Several people have had different interpretations over the term Munchkin. Although many are similar, not all of them are the same regarding levels and definition.
My definition of Munchkins are players who want to have something do more than what it is intended to do. For example, getting a new item and having it do something that it is written (and obviously intended) not to be able to do.
I have a video example of what I picture a Munchkin to be at a given game table when he gets a new Magic Item and tries to do something with it he shouldn't be doing; I will put it in spoilers as it may contain content you won't want to have around your kids. I am not responsible for wrong viewings of this content:
Although I did not exactly make this thread as a question, if I were to have a question, it would be what the rest of the community thinks about Munchkins and how they would define them?
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It can be open to interpretation, but generally I see munchkinism to be a bit more than going outside the rules.
Usually, (and I'm a bit biased, as I played with someone who's play-style needs to be seen in order to properly explain); they spot-light hog, rush toward treasure and take whatever is powerful (giving the lesser players their scraps), constantly brag about their character, get upset if something bad happens to their character, etc...
To me it is someone who takes a rule and tries to use the interpretation, that always benefits them to the point where it could be considered cheating or being willfully obtuse for the purpose of making a powerful character and/or not facing defeat in the game.
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I think it should be restricted to those who represent the lollipop guild.
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Much like the other threads trying to define anything, I forsee this one shall generate many exothermic reactions, and pretty much prove that the only thing we all agree on is that we can't agree on the definition :)
Matt, the difference here is that "Munchkin" isn't even a legitimate game term. It's a deliberate pejorative hurled to intentionally delegitimize the target. Attempting to define it would be like attempting to define "jerk". All it means when you get down to it is "I don't like the way you play."
My definition of munchkin is, simply put, a cheater, whether it's overlooking a rule during character creation, intentionally misreading dice, failing to mention relevant data when asked by the GM, or things of that nature.
Adamantine Dragon,
Whether or not the term has any meaning the style of play still does. If the style of play involves reducing someone else's fun at the expense of your own, then that the player is a munchkin. The hallmarks I mention are indications of such a style of play.
No, don't get me wrong Pink, it is a key part of the social mores of groups to create unique terminology to use as part of the means of group identification. Hurling "munchkin" at someone establishes one's gamer bona fides quite well, so it works well in that regard.
I'm just saying that it's not going to be possible to use it clinically so long as it is utilized as a gamer specific insult. Besides, there's plenty of other terms that are more clinical that are already in use, so reserving "munchkin" to be a deadly insult serves a valuable social dynamics purpose.
So by all means, hurl it with vigor!
Munchkinism is in the eye of the beholder. One man's legitimate ruling can easily be another man's cheese.
Seconding this. When a player crosses the line from wanting an effective character to a power-gaming munchkin is entirely subjective, because it all boils down to what level of mechanical power people think is acceptable. For some folks, anything that's rules-legal is fine; others will call a fighter using a greatsword with power attack and 18 strength (after a +2 racial bonus) a powergaming munchkin character.
..."Munchkin" ... means when you get down to it ... "I don't like the way you play."Sadly, I think it often means, for some, "The way you play speaks to a huge character flaw."
Yeah, that more accurately captures the point I was making Jaelithe. Nicely done.
Munchkinism is in the eye of the beholder. One man's legitimate ruling can easily be another man's cheese.Seconding this. When a player crosses the line from wanting an effective character to a power-gaming munchkin is entirely subjective, because it all boils down to what level of mechanical power people think is acceptable. For some folks, anything that's rules-legal is fine; others will call a fighter using a greatsword with power attack and 18 strength (after a +2 racial bonus) a powergaming munchkin character.
And this is why I worry we'll end up the same place as the other threads, as people start giving their definitions and others object to their (quite legitimate, in their eyes) playstyle being defined as munchkin-ny.
I think it should be restricted to those who represent the lollipop guild.
I disagree, not everyone who lived in Munchkin Country were members of the guild.
I think it should be restricted to those who represent the lollipop guild.I disagree, not everyone who lived in Munchkin Country were members of the guild.
Well, there was the coroner for one... Probably a few more.
Yeah, that's too narrow of a definition. I retract it.
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I've been called a munchkin and a metagaming jerk for writing on my character sheet that my actual spellbooks are all of the 'travelling' variety and are safely in my handy haversack while I openly carry a very expensive and ornate blessed book on my hip with no spells in it whatsoever. Easy access to a wide eyed thief.
I did this so that if anyone ever tried stealing my spellbook they'd end up with an expensive looking empty book and my own spell repertoire would be safe... I was called a metagaming machiavellian jerk for 'expecting my gm to steal my spellbook and pre-planning to circumvent it without his knowledge.
On the other hand he's free to look at my character sheet at any time and could have found out about my character's in-character-ruse at any time. Just funny how playing an intelligent and well prepared caster can be seen as a metagaming munchkin jerk for ruining the possibility of his 'fun' at lifting all my spells whenever he feels like it.
So, uh, Darksol...your definition of Munchkin is "Someone with a cursed object"?
*Scratches head in confusion*
Isn't Munchkin a card game? :D
137ben, yup, but going into that kinda defeats the joke I was trying to make. :)
i HAVE BEEN CALLED MUNCHKIN FOR USING A GRAPPLING HOOK ON THE RUN AND LEAPING OUT A WINDOW, ANCHORING IT WITH A DC 15 REFLEX CHECK, AND A DC 15 STR CHECK UPON REACHING THE LINE LIMIT, FOLLOWED BY AN ACROBATICS TO LAND ON THE GROUND WITH ONLY A D6 NON LETHAL... i WAS A MONK... SEEMED LEGIT TO ME, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT I ONLY HAD 11HP AS A LEVEL 1..
Woah woah woah, Caps Lock dude.
i HAVE BEEN CALLED MUNCHKIN FOR USING A GRAPPLING HOOK ON THE RUN AND LEAPING OUT A WINDOW, ANCHORING IT WITH A DC 15 REFLEX CHECK, AND A DC 15 STR CHECK UPON REACHING THE LINE LIMIT, FOLLOWED BY AN ACROBATICS TO LAND ON THE GROUND WITH ONLY A D6 NON LETHAL... i WAS A MONK... SEEMED LEGIT TO ME, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT I ONLY HAD 11HP AS A LEVEL 1..
Whats with the shouting? Anyway, this is kind of what I think people mean where this sort of thing is subjective. Many people would say this is just being cinematic and awesome. Its not like you crushed an encounter by jumping out a window.
I think in the end munchkin means 'doing something I dont like that seems beyond the limits of the rules to me.' which is why I dont think its possible to define it in some sort of tangible terms.
Same idea. Someone that goes with the weaker interpretation for something just because it makes their character more powerful.
Intriguing answer...
A purely selfish player is my simple answer.
They aren't really there to be a teammate, or excel as a party together, or even enjoy the company of those around the table. They want what they want for themselves only.
Just selfish.
For a tale of Munchkins, check out these stories:
- The Intercontinental Union of Disgusting Characters (IUDC)
- The Sick Kids
- The Intercontinental Proliferation of Disgusting Characters (IPDC)
For additional details about these characters, see the main page at here.
/cevah
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Munchkin to me means someone who actively cheats in the game to make their character more powerful. Fudging dice rolls, writing down higher stats, *remembering* an item they bought to solve a clutch situation that wasn't on their sheet five minutes ago, reading the app, looking up a monster the party is fighting to figure out how best to defeat it... Someone who cheats to have a more powerful character.