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So, I have a question for the dakka dakka community. Would you (or any of your friends) let someone new to the hobby play with your army to get a feel for it?

This came about from going into a games work shop and seeing a small kid (around 10-12) go up to the GW employee and ask what he can get for $20. The sales agent immediately started to look for any model he can sell to this kid without asking what he was looking for or what army he builds or why he's interested. Clearly the kid was new and just wanted to play but had no idea on what to get or where to start. That didn't sit too well with me and got me thinking. If some kid wanted to try out my Dark Angels and I had some models I would let him/her try my army out. However, I cannot expect everyone else to feel/do the same because I know that having your own army is a very expensive commitment.

So, I ask the dakka dakka community. A kid wants to play your army. Would you let them? If so, what would be some conditions or units you'd part with? If not, why wouldn't you let someone play with your army.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer but I'm curious as to what the community thinks or feels.

Yep, im always open to helping anyone get into the hobby and so on.

I remember back on all those players who shared armies with me or let me try theirs in the past and feel like I can return the favour by sharing mine.

If they understood how much the models cost and the effort behind them, then I'd have no issue. I'd prefer, at that age, if the parental unit was around if it's their first time.

Of course I would. After all, no damage can't be fixed with a few dabs of paint and glue unless caused by intentional destruction.

I feel uncomfortable playing with other people's models, though. I am prone to knocking things over.

Yes, definitely.

Bringing in a new person to the hobby is the most important thing.

I would let them play my army against me, where I am there. It's just as likely that they'd knock models over as it when they are playing against the army.

I would not, however, let someone new borrow my models for a game where I would not be there watching. I could lend a bastion to a friend I knew, but not so a new player.

id probably be the guy who would go on ebay and buy a 10 dollar tac-squad for the kid

 TheKbob wrote:
If they understood how much the models cost and the effort behind them, then I'd have no issue. I'd prefer, at that age, if the parental unit was around if it's their first time.

Ideally, I'd want a parent around. I wouldn't let someone manhandle really expensive and delicate units like my Knight, however, a tactical squad or two wouldn't be an issue. Even if they broke it then that's what glue is for. Had I started with someone helping me to play this great game instead of trying to get as much money out of my pockets then I would've started this a lot earlier and more of my friends would've joined me.

Seeing that kid being handled like that made me feel like I did when I was young. My mom was a single mother and when I was a kid we didn't have much money. I remember working really hard around the house so that I can have a $20 on more than one occasion and being super excited when I got to buy a toy I wanted. I also remember being excluded from things because my friends had parents that were well off and could afford all the latest crazes and games.
It was a disheartening feeling. When I saw that kid it brought back that feeling so going forward, I'll bring a few models for someone to play with as well as my old 6th edition rule book/quick start guide. Hopefully, I can provide a positive experience to the next generation.

Yeah, I absolutely would (and have) let someone use one of my armies against me in a learning game. Of course, I don't carry around two 40k armies at once due to the sheer volume, so it would need to be arranged in advance.

Yes, I work at a game store and I always teach people how to play the game so I naturally let them use one of my armies.

Can't answer it as a yes or no. Some random I don't know? No. Someone whose shown a good interest in the game and seems like a decent sort? Probably. A little kid? No. A friend? Yes.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
Of course I would. After all, no damage can't be fixed with a few dabs of paint and glue unless caused by intentional destruction.

I feel uncomfortable playing with other people's models, though. I am prone to knocking things over.

Agreed.

And for some reason, whenever I even just pick up another's models I suddenly developed some sort of uncontrollable muscle spams of the hand. Models go flying everywhere just by being looked at

Sure!

I've got an army I'm getting professionally painted, and I probably wouldn't loan THAT one out, but my others? No problem.

Sure I would - as long as I am present and yeah, nobody below 11

Not to a random person, but someone I know a bit about, or a friend will vouch for? Not a problem. However, either someone I trust is there or I am. So friends of friends. Kinda.

Why yes, though I'd tell them to be careful, I would not let to small children do it without adult supervision, and I'd ensure they are informed that they are fully responsible for any damage that comes to my army while it is in their custody.

Otherwise, sure, go ahead!

I really appreciate the responses I've read. I would absolutely let someone who was interested in the hobby use my models. I have, many times, encouraged people who were watching me play, especially the younger kids, to take command of some of my units and roll dice with us. Growing the hobby is fun and rewarding in my experiences.

I've given away stuff I no longer use to friends provided they use it. I hate having cool stuff sitting on my shelves and not being used, so if someone I know will use it needs it, done! It just enhances my gaming experience in the long run anyway.

What I don't like is to be asked to borrow models for games because the person I'm playing thinks my models are part of his armory as well. That's a no-no.

I wouldn't let someone play my models without my supervision, but letting them take command of part of my army or play against me with one of my armies. Sure.

If it was a complete random I might be a bit hesitant. Not all people have the same appreciation of someone else's hard work.

As for kids, again, if it were a random kid, probably not. That said, I have nothing against kids really. I started collecting model aircraft when I was 7, I started wargames when I was 10, all of which were purchased with pocket money and money for doing chores. By the time I started wargames I had assembled many aircraft which were many times more complicated than anything GW puts out, and on a per model basis many of which were more expensive than GW models too.

So if the kid wanted to play my army and I knew they had a similar background to what I had at that age, sure, I wouldn't mind. At that age I had more respect for the time/effort/money that goes in to models than most adults would.

Hell yes they could use my army.

I have a trade box. I always look for stuff in it to give to new players. I have guard stuff, Marines, terminators, bikes... ect .... so i always find something to give them.

Ye sure. Obviously everyone has limits. I think a basic rule of thumb is, if I would play against them I would let them borrow an army. The better I know someone the less supervision involved. Random person new at the gaming club, I would either play against them or help/teach them against someone else. Friend of mine who had never played, as long as I am around somewhere, go for it. Good Friend of mine who wanted to try something new? They can take what they want from my collection, as long as they let me know what they are taking and when it will be back.

There are a few things I won't let anyone take, but those are £150+ conversions involving lots of work and delicate FW & resin parts. It's not the cost so much as the hours of work and the fact that they aren't really appropriate for a newbie to be fielding.

No. Way too many expensive and delicate resin models, and too many units with complicated rules I'd have to explain. The only exception would be a good friend that I trust to be careful with my models.

I would, and have on several occasions, lend a new player without an army some of my models, but would probably insist on playing with/against them a) to keep an eye on them and b) because if I'm lending out an army, I might as well go the whole hog and run them a demo game. (Seeing as I'm usually 'the rules guy' for our group, it makes sense that I run the demo)

In fact, one game that really sticks in my mind was a demo game me and another gamer ran for a couple of kids where I lent them my Dark Angels and Blood Angels against my Guard and his Sisters of Battle. One of the few games I've played with I painted models all round, and I felt like I was getting just as much use out of my models seeing them pitted against me as I would if I were playing them myself (n fact moreso, as if the kids hadn't been there to play they would have sat in the box that day)

It's also nice to see people taking an interest in the game, so if I can help them out, I will. That's one of the reasons I always try to buy into two factions whenever I get a new game, so I have the models there to demo/lend if anyone else is interested.

No, I would certainly not allow anyone under the age 18 to go near my army, let alone play with. Because kids and teenagers are walking disaster zones that should be kept away from anything expensive or any oher object that means anything to the owner.

Yes, but depends on the person. Age isn't so much a limitation due to the fact that unclean childish manchildren exist at any age.

 n0t_u wrote:
Yes, but depends on the person. Age isn't so much a limitation due to the fact that unclean childish manchildren exist at any age.

That may very well be, but thank the Emperor that no such creature are to be found amongst my regular opponents.

No problem with letting anyone play my army as long as I know that they'll handle my miniatures carefully. I have lots of conversions and rather delicate stuff that can break from bad handling.

Other than that I'm always eager to let new people play my stuff and give them advice on how to use particular units for maximum effect. I might also bring two armies and sometimes offer people to pit them against each other to see if they're equally powerful and/or fun to play with/against. :-)

I've introduced quite a few people to the game over the years with my own armies. I used to keep a couple of basic 'getting started' Space Marine lists handy for just such a purpose.

I've never had a problem lending anything of mine to a newbie. My view is that if they are willing to learn the rules of a particular game then they are interested and will take care of my things. Even if something gets broken, it isn't the end of the world and glue fixes most every breakage.

That and some patience!

I wouldn't mind either, if someone wishes to try. I do have two opposing armies so it'll be fun.

I guess if they do drop my SoB, I'd feel a little bit of me dying. We can always play on the floor, if the opponent has butterfingers.

I've had my Exorcist dropped before. It was....traumatic....

Absolutely.

Only condition would be that I was there (i.e. not actual loaning of an army).

I have great fun introducing people to a new game (I bought all the books for Pathfinder, organised our own pack down gaming table, and so forth).

On a side note: I remember GW stores being a great place when I was younger. I hate the one near me now. It's like being in a mobile phone store.