From:	David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject:	Re: Munchkin Definition (again :)
Date:	Wed, 13 May 1998 13:19:20 -0600

Pantherr wrote:
/
/ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
/
/ > "A munchkin may be defined as a gamer who's playing habits have a
/ > negative impact on the playing of your game that far outweigh their
/ > positive impact, and who successfully resist and/or counteract
/ > repeated attempts by the players and/or GM to play in manner which
/ > will have a positive impact on your game."
/
/ Much better. :) And if the 'negative impact' is a result of RPing
/ the char accurately?

Like if the player plays (very well) nothing but homicidal maniacs
that attack the other PCs with the intent to kill every other game?
And this pisses of the other players? And they ask him to change?
And he starts playing (again very well) characters that turn the
other PCs into Lone Star every other game? And this pisses off the
other players? And they ask him to change? And he starts playing
(again, very well) characters that paint the other PC's tonails blue
while they're sleeping? And this pisses off the other players?
..... yadayadayada.

It doesn't matter what the munchkin's positive aspects are. He has
negative aspects that outweight the positive aspects. Granted, the
player would have to be pretty clueless to be both a good roleplayer
and still qualify as a munchkin. And I doubt if I'll ever meet one.
But it is a theoretical possibility.

I've played with a munchkin that was actually a fair roleplayer.
However, his characters were as vindictive as hell (a personality
aspect of his that manifested in his characters). This was fine
until it was directed at one of the other PCs that had played a
practical joke on his character. From that point on every one of the
munchkin's characters had it in for the other player's characters.
However, the munchkin didn't show any ambivalence for the player.
And he wouldn't let up. This had a significant negative impact on
the game for everyone involved. The munchkin doesn't game with us
anymore...

Munchkins come in many shades and colors. But they can all be
defined as having a significant negative impact on your game that is
outweighed by any positive significance they might have, and an
unwillingness to change their behaviour.

-David
--
"This above all: to thine own self be true..."
- Shakespeare
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
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