Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I'm trying to introduce my parents (insert joke here) into 40k so I actually have an opponent who can play regularly.

Any ideas how to make 40k appeal? How to explain the rules?


Nom

I've always introduced people to the hobby through, the smaller easier to grasp games. Mordheim for Fantasy and Necromunda for 40k.

I've never played necromunda so that's not an option in this case and fantasy is a little to complex to introduce as a starter.

Nom

Well, I'd just start really small. play a couple hundred points a side, and play the first battle or two more like a demo, Ie. have them take a small force each and explain things very slowly and try not to move to fast.

Once we've memorized all the phases and stats it's easy to forget how daunting it all can be.

If I were to introduce someone to Warhammer, I'd give them a 500 pt demo game.

Beforehand, though, I'd set up a troops and elite choice from each of my six armies on a table, point to each one, say their playstyle and give a teensy bit of fluff (in my experience, fluff is something people become interested in after playing the game). Ask them to pick one and start a nice little 500pt game, wherein you explain everything that's happening and are sure to put in a strong narrative. IMO the best part of 40k is the 'stories' it develops from the game; so be sure to describe everything that's happening. 'Your Space Marines let rip with their bolters and pulverise four of my Ork Boyz.' 'Oh dear, looks like Librarian Tim just got turned into a Squig by Zogwort's curse!' I think 40k can be charming if sold just right, but I always like a good story...

The Assault on Black Reach is actually the best way to introduce people to the hobby; the lists are balanced, the rules are simplified, and it was designed by GW for this purpose.

If buying AoBR isn't feasible, write two tiny little lists, 500 pts might actually be too large, and go for a basic armies, like marines and orks, who do not have a crazy amount of special rules.

The more simple you can make this, the more appeal you can get from your folks.

-cgmckenzie

I thought AoBR has like a 200 point disparity between the Marines and Orks?

the marines actually end up having more points than orks. The orks are actually somewhat handicapped when straight out of the box

Since aobr isn't possible would one hq, two troops each and a dumbed down sisters vs orks or tau be a good idea?

Nom

Yeah, I'd say so.

At the end of the day you're not trying to ram every cool model or unit type down their throat; just get them familiar with how the game works. K.I.S.S. definitely applies here; a nice speedy game, quickly resolved, will keep them interested (a long 40k game can be a bit boring for a newb) and show them how it works.

You might even want to give the side you play a slight disadvantage so that they win?