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I went to my first "Warhammer" meeting on thursday and I must say that I can't wait for this thursday to come around so that I can play a game of my own.

I was watching some of the other guys play and since I only knew one regular I was a little shy, but I had no fething idea what was going on on the tables!

My question:
Is it generally acceptable to watch a game up close? Would that bother you? And is asking questions annoying? The last thing I want to do is break the rhythm of a game with a stupid question. Especially with the Fantasy guys, their phases look insanely complicated! The one dude I gathered was playing vampire counts and during his magic phase he was adding more minis (the looked like ghouls) on the table with every dice roll!

All and all it was a fantastic experiance but I really didn't want to be annoying... What's the general games evening ettiquette?

I don't mind those that want to watch.. I don't even mind those that have questions (as long as they aren't those "what would happen if spiderman and a space marine got crossed?" kinda questions)

In fact if you introduce yourself and mention that you'd like to know more, I'll probablypull out another army and run you through a game (that is if you are nearby of course)

Just don't breath down someone's neck and don't be to quick to keep asking why'd you do that? and it should all be good.

That's my perspective anyways.

And, whatever the beep else you do. DO NOT BACK SEAT GENERAL. It's the worst.

Watching is all good though imho.

Well it depends how close you get lol. I dont mind people watching me play at all but when they get in my way I start getting asshaty. As for asking questions, that differs from every player. Feel it out, if they seem chatty then go for it just make sure you say "hey if Im breaking your concentration then just let me know, no hard feelings."
Or if there is others around not playing just watching, you can ask them. The group I play with doesnt usually care if people have questions. Hell thats how you learn

There are a few very rude people that will snap at you, but there are more laid back guys who will take their time so you can watch and learn. The best thing to do is ask if you can watch and ask if you can ask questions. If there's no one watching, there aren't going to be any more new players to bring into the game, so it's always good to have spectators. We also have a little attention whore inside of all of us, we don't spend hours painting miniatures to keep them in boxes. (Metal Boxes!?!)

There are usually a few games going on where they are still learning the rules, so they would be ideal to observe because a lecture usually accompanies some of the questions. I always think of answering questions as a learning experience myself, since I can teach the game better than I can play it. There's always a point where everybody cracks open the books to check on something.

I wouldn't suggest advice during the game, but you can ask if there were alternate stratagems after someone's played through one. They might be running some house rules and people get snippity sometimes if they're second guessed.

Most gamers enjoy having their models and tactics be the center of attention. Think of it like observing a sporting event as long as your not directly interfering with the game I can't imagine many people complaining.

If you are comfortable with the notation try introducing yourself to the group and explaining that you are interested, but ignorant of the game. Many people would leap at the chance to convert someone into warhammer. During some of my games I have allowed a newbie to control one of my squads so they can get the feel of the game directly. No harm in asking.

When I'm playing I don't mind someone asking questions. I can't abide somebody picking up and handling models during a game, afterwards is fine however. I don't like people giving tactical advice to either opponent or starting rules arguments however. In forums I'd like as many responses as possible 800+ views on my P&M blog and 20 replies over half of them from me! Cool this is my 333rd post.

As long as observer is not providing tactical advise or disrupting the game, I have no issues with observers of my games. I don't even care if they are having a conversation about something other than the game as long as both players are involved.

From my experiance(unless you look like Freddy Kruger, are 12, or haven't bathed in 3 days) new players are usually like the virgin at the prom kind of thing. Gamers love to bring new people into the fold and usually foam at the mouth at the opportunity to show you how to play or answer questions.


GG

fitzeh wrote:And, whatever the beep else you do. DO NOT BACK SEAT GENERAL. It's the worst.

Watching is all good though imho.

What Fitzeh said.

Phloop wrote:I went to my first "Warhammer" meeting on thursday and I must say that I can't wait for this thursday to come around so that I can play a game of my own.

I was watching some of the other guys play and since I only knew one regular I was a little shy, but I had no fething idea what was going on on the tables!

My question:
Is it generally acceptable to watch a game up close? Would that bother you? And is asking questions annoying? The last thing I want to do is break the rhythm of a game with a stupid question. Especially with the Fantasy guys, their phases look insanely complicated! The one dude I gathered was playing vampire counts and during his magic phase he was adding more minis (the looked like ghouls) on the table with every dice roll!

All and all it was a fantastic experiance but I really didn't want to be annoying... What's the general games evening ettiquette?

New lurkers are awesome. They are like the children you should have had. They are pliant and you can make them do your foul bidding. They will hang on your every word and actually believe the nonsense coming out of your mouth. Unfortunately they soon grow up and start to think on their own. Its at that point you have to let them fly free...

Fly little lurker...fly!

As long as they don't shout out random crap from the internet as a "witty" commentary upon seeing certain units. Shouting metal boxes at Rhinos or Sindri at Chaos lords isn't funny anymore.

Whatever, if you shower, brush your teeth, and wear deodorant, it's easy to forgive the rest.

Other than smashing my models, that is.

"what would happen if spiderman and a space marine got crossed?"

regular marine or assault marine? and what would happen? what if Superman...

I read the topic and thought the thread was about some new sort of 'Nid or Chaos unit.

Don't mind lurkers, I like it when someone watches but I don't like a plethora of questions. That just breaks my flow.

I think that most people don't mind spectators. Just keep in mind that they are there to play a game and not entertain you and you'll be fine. A little bit of manners goes a long ways. Talk to the meeting coordinator too and see if there is anyone there who would be willing to teach you the game.

Yeah, just ask the players before hand about lurking and asking questions. And if they say they are cool with the questions, try to keep them down a bit in number. "Yes I'm cool with questions." does nto translate out to "Please machine gun me with questions. If you aren't askin one every 2 minutes then you need to step up."

May sound silly, but a lot of silly words of wisdom you hear are uttered from the mouth of Experience. As in, "I experienced this once and wished the guy would experience an embolism."

Thanks for the advice, guys! Can't WAIT for thursday!

I don't mind people watching my games, and I generally don't mind questions. However, a week or so ago some guy who I had been chatting to previously about him starting nids (I'm he only nid player at our store) started asking many many questions and just generally spouting crap about space marines in the middle of a tournament game (that I was losing badly). THAT tried my patience (me getting my arse handed to me might have been a part of it).

the only time lurking is not really cool in my mind is at a tourney, if they stand at your side of the table and ask questions your opponent may thikn hes trying to advise you, lol. All in all Listen to 40k Radio they talk about "coaching" games where they play and let a guy watch and learn. I't a good way to get into it. cause god alone knows we need new players unless we want GW to shut up shop and let us hang with 5th edition :(

alarmingrick wrote:"what would happen if spiderman and a space marine got crossed?"

regular marine or assault marine? and what would happen? what if Superman...

well the joke around here is that a space marine and spiderman = warpspider... (not funny at all.. )

They're a wonderful unit. I upgrade at least 6 hydras into them. The ability to attack while burrowed makes them excellent at taking out buildings and massed small troops like marines and zerglings while the other units pick apart the things that can see them.

Oh wait wrong lurker.

I think lurkers should post more. This forum is a community and we're not gonna grow if people keep quiet.

Oh wait, still wrong lurker.

I don't mind people hanging out and watching games as long as they don't slow down the game too much. I like having people to talk and as long as they're being talkative without being reticent at the same time it's good stuff.

My suggestion is this, just walk up and tell the guys up front "Hey, I'm new to Warhammer, mind if I spectate and ask a few questions every now and then?"

Frazzled wrote:New lurkers are awesome. They are like the children you should have had. They are pliant and you can make them do your foul bidding. They will hang on your every word and actually believe the nonsense coming out of your mouth. Unfortunately they soon grow up and start to think on their own. Its at that point you have to let them fly free...

Fly little lurker...fly!

I laughed out loud

It's awesome to have someone new watch your game, so go for it! I did this for a few months recently trying to get back into the game and learn the new rules

Lurkers were pretty good in starcraft one, but I really hate the way that they got redesigned in starcraft two.



wait...

ph34r wrote:Lurkers were pretty good in starcraft one, but I really hate the way that they got redesigned in starcraft two.

My first thought when reading this thread, was exactly on this topic.

On topic:
Im sure if its a halfway decent gaming club than its more than likely that no one will mind looking around, asking a few legit questions, but one piece of advice, DONT PICK UP MODELS.... god... some little kid did that to my imperial guard commander.... then put him right in charge range of a unit of genestealers & broodlord (he was previously out of rapid fire range).

I was a lurker once, i learned alot from just watching some games at the FLGS, learned about all the armies, and found my first one (i saw a beautiful cadian army, but it was the russ that hooked me ).

As has been said... DON'T TOUCH THE MODELS DURING THE GAME.
After the game, ASK before touching and, if possible, let the guy HAND the model to you. Don't go pawing through his cases.
I suggest you ask the owner/manager of the store WHICH guy would be the best to watch & ask questions of.
If he doesn' know or isn't available, look for the guys who seem to be having a good time. Watch them fro about 5 minutes. If they seem to know what they're doing, without having to constantly look at the book, wait for a "good" time. Ask, "Do you mind if I watch your game and ask about a million questions when it's over?" While watching it, TAKE NOTES... detailed notes... Then ask afterwards.

If they seem like they won't mind, you can even ask some DURING the game.

Eric

I'll add my $.02...

If you've ever played pool (that's billiards, not swimming), the courtesies are approximately the same. Don't touch anything on the table, stay out of the way, only talk to someone when they aren't doing something at the table, and pour beers when glasses are empty.

Most importantly, you can usually learn just by watching and asking for clarification when you don't understand what's happening.

Gavin Thorne wrote:I'll add my $.02...

If you've ever played pool (that's billiards, not swimming), the courtesies are approximately the same. Don't touch anything on the table, stay out of the way, only talk to someone when they aren't doing something at the table, and pour beers when glasses are empty.

Most importantly, you can usually learn just by watching and asking for clarification when you don't understand what's happening.

LOL

Actually, it kinda works for swimming, too. : )


Eric