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Hello, I've been researching Frostgrave and absolutely love what I've seen. However, not only do I not know anyone who plays Frostgrave, I'm currently not involved with any sort of "gaming group" where I could convince anyone to begin the game with me. Seeing as it's a smaller sized game system, I don't expect that finding player(s) would be as easy as simply showing up at the FLGS. From previous experiences with Infinity, a lack of community led to a short-lived involvement with the game.

Is this a game system where it would perhaps be most effective to paint up a number of models with the intent to primarily play 'demo' style games with random people at the FLGS? I'd be missing out the campaign system by taking this route, so I feel that I wouldn't be getting the most out of the game. Additionally, I'm not sure how long I'd continue to be interested in playing such simple scenarios.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? How would you go about exploring a game system that you'd be jumping into solo (if at all)?

Two forces is a must for any game that you're trying to get people into, the advantage of Frostgrave in that regard is that the models can easily be used for any band interchangeably. Buying a single box of 20 soldiers (or an assortment of Perry/WGF/Warlord ect sprues if you prefer) gives you enough minis to have 2 bands start out, but also give you a load of options for replacement/alternate members if and when anyone else picks the game up. Add in the fact that you'll be buying the rulebook, and that most players will already have a collection of suitable minis to draw a band from, there's little or no monetary investment from them required, which'll make the game an easier sell.

Beyond that, focus on knowing the rules well enough to teach and run games without endless checking, print out some gaming aids (spell lists, warband statsheets, quick reference pages and such) to hand out and it shouldn't be too difficult.

If you're demoing at a shop or club, then there's your gaming group. Even if the majority of games there are between strangers, in this day and age it's very easy to get in contact with people; post on the shop's facebook page or go old-school and leave a flyer with contact details, see who's interested, and work together to organise something!

I'm in a similar position. My wife got me Frostgrave for Christmas and no one in my area plays. I just made two lists, grabbed some figs from my collection (I play Kingdoms of Man in Kings of War so I had plenty of figs to pick from). I went to the store, asked around, and found someone willing to try it out with me. Neither of us having played before it took 90 minutes with plenty of rules referencing. I have to admit I didn't know the rules near well enough before going in. If I had to do it again I would have printed off the spells for both lists so we wouldn't have to flip through the rules for the spells.

Even so - We had a BLAST!

It was just straight forward fun. Once we got past the first two turns the game went much faster. After all, the rules aren't hard. If I had been even remotely more familiar with the rules we could have had the game done in under an hour with time to spare.

I guess the takeaway is just to grab someone who might be interested in the game and give it a run. I fully plan on playing more games. Also, my opponent and most of the folks who observed the game took interest in picking up a copy of the rules for themselves. It's not as if there is a high cost of entry to the game.

I have a similar problem with SAGA and Ronin. So I built x4 armies for saga for people to borrow. So far after a few games others have invested in their own forces. For those games the cost is still reasonable. For Frostgrave, it's worth going half-and-half with someone on the soldiers box and to buy the wizard you like the look of - then you'll have a smaller starting cost and an opponent (in my case, my other half is the opponent!).

With games like this, I'm afraid it is a case of being the pioneer and showing others what the game is - but that puts you in a prime position for being the guy who sets up campaigns and narratives for your gaming group as you're 'the guy' who knows it and started it

 Paradigm wrote:
Two forces is a must for any game that you're trying to get people into

qft

I've learned for very obscure games, you should always buy 2 factions, so you can share to demo. It's what I've done for Norsgard, Dark Age, and Home Raiders. Only Norsgard has caught any kind of traction, but I don't mind. I'll always have my 2 warbands to share w/ my friends to play.

A local guy plays and has been trying to push Frostgrave. I do have a bunch of old WHFB Empire models (though no troops anymore, just a few characters...). I'm always interested to check out a game. I should give it a shot down the road.

Plus one to those who say for more obscure games it really is best to have two factions painted and ready to play if you want to attract new gamers or get your gaming friends to try it. Having a strong grasp of the rules is also a must.

I have a group of friends who play almost nothing but obscure games and we still often have to provide forces for one or more of us for some of the games. Luckily, Frostgrave and similar skirmish games are both low model count and relatively generic. That makes it easy to paint up a couple forces, or use figs you already have and/or acquire figs cheaply (used, oop, bones etc) for use in the game regardless of whether they are "official" or not.

We're long time players of Song of Blades and other games, so when we tried Frostgrave, we already had plenty of suitable miniatures to make some great flavorful warbands.

Lastly, I think you'd be surprised at how many folks around you might be interested in playing Frostgrave. It's a solid system that's cheap to get into and unlike many other indie games, it has nice shiny rulebooks and supplements. I see you're from Dallas which I think has a reasonably active wargaming community. Try putting up notices on your local stores' bulletin boards or online forums and check TMP where you're likely to find some local gamers who are into "indie" games.

Good Luck!

EDIT:
This guy might be able to point you to some indie gamers in or around Dallas:
https://m.facebook.com/homebrewedworlds/
I just searched for "Frostgrave Dallas"

There is a very active Frostgrave group on FB. Join it, and ask who is in your area.