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Ringarin wrote:I read through the codex Imperiallis from a few editions back. That is what really sold me on it. It covers the basic history of every race that was available at that time. Which is marines of both sides, eldar, squats, tyranids, orks. That kind of thing. Didn't have dark eldar, necrons back then. But it gives a good basic history of everything. We have a few copies at the used book store here. Not sure if they would have any there, but they might. Used book stores are great for old codexes. The fluff doesn't go out of date, they just add more stuff to it, and it's cheaper than buying the new codexes.

They actually Did have necrons back then, they just weren't in the main Codex Imperials in the starter set, nor in the Dark Millenium expansion set, they were a White Dwarf based army I think. I definately remember seeing a guy with a couple sets of necrons at my FLGS back in 96' or so.

When it comes down to introducing new people to the game, I try to give a quick overveiw of all the races, and see what they are most interested in. Then I have no problem buying a box of basic troops from said army, showing that person how to build/paint/play, and giving them those troops after the first game. Worst case scenario they enjoy the gift, and have some models to put on a shelf in their home, best case they get just as addicted to it as we all are and become kings of nerd-dom.

When it comes to trying to find new players, this is a tough one, but the best bet is to google search for some local dork-stores in your area, drive out to them, and see if they have gaming tables. Worst case is they dont, and you go somewhere else, best case they have tons of 40k/fantasy players right there already gaming.

binky wrote: I never really was an Ork fan...

Heresy!!!!!

I've gotten a few people into 40K that I know of, including my wife, and probably a few people I talked to at FLGS's at times who seemed on the verge of picking it up.

I just tell stories. I've been told I'm a good storyteller, and I'm big into r/l military history, and am working on being a history teacher someday soon. I find that when I just start telling my "war stories" from 40K about the various awesome/funny things that happen, fairly often I can set a spark of inspiration that can later be fanned into a full-blown conflagration of geekyness.

The trick for me is to focus on the things that will sound cool to someone who knows nothing about the 40K world. I've heard redshirts get deep into story and setting and army details with folks for half an hour, fully 25 minutes after the person has glazed over, tuned out, and is obviously just listening to be polite. You just can't push something like 40K on a person.

If I get someone sparked, I'll step up to the hook. Find out if they game, and if so, are they a video gamer or a traditional (PnP) gamer? If video, I send them directly to Dawn of War. There's no better way to see and hear and experience the setting of 40K. If they're traditional, I'll also hand them the BRB, flip to the big color pages over each army (with some fluff and the model samples) and just let them flip through until something makes them go "OOOOhhh!". Once that happens, start filling them in on the details of the army, letting them know a little bit about the fluff side, and a bit about the gaming side (metagame, builds, tactics, etc), depending on what caught their attention in the first place.

Everyone games for different reasons. If you're looking to make converts, what you need to do is figure out why THEY game in the first place. Then, try to apply that to 40K. Don't a) assume they game for the same reason you do, or b) tell them all about why YOU game. They don't care, and it's completely beside the point. Focus on what THEY may find in the hobby, and facilitate them getting there and getting excited to try it.

Much like a fisherman, once you've got the hook swallowed, you need to give the line some slack. Let your new fish test the water, and spend some time poking around the books, games, listening to stories, watching games, playing demo games, etc. If the person is going to get into 40K for real, it's at this point that the hook sets itself. All you have to do is offer a place and time to game - reel that catch in slowly. If you can get a person to set up their first game and show up completely of their own will, you've officially reeled in your first new recruit. Cut the line and let that bad boy swim.

General Retreat although long winded lol I think you made the best point - You cannot force someone to like something you can only show them the way and they'll decide for themselves. So what if you can't lure someone into something? Do you trick them with chocolate or sexual favors?

The easiest way (for guys) is to point out why 40K is awesome and quite possibly the manliest universe ever created. Explain to them how it is a universe where it is not only acceptible, it is ENCOURAGED for people to drive their tanks closer so they can hit aliens with their swords. If they laugh at this, give basic descriptions of all the races:

Space Marines: Master Chiefs with chainsaw swords who are so manly they eat war and crap awesome
Chaos Marines: see above, only EVIL and FILLED WITH RAGE (and hatred for METAL BAWKSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Orks: Soccer Hooligans who are MADE FOR FIGHTAN and are also made of 100% TESTOSTERONE
Tyranids: What the Zerg wish they could be
Necrons: Zombie terminator robots
Imperial Guard: the Soviet Red Army, only futuristic. Also, they are hands down the ballsiest mother ers in the galaxy
Eldar: Space Elves
Tau: communist aliens who drive Gundam-style armored suits FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Dark Eldar: Evil rapist space elves who are heavily into S&M
Inquistion: no one expects them

Then if they are still interested, show them your army(ies) and play a simple game or two with them.

Corvus wrote:The easiest way (for guys) is to point out why 40K is awesome and quite possibly the manliest universe ever created. Explain to them how it is a universe where it is not only acceptible, it is ENCOURAGED for people to drive their tanks closer so they can hit aliens with their swords. If they laugh at this, give basic descriptions of all the races:

Space Marines: Master Chiefs with chainsaw swords who are so manly they eat war and crap awesome
Chaos Marines: see above, only EVIL and FILLED WITH RAGE (and hatred for METAL BAWKSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Orks: Soccer Hooligans who are MADE FOR FIGHTAN and are also made of 100% TESTOSTERONE
Tyranids: What the Zerg wish they could be
Necrons: Zombie terminator robots
Imperial Guard: the Soviet Red Army, only futuristic. Also, they are hands down the ballsiest mother ers in the galaxy
Eldar: Space Elves
Tau: communist aliens who drive Gundam-style armored suits FOR THE GREATER GOOD
Dark Eldar: Evil rapist space elves who are heavily into S&M
Inquistion: no one expects them

If these descriptions don't get them pisssing themselves laughing or extremely intrigued, I don't know what will Pure awesomeness.

lol thanks. I already got one of my friends to the point where he's planning on screaming WAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!! or BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!!! the first time he's in combat

@ binky : I've never had to step it up to chocolates or sexual favors... but the tactic is worth considering! lol

I like that rundown Corvus - very funny stuff - I love the METAL BAWKSES!!!! thing from the Newgrounds vid. I can't help but think that every time I play Chaos now...

I think the key [to getting someone into the game] is the spark in the imagination. Whether it's done through comedy, storytelling, or some other little aspect that just jumps out and grabs a person. It's like music, everyone likes something a little different, but if you get someone with a hook that grabs them from somewhere around the kidneys (as Blues Traveller proved) you keep them coming back for more.

Getting someone into 40K is trying to get someone engaged in a world that they have to find for themselves. Without a good reason to do so, it's a lot of work, and something most people would immediately bog down in, get turned off by, or just not have enough "cover" interest to follow it through to the point where they're buying, painting, and playing.

-- Oh, I think I found the perfect "hybrid" induction program between Corvus' comedy technique, and my story technique.

Ciaphas Cain.

Bam, headshot. It's like peanut butter all up in this chocolate.

I'm am terribly sorry if I offended you Binky, but a man has too have some priorities.
I also tend to go "see that video game where your playing as aliens, humans, and butt ugly things and killing each other? It's like that only with miniatures."

If the brief summary of the races doesn't get them hooked.

Cambak - offended me how? Priorities question mark? I don't remember what you did so it must not be important. Unless your post is entirely sarcastic haha. Which is why I hate typing - I can't understand tone when there is none.

I think there must be a truth to your advice cause everyone else is agreeing - I'll try it.

Two of my friends got into it right away and the third missed us so he eventually started space wolves