Sode #9: MinMax Basics (MinMax 001)
DadaDUM! It’s here, our initial episode about Min/Maxing. What it is, what it isn’t, and the dangers of spelling.
Discuss this episode on our Message Boards in THIS thread!
DadaDUM! It’s here, our initial episode about Min/Maxing. What it is, what it isn’t, and the dangers of spelling.
Discuss this episode on our Message Boards in THIS thread!
April 1st, 2008 at 9:13 am
This was an interesting and somewhat odd episode because I realized early on that when you say “min-maxing” you don’t mean what I mean when I use the term. I would describe what you’re talking about as just making characters with intentionality and forethought, and knowing the rules that apply to the character you’re playing.
For me, this lacks the idea of what I think of as the “min” in “min-max”. For example, take the Gimli test-case. To me, a min-maxer would do something like that an Intelligence and/or Charisma score of 3 so that they can jack up their Strength to 30. A min-maxer might also, say, spend no money on food or clothing when buying equipment so that they can afford a masterwork or magical weapon instead. So you get a naked, drooling moron who reeks, but who obliterates his foes with every swipe of his axe.
I used to game with a guy named Yul who was a min-maxer in the way I use the term. We would play Vampire, and he would create characters by maxing out things like Firearms and Dexterity and Strength and Melee while on the other hand having Intelligence, Charisma, Manipulation and/or Appearance scores of 1. Then he’d play this character who was a walking combat machine and had nothing else he was functional for. He was using the rules, in the loosest sense, so he wasn’t cheating, he was just…a crappy player; a min-maxer.
To me, that’s min-maxing - when you make choices based solely on what you see as system advantages for their own sake, rather than making decisions that result in your character being good at what they should be good at, rooted in your concept and plan for the character. It also involves taking unreasonable penalties that don’t make your character more interesting, just for the mechanical advantage.
So I don’t really see you guys as min-maxers at all (Cuddles and Bobo notwithstanding - and even they at least sounded hilarious).
April 1st, 2008 at 9:17 am
And, hearing the end of the ‘cast, I think the issue is more than just being a jerk. But, like I said, we’re dealing with different definitions here. Anyway, keep it up, I’m still really enjoying the shows.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Most people who call themselves min-maxers use something close to our definition.
Most people who call other people min maxers use something close to your definiiton.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Josh as Meg again,
This kind of character is known as a “One Hit Wonder.” They have just one trick, but it really kills if it goes off.
The problem with this character is their vulnerability. They took too many penalties and that should shut them down, the problem come up when it does not.
This is a topic that will be addressed in an upcoming podcast on min/maxing. I am starting to belive our listeners might just be psychic.