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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steenan" data-source="post: 6188295" data-attributes="member: 23240">The way I understand these terms, they describe two separate things that sometimes coincide, but definitely don't have to.Powergaming is mostly about motivation. It's about getting satisfaction from the feeling of being invincible, of steamrolling the opposition, of always getting your way. Of having power and being in control.While it's possible for powergaming to not be disruptive (it requires some conscious effort on the player's part), it's always self-centered. If one wants to force their will on the environment, they won't be interested in things that require cooperation and compromise.A powergamer will be frustrated if some limitations put on their character make the character vulnerable. Depending on their level of buy-in and integrity, they will suffer, leave the game or start cheating.Optimization, in itself, is similar to tinkering. It's taking various things and checking what you can build from them. It can be as disruptive as powergaming (and can be easily mistaken as powergaming) if the group lacks communication. But if communicated clearly, it becomes helpful, rather than dangerous.Optimizers typically like limitations, as long as they are clear and consistent. If you can do everything, there's no place for optimization. Optimization is taking what's available and making the best use of it. Sometimes, the greatest fun is in taking something that everyone treats as useless and making it shine.Optimizers, as opposed to powergamers, can also be group-oriented. They can help others optimize their characters while following their character concepts. They may build multi-character combos. They often play very effective support characters (because they can make it fun).</blockquote>

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