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Hey,

Now I'm pretty shy and such, but I want a group of friends to play 40K with. I'm not sure about how to go about this, however, so I need some suggestions.

I could try to make a school group, but I don't want to get heckled for my hobby.

Halp meh?

I'd say the Find a Game section of this forum is a good starting point. Post to see what gamers are in your area.

Another option are FLGS/GW stores, go there on a weekend and just find a game.

That said, I'd also like to advise you that either route is going to involve you taking the initiative and spearheading this stuff. You're going to have to go out and meet people, so don't just pull the "I'm shy" card and expect gamers to come to you.

curran12 wrote:I'd say the Find a Game section of this forum is a good starting point. Post to see what gamers are in your area.

Another option are FLGS/GW stores, go there on a weekend and just find a game.

That said, I'd also like to advise you that either route is going to involve you taking the initiative and spearheading this stuff. You're going to have to go out and meet people, so don't just pull the "I'm shy" card and expect gamers to come to you.

I do go down to a GW on the weekends, but that's about 30 miles away and not many people actually come from my area.

And I was just asking for advice, I can do things, but like most younglings on the site I'm quite awkward socially, leading to shyness.

I'm going to be honest with you, because this is advice that is beneficial in the long run. Please know that I'm telling you this because I think it'll benefit you:

Stop making excuses.

The only way you are going to overcome social awkwardness is to get out and start acting and expanding. Use the Find a Game board and find out who is in your area for a game. I'm not sure about your geography, but generally, you should be able to find someone who is at least reasonably close and can meet in some mutual area.

I get you now...

However, I'd prefer to meet somebody of my own age...

Wait a second...

It's going to be harder than said to stop making excuses, it seems...

Damn.

Why does age matter? I play with, and am friends with people who range from 10 years younger than me to more than 25 years older than me.

curran12 wrote:Why does age matter? I play with, and am friends with people who range from 10 years younger than me to more than 25 years older than me.

Because I'm an excuses maker who is afraid of people who they don't know or can relate to.

And out come more excuses...

Start with friends first. Then move out from there. The initial investment may have to be yours to get a Starter box to have something to show them and use to teach them the game.

Curran is right about the excuse thing. Who cares if you get heckled and made fun of. Just point out that Geek is Chic. Hell the Top movie right now is Avengers, one of the top shows is Big Bang Theory, and Most Jocks are bigger geeks with sports than us gamer geeks.

Blap, I saw you post in the Poole GW thread a little while ago. Are you old enough to go to the vet's night on Thursdays? If so, we could have a couple of games.

Well how close are you with your good mates in the region? If you are close to them then even if you play warhammer and they would find it something to use against you in an overly harsh way, 1) that'd make them s*** mates and 2) you are going to know just as many embarrassing things about them. But if they are good mates, I'm sure you can pull their leg into getting them to have a crack at it. Alternatively, get them into DOW games if they like computer gaming, then make the easier transition to tabletop in about a month/2 months times.

You just need them to have a taste of it: if they're interested they will follow. If not, find other people. I've done this pretty much when it comes to D&D: I have all the books, dice and miniatures but no one wants to play, so I asked one day if they're game for a simple trial run. They had fun, and now most of my friends are hooked. That was what my friend did that got me into wargaming. Now I'm trying the same thing to get them into Infinity.

You can't ask them to jump without letting them test the waters first. Do a simple demo game. Note: having nice painted armies and terrain really helps.

Gorechild wrote:Blap, I saw you post in the Poole GW thread a little while ago. Are you old enough to go to the vet's night on Thursdays? If so, we could have a couple of games.

Afraid not, no. I'm down on Sundays normally, sometimes a Saturday.

Look at it this way. Most gamers are socially awkward in a way. Those same gamers your playing, WE ARE ALL DORKY. And we like it that way. Don't worry about it, getting along with other gamers is severely easy. You already have a common groud. When I head to the gaming shop and we head out to eat during a break. I've had people make snide comments. Guess what? I'd rather be with my gaming friends most of the days during the week. Because they get what i'm thinking. I have no problem telling people who make negative comments at gamers to "please walk away." Politeness goes a long way

Best advice.
1. Stay calm. Speak clearly, ask questions. Don't feel like you have to be all hyped up even if other folks are. Just be yourself. If your quiet, be quiet, but try to pipe in.
2. Play games. Ask to play everyone. See a dude in the shop you have played? Play them. Learn everyone's names. Remember them. Thank them for the game.
3. Be nice. Be polite.
4. Rinse and repeat. When the games quiet, ask what they think about a unit choice they made. If they are playing GK, ask them why they like it? What don't they like about it?

Every time I head to a GT i'm honestly a little nervious. You never really know what to expect. You will likely see a guy you played before. Maybe you'll win, maybe you wont. Who cares right? End of the day we are all pushing little plastic men. You'll make friends as long as your friendly to game against, shower, are clean, and laugh at your models misfortunes, and not rub the opponents nose in it when crap doesn't go their way.

I used to play games of Necromunda in my highschool lunch room. That is how I met about half of my gaming group. Though I was used to heckling and really did not care as no one had actions to back up their words. Ignore the brainless morons who can not understand the game or hobby, their opinions are less than dirt.

I think you'll struggle locally (being a local) to get a group until you can hit up the local vets night. I know that my gaming group (who go there and to other local clubs) are aware of more than 5 groups, but the age range is normally from 18-60 (think that's the oldest I've met)

But the best way to start being accepted by the older gamers locally is ask Owen (manager) if he knows anyone who'll give you a challenge in a game, be polite, be normal, understand us older gamers are odd and realise it takes time.

BlapBlapBlap wrote:

I do go down to a GW on the weekends, but that's about 30 miles away and not many people actually come from my area.

And I was just asking for advice, I can do things, but like most younglings on the site I'm quite awkward socially, leading to shyness.

My FLGS is 40 miles away, I drive there twice a week.

The best advice I can give you is the following:

When you go down to the store, or any place were 40k (or whatever game you are looking for players in) don't start looking for a game. Walk around, talk to people there, be friendly and helpful.

Later get a few games in, make sure to play whatever army you play in a unique way. I brought down my tau and no-berzerker or vehicle chaos that were painted the first few times I went to my FLGS. I drew peoples attention. It works.

After having some people who you can just walk up to talk to, after or before a game, say you are going to get some food (if it's around food time) and ask them if they want to come with. From there, just don't punch people in the balls and you should be making friends left and right.

Bottom line: Don't hide, stand out. Not like a clown in a cemetery kind of way, but be something people will remember.

Or move to russia, after all in soviet russia friends make you!

Last piece of advice would be no comments on other folks games and stay out of rules disputes of games your not in. It's different when you buddy comments a game versus a stranger.