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Right, bit of an old favourite being brought back again.

Rather than promoting snobbery, the Etiquette list is more a list of do's, than one of don'ts. Contradictions are oddly welcome, providing a proviso is put into place (for example, beginning with 'At a Tournament' or 'During a friendly game' as non-exhaustive examples). So, here we go.

The first one really shouldn't need to be included, as it is something we should all be doing anyways...and that is?

Personal Hygiene. Lets face it, nobody likes an overly smelly opponent. Nothing puts me off my game more than bad breath and noxious niffs of netheregions during a game. Sure, you might be sweaty after a days work, and I don't think anyone expects minty fresh breath, but there is a world of difference between a fresh smell, and one slightly more, uh, cultured. Have at least a wash, and remember...deodarant is your friend. Unless you are allergic in which case just wash under your arms you clarty git.

The next one?

Always play someone at least once. This is benefit of the doubt right here. I might have heard horror stories from other gamers about you, but I will always give it a whirl. If after the game it seems my opponents were right, well, you and I were both given the chance.

When playing the game, try not to allow others to distract you from it. Answer questions sure, like 'do you want a drink' etc, but don't start holding a full conversation unless it includes your opponent. This is extremely rude!

Don't punch above or below your weight, and then whinge/gloat respectively when you win or lose.

Try to establish your opponents preferred game. If they enjoy a highly competitive list, then feel free to match them. If they prefer something less 'optimised' then don't upgun. This is a simple matter of respect. If you find yourself unable to meet their preference, see if there is a middle ground, or respectfully decline the offer of a game. You don't *have* to state your reasons, but if you do, do so tactfully.

If you are spectating in a game, resist the urge to 'backseat general'. Keep your thoughts to yourself until the phase or turn is completed, then explain what you would have done. There is nothing more aggravating than having your opponent avoid a cunning trap or ploy pointed out by a third party. This is disrespectful to both sides. His opponent, as you have potentially ruined a sound plan, and the advisee (is that a word? It is now. The joys of a native tongue!) well, you just subtly suggested he's a lesser opponent and would have walked blindly into it. Either way, neither side learns anything.

If you are using Proxies, keep them the same throughout the army. E.G. any models standing in for Lascannons, should have the same weapons. No 4 Man Devastators all with Missile Launchers, counting as a Plasma Cannon, Heavy Bolter, Multi-Melta and a Lascannon. Consistency is key!

If your army is lacking suitable models to represent an upgrade (Savage Orc Big'uns anyone?) and you are using the same models to represent both upgraded version and non-upgraded versions, think of a way to illusrate this. For example, in my army, I have 3 blocks of Savage Orcs, 1 of which is Big'uns, and 2 units of Boarboyz, again, 1 of which are Big'uns. To make this clear, the Big'un units both have the same Banner Top, the one from the Boarboyz. This is a simple way for my opponent to identify whats what, as well as yourself.

In any game (tournement or friendly) I pick up the dice that miss. Allow your opponent to see fully the results of all rolls. Some tend to grab them up so quickly you didn't know if that was a 4 or a 5.

I always tell my opponent before I roll what exactly I need to get. For example, if I have a -4 break test, I will say "okay, i'm gonna need a 3 or less". Or if I'm hit with a Strength 5 hit (-2 armor save) I'll say "okay, i need 5+ to make the armor saves. I think it's just helpful to tell your opponent, that way they aren't caught off guard. I don't know if it's etiquette, but it sure is nice to know what the other person leadership test is before they roll it. My two coppers..

In games of Fantasy, try to keep track of Combat Resolution as the fight progresses. At the start, mark down (I use dice) your rank bonus, standard etc, and as you suffer/cause casualties, leave them temporarily near their unit, read to be counted. This saves time and makes life a lot easier!

If using VPs, agree with your opponent before hand (again this is more for Fantasy these days) whether you are using the rules for Table Quarters. I rarely do, and it's embarassing when your opponent counts them, as it's a poor show to deny him them when he's clearly worked their holding into his plan.

Do respect other people's minis. In a pick-up game my opponent tried hanging steel rings on my painted metal wraithlord's antenna to indicate wounds, without asking for permission.

Seeing as I pride myself more on my painting than my generalship, I found this especially obnoxious. Run all the Lash princes you want, just don't touch my crap without asking first. It's horribly rude.

I quite agree. A general principle of look with your eyes, not with your hands, and keep your hands to yourself is always advisable. If you are causing casualties nearer you, *offer* to pass them over. Most players aren't too fussy with rank and file types, but characters, I'd be terrified of breaking them!

Do remember to assign wounds to models before rolling armor saves. It can be frustrating to have to remind people about this change in the rules every shooting phase, and generally takes away from the enjoyment of the game.

Hand of Dume wrote:In any game (tournement or friendly) I pick up the dice that miss. Allow your opponent to see fully the results of all rolls. Some tend to grab them up so quickly you didn't know if that was a 4 or a 5.

This is always the first piece for wargaming etiquette I teach new players.


To contribute, if playing someone new, it is a good idea to agree before the game starts what counts as a cocked die and what doesn't.

Dice etiqutette is deserving of a thread all it's own.

1) As noted above, pick up dice that MISS. Even in cases where it's easier to pick up the hits (e.g., Ork shooting), you can avoid any appearance of impropriety by picking up the misses.

2) Roll on as flat and clear an area as is manageable.

3) Do NOT hit your opponent's models with dice. They are crazy things and bounce all over, but do everything you can to avoid your opponent's models.

4) Also as noted above, DO make every dice roll very clear (e.g., red is plasma, green is lascannon, the black are lasguns; 4's to hit). Yes, it can make for a mouthful of words, but your opponent has got enough to worry about, without trying to determine how many plasma dice you're rolling at him.

5) Be very consistent with cocked dice. If you're going to pick up a "1" for being slightly cocked, then you need to pick up the "6" as well.

I like to include the opponent in my rolling. When I roll I pick up the dice that missed first, and I make sure they are witnessing the act. When I have my opponent staring at the dice it makes it all seem a little bit more "real". It also helps that I tend to miss dice a lot and I'm very accommodating when my opponent says I made a mistake. Moving from that point when I make a mistake I fess up to it, I make allowances for my opponents mistakes (Forgetting to shoot a storm bolter on a rhino when he's moved into assault and so on). I find that being forgiving to a point makes the games faster and more enjoyable. I generally don't touch my opponants miniatures unless they are touching mine and I need to move them. If I want to see someones tank, I'll ask to pick it up.

Lastly I try not to swear about my luck when I'm playing someone who isn't a friend. I try. Really I do.

Or indeed simply ask your opponent 'cocked?' in each instance. Quick and simple.

Also, when picking up the dice to be rolled, particularly where high volume is needed, count them out in fair chunks on the board before putting them in your hand. For example, if I need to roll 15 dice, I'll count them out on the board first, then pick them up. Avoids rolling too many, which would force a re-roll.

It might not be strictly necessary, but I always try to agree with anyone I play to allow a single 'Mulligan" per game to each player. Say, you roll all 1's to hit or something else really unlikely. This makes the game a bit less extremely random and encourages other acts of good sportsmanship.

I have to second the whole hygiene issue.

Y'know, if your odor makes my eyes water from across the table, I don't care how nice you are, how beautiful your army is, how knowledgeable about the rules you are, how funny your jokes are, how tactically sound your game is, etc., etc., etc.

Take a shower. Use soap. Make sure you wash under your moobs.

Personal Space. Lets face it, nobody likes standing next to a dozen guys in one square meter of space. Nothing puts me off my game more than the mere presence of other humans around me during a game. Sure, you might want to be sociable after a days work, and I don't think anyone expects otherwise, but there is a world of difference between being social in a game and rubbing your nether regions on my leg. Give me at least 2 meters of space and remember...I'm not here to make friends. Unless you don't have friends and I feel sorry for you.

Thoroughly read both your codex and the rulebook at least once

Don't move terrain during the game unless absolutely necessary

Pay attention to the game

I want Grotsnik to become a DCM so that he can change his user name to 'Dakka's Moral Compass' or 'Dakka's Moral Guardian'.

BYE

DO remember to shake your opponent's hand after the game (unless he's an extreme version of the stinky gamer) and add in a "good game."

If it really WASN'T a good game, and you don't want to lie, then, "Thanks for the game."

Eric

stonefox wrote:Personal Space. Lets face it, nobody likes standing next to a dozen guys in one square meter of space. Nothing puts me off my game more than the mere presence of other humans around me during a game. Sure, you might want to be sociable after a days work, and I don't think anyone expects otherwise, but there is a world of difference between being social in a game and rubbing your nether regions on my leg. Give me at least 2 meters of space and remember...I'm not here to make friends. Unless you don't have friends and I feel sorry for you.

Stonefox hates the masses.

Given the masses that congregate at most games stores, can't say I blame him.

Agree with Danny Internets (I know, wierd huh?). Pay attention to the game. I don't want to hear about how one time, your Tau Firewarriors beat a unit of Orks in cc. That is not germane to our game here and can turn a 2 hour game into a 3 hour game.

Ozymandias, King of Kings

@ Janthkin I slightly dissagree with your "cocked" dice rule. I prefer to make sure my opponent see's it so we can both agree, or re-roll & show I'm not trying to "pull one over" on my opponent during friendly games. but thats just me no-offence.

Don't bump the table.
That's seriously annoying, and I don't even use skimmers.

Dorfdorf wrote:Do respect other people's minis. In a pick-up game my opponent tried hanging steel rings on my painted metal wraithlord's antenna to indicate wounds, without asking for permission.

Seeing as I pride myself more on my painting than my generalship, I found this especially obnoxious. Run all the Lash princes you want, just don't touch my crap without asking first. It's horribly rude.

I agree with you so much sir! First game I ever played "Hey your DP looks really awesome! What did you convert the wings out of?" picks it up and the arm falls off snapping the sword hand off. I just stared at him for a moment, seething.

shrew wrote:@ Janthkin I slightly dissagree with your "cocked" dice rule. I prefer to make sure my opponent see's it so we can both agree, or re-roll & show I'm not trying to "pull one over" on my opponent during friendly games. but thats just me no-offence.

We probably don't actually disagree. All I was getting at is the need for consistency - I've seen people pick up misses as "cocked," but leave hits that are at least as badly askew.

Do NOT put the burden on your opponent to go "yes, you should reroll that cocked die." You're just passive-aggressively shifting the blame, and making him feel like a jerk.

Another part of dice etiquette...

When you roll a scatter die, roll it close to the target. It helps make the direction clear. (Unfortunately, I sometimes forget :( )

skyth wrote:Another part of dice etiquette...

When you roll a scatter die, roll it close to the target. It helps make the direction clear.

Right on man! It's hard to get the right angle of the scatter when it's on the other side of the table.

I fully agree with most of this stuff.

The cocked dice rule is simple: If another die will not stay on top of it, it is cocked. No matter what the anyone might say.

For my contribution: Dice. Please roll dice that I can read across the table. If you have a special marking on the 1 or the 6, tell me before you start rolling anything.

Mattlov wrote:For my contribution: Dice. Please roll dice that I can read across the table. If you have a special marking on the 1 or the 6, tell me before you start rolling anything.

Why do people think they should use clear dice with white dots? Why?

1. Tell me if my off topic chatter during a game bothers you...

As i mostly paint and model in my local GW My biggest pet peeve is when people grab/pick up my stuff without asking first. Cause sometimes I've just glued or painted and if they don't ask that could easily get ruined. And on the other had when I am admiring others work I ask "Hey that looks cool can I pick it up to look at it better" and I try my best not to swear in GW stores and thats a real problem for me that I try very hard on.

Fess up if you feth up. I watched a young kid accidentally knock an open soda off a shelf into a case of mine with a few thousands points of models in it. So he picks up the can, puts it back on the shelf after a quick look around ot see if he'd been spotted, then becomes engrossed in game at table in front of him.

This is what's commonly known as "bad", chiluns.