September 4, 2015: MIB Report: Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe

I carried out a Sooper Sekrit Mission for the MIB: to demo Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe as much as possible.

Here are my findings:

1. Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe is really popular! I've had a lot of requests for demos from new players who were interested by the genre, or experienced munchkins who wanted to check out the new game in town. Everyone has enjoyed it.

2. It is easy to learn: With no powers or races, Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe presents fewer complexities for new players. New players can catch on after a few rounds and almost inevitably finish either on top or with the rest of the pack.

3. Paramagnetic Fixative Vapour is deadly! Sure, you can use it to lock in your own victory, by preventing interference from your "friends." But you can also use it when the MIB teaching you is facing the Land Leviathan to stop him from buffing up to defeat it.

4. Corollary to #3: The Needs Lubrication card can be hilarious when the MIB needs to escape from the Land Leviathan.

5. General Principle: Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe can be deadly. I've seen a fairly large number of munchkin deaths and been the unwilling participant in one. One game had two deaths, and was won by the second fatality immediately after respawning.

6. Some versions of Munchkin have enough obscure puns that an insider really enjoys it on a much different level than a novice. If you've never played Dungeons and Dragons, you won't get the point of the Misplacer Beast, for example. You will still enjoy the game, but you likely won't get why the other players are groaning, giggling or whatever.

Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe has its share of genre-specific puns too, though a general knowledge of history will be almost as helpful as direct experience with steampunk games or culture. But much of the humor depends on pseudo-Victorian language, using complicated technical terms for things that today (or then) have simple names. Unnecessarily erudite and inessential nomenclature is perpetually humorous. This helps make Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe more accessible even to new players who have to ask, "What is 'steampunk'?"

Munchkin Steampunk Deluxe is nanty narking for novice munchkin and experienced backstabbers alike!

-- W. Glen Kirkconnell, MIB 1617