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

[Teflon Billy]

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.

Every Munchkin in the world thinks he is a Powergamer.

 

[Teflon Billy]

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

Preach on brother DragonLancer

 

[Trainz]

Every Munchkin in the world thinks he is a Powergamer.

...but not every powergamer is a munchkin ?

 

[Hackenslash]

Power Munching ! Anyone ?

How about a cross between the two, I suppose a PowerGamer who Munchkins occasionally would be a Power Muncher !!! or is that what Homer Simpson does...LOL

 

[ichabod]

Munchkin: The favored insult of drama freaks.

 

[Creamsteak]

I don't call either of the two munchkins, but I used to have a problematic pair of players that deserved a nickname.

They were the kind of guys that just couldn't separate stats from concepts. When you talk about someone being a powerful noble, they'd wonder what level they must be... totally missing the fact that the rules have nothing to do with that.

 

[NewJeffCT]

I'm paraphrasing a friend of mine's old quote, but a munchkin is the type that, after they slay the ancient red dragon, they find nothing of value in its treasure horde... the munchkin is the one that goes into a fist-fight with Thor with one hand tied behind their backs.

I think a powergamer is more of a person that wants his or her PC to be very powerful, but also does not mind fighting worthy high power foes to get ahead (as long as the powergamer gets enough "stage time" during the fight...)

 

[shadow]

You know I really wish I knew some more of these "munchkins". I wouldn't mind gaming with them. I've played with way too many drama freaks who are obsessed with making their characters as weak and pitiful as possible in order to make the game more dramatic (O, woe is me!) I wouldn't mind a little hack and slash.

Really, I think that "munchkin" is just a blanket insult used by various gamers (especially drama freaks) that object to any style of game that they dislike.

I admit that I'm a powergamer. I enjoy high powered games where characters get to play heroes of renown. I enjoy mythology and like to play in campaigns where characters emulate the heroes found in mythology. I especially dislike "grim and gritty" & "life is cheap" games where characters are average joes that die at the drop of a hat. (I've had bad experiences playing in such games. Just not my cup of tea)

Although I may be a "powergamer" I resent being called a "munchkin" because my style of play is different from others. Is there anything wrong with high powered games? I just want to be able to enjoy my style of game without being insulted as "munchkin" for doing so.
Afterall, we're all gamers. Can't we all just get along?

 

[S'mon]

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.

One oft-observed difference is that munchkins want easy victories and rewards out of proportion to the risks (qv monty-haulism) while a non-munchkin powergamer seeksw challenges commensurate with his abilities.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

One oft-observed difference is that munchkins want easy victories and rewards out of proportion to the risks (qv monty-haulism) while a non-munchkin powergamer seeksw challenges commensurate with his abilities.

I agree.

But I'd also add that "munchkin" is as every bit a useful term as "drama queen". No need for either term when "unpleasant gamer" covers both, is more applicable, and doesn't judge play style as it does the odius habits of the person being discussed.

We're too small a community to draw lines like this.