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I know someone in may community who said Dust Warfare was more difficult to learn than 40K. I want to know you guys who played the game if he is just bitching around?

Hi,

the rules are very well written and make mostly sense. basically they are not difficult to learn. however there are quite a few mechanisms which are not common in GW games and it takes a while to get used to them, remember then, apply them correctly and most importantly see their tactical applications.

difficult to learn? no. get everything well memorized and applied correctly: takes a bit longer then 40k i wold say.

regards
alex

Honestly, I find the learning curve very low. The hardest part is grasping strategy and tactics, not mechanics. This game punishes bad players - period. Also, almost no balance issues or rules issues - so its a smooth game.

I played 2 games before I had a good grasp of the rules. Very quick to learn how the game mechanics work. Like someone said above, learning the tactics and how everything will affect everything will take you longer. The game play is solid and the rules are well written with lots of diagrams in the rulebook. Also on the plus side of this game is you can also play Dust Tactics with the same mini's. You can download the rulebook for free on Fantasy Flight's website. I have played a couple of games of Dust Tactics and the are not quite as good as Warfare but they are quick and bloody. Both games are fun and have a good place in my event schedule now.

If you can read words, you'll get the rules. If you can't read and have someone who can read them to you, you'll get the rules.

It's aimed at being a mass participation competitor to GW.

So if you're able to post post on web-forums then you have the needed skills to learn the game!

Based only on a single game of it, it seems easier to me to learn than 40K just because 40K has kind of grown organically over the editions and is a bit crufty perhaps. Dust Warfare is a new rule-set and more stream-lined IMO.

The answer to your question really depends on what level you want to play DW on. If you are intent on playing just for fun in a casual setting, the game is very easy to learn. Rules are streamlined and problem free. Basic tactics pretty much consist of supporting your advance, making use of terrain and target priority. It is unfortunate however, that DW is a very different beast when players take it to the next level i.e. get competitive. My advice is buy or borrow the rule book ,read it carefully and come to your own conclusion. Take everything you read on forums with a grain of salt.

The game was made with Tournaments in mind - the big thing right now is to find the "sweet spot" for points levels. Some argue for 300, while I hear 500. This is mostly to eliminate rock-paper-scissor listbuilding and negate any inherent issues with the initiative system.

Also, Tournament rules just posted to FFG, so that is awesome.

Dust Warfare is a little less complicated than 40K so I'd say less difficult. The game mechanics are a little different than 40K so if you are moving from that system there's a little bit of un-learning to do, but overall I'd say it's easier and more fun. I find that Dust Warfare does a better job of rewarding tactically sound decisions and also models elements completely missing from 40K like covering fire, and does a better job of handling morale and leadership.

The rules for Dust Warfare are so simple that my girlfriend picked it up in one game and was teaching my brother 30 minutes later.

There are only 3 stats (armor class, health and movement) - and two of these are mostly redundant as everything sans jump troops moves 6" and most units have health = model count.
The dice are special, so you don't need to know even basic dice mechanics like '5+'.
All weapons use a very simple lookup table with the unit lsiting.
A number of mechanics in other games are merged into a single mechanic: suppression doubles as cover and morale.

If anyone finds Dust Warfare difficult, they should perhaps go play 'Battleship' as their wargame...

LOL, play Battleship and watch the movie to get the fluff.

Trasvi wrote:The rules for Dust Warfare are so simple that my girlfriend picked it up in one game and was teaching my brother 30 minutes later.

Hope your girlfriend doesn't see this.

robertsjf wrote:

Trasvi wrote:The rules for Dust Warfare are so simple that my girlfriend picked it up in one game and was teaching my brother 30 minutes later.

Hope your girlfriend doesn't see this.

I've tried to get her playing 40k, but the mess of special rules and lookup tables put her off . For me, Dust Warfare is 40k, with simpler rules but more tactics.

Trasvi wrote:

robertsjf wrote:

Trasvi wrote:The rules for Dust Warfare are so simple that my girlfriend picked it up in one game and was teaching my brother 30 minutes later.

Hope your girlfriend doesn't see this.

I've tried to get her playing 40k, but the mess of special rules and lookup tables put her off . For me, Dust Warfare is 40k, with simpler rules but more tactics.

I agree. Also, the Battleship comment was just priceless.