Twinking

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Template:Otheruses3 Twinking is a term used in role-playing games to describe behavior that compromises the integrity of a game. A player who engages in twinking is known as a twink. The term's specific meaning differs depending on the game's genre.

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RPGs and MMORPGs

In role-playing games and MMORPGs, twinking refers to outfitting a new character or player with items or other resources that are not normally available to a character of that level. A twink in this usage is a type of powergamer and munchkin. The term can also refer to the twinked character itself (e.g., "My twink has all the best gear.")

Typically, twinking is done to make the process of leveling easier and faster. This can be beneficial to online game communities when it creates a social bond between the item giver and the item recipient. It can also be harmful if it is used to deprive other players of the ability to effectively compete in their power range.

An example of positive twinking is when new players join a guild and the guild outfits them with basic equipment and cash to help them get over the newbie hump. Negative twinking can occur when, for instance, an Uberguild twinks its low level characters and slaughters the competition in player versus player combat that is level matched.

Many new players dislike twinking, since it gives a major advantage to established players who want to start a new character. Many games have item restrictions that prevent new characters from using high-level items and upsetting game balance; for instance, Diablo II implements ability score and level requirements. Usually what happens is that players who have been playing for a long time accumulate items that are useless to a high-level character but very helpful to low level characters that just barely meet the requirements. It's also common for twinking items to be traded at good values due to persistent demand. Sometimes, this will go so far as to inflate twink equipment prices, as high level players are willing to pay more than a newbie would be able to. Some new players do not like to be twinked, as it can ruin their first run through of the game - they prefer to earn the equipment for themselves.

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Online text-based role-playing games

In online text-based role-playing games such as MUDs and MU*s, twinking may include, but is not limited to:

  • Denial-of-service or "DoS" attacks;
  • Hacking the server;
  • Creating an invincible or extremely powerful character with which the twink will seek to dominate in role-play;
  • Aggravating and attacking the game administration and/or game community;
  • God-moding;
  • Powergaming;
  • Metagaming - for example, creating a character which will guess plot-points that they would not otherwise know had the player themselves not known it.
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