[Thomas]

Tag Team Munchkin Quest

Even within the existing rules, two players could decide from the start that they will seek a shared win. Whereas independent munchkins tend to become separated in a dungeon by exploring in different directions (which makes trades or becoming a helper less often feasible), operating as an explicit team encourages them to stay together to share resources through trades and to help each other in all combats (thereby defeating more monsters and not needing to run away as often). This is more like how teams of adventurers would normally help each other.

The house rule aspect would be to extend this idea to a specific arrangement for a 4 or 6 player game where all the players are divided into teams of two. In play order for four players, the first and last players would be one team, the second and third players another. For six players, player 1 teams with 6, 2 with 5, and 3 with 4. In this way, each team has a player in the first half of the round and a player in the second half of the round in a way that avoids giving special advantage to any team.

In an explicit Tag Team game, if your partner munchkin dies, the new munchkin that replaces the dead munchkin becomes the new partner.

To win, both munchkins in a team must make it out of the dungeon by defeating a boss.

p.s. Of course, there may still be times when it is best to split up. For example, a thief partner might head for the exit to interfere with another team's boss fight, while you continue to explore new rooms.

According to standard rules, both munchkins must be level 10 to participate in a boss fight. (See The Boss Monster, p. 11.)

I should add that limitations on trades to items that are in play (not cards in your hand) still holds, and only when you are in the same or adjacent rooms and not in combat (p. 16), but if your partner was your helper for a battle you can still divide treasure cards appropriately at the time they are earned in a manner that you've mutually agreed upon (p. 10).