Some questions about battle.

[ditikos]

I've started munchkin recently and I've done some few battles and I saw the tabletop episode with Steve Jackson the other night that raised some questions.

First of all, once you declare that you are going to do a solo battle is that final? Can you ask for help anytime during battle?

Secondly the bargaining of help. Is the player actually required to ask for help, or the other players can offer their help as well (unwanted or not), for an exchange of XyZ treasures or items?

Thirdly, is there a limit to side items? Many say you can only have two and they say it's a "backpack" (that's how it was introduced to me during gameplay).

How many curses can be used in battle?

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by ditikos

First of all, once you declare that you are going to do a solo battle is that final? Can you ask for help anytime during battle?

You can ask for help at any time you are losing the fight, as long as you don't already HAVE a helper and you aren't suffering from any effects (Curses, Bad Stuff) that prevent you from asking at all.

Originally Posted by ditikos

Secondly the bargaining of help. Is the player actually required to ask for help, or the other players can offer their help as well (unwanted or not), for an exchange of XyZ treasures or items?

Technically, the main player is required to ask for help. Any offers of help before such a request are not binding. Having said that, if the main player says "I accept that offer," that counts.

Originally Posted by ditikos

Thirdly, is there a limit to side items? Many say you can only have two and they say it's a "backpack" (that's how it was introduced to me during gameplay).

That term is unofficial and we prefer not to use it here. The only limit on the number of Items on the table is that you can only have one Big item in play, unless you have a card that says otherwise.

Originally Posted by ditikos

How many curses can be used in battle?

How many you got?

[Blazinjsin]

Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard

That term is unofficial and we prefer not to use it here.

Regarding the use of the word backpack: literally everyone uses it, and it makes it much easier to explain equipped versus just carried, i'm not sure why it hasn't just been made into an official term. Seriously, you've had to correct at lest 80% of the forum users at minimum that I've seen at some point, and it makes it easier to understand the difference for new players. We all say it, so i'm not sure why not use it.

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by Blazinjsin

Regarding the use of the word backpack: literally everyone uses it,

This is flatly untrue. It's in common use among a CERTAIN group of Munchkin players, but I've also heard the term used at a table where the rest of the players are saying, "What backpack? What are you talking about? Did I miss a rule?" And because this is NOT a term that is defined or even used in the rules, we aren't going to use it here.

At some point in the far-off future, maybe we'll get around to a second edition of Munchkin that uses the "backpack" term, and then we'll be happy to use the word in basic-level rule discussions. Until then, please respect our stated rule on our forums.

[Clipper]

Even on these forums, I've seen the term colloquially used to represent different things. Some people call the cards in their hand that, others the Items they aren't using, others as a method to describe the cards they've played, including the ones they are using. Thus, I agree with Andrew that it's certainly not clear to everyone and support the discouragement of the term's use.

[MunchkinMan]

Originally Posted by Clipper

Even on these forums, I've seen the term colloquially used to represent different things. Some people call the cards in their hand that, others the Items they aren't using, others as a method to describe the cards they've played, including the ones they are using. Thus, I agree with Andrew that it's certainly not clear to everyone and support the discouragement of the term's use.

Less than two weeks ago, I saw the term used in the three different interpretations that Clipper is referring to in a two day period, not to mention all those I've heard over the last 12 years, and I even stated at that time how that again proved to me that we need to continue to do our best to use only the terms the game has provided us to describe things, especially to newer players. I'll repeat Andrew's sentiment and go further in saying this: Don't presume to think you know everything, or have seen all the things we have seen in the many more years experience we have in playing Munchkin and being a part of helping it grow over its 12 years.

[ditikos]

Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard

That term is unofficial and we prefer not to use it here. The only limit on the number of Items on the table is that you can only have one Big item in play, unless you have a card that says otherwise.

I assume the side items rule applies for the tournaments too? Are these the rules that often change for each tournament or "neglected"?

[Clipper]

Originally Posted by ditikos

I assume the side items rule applies for the tournaments too? Are these the rules that often change for each tournament or "neglected"?

Yes, those rules are the standard Munchkin rules and should be obeyed in both tournament and friendly play. The only rules that the Tournament Rules guidelines allow you to change are the winning Level, and a few of the set specific things like the More Scary Cultist Rules. None of the rules about which Items you are or aren't allowed to carry should change in any tournaments, as far as I am aware.