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Skinnattittar wrote:I just tell people it's like Risk but more complicated.

I used to say that, but then I started running into people who replied 'Like what?'

Turns out there's an awful lot of people out there who don't play board games. Saying it's kind of like a more complex type of Chess seems to convey more to most non-gamers.

"These guys have swords with Chainsaws on them. And this gun has another gun built onto the bottom of his first gun. Oh - and those green guys? They talk like soccer hooligans."

metallifan wrote:"These guys have swords with Chainsaws on them. And this gun has another gun built onto the bottom of it. Oh - and those green guys? They talk like soccer hooligans."

And EVERY typical girl would reply, "What's a Chainsword"? To which most people simply give up.

It is what I said - A sword with a chainsaw on it. I never called it a Chainsword

binky wrote:

*Pat* It's okay babe. You're just not drunk enough yet. For some reason you differ from the rest of us, as you use forums while sober.

It's okay. We'll get you good and liquored. Then you'll be fine

metallifan wrote:"These guys have swords with Chainsaws on them. And this gun has another gun built onto the bottom of his first gun. Oh - and those green guys? They talk like soccer hooligans."

you forgot POWER WEAPONS! because in the GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE, THERE ARE ONLY POWER WEAPONS! POWER SWORDS POWER ARMOR POWER FISTS POWER FEET POWER LIFTING POWER STEERING POWER SPAWNING BABIES! YOU'LL HAVE SO MANY BABIES! 40,000 BABIES!!!! GIVE POWERFISTS TO YOUR BABIES AND THEY CAN SERVE THE EMPRAH!!!!!

okay im done now

Corvus wrote:

metallifan wrote:"These guys have swords with Chainsaws on them. And this gun has another gun built onto the bottom of his first gun. Oh - and those green guys? They talk like soccer hooligans."

you forgot POWER WEAPONS! because in the GRIM DARKNESS OF THE FAR FUTURE, THERE ARE ONLY POWER WEAPONS! POWER SWORDS POWER ARMOR POWER FISTS POWER FEET POWER LIFTING POWER STEERING POWER SPAWNING BABIES! YOU'LL HAVE SO MANY BABIES! 40,000 BABIES!!!! GIVE POWERFISTS TO YOUR BABIES AND THEY CAN SERVE THE EMPRAH!!!!!

okay im done now

Yep, that won the thread. Same time next week, guys?

Stop ripping off the Powerthirst joke guys.
And for those who don't know google MENERGY!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs&feature=fvst

Now I need a drink.

Damn it! Double post.

Dangit the thread's over?

One of the most entertaining and charming threads I've seen in ages. So glad most of you also know 'the secret' - don't be ashamed and it's nothing to be ashamed of.

I've seen a guy use Magic: The Gathering as a chat-up tool. Didn't matter what he was talking about, he was confident, witty and enthusiastic.

I'd say, if in doubt, say 'I'm so sexy and charming I play with toy soldiers and have no regrets.' Then flex your biceps and kiss your lady like you're Errol Flynn on crack.

Also, try to ignore the giggling and dodge the knee in the nadgers.

Also, Corvus, I regret not being born as you.

Also, also, also.

binky wrote:Stop ripping off the Powerthirst joke guys.
And for those who don't know google MENERGY!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs&feature=fvst

Now I need a drink.

but...but I like ripping off powerthirst
On a related note, the funniest powerthirst ripoff I've ever seen is the US Army Ranger version. Just youtube search "Ranger school promo"
have fun!

darn, I really thought I could win the thread...

Emperors Faithful wrote:

Sgt.Sunshine wrote: It's not like I bang puppies, or go around streaking.

Yeah, had to give these up a while ago.

Yeah, I know right? Right after they passed that by-law everything's just been going down hill.

Lol at the Powerthirst reference.

Sgt.Sunshine wrote:

Emperors Faithful wrote:

Sgt.Sunshine wrote: It's not like I bang puppies, or go around streaking.

Yeah, had to give these up a while ago.

Yeah, I know right? Right after they passed that by-law everything's just been going down hill.

Less is more. Try to savour the illegality.

To most people I just say, "A boardgame I my friends got me to play a couple years ago. It's a lot like Risk."

and when they say "I never played risk."

I reply with, "You lead armies of soldiers around to capture counties in risk. You roll dice to see who wins or loses. Same thing with Warhammer, we move squads of soldiers around to capture objectives and we roll dice too. Main difference is a bigger board and tanks are added in."


usually they stop there with an "I see..." or "Gotcha...". I definitely leave out and change some info, but it makes it simpler to explain. The only people who care for specifics are the ones who think it's interesting. I explain how it really works to those guys and the rest are left with a general idea of what it is.

@ Gandair - don't you flex anywhere in that explanation?

@ Emperor's Faithful - I'm desperately holding back my follow-on to that comment. Must...Not...Sayitonthewebs...!

Now Im just curious CR... you have to say it now!

It's chess with stats.

enmitee wrote:It's chess with stats.

You mean "It's chess with stats. And grimdark. And Space Marines. And dice. And a measuring tape. So... I guess it's not like Chess at all."

I've been playing Warhammer 40k and various CCGs for 11 years now (I'm 22 years old).

On my way through highschool, and a bit in college, I tended to avoid bringing it up to anyone who wasn't part of my gaming group. I also played soccer and Lacrosse, and I should be playing soccer at any one of a bunch of D1 schools who were set to offer me a scholarship before a very unfortunate car accident ended my career. So I guess I've been walking in both extremes (the sterotypical jock/athlete/preppy side, and the nerdy gamer side). I figured out very quickly that the people who are trying to be cool will thrash you relentlessly for it. This is unfortunate because the people trying to be cool and edgy tend to be the moron preppy kids featured on shows like the Real World, so society perpetuates it and there are always a few of these people in the "popular kids" social circles at schools. with people like that, it is very hard to find a positive reaction to something like this.

With anyone who has any sort of open mind and concept of individuality it is much different. Having been tossed in around the previous group of people for so long I'm still learning to be more open about the hobbies I have, but when I do tell people they tend to think that it is very cool and creative. I was working for a law firm a couple of years ago and one of the lawyers (a friend of mine and one of the people I always got along great with at the firm) saw me looking at the GW website on my break and asked me about it. I braced for impact as I explained it. He responded with "that is a very interesting and unique hobby and it sounds like it does well to condition your brain for critical thinking and problem solving skills." I was astonished at his response but he just laughed, punched me in the arm and walked away.

As for my girlfriend, I knew her for 2 years before we started dating so she already knew. I never really talked about it that much because I wasn't sure how she felt about it though, but one day she brought it up and said she wanted to start painting with me. I thought that was awesome, and thats where we are now. she always thought it was a cute quirk of mine to be so shy about the gaming stuff because I tend to be very open about everything else. One day she was even wearing some panties that said "I <3 Geeks" across the back. Needless to say, that was pretty awesome.

As time goes on, I definitely find myself caring a whole lot less about the opinions of people who will shoot gaming related hobbies down and call them stupid before they even know anything about them. I can't stand the type of BS social stereotyping I mentioned earlier in my post. Basically for me, the people who are judgmental and closed minded about things like this are not really worth bothering with, and they're the ones missing out. I'm not saying that everyone should play the games. I am saying that people should not belittile and debase others because they play the games.

Caffran9 wrote:I've been playing Warhammer 40k and various CCGs for 11 years now (I'm 22 years old).

On my way through highschool, and a bit in college, I tended to avoid bringing it up to anyone who wasn't part of my gaming group. I also played soccer and Lacrosse, and I should be playing soccer at any one of a bunch of D1 schools who were set to offer me a scholarship before a very unfortunate car accident ended my career. So I guess I've been walking in both extremes (the sterotypical jock/athlete/preppy side, and the nerdy gamer side). I figured out very quickly that the people who are trying to be cool will thrash you relentlessly for it. This is unfortunate because the people trying to be cool and edgy tend to be the moron preppy kids featured on shows like the Real World, so society perpetuates it and there are always a few of these people in the "popular kids" social circles at schools. with people like that, it is very hard to find a positive reaction to something like this.

With anyone who has any sort of open mind and concept of individuality it is much different. Having been tossed in around the previous group of people for so long I'm still learning to be more open about the hobbies I have, but when I do tell people they tend to think that it is very cool and creative. I was working for a law firm a couple of years ago and one of the lawyers (a friend of mine and one of the people I always got along great with at the firm) saw me looking at the GW website on my break and asked me about it. I braced for impact as I explained it. He responded with "that is a very interesting and unique hobby and it sounds like it does well to condition your brain for critical thinking and problem solving skills." I was astonished at his response but he just laughed, punched me in the arm and walked away.

As for my girlfriend, I knew her for 2 years before we started dating so she already knew. I never really talked about it that much because I wasn't sure how she felt about it though, but one day she brought it up and said she wanted to start painting with me. I thought that was awesome, and thats where we are now. she always thought it was a cute quirk of mine to be so shy about the gaming stuff because I tend to be very open about everything else. One day she was even wearing some panties that said "I <3 Geeks" across the back. Needless to say, that was pretty awesome.

As time goes on, I definitely find myself caring a whole lot less about the opinions of people who will shoot gaming related hobbies down and call them stupid before they even know anything about them. I can't stand the type of BS social stereotyping I mentioned earlier in my post. Basically for me, the people who are judgmental and closed minded about things like this are not really worth bothering with, and they're the ones missing out. I'm not saying that everyone should play the games. I am saying that people should not belittile and debase others because they play the games.

QFT

If someone asks what it is, I'm glad to explain it in as simple, or as complicated, an explaination as they wish. If they decide to play the part of the immature and rip on the game, I don't really care. I enjoy it, and they're missing out as far as I see things.

Honestly, the only embarrassing thing about the hobby is how much money I spend on it.

I saw a number of you who said that if it comes up, it comes up. I've often brought it up early enough on in friendships/relationships as a sort of testing the waters. Honestly, if someone flips out that you have "toys" after two weeks of knowing them, why bother wasting a year to tell them?

My wife thinks the game is ridiculous, but she doesn't think I'm ridiculous, so who cares?

I describe it thusly.
"Take the man-child of Risk and Chess. Glue chainsaws, guns, and tentacles on. Put it in the blender. You have 40K."

Well, I just say its a more complicated form of chess.

As for my girlfriend who will hopefully become miss Advent, she actually likes it! I was actually shocked and was pretty much askin her really?

She wants to start a Vampire Counts army but she doesnt have the funds to start one.

@OP: How much self confidence do you have?

There's nothing "wrong" with playing with toy soldiers. In my case, it's a chance to hang out with the guys and shoot the breeze, and the actual gaming is secondary.

That said, if you need something more traditional, remote-control cars, poker, paintball, and so forth are all worthy alternatives.

Captain Roderick wrote:@ Gandair - don't you flex anywhere in that explanation?

I try and make it short, and simple to grasp. If they ask questions I'll start unraveling it for them. There's little point in talking to someone about a subject when they only marginally care about it. The short, but slightly inaccurate summary line seems to fall into the category of "Oh, that's how it works" as opposed to "Wow that's a lot of rules" or "Is he still talking? I care less now than when I asked a minute ago."

Oh, now that someone's brought it up I think it does have a lot to do with self-confidence. It you act timid and show weakness that jerks in the world will prod at that opening. However, if you just be straightforward, explain it, and shrug it off than everything seems to go swimmingly? At least for me that was the case at one point :/

I know I mentioned before that I explained it to my GF in a very simple manner, but before I'd never mention things like this. Why? Fear of being criticized and possibly being an outcast, mind you I was in like...middle school when I first started having an interested in 40k. Now I'm in uni and honestly I don't really give a damn what people think so now I'm acting upon my interest, finally =3=, and rocking out!

Also people who try to act cool tend to be losers and other words that I'm not really sure I can mention here...but in short they kind of end up acting like idiots :/

@ Gandair and Sgt Sunshine - It's all about confidence, as usual. I say flex - even though I never actually do it - to symbolise reckless self-deprecatory confidence, as good humour and no shame is all you really need to explain this hobby to someone without negative impact.

And yes, also good to avoid obsessive babbling, keep it short

1. Yes.

2. Why would it be embarassing? theres are worse hobbies out there

3. IMO, no, it actually proves you can commit to something.

As for not telling your GF/BF etc. I think thats straight up garbage, if your GF/BF would leave just because of your hobby I'd figure you'r better off that way.

As for people who stoop as low as name calling because of a hobby like this... /facepalm: the only anwser, not worth the time to think about those kinds of people.

If you tell someone and they are interested, share the knowledge, if not? Don't.