On the subject of min/maxing, see my thoughts:
On the subject of WFRP3 and spears: I like the "breakage" rule as well. I generally like to include the concept of weapon breakage or degradation in my games.
Also regarding spears, I just recently watched the fun martial arts film "Wing Chun" again. The fight sequence at the finale of the movie is an excellent illustration of why a spear is not an optimal weapon for all circumstances. Spear-fighting indoors is a very awkward experience!
A couple of my experiences of running games over the past 30+ years:
I will tend to agree that FIRST comes the bad roleplayer and he nearly ALWAYS equates to a min-maxing, powergaming munchkin. These are the people for which you nerf stuff to save yourself at least a small headache.
I usually frequent the "character munch" boards to find out what the most powerful abilities/combos are and remove them from a game in a house rulebook. You can always add stuff later, but if breakage is available, munchkins will find a way to ruin your game at everyone else's expense.
Good roleplayers tend to NOT try to break the game no matter how powerful their character is. These are the people for which you make "allowances" for which later a powergaming munch'tard comes along and abuses the crap out of power combinations.
Rarely is the loudest player the best roleplayer. They are usually just bossy.
House rulebooks are a must, even if it's just a sheet or two of paper that you add to along the way.
Powergamers oftentimes love to overdetail their backgrounds and hold you to their inane rantings. Personally I think they would make better GMs if it weren't for the fact that most can't roleplay their way out of a paper bag. "Uh..can't I just make a charm roll?" GM:"Nope, I want to know what you say to him, otherwise I'll just assume that you didn't try very hard and give you a 2 B penalty." "My gm's a big jerk who wants to describe too much. I didn't come here to describe..I came here to roll dice [and min-max and ruin the game for everyone who wants the opposite of an epic-level D&D game]."
Bitter much? Yes I am.
jh
The spear is one of the ultimate weapons. Have it not been for firearms, the spear would still be on the throne. Easy to use, cheap tha manifacture and not very encumbering. Together with a shield it is a real killer.
Please read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spear
Emirikol said:
I will tend to agree that FIRST comes the bad roleplayer and he nearly ALWAYS equates to a min-maxing, powergaming munchkin. These are the people for which you nerf stuff to save yourself at least a small headache.
Rather than change the rules, I just don't invite them back. Headache gone.