/QUOTE]
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Where does optimizing end and min-maxing begin? And is min-maxing a bad thing?
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