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I think this problem is probably a non issue.

First off, who cares about the other player? If they don't want to play a certain way then whatever, who cares. The guy across the table certainly doesn't give a crap. Just shut up and enjoy the game, that's all he is thinking. That's all you ought to be worried about either.

Second. Wtf is a scrub anyways? I think formations are stupid and I don't use them. Am I a scrub? No, I hardly think so, but then again I'm not the one who is worried about the way I play the game! Lol. I avoid the things in my codex that I think are stupid and OP, which running 6th ed Space Marines, there isn't a lot I don't use. Double Chapter Master for orbitals is one I have never done. Does that mean I am a poor player? If it does I'd like to invite my detractors over for a game or two! I think I have a thing or two to teach them!

Thirdly. I dunno... Skub rules!

 darkcloak wrote:

Thirdly. I dunno... Skub rules!

Feth skub.

Martel732 wrote:

 Anpu42 wrote:
This is not meant to be sarcastic or insulting to anyone, but just an observation that I made back in early 6th.
Maybe the GW staff is playing the 'Game Right' and a lot out there are playing it 'Wrong'.

Uniformity of experience is important for a game community. GW staff bat reps are worthless for a reason.

Could you explain that more? On the face of it, it seems...very wrong.

The phrase 'uniformity of experience' sounds like the single worst descriptor I can think of to apply to a wargame like 40k. It sounds like it means 'every game starts from the same baseline and will proceed in roughly the same way,' no matter who is playing the armies. It brings to mind extremely formulaic games where there is only one "right" way to do things, like World of Warcraft or Axis & Allies.

Or did you mean something different? (Not trying to instigate something--legitimately curious what you meant by that phrase.)

 Jimsolo wrote:

Martel732 wrote:

 Anpu42 wrote:
This is not meant to be sarcastic or insulting to anyone, but just an observation that I made back in early 6th.
Maybe the GW staff is playing the 'Game Right' and a lot out there are playing it 'Wrong'.

Uniformity of experience is important for a game community. GW staff bat reps are worthless for a reason.

Could you explain that more? On the face of it, it seems...very wrong.

The phrase 'uniformity of experience' sounds like the single worst descriptor I can think of to apply to a wargame like 40k. It sounds like it means 'every game starts from the same baseline and will proceed in roughly the same way,' no matter who is playing the armies. It brings to mind extremely formulaic games where there is only one "right" way to do things, like World of Warcraft or Axis & Allies.

Or did you mean something different? (Not trying to instigate something--legitimately curious what you meant by that phrase.)

Not really. Just that house rules make comparing experiences very difficult.

I used to be really salty when I lost games, but I've tried to keep it all in perspective. A) its a game. I get at most one a week, I'd rather have it be a fun game with a friend than something I'll hate. B) no matter how much I love a model, accept what is good and what sucks. Until they change it, some units just suck. C) try and learn as much as I can. Natreps, guides, playing practice games. I've even asked my opponent to bring top tier lists to give me practice.

For me, you just have to remember it's a game, which is why I find it pretty funny when everyone crys about the eldar. If they are using something strong, make sure you have a counter to it.

If 40k was a more balanced game it would be easier to recognize and deal with scrub mentality.

I find it funny that the OP is using DE for this example. DE is an army that you just cant win with the first time you play it. A DE army is one that requires player experience, not unit mix up to win with.

Its one of the few armies that you almost need to play flawlessly in order to win. And its not because its weak, or bad, or underpowered, but it just doesn't have the strength to recover from a bad turn, because a bad turn for any other army is probably a devistatingly bad turn for the DE army.

To kick the scrub instinct is to play rules as written.
If it is in the rules, it is not a "loophole".
There is no such thing as overpowered.
Do not add rules on top of the game's.
Focus on the conditions of a win and pursue those ends to maximize your chances for that win.
No method is too "simple" if it gains a win.
Sometimes a win may run contrary to fun, your choice.
Ensure there are compelling reasons to pursue that win at all costs within the rules.
Never cheat, your are no longer playing competitively otherwise.

Not a list or attitude for the faint of heart.

I don't know, if you get into a cycle of loss it can get frustrating.

For a long time, I had a problem facing Tyranids. For years (up until about a year after their last 'dex dropped) I not only never beat Tyranids, I never once saw them lose. I'd end games with them and just be baffled as to what I could have done differently.

Eventually, though, I managed to pull out a victory. It took a lot of losses, but I managed to get to the point where I can fight bugs without the hopelessness that I used to have.

Honestly, some people like to pretend like they're robots and psychology has no impact on the game, but it has a huge impact. I'm beginning to suspect many victories with Dark Eldar owe a great deal of credit to a strong opening assault that makes the opponent just give up inside. (Drop Pod marines can probably claim this as well.)

Something I started doing in my early days of playing was, after a game was concluded, to ask my opponent to tell me what they thought I could have done differently, with the army I brought, to have one. There's nothing like handing out a good ball-kicking to make a person feel magnanimous, and most of us wargamers are insufferable know-it-alls anyway, more than happy to tell someone what he did wrong and how to do it better next time. I had to swallow my pride once or twice, but it really helped me.

 Talizvar wrote:
To kick the scrub instinct is to play rules as written.

No one, literally no one, plays 100% rules as written.

Skill. By always trying to be better. I don't try and be better to win, I try and be better so I'm better. Does that make sense?

I don't necessarily care if I win or lose, but I do have to care about a game to get better at it. Once I'm invested I'm always looking to do a little better or try something new provided I can.

 Desubot wrote:

 darkcloak wrote:

Thirdly. I dunno... Skub rules!

Feth skub.

Oh god, I'm dying

When the 6th ed Tau codex dropped I never had care for the riptide, it was 50 quid, would break in the case I had, hard to paint and I knew, just knew if I played it I would get called a power gamer or skrub etc. I stuck with my two hammerheads and 3 broadsides, still won as many games as the other riptide users and somehow ad voided the label. Even if I moaned at losing to "X" army as we all do.

These days I play I a list of guard (who are not at their best right now) with one Valkarie and one vendetta. I know it's OP, it wins me games l. But again. I rarely get the "get out, filthy list" rubbish. I know I get frustrated playing certain armies yet honestly I think asking yourself if you are a "skrub" or not is a sign of a lack of confidence.

Play what you want, if no ones playing then turn down the fire a bit.

Skrub, over and out!