From:	Court Schuett <schuett@*****.IVCC.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Munchkinism
Date:	Mon, 30 Dec 1996 03:56:16 -0600

On Mon, 30 Dec 1996, Steven A. Tinner wrote:

> One of my players just sent this to me.
> I have tried to respond to him the best I can, but I could use a little
> help defining Munchinism.
> Please don't send me any Munchkin/Loony/Roleplayer/Real Man lists, I have
> them all.
> Anyone out there got some ideas as to what makes the difference between a
> munchkin and a real Character?
> Let's hear it. . .
>
I've been dealing with MKNs ever since I started GMing. Ask them a
simple question, like, "What's <insert name>'s favorite food?" Or
something like that. Sure it's not perfect, and a quickthinking person
will prolly just answer their own, but if they've really thought about
their character, they would know. When my players made their characters
this time, I personally ran them through the 20 questions, and them
some. It really weeded out, and more importantly, made the players think
about their character. We started gaming in a group where, if you gave
him a name, you were doing good. It was an endless pursuit of who could
be the most powerful in the group so they could push everyone else
around. They took that with them, and surprise, surprise when one
chracter hit 80 karma points, it got dull for them. Already now, most
players have 30 karma, and no one is getting bored yet. I think that's a
good sign. I'm really pushing them for more roleplaying. It's tough,
but I'm always asking them, "Why?", "Would your chracter do that?"
I've
even gotten them to pass up money for morals. This coming from a group
whose only goal was the precious nuyen, and would gladly stomp some 15
year old girls head to get it (it's true, extremely sad, but true).
They've really come a long ways, and I'm proud, and they're having more fun.

As an indication, I would say, looking for short term benefits seemed to
be a clue. Filling the sketch and background section on their sheets
with extra weapons, and bullets was also a good tipoff. :)
I really think it's pretty obvious. A few questions about the character
should reveal. But make sure it's not right out of the book. If a quote
he says sounds familiar....he prolly got it out of a book and is trying
to pass it off as roleplaying.
Sorry to babble nonsensically.
-Court


/* Court Schuett

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