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I'm ready (or think I am) to play against people other than myself. So I'm going to head over to my FLGS to play for the first time.

Do I need to bring anything more than templates, dice, figs?

Any tips so I'm not unknowingly being an annoying newb =/

Thanks!

Well, bring your army, a list, your codex, your rulebook, templates, dice, and a measuring device.

Make sure to be clear up front about your level of comfort with the rules and your overall skill level.

don't be afraid to ask players to bring a fun list to play against. Most will when teaching, but do understand that a tourney army is no fun to learn to play against.

When playing your first game, it's helpful to write down any aspects of the rules that confuse you, that way you know what to re-read when you get home.

Also see if you can find someone there who can walk you through the rules as a learning experience

Or find an staff thats there off duty ( but usually painting and gluing stuff lol ) and they'll be more than willing to play game with you.

Don't be afraid to hover and watch a game or two as well. You can learn a lot by watching someone else play, and it gives you a good opportunity to ask for a qucik game. Also, for your first game or two try to keep the points to 1000 or less. That gives you enough to play with and lets you explore actually using the things you have read about one or two at a time without being overwhelmed. Two quick games is better than one long game as far as seeing how things work.

Most FLGS's have a group of regulars that are usually happy to encourage someone else in the hobby and can give you a lot of friendly advice and also give you a feel for how competitive the local environment is. Some groups frown on power gamers, others think that you bring that torunament list every time and go fro the throat. They can also steer you away from the TFG(there is always at least one) or at least prepare you for their madness.

Lastly, talk to the shop workers(and owner if its a smaller store). They appreciate feedback and are often gamers themselves and can give you advice on the local envornment as well. Ask if they have certain days the regular groups play, if there are any league or tourney days, etc. My FLGS has a beginners night where you can expect to see a lot of other people kids to adult that are just starting their excursion into the hobby as well.

I like the variety of opponents that the local store offers, and have met many great people by playing there.

Meph

Thanks for the responses. Good advice all around.

Don't forget to beat someone up on the first day so they'll know you're hard and leave you alone.

Soap, I highly recommend you use soap Prior to attending. While its not common practice, it is certainly appreciated.



Good luck!

Hover and watch a game or two. Find the few guys that seem to be mature and level-headed (or at least, the most mature of a bunch of guys playing with toy soldiers). Explain that you're new and ask if they'd be willing to play a game or two against you, or who they would suggest you play.

The worst thing is to find the kid that needs wins to boost his ego or the mean guy that likes to crush people and play them.

Find the reasonable guy that likes to get new people into the hobby. He'll probably beat you, but he'll explain all the rules to you, explain what he's doing and why, and probably even give you some 'take back' moves and some 'you probably shouldn't do that' advice.

Go in ahead of the game, and talk with the guys. Schedule a small "learning" game of 500 or 1000 pts.

Be wary of those who do not shave their necks. This is most important of all.

EDIT:I'm serious, you can meet some great people at the flgs, and some very...sketchy individuals.

Railguns wrote:Be wary of those who do not shave their necks. This is most important of all.

EDIT:I'm serious, you can meet some great people at the flgs, and some very...sketchy individuals.

I don't shave at all, I just prune it back to a couple of millimeters with a cheap electric trimmer. Is that what you mean or should I consult an obscure game-terminology translator?

madmen wrote:I'm ready (or think I am) to play against people other than myself.

Play with yourself often? Is this how you learned "the game"? As much fun as it can be, playing with other people is pretty much always more pleasurable than playing with yourself. Get out there and find yourself a partner! Find out if you got enough practice with yourself to be good with another.

Good luck, friend!

Ghidorah wrote:

madmen wrote:I'm ready (or think I am) to play against people other than myself.

Play with yourself often? Is this how you learned "the game"? As much fun as it can be, playing with other people is pretty much always more pleasurable than playing with yourself. Get out there and find yourself a partner! Find out if you got enough practice with yourself to be good with another.

Good luck, friend!

LOL!

One thing I must stress, is no matter how much of a douchebag the other person is, don't be a sore loser. Even if the completely trounce you, just shrug it off and don't worry about it... it's your first game! That whole thing about first impressions being the lasting ones is true, even in wargaming (ie you want people to want to do battle with you!).

Good luck and have fun

Even if you don't normally, wear deoderant! Try not to pester the employees who are actually working too much.

warpcrafter wrote:

Railguns wrote:Be wary of those who do not shave their necks. This is most important of all.

I don't shave at all, I just prune it back to a couple of millimeters with a cheap electric trimmer. Is that what you mean or should I consult an obscure game-terminology translator?

The term 'neckbeard' is somewhat common internet slang for a certain kind of pretentious basement-dweller.

There was a particularly vehement description I read, either here or on something awful, but you get the idea. Just know that you can run into all sorts of people.

Ghidorah wrote:
Play with yourself often? Is this how you learned "the game"? As much fun as it can be, playing with other people is pretty much always more pleasurable than playing with yourself. Get out there and find yourself a partner! Find out if you got enough practice with yourself to be good with another.

Good luck, friend!

If your partner wants to play with only you, there is a risk you will both get bored of facing the same tactics, armies etc over and over again. Different deployment makes for some variation, but I'd still reccomend joining a club or finding people who encourage you to play with other people. That way you will pick up a lot more inspiration.

Also, don't worry. Most players are really nice and they enjoy dragging new players into the hobby. You will be well recieved.

i'd recommend hovering for the first time there to see the players' gaming styles. some people are loosy-goosy with the rules simply because they don't know them or just assume something fluffy must be true ruleswise. for instance, someone could assume logically that IG voxcasters let you communicate with squads in some way beyond shouting distance and play them as such, despite the actual rules saying otherwise. others are hard sticklers for the RAW (rules as written) and won't budge an inch. one extreme will inevidably annoy you more than the other and it's good to see who plays with what style before going into a new gaming group.

Also, it's tempting to judge people quickly, especially at a game store, but give everyone a chance. I've met some very nice people, even if they have irritating foibles (I'm sure I do), who I enjoy playing against.

Just have an open mind. Sometimes you have to smile andd nod, but it's worth it in the long run. The only people I really tend to avoid are the ones who talk trash about the other players (and not in a good-natured way).