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Message no. 1
From: David Buehrer dbuehrer@******.carl.org
Subject: How to Handle a Munchkin
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 12:01:57 -0700 (MST)
For the mere cost of a Thaum, Frank Pelletier wrote:
/
/ We all know how munchie a mage/shama can become once, if his initiation
/ rating is high enough, he tries to cram cyber into his body...

Yep.

/ So, should roleplaying dictate the fact that a mage/shaman
/ (goddamn...magic-user :) ) cannot get cyber? Should we ostracize any player
/ with munchie intentions, or, as GMs, make them hard as hell on them to get
/ cyber?

I don't believe in limiting munchkins. Based on experience, it doesn't
work. You soon find yourself battle with the munchkin to close all the
loopholes that he finds. This takes up time and energy that should be
spent on the game. You get frustrated and the other players get
frustrated and the focus shifts from having fun and playing the game to
beating the munchkin.

When confronted with a munchkin my advice is to ignore it. Let them
have what they want. My favorite tactic (once I've identified a
munchkin) is to offer them even more (hey, how'd you like to play a
greater dragon?).

Continue to play the game and GM roleplaying adventures. Who cares if
the munchkin's PC is a god? This won't make the munchkin a better
roleplayer.

Munchkins want to have the best character. They believe that the most
powerful character is the best character. If you try to counter that
then you give them the impression that they're on the right track.
Don't do that. Run a roleplaying game and reward those players that
are good roleplayers (with karma and good roleplaying encounters).
Either the munchin will start to roleplay (cuz in his view the best
character is the best roleplayer) or he will become frustrated and
leave. If he starts roleplaying then he will probably start having
real(TM) fun and the munchkin in him will die. If he leaves then
you're both better off.

Also, if you try to prevent a munchkin from making his god, you prevent
him from learning that power does not equal fun. As long as you fight
him he can say that he isn't having fun because you won't let him.
Give him the chance to learn that the most powerful is not the best,
and that roleplaying is fun, and that the goal is to have fun, not to
have the best character.

/ *stands ready for the flames*

Flames, never. Maybe a few sparks and a puff of smoke, but never
flames :)

-David B.
--
"Earn what you have been given."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm

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