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 started playing with second edition in the sixth grade, and still enjoy a game every once in a while, maybe one game every month or two. The problem I have been having is that I have lost every single game due to not knowing the rules, or confusing a sixth edition rule with an earlier edition. It has left me very discouraged, because I know I need to play more games, but my schedule doesn't allow me to so losing due to confusing an old rule with a new one actually deters me from playing any games at all. Fortunately, I still enjoy reading the new codeciis, as well as modelling and painting, so it's still a fun hobby for me.

The most recent game I played I was tabled by Grey Knights. I played them once before, in fifth edition. The reason I lost this game was due to psychic powers from the Divination table (I wrongly assumed that Grey Knights only had the powers from their codex), not knowing Deny the Witch was a rule (I could have prevented those powers on a D6, but didn't know it), and not knowing power weapons don't ignore 2+ saves in assault (I confidently assaulted a Dreadknight with a Wyche unit w/ Agoniser).

I know these are all my fault for not knowing the rules, but it is difficult picking up on the differences between fourth, fifth, and sixth edition when you only play a few games a year. At least now I know these rules, and won't make the same mistake again, but how many more rules are out there that will lose a game for me? Does anyone else have this problem?

6th edition has a ton of little rules that greatly affect the game. IMO it's one of its biggest flaws, just too many rules to keep track of. Most are dumb and never needed to be added unfortunately.

You'll probably end up losing to focus fire also.

It really has little to do with 6th edition if you play so few games. I would advise playing with people who don't mind making sure you are aware of the stuff you are missing. Playing with friends and not randoms helps out a lot if you only play games rarely.

pretre is correct, play as many friendly games with either friends or people who don't mind showing you the changes. It will make things better for you in the long run.

After 10 games you should be very comfortable with all the core rules and have a decent knowledge of some of the trickier ones (squads with mixed toughness/armour saves, flyer rules, etc).

Don't feel bad if you don't remember ever USR by heart though. I often forget little things here and there (and I always will since I only play a few games a month).

It depends on a few factors.
1. How bright are you?
2. How much general wargaming experience do you have?
3. Does your opponent know what he is doing?

All of these things make a difference.
I've been playing various wargames for about quarter of a century over many different rule sets.
I find I can get a good working knowledge of a games mechanics in 2-3 games, as long as my opponent knows what he/she is doing.
To become confident of giving a good showing, and having a better than even chance of pulling off a win, maybe 6-8 games, certainly by 10.

About 4 years worth.
Then, by the time you DO have a decent handle on them, they will change them by releasing X+1 edition (where X is whatever edition you have been learning).

Rinse and repeat.

After about 5-6 of these cycles, you will probably say 'enough is enough' and go play something else.

I tend to find that by game 5 or 6, you've got a fair idea of how everything works. By 10, you're sorted with the BRB, except for looking up the occasional special rule. Then it's just trying to pin down all those codex-specific rules...

I totally played 2nd in sixth grade too, haha. I took a multiple year break and got back in at 5th, so 6th edition wasn't as big of an adjustment.

To help remember fiddly rules I'd recommend making your own "cheat sheet". I do that for all new games I play. Just simple stuff like "Remember to Deny the Witch, which is ..." and write the full rule. Just make sure to get the rules right on the quick sheet.

Also maybe see if your opponents would be interested in lower point games to start. We started 6th with 500 points a side and no flyers. Then up to 1000 with flyers. Just gradually introduce the various elements until you feel comfortable.

3 or 4 games till you can play a game without relying on the rulebook again.

After that it will take an eternity to really get all rules, since a lot of them won't come up for dozens of games.