Asking for help when I'm winning combat

[scooterhill]

3) if i can defeat a monster on my own, am i still elegible to ask for help?

a) this question is asked for 2 reasons. my wife plays munchkin with me as well and i wish to stay in her good graces and if we are both at level 9 can i ask her to join me in combat so that we both win and not just me? and

b) what if someone has the "pick me" card and they are a level 9 elf or can do bad stuff to both of use only if he to is in the battle, am i "elegible" to ask for help even if i don't need (want) assistance?

[MunchkinMan]

Okay, first off, you're only eligible to ask for help if you're losing the combat. Secondly, the Helper doesn't get a Level for helping (unless he so happens to be an Elf), only rewards that you can actually transfer to the helping player. I.e., the promise to trade or give something to the player from what you have in play, or a share of the Treasure won from the Monster.

[scooterhill]

thank you, that's is how i also thought it was but my brother played the "take me" card and in his mind i was still elegible, but didn't need it (the help) and i couldn't find anything in the rules or errata stating that i can't refuss him so at the time i lost the argument---but now let him try that again BAH HA HAHA :)

[ruinexplorer]

I'm all for following the moderator in his decision - which we started this evening. However, may I suggest how we had been playing it out? A player is beating a monster, player two says "do you need help?" Of course the first player says no because he was already beating it but player two suggests a threat for fighting it on their own, since player one doesn't want to face the bad stuff, or other consequences, player one agrees to help. Usually player two is an elf (gains a level) or Bounty Hunter (gets a station card) and that is all that is taking place - no treasure. Of course, it benefits me most often with the current ruling in this thread, but the threat (usually a bluff) seems to be a Munchkinly thing to do. I like that this eliminates some of the bluffing and makes the players actually use their cards.

[elpargo]

Originally Posted by ruinexplorer

I'm all for following the moderator in his decision - which we started this evening. However, may I suggest how we had been playing it out? A player is beating a monster, player two says "do you need help?" Of course the first player says no because he was already beating it but player two suggests a threat for fighting it on their own, since player one doesn't want to face the bad stuff, or other consequences, player one agrees to help. Usually player two is an elf (gains a level) or Bounty Hunter (gets a station card) and that is all that is taking place - no treasure. Of course, it benefits me most often with the current ruling in this thread, but the threat (usually a bluff) seems to be a Munchkinly thing to do. I like that this eliminates some of the bluffing and makes the players actually use their cards.

You are missing one tiny detail. Technically the other players shouldn't be offering his help. As one has to ask for help not being asked. That said this falls into the munchkinly part as well so it's valid in that sense (unless you get caught)

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by elpargo

You are missing one tiny detail. Technically the other players shouldn't be offering his help. As one has to ask for help not being asked.

It's perfectly valid to offer help, as long as the player *needs* help.

[Brugist]

Thanks for that Andrew, it's nice to know!

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by Brugist

Thanks for that Andrew, it's nice to know!

To clarify, you can offer to help another player before he says he wants it, but you can't play a card that forces your way into combat until he says explicitly that he's looking for a helper.

[Brugist]

Even if he's obviously losing? Like if you have a card that makes you a helper in a combat (other player has no choice) and of course, people are playing one shots and enhancers and such, you can't just jump in there while he's negative before giving the original fighter a chance to get to where he will be winning himself?

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by Brugist

Even if he's obviously losing? Like if you have a card that makes you a helper in a combat (other player has no choice) and of course, people are playing one shots and enhancers and such, you can't just jump in there while he's negative before giving the original fighter a chance to get to where he will be winning himself?

No, you can't. You have to wait until he decides to ask for help -- and if he decides to Run Away instead, that's his choice to make.