Lessons for the New Players

[ElectricPaladin]

Hopefully, as the holiday season comes to a close, we'll see some fresh blood up in here, as people who got Warhammer as holiday presents or chose to dive into it with gift card money show up. I'd like to start a thread for their benefit with some advice for new players - the things that we wish someone had told us. Be as general or as specific as you like - you never know what will help.

I'll start.

Firstly, I'd advise any n00bs out there not to be afraid of a fixer-upper. I got a land raider chassis for five dollars once. It was going to be a pain to fix up - no weapons, no hatch covers, some weird conversions to undo - and I traded it away. In retrospect - although I got good value for my trade - it was a big mistake. I should have held onto that land raider and taken on the challenge of fixing it up. It would have been fun, and... hey. Land raider!

Secondly, to anyone painting death company - why do we prime them black and leave them black? Aren't they supposed to be assault marines (or tactical marines) with a splash of black paint over their original red (or maroon, or yellow, or whatever) and red crosses added on top of that? If I were starting my Blood Angels from scratch, that's how I'd do my death company. If anyone out there is starting Blood Angels now...

Finally, I'd say this - never, ever, ever leave your bases blank, or just put some paint on them. It looks really boring, doing better is really easy, and going back to fix your bases is kind of a pain in the @ss.

So, what's your advice for any new players who might show up?

[Digitarii]

Great start for the topic, EP!

I have to say plan your purchases. Break out your codex and plan out the units and write a plan to purchase, build and paint them. Make sure you have your core force (HQ and 2 troops) and build on that. Also scrounge Ebay and Amazon for discounted kits. I picked up a Sanguinary Guard sprue (no Jump Packs) for half price and used the pieces to build counts-as characters and to do some custom kit bashes for my Flesh Tearers army.

[Mr Mystery]

Straight in with a bit of controversy....


But don't pay too much heed to the interwebs and it's denizens. Post count does not relate to battlefield experience. Many times when advice is sought, you'll simply be told 'just go buy this army it r win' with no other reasoning given. There's lots of good advice out there, but it's hard to find sometimes amongst the dross.

As for gaming, knowing your army's weakness is as important as knowing your opponent's. This will take experience!

And most importantly, do not lose heart. You will lose more often than you win when setting out. Chat with your opponent after the game. Vast majority of us will be happy to walk you through the game, pointing out the errors you made, and where you could have capitalised on our own.

[ElectricPaladin]

But don't pay too much heed to the interwebs and it's denizens. Post count does not relate to battlefield experience. Many times when advice is sought, you'll simply be told 'just go buy this army it r win' with no other reasoning given. There's lots of good advice out there, but it's hard to find sometimes amongst the dross.

QFT. The Internet is an echo machine. Stuff bounces around and gets repeated so often that everyone thinks it's true. Don't be afraid to try out something new and unexpected. Often, the Internet Echo Machine is just wrong, and even when it's right, there are so many other variables - your personal playstyle and your local metagame, to name some - that its advice doesn't always apply to you.

[ElectricPaladin]

Another thing - if you are an Imperial player, you should never, ever, ever trade away a rhino. You always need more rhinos.

[Mr Mystery]

Also, learn to buy smart, and keep a bitz box!

For instance, no point buying a Hammerhead for Tau. The Skyray is the same price, and has the Hammerhead Turret as well, giving you added flexibility.

First hobby trick to work on is pinning. It's easier than it looks, and can be used to strengthen models, as well as adding some modular choices. To continue with the Hammerhead theme, once you've cracked pinning, making the Railgun and Ion Cannon interchangeable is nicely straight forward. As with many tank kits, a cunning pin in a cunning place can let you field multiple variants.

The same can be achieved with magnets, but that's a bit more of an advanced skill! Plus the magnets can only really be cheaply sourced over the Internet, so depending on your age this may make it tricky. Some electronic shops do sell them, but they tend to be very expensive.

[ElectricPaladin]

Speaking of magnets...

You should decide on your personal magnet tolerance. Magnetized stuff sometimes doesn't look quite... right. There's no shame in deciding not to magnetize some things. For example, I never magnetize infantry anymore, and sometimes wish that I hadn't bothered magnetizing the jump packs on all my Blood Angels. The jump packs look great, but when I put normal backpacks on them, they just look... odd.

Also, a lot of things fit snugly enough that you don't really need magnets. For example, you can make a convertible razorback/rhino really easily without bothering with magnets because of how the parts can just sit on each other.

[SotonShades]

Learn to watch games. If you have a couple of Vets playing a game, watch it closely. See what rules they use and don't be afraid to ask questions (though looking through the rulebook to check things out is often better) and see how they use them. Chat with the players before/during/after the game, without distracting them from the battle, to find out why they are doing what. On the other hand, don't just blindly follow what Vets do, especially with regards to the rules. If you think they might have done something wrong, try to look it up in the rulebook. You will be surprised just how often Vets get in to bad habits or find themselves falling back in to old editions of the game.

Just don't try to give away one players battle plan to the other!

[Kevin48220]

For new Marine players, I do suggest that magnetizing the tops of all your Rhinos is a good idea. I used top pieces with turret holes, but covered them with a 40mm base and put a strong magnet underneath. As a result, I have four vehicles that I can use as Rhinos, but can also be made into my Whirlwind, Predators, and Razorbacks (all the turrets and gear are self-contained and can attach to the magnets). It was a lot of work and conversion time, but it saved me a lotta dough.

If you can buy online, find one or two bits retailers that you like and stick with them. Building a relationship with your online bits guy is just as important as the relationship you have with your brick-and-mortar store. Also, do not fear the non-GW bits! I used a lot of 3rd party stuff that looks cool and has given some of my models a unique look, or were totally great for doing cheap conversions.

Also, if you get into magnets, make double-triple-sure that they're going the right way before you glue. It's a pain to have to go back and reglue magnets later (assuming they're not flush with the model surface and you're stuck with them as they are). This is advice based on bitter experience.

If you are lucky enough to have a FLGS that has a used box, troll it constantly. You will find amazing stuff there. Especially for troop models, or things you need in bulk, used models can save a lot of money and modelling time. You will sometimes find great deals on vehicles and unexpected treasures.

[Mr Mystery]

And conversely, if someone keeps back seat gaming, and constantly telling you what to do, if it's unwelcome tell them to bog off!

It's a pet hate of mine, and they don't necessarily know better.

And the next bit I consider universally good advice. When you meet a new situation, or something seems suspiciously hard, stop and check the rules out. As Soton said, it could be a case of genuine edition confusion, but sadly there are gamers of all stripes who aren't above noob bashing, even if it means cheating. Just be polite, and ask to read that rule in their codex. The less scrupulous amongst us might claim the rule they refer to is on a FAQ. Far as I am concerned, if they don't have a printed copy, or a live link play through as their Codex dictates!

[Chris Copeland]

I have some advice as a painter: buy and paint in small blocks. Paint what you buy before you move on to the next purchase... there is NOTHING more discouraging to a painter than a HUGE pile of unpainted gray plastic. Buy. Paint. Reward yourself with a new purchase. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Soon you'll have a big, fully painted army!

[Emerald Rose Widow]

I have some advice as a painter: buy and paint in small blocks. Paint what you buy before you move on to the next purchase... there is NOTHING more discouraging to a painter than a HUGE pile of unpainted gray plastic. Buy. Paint. Reward yourself with a new purchase. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Soon you'll have a big, fully painted army!

Totally with Chris on this one, I just kept collecting to get to the point where I could play big games with my bugs, and when it came down to it and I finally painted them I wanted to kill myself. I mean ugh it was just such a chore. My advice is to never paint more than 10 miniatures at a time, any more and its just horrid. 10 is ok, you can get all the stuff done in a decent amount of time, and then move on to something new.

[lobster-overlord]

Paint at your own level. Don't expect to come out of the starting gate with a perfect paint job. Start out with basic paint jobs (sloppy if they need by based on skill) and use them as is. The more time you put into it, the better your painting skills will become over time.

REvisit the early models later if you want to redo, but don't shy away from having a painted army because you feel it won't be perfect (This from the man who doesn't have a single complete painted squad for any army he owns....)

John M>

[Mr Mystery]

And more on painting....

Neat is better than fancy, and the right brush makes all the difference!

If you are lucky enough to have access to a GW store, or a decent independent store make full use of it! Painting lessons are free, and they will (usually) lend you the brushes you'll need for any given lesson, same for the paints. From bases layers to line highlighting, this will help you get pleasin results!

And if painting in store, you'll likely find other hobbyists happy to help as they will in all aspects.

But overall, learn at your own pace. If you're game gunning straight for a Golden Daemon? Go for it! If you're happiest with 'three colours and based' that's equally cool. This is your hobby, and where you go with it is up to you. I used to work for GW about two years ago, and my customers were a strong mix of all aspects. Some only paint, some only do conversions with gorgeous paint jobs. Some still weren't fussed at all for painting, being primarily gamers, and everything in between!!

[Dominic]

In terms of list building, write a list, then look for imporavemts, and keep doing this to you get one you're completely happy with. Don't buy a codex, write a list then buy all the models for that list. Play around with it for a few days first, chances are (like me) you'll completely regret buying all the models for your first list, which will be probably not very good.

Share you list with the interwebs; as this will help you plug any massive holes (not enough scoring units, too much invested in characters etc.) I'd even suggest playing a few games of paperhammer first, just to get a feeling of your army. Then buy your models, definitely helps to keep costs down!

[eldargal]

Do: Try to win, play to have fun.
Don't: Play to win, try to have fun.

Don't be afraid to ask 'stupid' questions.

Choose an army you like the look of and enjoy the background, not one that people tell you will win games.

Don't be afraid to lose (a lot).

[Dominic]

Don't be afraid to lose (a lot).

I've played in a few tournaments this year, and the one I had the most fun in was the one where I took an underpowered army, lost every game but pulled off some cracking tricks* and enjoyed myself! If you and your opponent had fun, winning/losing doesn't really matter, don'y fear losing!

*My opponent had practically his full army left on the table (ogres), all I had left was a plagueclaw catapult, one shot, one wound, several failed panic tests later 90% of his army had fled off the table, yes I still lost, but that has to be my favourite game

[SotonShades]

Do: Try to win, play to have fun.
Don't: Play to win, try to have fun.

Don't be afraid to ask 'stupid' questions.

Choose an army you like the look of and enjoy the background, not one that people tell you will win games.

Don't be afraid to lose (a lot).

Yes, yes and yes again! Some of my most memorable games have come from throwing the tactics and trying to do something really fluffy, the end result being either spectacularly heroic (read; they all died) or just plain spectacular, such as a lone Sergeant and a Chaplain beating the living snot out of 400 points of Genestealers in combat because the rest of their squad got ripped to shreds by shooting. Making those kind of memories really does make you want to play again and again, and you tend to forget whether you won or lost that game. Just the epic moments.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

I don't have to play to win, I just do. :p

[Wildeybeast]

1) The rules are a guide, a framework to help you have fun with your shiny new models, not the word of God. Getting bogged down in rules debates makes for the worst game possible. If you can't agree, dice for it and discuss it over a beer after the game. If you don't like how a rule works, change it (with consent of your opponent of course) and feel free to make up some of your own.

2) Be generous, you'll find it comes back around. You are bound to forget stuff and make mistakes, especially when new, so try to be lenient (within reason) when others do the same.

3) Remember it's only a game. Be a good sport, whether you win or lose. Otherwise people won't play with you again.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

WATER DOWN YOUR PAINTS.

You have no idea how much of a top tip that is. Thin your paints and do multiple layers, then you will be able to see the detail in your models!

[Mr Mystery]

Silly TDA. Confusing win with fail once again! :p

But yes. The aim of the game is to succeed in your mission. The point of the game is to have fun! You'll often hear people speaking about the 'spirit of the game'. It's hard to define, but it's an unspoken contract between you and your opponent, and it will change with each opponent. It's our duty as good hobbyists to ensure as far as possible each game is as enjoyable as it can be. This might mean playing to a narrative scenario, or it might be balls out competitive play.

[warboss Grotgrim Dakaskab]

Well, I'm looking for a new army for 6th edition and what to do with them and this is one of the most useful posts I have ever read!

[Dominic]

Well, I'm looking for a new army for 6th edition and what to do with them and this is one of the most useful posts I have ever read!

not sure if this has already been mentioned, but I'd also look around the painting and modelling section of various forums, there are always some great armies there, and a few things you might like to use on your army to make it more unique (little things like different basing kits/techniques, different paint schemes, conversions, you get the picture) might change you opinion on the aesthetic of a particular army.

[Mr Mystery]

And remember to use the missions!

Younger players tend to stick to straight out dust ups. Whilst these games are fun, they are only a small part of the game. Vary deployment zones and mission parameters, this keeps gaming fresh!

[Dread Corsair]

All sound advice! Even for me coming back to the hobby after a break it's nice not to make the mistakes I did when I first started way back when. Definitely agree with choosing an army that you like the background/concept of over what is winning the most games. Planned purchases, painting in small batches and expecting to learn far more from those inevitable first defeats are golden!

[Mr Mystery]

Also, Battleforces are your friend!

Whilst not complete armies of themselves, they do provide a solid core of useful units, and save you some money into the bargain.

Keep track of your bitz! Many kits come with additional special and heavy weapons in addition to those the squad can have in the game. For instance, Space Marine Devastators come with lots of extra heavy weapons. If you buy a combat squad of 5 multi-part marines (not the cheapo box of three piecers) you can bung the extra heavy weapons on them, giving you a wider range of load outs, and if you fancy, a second Devastator squad!

[RGilbert26]

One thing that really annoys me is players who don't read their codexes properly and any special rules in the rule book, related to units they are using. Two weeks in a row at my local GW I have had to remind the same Tyranid player that he isn't using is flying Tyrant properly. Keeps flying it like a flyer.

[Mr Mystery]

So in relation to the above, if you have a spangly new unit, talk with your opponent. They may be willing to take part in a 'dry run' game where to allow you, and potentially your opponent a chance to get used to it's rule, they deliberately don't target it. This will allow you to see how the rules actually work.

But of course, this door has to swing both ways! Fair is fair!

[Denzark]

Don't run before you can walk.

By which I mean don't expect to be pulling off the feats that the so-called 'internet personalities' do - in any aspect - be it painting, rules lore, skill level. Be prepared to learn.

When in doubt, you can't do better than going straight for the enemy and killing all their scoring units.

[Emerald Rose Widow]

One thing that really annoys me is players who don't read their codexes properly and any special rules in the rule book, related to units they are using. Two weeks in a row at my local GW I have had to remind the same Tyranid player that he isn't using is flying Tyrant properly. Keeps flying it like a flyer.

how do you mean by this if I may ask, because it is technically a flier, though the flying monstrous creatures are slightly different, the basics are the same.

[LordGrise]

Do: Try to win, play to have fun.
Don't: Play to win, try to have fun.

Don't be afraid to ask 'stupid' questions.

Choose an army you like the look of and enjoy the background, not one that people tell you will win games.

Don't be afraid to lose (a lot).

This, a thousand times. I bought into my army because I loved the look and the fluff. It isn't 'competitive' in the tourney sense, and never has been, and that's fine. I don't play to table folks, and the couple times I've gotten there (rare, as in extremely) I've never pressed it to the bitter end. This is a game. You and the other guy are opponents, yes, but you're also partners - it takes two, right? So play as you would want to be played against, and be easy with the other guy. Mistakes happen, you're going to make them - we all do - and if you realize you're doing something wrong, tell on yourself, right there on the spot, and it'll be cool. Keep it to yourself, on the other hand, don't tell, and eventually the other guy is going to learn, either by playing another guy with your army or by reading your army up - and do you think he will want to play you then?

[Occam]

The rules I've discovered are as follows:

1) Be cool.

2) Don't be afraid to ask. One guy I know literally just got $150 worth of stuff to start his Blood Angels army [TODAY!] because he asked a couple guys nicely. He only had to pay about $30, but the trade-off is that now he has to pay the goodwill forward. [Really, the conversation was "You guys mind donating a few things to guy who really wants to play but is broke"?]

3) Read your codex 3 times. You don't have to memorize it, just know where everything is.

4) Read the core rules in your spare time. You'd be surprised what little tricks make a difference.

5) Be ready to explain your codex and likewise, your opponent should be ready to explain theirs.

6) Always support the local store. Always. Just think of the difference between the web price and store price as club dues.

7) Just be cool. Soldiers will die, vehicles will explode and you may be down to one unit. But you know what I call that? A good day.

[OrksOrksOrks]

Have fun, if someone isn't fun, you dont have to play with them, if someone in your club or shop is making a game a chore, politely shake hands tell them they win and pack up your models, life is too short to deal with terrible people, so if someone is being overly critical or rules lawyering, you don't have to play with them.

A neatly painted army looks a lot more impressive than one really well painted dude and 200 grey models, work in batches, focus on being neat and tidy rather than highlights and fancy lighting effects, after you've got the basics mastered, you can always go back and add line highlights and those free-hand chapter symbols.

Don't be afraid to experiment, the internet might tell you that Space Wolves need to have all Long Fangs and razorbacks, but, if you like the idea of running all blood claws and bikers, go for it, its your army, you might lose a lot against the people with "Internet lists", but they're not fun to play anyway, so, skip them. The game would be a lot better if people just took what they thought was cool rather than what they know will win.

[Godless Zealot]

Great advice guys thanks! I have finally started to paint my first miniatures and the 'batch' theory is working well. I'm also losing most of my first games but I've found a good group of guys now and despite the losses I'm loving it!

[RGilbert26]

how do you mean by this if I may ask, because it is technically a flier, though the flying monstrous creatures are slightly different, the basics are the same.

True but what he keeps doing is using the Flyer movement rules and not the Monstrous Creature Flyer rules. It's quite obvious he hasn't actually read them.