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Due to various reasons, I won't be able to play most of my regular warhammer opponents and friends by this fall (college, living out of state, etc) so I've been thinking about heading up to a GW or other hobby store nearby to for pick up games. I haven't done this in a long time and I'm a little wary. I'm just looking for a friendly game, and I've heard horror stories about power gamers (those out to win at all costs) and the few times I've gone in the past there have been lots of younger kids who don't really know how to play the game that well. Granted, I'm finishing my Senior year of high school so I may be considered just a young whipper snapper to some of you older folks, but I at least know all the rules pretty darn well. I'm very social and I can get along with just about anybody, but I'd rather play with somebody at least in High School and with full knowledge of the rules. Are these stores full of pricks? Do you go to GW and hobby stores to game strangers, or do you usually only play against people you know?

This is leaving me second guessing whether I should really drop the 100-150 dollars I've been planning on spending to expand my IG army

Playing in GW shops, period, is just something I consider to do when you're absolutely desperate for a game or you're just starting out.

If you want a decent quality game--look into leagues in your area and see about that.

None of my friends play- although one of them is well versed in the fluff and might be persuaded. As a result I play often in GW stores.

Generally most aren't too bad, you can avoid the kiddy crowd by going during the week. Weekends tend to have a lot of younger kids there, this isn't a problem in college, where you only sparrodically have class, and generally can skip most of them (but you'll probably want to attend more if you want a better GPA Then I got ) Going during the Day as opposed to evening is also good, sometimes there won't be anybody there, but often there will be a few people hanging around. I wouldn't say its desperate like Kanluwen does- it can be a good way of meeting new opponents and playing against new armies.

Just be familiar with the rules, and bring a decently strong army list. If you have a good attitude people will want to play with you. Power Gamer whining is overrated anyway. You can quickly figure out who those kids are anyway.

Take a look around the days they play their game, hang out and see how their "regulars" behave.

akaean wrote:None of my friends play- although one of them is well versed in the fluff and might be persuaded. As a result I play often in GW stores.

Generally most aren't too bad, you can avoid the kiddy crowd by going during the week. Weekends tend to have a lot of younger kids there, this isn't a problem in college, where you only sparrodically have class, and generally can skip most of them (but you'll probably want to attend more if you want a better GPA Then I got ) Going during the Day as opposed to evening is also good, sometimes there won't be anybody there, but often there will be a few people hanging around. I wouldn't say its desperate like Kanluwen does- it can be a good way of meeting new opponents and playing against new armies.

Yeah, I guess 'desperate' was the wrong word. It's just as a whole, many shops(independent and GW both) have an atmosphere that's less than compelling for veteran gamers or people who aren't chomping at the bit to get into gaming, if that makes sense.

I'd rather have a laid-back, friendly atmosphere (remember that a GW can, in fact, be a FLGS. It's not strictly reserved for independent shops) with lots of campaign gaming going on than the constant tournament garbage that I get more often than not.

Just be familiar with the rules, and bring a decently strong army list. If you have a good attitude people will want to play with you. Power Gamer whining is overrated anyway. You can quickly figure out who those kids are anyway.

You also find out more often than not that they're not kids

I think it would largely depend on the store. The one I used to go to(before they closed it) would usually have a lot pf people aged 18+, most of which were in their 20's. There were some really nice people there that I got along with quite a bit, one in fact which has become a friend of mine, and we still hang out and play(at a differnt store now). I would recommend it, especially on a weekday afternoon, or Weekend evening.

Thaanos wrote:I think it would largely depend on the store.

This is how it's going to be for any store you try and go to. You've got pretty much the same chance of finding a crappy FLGS.

Bookwrack wrote:

Thaanos wrote:I think it would largely depend on the store.

This is how it's going to be for any store you try and go to. You've got pretty much the same chance of finding a crappy FLGS.

Which is why I prefer to reference any non-GW owned gaming/hobby shop as an 'independent'.

"FLGS" has a specific meaning. It's a Friendly Local Game Store. It can be anything from a GW shop with a kickin' awesome staff to that hole in the wall shop with all the awesome tables.

Alright, maybe I'll take a look around a local store sometime. Too bad I can't just play with some of the people on dakka, they seem cooler than those I've seen around GW stores in the past.

I agree with some here that playing at a GW store is the absolute last resort for me.

imark789 wrote:Alright, maybe I'll take a look around a local store sometime. Too bad I can't just play with some of the people on dakka, they seem cooler than those I've seen around GW stores in the past.

You only say that because you can't see that we're all a bunch of basement dweller.
The picture may be from a South Park Episode about WoW, but I think it may or may not be somewhat accurate as to what some of us look like.

Except me, I'm much better looking then that.

I don't think playing at a GW store is that bad.. I have two independent game stores and a GW in my area. The independent stores, while they do stock a nice variety of products, are complete pits. It's poorly lit, smells bad and pretty much all the stock looks like it's been sitting there for several years (i.e the boxes are all crapped up and dusty).

The GW however at least is up to the standards of a retail store of a high street, my biggest gripe with GW stores is that if it's a small GW with an over subscription of players, then the staff like bundling you into these big team games on small 4x4 tables which are never fun. Which is weird, because there are quite a few gaming clubs in my area too, although they meet at weird times.

You only say that because you can't see that we're all a bunch of basement dweller.
The picture may be from a South Park Episode about WoW, but I think it may or may not be somewhat accurate as to what some of us look like.

Except me, I'm much better looking then that.

As others have said, you should check it out. My FLGS is defiantly a FLGS, as most of the people are fine, and there are not many WAAC gamers or the like that you find at some stores.
It doesn't hurt for you to scope out the place to see if it is the type of game store you want, and if it isn't, you could just find another or try to form a club in your college.

I am a (slightly) older gamer and I can't go to GW stores during the week coz of work commitments. If I do go in on a Saturday though HELL'S BELLS it's madness, I took my Lady once to show her what it's all about and it was like a creche with kids going hyper on powerade!!! Dont get me wrong- I was one of those kids once, and I'd rather they were doing WH and flexing some imagination than doing crack and stealing cars!
I now go to a great gaming club every Thursday night with loads of veteran types and they're all fantastic people, it's a really good set up

@thaanos- I'm way better looking than that. I just need a bit more sun...

the main problem with GW stores is that its mostly Newbs who play there.


and older and established GW store will have a cadre of older gamers, but they won't be likely to be higher caliber.

GW stores also tend to have alot of House Rules over contentious rules and ones that are disliked.


in short, you arn't likely to find true Powergamers at a GW store. the one store i go to when i go to Socal, the Fantesy players refuse to use any of the massive spells of death as a courtesy for example. other things of a similer nature are likely.

I'm noticing the typical disparity between the UK and US gamers that always comes up in this type of thread.

The UK does not have many independent stockists and the majority of places where people will play are either in GW or at a gaming club. Conversely the US appears to have a larger ratio of independents to GW's and also not a lot of gaming clubs either from what I gather.


GW stores are fine to play in, yes there are some numptys, but this is a case everywhere. Most of the things you hear are pure Hyperbole and they tend to only be the super creches in half term and at weekends, in fact all shops are like this at these times. It's a fact of life and not just something that happens in GW, it happens in Tesco every weekend too.

Grimtuff wrote:I'm noticing the typical disparity between the UK and US gamers that always comes up in this type of thread.

The UK does not have many independent stockists and the majority of places where people will play are either in GW or at a gaming club. Conversely the US appears to have a larger ratio of independents to GW's and also not a lot of gaming clubs either from what I gather.


GW stores are fine to play in, yes there are some numptys, but this is a case everywhere. Most of the things you hear are pure Hyperbole and they tend to only be the super creches in half term and at weekends, in fact all shops are like this at these times. It's a fact of life and not just something that happens in GW, it happens in Tesco every weekend too.

What it always comes down to is the US has far more space between gamers, with little to no public transportation or gaming space available.

The UK, however, has those things in spades.

It results in the US preferring "store" gaming or cliques, while the UK has more pick-up styled gaming by all accounts.

I too notice this,


this is probably because most people in the US won't have a GW nearby, or the closest one will be a fair drive away and as such will play at independent stockests or Clubs.

Gaming Clubs by their very nature will tend to attract competitive players.



in the UK, with less of these non-GW affiliated venues per capita, the competitive players will tend to go to GW stores.

those of us in the US are probably a little more competitive then the average Brit as well.


although i do envy your school warhammer leagues. nothing like that here.

Well my experiences in the local GW have been nothing short of excellent. Other than a few rules quibbles and the odd socially imperfect person (but who is really perfect in this regard?) all of my games have been awesome and I have a great time. I do, however, only go allong to veterans night on a tuesday though. I avoid the place on the weekends for fear of children driving me insane.

The best advice that I can give is to go along a bit and give it a go. It could be awesome, it could be aweful, but how are you going to know unless you give it a go?

I love my GW personally. There aren't any non-gw stores near me, but I haven't had a problem with mine. Though I would suggest trying to go once every night of the week. I find that each night is vastly different in its crowd, so try them all out and find which one is best.

Oh and avoid the weekends...

Grimtuff wrote:I'm noticing the typical disparity between the UK and US gamers that always comes up in this type of thread.

The UK does not have many independent stockists and the majority of places where people will play are either in GW or at a gaming club. Conversely the US appears to have a larger ratio of independents to GW's and also not a lot of gaming clubs either from what I gather.


GW stores are fine to play in, yes there are some numptys, but this is a case everywhere. Most of the things you hear are pure Hyperbole and they tend to only be the super creches in half term and at weekends, in fact all shops are like this at these times. It's a fact of life and not just something that happens in GW, it happens in Tesco every weekend too.

Yeah, I'm probably being too harsh on the kids. Natural born cynic, see? Of the two GW's I do go to one is worse than the other. As for Te$co? I actually find errant children winding up their parents hilarious!!!

Meh. I just looked at the store finder, all the nearest GW stores at at least a good half an hour away...ill probably stick to trying out the nearest independent hobby stores, which are much closer.

Snarky wrote:I don't think playing at a GW store is that bad.. I have two independent game stores and a GW in my area. The independent stores, while they do stock a nice variety of products, are complete pits. It's poorly lit, smells bad and pretty much all the stock looks like it's been sitting there for several years (i.e the boxes are all crapped up and dusty).

The GW however at least is up to the standards of a retail store of a high street, my biggest gripe with GW stores is that if it's a small GW with an over subscription of players, then the staff like bundling you into these big team games on small 4x4 tables which are never fun. Which is weird, because there are quite a few gaming clubs in my area too, although they meet at weird times.

This is pretty much is true in my area. One store about 30 mins away is pretty cool that it has just a ton of older collector stuff, like the LE boxes when all the armies were released the APOC stuff just a ton of goodness. However there is no gaming to be done there and at the other one 45 mins from my house but there is no fantasy stuff and the store charges GW retail, meanwhile I have a GW 10 mins away it's great, the only thing I don't like is the limited hours due to the 1 man shops now but it's not too big of a deal.

If you find, like I do that the GW store is packed with ankle biters on late night shopping nights and weekends, if you can, go during the day when the staffers aren't busy and play them. When I manage to duck in on my lunch break, I often see a couple 20+ guys playing the staffers whilst the store is quiet.

I would consider 30 minutes a pretty close store.

the nearest GW is 2 hours away and i have never been there.

I've had good experiences with my FLGS. It's a decent way to meet people and you can learn a lot about the hobby from them, but I suppose every store is different.

Apart from anything else I enjoy not being the most socially inept person in the room once in a while