Define Munchkin ! and How do you see them effecting the game ?

[Hackenslash]

Hiya all,

I keep seeing this term "Munchkin" on the boards and while I have my own ideas on what it may mean to be a Munchkin I was wondering what the general concensus of opinion was on the definition of a Munchkin and how they effect the game. Cheers !!

PS. I know I have left my self wide open for asking this and I'm probably a Munchkin for asking what a Munchkin is in the first place...LOL.... Cheers All !

 

[Psion]

Most general definition: someone who plays a way the speaker objects to.

My more specific and hoping to be useful definition: a player who engages in every possible effort to maximize the power of a character at the expence of logic and consistency of the character, group harmony, and GM patience (or a character created by such a player).

 

[Beelzebub]

To me a Munchkin is sombody who milks every feat, bonus, and obscure rule to develop a numericaly superior character. They may or may not give a whit about role-playing as their primary concern is to develop the most powerful character possible.

Having said that, I don't think there is anything wrong with a player wanting a powerful character. It is up to the DM to ensure that there is some level of balance to her game, so over-Munchieness shouldn't be a problem at a well-run table.

 

[Belphanior]

All IMO:

Munchkin: somebody who (attempts to) make the most powerful character possible, abusing both the letter and spirit of the rules in doing so. He will disrupt game balance, the GMs sanity, fun for other players, the very lifes of other PCs, and just generally ruin things for all.

As opposed to..

Powergamer: a person who can and does make very powerful characters. Also called min/maxers. Main difference is that powergamers are often still capable of roleplaying and reason, and can be convinced to back down when requested to.


I have no problem with powergamers.
I loathe munchkins.

 

[Vaxalon]

IMO:

Someone who plays meta-games in the context of a roleplaying game. Such metagames include, but are not limited to:

"Numerical dominance": Make a character that can deal with any threat, that can dominate any scene. You "win" this game when the rest of the players are forced to sit back and watch you during combat situations.

"Dramatic dominance": Make a character that has a driving plot that railroads the GM and the players into following along with you rather than coming to a consensus.

 

[Hackenslash]

So that's what a Munchkin is....!!!

Thanks to all who have replied so far. My own definition was similar to Belphanior's posted response. So I am thinking that we may have a couple of Munchkins in my group but I suppose that to some extent we have all Munchkin'ed or Powergamed in the past and probably will do so again in the future. I do worry about game balance and inappropriate use of the rules etc...But I still find it hard to differentiate between Munchkin's and Power Gamers, although I have seen clear examples of both.

So what stat generator would help avoid Munchkinitis, but still let a player create a reasonable hero to roleplay ? The reason for this question is that I have decided to let my players use a point buy system but I already know that 2 of them will deliberately min/max to the hilt without thought to roleplaying concepts and one has blatently pointed out that if he uses a point buy, he will deliberately max out 3 stats at the expense of the other 3 because he does not like point buying. Now I let him roll his stats to help him feel more involved in the stats generation but then thought about what he said later and that then caused me to re-think my stat generation as in all fairness I have not thought of a way to supplement a dice roll system with my own current point buy system, so had to come up with one on the spot but feel that it was not accurate enough to depict the type of stats the others will create using the point buy. Any suggestions or advice please let me know...Cheers !!!

PS...Did I just Hi-Jack my own Thread.....DOH !!!!

 

[Vaxalon]

Re: So that's what a Munchkin is....!!!

So what stat generator would help avoid Munchkinitis, but still let a player create a reasonable hero to roleplay ? The reason for this question is that I have decided to let my players use a point buy system but I already know that 2 of them will deliberately min/max to the hilt without thought to roleplaying concepts and one has blatently pointed out that if he uses a point buy, he will deliberately max out 3 stats at the expense of the other 3 because he does not like point buying. ...

Default array. Choose an array of six numbers that you feel is fair, and let them arrange them as they like.

A common array that I've seen used is 18, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8.

You might offer an alternate to those who want more spread out bonuses: 16, 15, 15, 14, 10, 8.

 

[DragonLancer]

To me a Munchkin and a Power-Gamer are one and the same.

They are a player who doesn't bother simply to create an interesting, well-rounded character. Instead, they use the rules to create as powerful a character as they can.

I have one such player in my group and whenever I raise the issue with him he gets angry and refuses to see any other way of playing the game.

 

[Vaxalon]

I usually require a bare minimum. "Who would your character go to for help if everything went absolutely in the toilet? Why would he expect this person to help him? What is his relationship with this person?"

If the answer is "Noone" then there's a conference.

 

[diaglo]

munchkins are members of the lollipop guild.

they want everything for free.