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I've never played like that with miniatures, but I have played against myself in Chess. I enjoyed it. I was able to try different strategies such as defensive vs aggressive or to learn how to more effectively use specific pieces such as the bishops and knights.

The key is to keep it interesting. Use 'weak' lists against min/maxed lists and play to win with the weak. Learning to win with a 'weaker' list against the better lists will make you a better player. Or use units that you don't normally field. Some units seem good on paper but bad in game. Figure out why that is and how to better use them to your advantage.

The key is to play mismatched games and try to get the weak side to win, but play well with both armies. Make it a challenge. You'll improve and be better able to adapt to bad situations when you start playing with others again.

Brother SRM wrote:

DarkAngelsRK wrote:I don't wargame (yet) but that seems really boring. From what I know, one of the most fun parts of wargaming is conversing and spending time with fellow wargamers.

As much as I actually do love the game, the social aspect really is tops. If it were against a computer, I wouldn't enjoy it anywhere near as much.

This^
this is also why the bloodbowl videogame gets stale fast. That and the fact that in harder difficulties every other dice roll is a

The reason for playng vs self is not at the exclusion of playing against others - but as a primer. Consider it to be training

Brother SRM wrote:

DarkAngelsRK wrote:I don't wargame (yet) but that seems really boring. From what I know, one of the most fun parts of wargaming is conversing and spending time with fellow wargamers.

As much as I actually do love the game, the social aspect really is tops. If it were against a computer, I wouldn't enjoy it anywhere near as much.

Yup, that's exactly my point. From all the Batreps I've seen on Youtube, it seems they spend more time talking than playing.

I like to play with myself.

1)It's a good way to test out armies, terrain set ups, scenarios and new terrain pieces.

2)I get a huge amount of satisfaction laying down two fully painted armies on a nicely terrained board and knowing that I built it all.
Having zero time constraints enhances this as I find time to clear dice counters, rulebooks out of the way between turns and see how the whole 'picture' looks from each side of the table.
I helps me to realise what is lacking in detail, paint quality, contrast etc etc far more than just placing an army in a display type setup.

3)The story element of the game becomes far more involved as I have a grasp of what both armies (and models within them) are 'all about'.
The story can also be furthur enhanced with making less tactial decisions, changing objectives/adding additional ones and playing more towards the fluff of each army.

There are probably more reasons why I like to play with myself but i'll leave that to your imagination.

I play 40k against myself frequently. When I am bored or the missus won't indulge me in a game I go and get out my 40k stuff, though I don't do it as much as I used to as I go to a gaming club regular now.

The bonus playing against yourself is you learn the rules and profiles of armies. You can also test army builds before using them against a live opponent. While tactics are thrown out the window because you know what you're going to do they can still play a part. Having those ork deffkopters turbo boost for first turn alpha strike is still tactics even if you know you're going to do it.

Sometimes can be boring though, but mostly I don't mind it.

I tried playing myself ages ago, it dosent work very well at all. It might help you stay on top of the rules (but so does skimming throught the rule book every so often when you have nothing else to do). It will never make up for finding another person to play against though.

I always end up killing everything on the table when I try to play myself

The main reasons everybody seems to give for playing against yourself are, no one else to play with and to keep up with/ learn the rules. Both are valid and if I had 2 armies i would be guilty of playing against myself (with myself is an entirely different act...that I don't need miniatures for). I do however have a problem with "rules" reason. What if you misunderstand the rules? Playing against the same armies again and again doesn't allow you to come across the "controversial" rules we all have come across when we play differernt armies. I know my first "point" is rather weak but it can happen. And of course if you don't really understand some of the rules there are a plethora of Dakkaites that will show you the light.

i am living in malaysia where when p;laying a game you cant understand them so i play against myself almost every weekend because it keeps me in the game but i do miss the gw staff and the social get to knows

I have tried it. It feels very long winded though, & isnt very satisfying, 'cos you know all your own plans.

Its just not the same yelling insulting IN YO FACE comments to yourself on crazy impossible dice rolls.

No problem as long as you don't surprise yourself with your own tactics lol

I've tried playing Space Hulk against myself a couple of times and despite being slightly biased towards the Space Marines (timer? what timer?), I still lose against the Genestealers every single time.

Or I'm just a fantastic Genestealer player.