Playing Hostel Cards
 

I just played Munchkin for the first time at GenCon this past weekend and had a great time. As a result, I purchased the game and played a game with some friends right away. However, a question came up while playing that we weren't sure how to handle. Hopefully someone here can straighten it out.

One friend currently was level 8, went looking for trouble and brought out a monster he could easily defeat. He asked if we would be playing anything and we said we wouldn't since one point wouldn't let him win. We hadn't noticed, however that he had changed his class to Orc and, because he defeated the monster by more than 10 levels he would get a bonus point. Once he announced that two people wanted to play cards to buff the monster he was encountering, while the other two players thought that it was to late.

So my question from the above situation is, when new information is announced for the result of a fight can players react and play hostel cards to attempt to block the outcome?

I love the game and can't wait to play more, but I think this situation could come up a lot so I wanted to know the right way to handle it.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

Here's what the rules say about this.

"But note: someone may play a hostile card on you, or use a special power, just as you think you have won. When you kill a monster, you must wait a reasonable time, defined as about 2.6 seconds, for anyone else to speak up. After that, you have really killed the monster, and you really get the level(s) and treasure, though they can still whine and argue."

You never mention when you guys noticed that he switched to an Orc class.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

Once he announced that he changed the formula of the combat, I would have allowed other players to play their cards. However, if he had not announced it, you lose.

In the spirit of the game, you let folks know that your changing races, while your doing it. IF they miss it, their problem. Once it's down you don't have to tell them what you are, you just can't hide it.

Pat

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

That's a common problem with the Orc and the Cowboy with a steed (from "The Good the Bad and the Munchkin" core game) the "new" cards that change the winning conditions are normally forgotten by new players...
However, one cannot lie when asked "what amount of levels/treasures are you gaining from that combat?"

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

That's why I like the "Declare that you're winning the game and give everyone a chance to respond" method. Simply saying "I beat the monster" and THEN declaring "I WIN!" after clearing all the cards from combat is pretty low.

As it stands, though, saying "I'm not going to stop you" isn't a binding condition if the terms of combat change, which they certainly did when the Orc card was remembered. Just like thinking you're losing and then remembering you have a bonus you forgot about. People should be given a chance to react to the "new" conditions, even if they were just forgotten about.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

You should tell other players when you are changing your Class or Race (or any other pertinent information that might inform their decisions), since your Class and Race -- and any other cards in play -- are public information. Similarly, if someone asks what your abilities are, you're required to give them an honest and complete answer.

In this case, the stealth change of Race means that once the Orc player was required to give the rest of the group another chance to interfere in his fight, once they learned it was for the win.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

The OP means "Hostile", yes? Or is there some Munchkin slang here I'm not getting (Dungeons, maybe?)?

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

I assumed so, as well, as there aren't any dormitory style rental accommodations in Munchkin.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

Yes, I'm sure he did. Was there a reason you pointed to his error other than for your own amusement?

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

In case there was some slang-ish thing I was missing. Perhaps there are certain cards that players refer to as "Hostel" cards for some reason. He makes the mistake consistently in the OP which makes it seem deliberate. Someone even tagged the thread "hostel cards". It could be similar to the use of the word "tap" to describe placing items in your pack, for instance.

My apologies if I gave offense.

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

To be honest Andrew, I first read it wondering if you folks had added another German Expansion from Pegasus. We have chainsaws and knives, soooooo.


Pat

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

Sorry, hostile is correct. Spell check failed me!

And just to make it clear, he did not secretly change races, but it was something that occurred earlier that round that had slipped our mind. Not being familiar with the game I didn't realize the orc race had that ability.

Is there a conscious then that when condition changes are announced that everyone has a chance to react to them? Or is it just the player's responsibility to ask "Will this allow you to win?" or something similar for each new monster?

Re: Playing Hostel Cards
 

Probably just best to ask.

We generally announce things..."I'm level "X", winning "X" to "X". As we get closer to the end, somebody always asks "Will you win?" etc, or we will volunteer that info, "Going for the win" etc.