Epic Munchkin orc ability

[Kirt]

Originally Posted by snarky

However, similar to other cards and abilities, the combat doesn't actually begin until the Orc decides to fight rather than use Munch. This ability must be triggered or not before "combat" begins.

At least that's how I'd play it.

Somewhere MM said that if you turn over a card on the kick in the door phase and it is a monster, you are in combat. Thus, you have been in combat even if it is a friendly monster (such as a female munchkin facing an Amazon - it still counts as a combat).

Unfortunately, I am failing to find the exact quote at this time.

I will do a more extensive search later is this is not confirmed officially soon.

[uttwich]

I'd say that munch is a way to end combat, not a way to avoid it. Based on that, combat starts once the door is kicked down.

[Munchykin]

Can you really still stop him from gaining the level by wandering in a monster? I thought that resolving the epic ability resulted in gaining a level.

"Orc (Munchkin 2): Munchkin Munch. When you
turn over (or Look For Trouble and find) a monster of
Level 1, you may simply EAT it. Your foes cannot play
any cards to stop this . . . it’s a Level 1 monster, you eat
it, any bonuses applied to the monster are discarded, yum
yum, that’s that. You go up a level for the hot meal, and
since this is a kill, you can win this way."

Doesn't that mean that he gains the level right away as a result of the ability? It doesn't say to gain the level after you resolve the rest of the combat or anything.

[MunchkinMan]

For something to supersede one of the unbreakable rules from the Munchkin rules, it must clearly and explicitly state that it is breaking that rule. Monster Munch does not say that it breaks the unbreakable rule that you do not collect rewards while combat is going on. What Monster Munch does say is that there is nothing you can do that prevents the Monster Munch from happening, but in no way does that say that it supersedes that rule.

[Kirt]

Here it is.

Andrew: "Combat begins the instant a monster is revealed."

MM: "Combat begins when you turn over a Monster card at a time when you're expected to fight it."

Thus the orc IS in combat BEFORE he makes his decision to munch or not.