Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I am helping my FLGS (I don’t work there) demo 40k on free comic book day (as they are a comic shop too). We want to make a dumbed down version of the game at just a few hundred points to kind of draw people in and help build the player base more.

We have talked about it a little bit. But I thought I might reach out and see what the DakkaDakka community has seen or done to Demo the game. The armies I KNOW I can use are Tau, CSM, KDK. Just based on what is readily available. I would really like to do mean red spikey CSM vs some true blue Ultramarines, but I don’t know if I can get that ready.

I also know that we want to omit more complex and nuanced rules like characteristic or leadership tests, most special rules that aren’t really easy, and maybe even weapon types like rapid fire or template weapons.

Right now we are thinking of doing a basic CAD (just the 2 troops and the HQ), making cards that say something like this unit hits on X+, wounds on Y+ vs whatever, and moves Z”. But that is only one Idea.

Since the crowd here is pretty invested in wargaming and 40k, what would draw you in when you started? What would drive you away? How would you all demo the game in the current edition?

Consider the Board Games, instead of an actual 40k game. Betrayal at Calth or Deathwatch: Overkill would be great starters. The benefit is you get a much tighter focused and simpler game, without the hassle of a huge rulebook, and the focus of the boardgame itself gives a clear narrative that the players will get to work too.

You still get to show off the cool painted miniatures, you still get the appeal of physically moving models, rolling dice and measuring distances (in the case of Deathwatch: Overkill). Then if you draw people in with the boardgame, you can inform them that that's just the tip of the surface, possibly with a demo game of actual 40k being played in the background.

What we do with our group when someone is interested is we first just put down a Space Marine Tactical Squad (The one from Dark Vengeance) and something else that is rather simple, some Boyz, some Guardians, a CSM Squad, it depends on whomever is around and doing the demo. But we just have two squads of equal points cost on a table with one or two pieces of terrain.

We get out their stats and just have them facing each other. We then show them the basics of moving, shooting, and assaulting. Then once that's taken hold we introduce some rules like cover, Gets Hot, and Look Out Sir. You can actually get a pretty good image of the basic game from just putting down one squad against another. Then, if they're still interested and want to try it in full we break out the rest of Dark Vengeance and play a game with that.

My friends did the same with me (Only using Assault on Black Reach instead of Dark Vengeance) and we've since done the same with three others. It's quick, it's easy and it works like a charm (At least, it has for us). Hope this helped.

 TheManWithNoPlan wrote:
What we do with our group when someone is interested is we first just put down a Space Marine Tactical Squad (The one from Dark Vengeance) and something else that is rather simple, some Boyz, some Guardians, a CSM Squad, it depends on whomever is around and doing the demo. But we just have two squads of equal points cost on a table with one or two pieces of terrain.

We get out their stats and just have them facing each other. We then show them the basics of moving, shooting, and assaulting. Then once that's taken hold we introduce some rules like cover, Gets Hot, and Look Out Sir. You can actually get a pretty good image of the basic game from just putting down one squad against another. Then, if they're still interested and want to try it in full we break out the rest of Dark Vengeance and play a game with that.

My friends did the same with me (Only using Assault on Black Reach instead of Dark Vengeance) and we've since done the same with three others. It's quick, it's easy and it works like a charm (At least, it has for us). Hope this helped.

Great idea, and shoot, some of the newer games even give you a decent place to start at with an army as well.

Print out this ruleset make your armies and enjoy. It's 40k rules on one page.
https://onepagerules.wordpress.com/portfolio/one-page-40k/

Have all the rulebooks to hand. The small one to make the game look vaguely simple (I know...) and the hardback to show the fluff and pictures. A big book is nicer to flick through.
If anyone has a collectors edition of anything, have that around, too.

Use a single type of terrain. Use ruins, or trees, or buildings, and try not to mix them up.
Also, no vehicles. Have them on show, but keep them out of the demo games. Vehicle rules get in the way for a first-time player.
The same with psykers and flyers.

Thanks all, we have a month in a half to figure it all out but these are all good ideas. The deathwatch idea might be popular I think because its got some story involved along with playing with minis.

gungo wrote:
Print out this ruleset make your armies and enjoy. It's 40k rules on one page.
https://onepagerules.wordpress.com/portfolio/one-page-40k/

I would suggest this too, it's simplicity is perfect for begginers and even kids.
Although, my first introduction in the basic game mechanics was a heralds of ruin killteam campaign. It uses all basic 40k rules but since it's smaller it is easier to learn and even to get into for beginners (not Haveing to buy 1850 pts worth of models just to get started).

I've seen a dumbed down version using the Dark Vengeance* box set.
Pretty much roll to go first.
4-6hits. 1-3 misses.
Regular units apply same #s to armor saves. 1wound each
Terminators,hell brute save on 3+ 2-3 wounds each
Use 2 psychic attacks:
Fireball 1 small blast no scatter.
Mind Control with small blasts marker. 4-6hits. 1-3 your opponent attempts a reverse mind control.

Warlord call out battle 4+.6wounds each. 4+ to hit. 3+ to save.

DV box set is a thing.

 TheCrusadeSmurf wrote:
DV box set is a thing.

HAH thanks couldn't remember the name of the box to save my life.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This game is "Risk" on steroids

Know the rules. I can't stress this enough. Nothing will turn off prospective players like a demonstrator not knowing the rules.

I think the best way to get people interested is seeing 2 friendly people playing a full size game at a table. They can see the cool painted models (none of this grey tide gak), nice terrain, people rolling dice, etc. Seeing that gives a good impression and doesn't overwhelm them with a boat load of information to learn. Also it lets a person outside their comfort zone observe instead of being more of the center of attention like a demonstration will do. More outgoing people will ask for a demo of the game but for many they would rather watch and learn before they engage with a demo or ask questions.

Its when they are interested, asking questions, wanting to know more, etc that you can move to a demo game of sorts. Make it simple like 2 units for each side (one melee focused, one shooting), no vehicles or crazy special rules, just bare bones stuff. Have some terrain to demonstrate things like cover saves and maybe being slowed by terrain but keep it light and simple. I would even consider avoiding things like morale checks and just focus on the combat side of things (mention that morale checks happen and briefly what it does but that its being ignored for demonstration purposes).