[Controversy] So what's a munchkin to you?

[bwgwl]

i think i have a similar definition as everyone else.

a powergamer is someone who tries to make the most powerful, most efficient character he can. (i consider myself a powergamer.)

a munchkin is someone who does that to the detriment of everyone else in the group.

 

[kkoie]

Personally I can't stand the word. Of all the words to choose to describe the meaning you guys are using, Munchkin is such a lousy choice. I never use the term in RL nor do my friends.

the 4 possible definitions already have names:

Power gamer = Power Gamer
Metagamer = Metagamer
Ruleslawyer = Ruleslawyer
Cheater = Cheater.

What other word do you need?? Can you imagine the guy who came up with the new def.? What he must've been like? What kind of goofball, uber-geek would up and say "hey! I'm going to take the tiny people from the wizard of Oz, and start using that to call people who (blank) a Munchkin!"

You want the TRUE definition to the rpg term Munchkin? I'll tell you.

Munchkin, adj. - a blanket insult used to belittle someone elses gameing style that you would not agree with.

Thats as basic as you can get folks. Any other definition is pure window dressing. Just take a look on the internet how the term is used. You talk about how your characters killed the uber-powerful dragon, and some nut could call you a Munchkin because he stops all his characters at level 8, and starts over.

Shoot I have a character that assended to divinity, and I'm willing to bet cash that there are a bunch of people who would call that munchkin, despite the fact that they'd have zero knowledge of how I did it or what my character went through to earn it.

Or how about those goofnuts who think that Munchkins are cheaters? Gee guys, last time I checked, when you have a player who fudges his die rolls, I called them a cheater, not a munchkin.

"John, you have rolled 100 20's in a row, what gives?"
"Oh nothing"
"Can I see your die?"
"Sure."
"John! You.... Munchkin! This die is weighted, you've been cheating!"

God that sounds lame as heck. My friends would think I skipped off into the deep end if I started using the term Munchkin, other than describing a type of people from the Wizard of Oz.


K Koie

 

[Henry]

Munchkin, however, has been used as a slang or endearment term for children for many years now. Munchkin is a definition of the way that young children play D&D. It is an insult, and I am tired of hearing it, but it doesn't change where it's origins lay.

The word passed into being "kewl" years ago, and made me very ill because of it. The only reason people use it is (1) to sound "kewl" or (2) to give people like me ulcers.

 

[Grazzt]

Re: None of the above

What munchkin usually means on the internet:
Someone who plays a game or a playstyle I don't like, whether or not my detractions have any relation to real life.

What I mean when a say munchkin:

A player who creates characters ultra-optimized for survival situations at the expense of role-playing considerations, party balance or harmony, and exploiting loopholes or deliberately misinterpereting rules to do so.

Yeppers- I think Psion pretty much summed it up (at least for me anyway).

 

[kreynolds]

Aren't munchkins the "little" people that dressed up as Ewoks in Episode 6?

 

[kengar]

I thought that Robin's Laws of GM-ing addressed the "powergamer" issue fairly well. In a nutshell, each group has different kinds of players (usually). Some are powergamers; which he defines as those who use the rules to gain maximum advantage for their players, in terms of character design, equipment, spells chosen, etc. Powergamers are distinguished by the fact that this is their PRIMARY concern, not roleplay, not plot, etc. Their isn't anything actually "wrong" with this type of play, it's just what's fun for them.

Other types of players include "Storytellers" and "Method Actors" (among others). These two types are the ones most interested in plot and roleplaying. Method Actors get "inside" their characters and try to play their personalities, etc. Storytellers are more interested in the events and gameworld. Again, not "right" or "wrong" but just what's fun for them.

The trick -as DM- is to balance the adventure and campaign so that each type of player gets their fair share of fun. There should be elements for every player type if at all possible. Part of the problem can be that many DMs are Storytellers at heart and get frustrated by powergamers and their methods.

Now, if a DM is starting a campaign with the idea that it is going to be a major hackfest, then the storyteller may be bored or frustrated and probably shouldn't play, or at least not expect to get much RP in that game. Likewise a powergamer may be bored and frustrated by a campaign based solely upon political and social machinations and extensive character development with little combat or loot.

All this is a long-winded way of saying:
A) I really recommend "Robin's Laws" for DMs and,
B) "Munchkin" is a tricky term. It means different things to different folks.

 

[kkoie]

The word passed into being "kewl" years ago, and made me very ill because of it. The only reason people use it is (1) to sound "kewl"

I find the use of the term munchkin to be a sign of lacking imagination and lack of knowledge. The only consistant definition it's ever had is as an insult. This whole thread is an example of that, if the term Munchkin was anything other than an insult, would we need polls to determine its meaning?! I think not! Most of the time, when someone calls someone else a munchkin, its as though we are no longer supposed to take the person seriously or something.

"Ssshh! He's a munchkin, just ignore him."

K Koie

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Ninja is munchkin.

You obviouslly haven't played a Ninja, just looked at the class and come to this conclusion. I can attest that at least the first 4 levels of AEG's Ninja class SUCKS hard. And if you meant NotCM, well a straight Monk is better than it at nearly everything, and half of its abilities suck. The only good thing is Opportunist, Sneak Attack, and Blindsight. I'd rather have the high level monk abilities.

 

[hong]

You obviouslly haven't played a Ninja, just looked at the class and come to this conclusion. I can attest that at least the first 4 levels of AEG's Ninja class SUCKS hard. And if you meant NotCM, well a straight Monk is better than it at nearly everything, and half of its abilities suck.

Spoken like a true ninja.


Hong "Numion wins" Ooi

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Spoken like a true ninja.


Hong "Numion wins" Ooi

Heheh, nice ok, i see i'll have to get my group in here to back me up. If they've stopped laughing at me since we played sunday.