[PROPOSAL] The non-negative min-maxer: "Tweaker"

[dreaded_beast]

This is based on an earlier thread attempting to change the terms "fluff and crunch" for something that has a less negative connotation.

This is an attempt to create a term for the player who "mechanically" min-maxes, but does not disrupt the game in terms of roleplaying or balance.

Min-Maxer (Based on descriptions from a previous thread):
1. Focuses mainly on areas of the game that deal with their "min-max" focus and have a disruptive attitude when that focus is not present.
2. Mainly combat oriented, with little desire to "role-play" beyond their "min-max" focus.
3. Tendency to always want to "outshine" fellow players to point of causing fellow players to feel "useless".
4. Sometimes a difference in "play-style" between fellow players and DMs is the cause for the disparity.

In general the Min-Maxer is a player who enjoys using the rules, numbers, feats, etc., to maximum benefit, but who has a poor attitude and differing "play-style" of fellow players and DM.

Tweaker (New term to describe the non-negative min-maxer)
The Tweaker is a player who does the same "mechanical" min-maxing as the min-maxer, but takes into account the "play-style" of fellow players and DM. In addition, the Tweaker is interested in other aspects of the game beyond their "min-max" focus. They do not have a disruptive attitude beyond that of an "average" gamer and are "group-oriented" when playing a "group" game.

Comments or suggestions for new terms?

The reason I am attempting to come up with a term is that I consider myself a min-maxer, but do not feel that I am disruptive, have a poor attitude, etc., when it comes to playing the game. The term min-maxer has so many negative connotations associated with it, that I think it may be time to think of a term for people who enjoy min-maxing, but are not as disruptive as the "typical" min-maxer.

 

[randomling]

I think a tweaker is actually a good term for it. I know that I spent a long time messing around with my rogue's skill-set and items until she was really, really good at the things she was supposed to be really, really good at (once you're creating characters at 11th level, you need to have them be good at something). However, the things she's good at are based in a strong concept and backstory, rather than just "wanting to be the best". She was also coming into a party where there was no rogue, so being good at what she does (dealing with traps, preventing ambushes, sneak attack) was essential.

I certainly wouldn't call myself a min-maxer, but I tweaked her from the original rather broad-strokes statting up into a more focused character, and the tweaking itself was part and parcel of the fun. Equally, playing an effective character is fun - but once you start treading on other people's toes, it gets annoying.

 

[Nifft]

I thought that "min-maxer" was already the non-pejorative term for "munchkin"... maybe we could go back to calling those who exhibit bad "min-maxer" traits "munchkins" instead.

-- N

 

[alsih2o]

We also need a term for people who min/max but also roleplay well.

 

[Altalazar]

Tweaker sounds fine to me, though I don't see why we need to "categorize" players like this.

I'd almost argue that, without tweaking, especially at the earlier levels, when it comes to skills and such just about every character will be the same without it. There isn't exactly a huge range of values to begin with at first level.

I'd have to say that "tweaker" is min/maxing in all areas outside of combat, and some areas within it as well, if it fits a character concept beyond "I want to be the best at killing things and I'm not interested in anything else"

 

[reiella]

Here I thought the more appreciated term was Power Gamer, oh well.

Have to get my newer Geek Dictionary .

 

[Nifft]

I don't see why we need to "categorize" players like this.

Oh, so you're an Anticat.

-- N

 

[Tonguez]

but I tweaked her from the original rather broad-strokes ...and the tweaking itself was part and parcel of the fun.

Isn't it amazing that people can find sexual induendo in absolutely anything?

Tweaking indeed!

 

[Altalazar]

Here I thought the more appreciated term was Power Gamer, oh well.

Have to get my newer Geek Dictionary .

Power gamer is inappropriate, though - because one could min/max for things that aren't "powerful" - like maxing out your swim skill, for instance.

Powergamer really is just about min/maxing purely for combat purposes, which is a small subset of all the possible universe of min/maxing.

 

[nameless]

I don't know if it's really well-known, but "tweaker" is already a term for a type of drug user, specifically someone who uses amphetamines. So calling a min-maxer a tweaker kind of associates them with something a little worse than making powerful characters...