Are you a wargamer who had an experience with a rude opponent? Do you wonder how you can make more friends in the wargaming community?
Welcome back to Toy Soldier Central, Commander! This article will give you 5 solid pieces of wargaming etiquette to become the kind of wargamer that everyone wants to play with!
You’ll also get a grasp on the kind of wargamers you’d probably wanna avoid.
I know just what to do, because I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing wargames in hobby stores all across the country.
Now, I have a list of grand commandments I’ll share with the world, so we can all maximize our wargaming experiences, and make our community a better place.
If you’ve read my first guide on wargaming etiquette, you’ll know the most important piece of advice is to be the hobby friend you wish you had.
But, much like wargaming, etiquette can be quite complex, and subtle details get overlooked all the time.
So then that means it’s time to familiarize yourself with another 5 solid pieces of wargaming etiquette that we didn’t talk about before!
1.) Play By The Rules
No matter where you are in life, we can all agree that there are few things worse than a cheater. This holds true across all facets of life – including wargaming.
If you find that you’re spending too much time and money by wargaming, and that bothers you, then I recommend cheating in every game you play!
Pretty soon, you’ll have no one left to play with, and you can finally quit the hobby!
(Please note, that was all sarcastic.)
Actually, cheating in games will instantly develop you an infamous reputation and get you vilified by your local wargaming community.
It’s one thing to forget a rule, or misinterpret information, or ask for a do-over straight up.
It’s a completely different thing to fudge your rolls, or hide your rolls, or move your pieces more forward than they actually should move.
The best way to handle cheating is by eliminating it entirely.
A good way to earn trust from the people you wargame with is by vocalizing what you’re rolling or measuring for.
Communicating your intentions on the battlefield allows your opponent to have a fair understanding of what’s happening in the game.
Plus, it’s no fun playing against a silent mannequin.
Another method to eliminate cheating is by allowing your opponent to see your dice rolls before you pick them back up.
I’ve heard stories of players rolling their dice, immediately picking them back up, then claiming they hit 24 different soldiers, out of 25 dice.
Yeah right!
So let your opponents view your dice rolls as a common courtesy, and politely insist upon the same, until mutual trust and camaraderie is built.
Both these methods eliminate cheating, and accusations of it.
2.) Stop Backseat Gaming
Have you ever driven someone and just had them nagging at you the entire car ride?
Just constant “You’re going too fast,” and “watch out! Break! Break!” or the more annoying “I wouldn’t be driving like this, let me drive.”
Get out of my car!! Woah. Flash backs.
It feels the exact same way when someone is being a backseat gamer.
Have you ever had someone sitting in the sidelines, being snide and snarky, telling you how “you shouldn’t do that,” or that “you shouldn’t move that unit there.”
Backseat wargaming is just as aggravating as touching people’s minis without asking first.
Hardly anyone even likes or listens to advice when they ask for it – what makes you think they’ll listen to your advice without even asking you for it?
If you give advice without being asked first, then just stop.
I don’t care how many times you’ve read Sun Tzu’s Art Of War. If people aren’t asking you for advice, then stop handing it out freely. Advice given freely is worthless.
If you’re dead set on being a mentor, then look for the newer wargamers, and play casual games. The chances are, they’ll ask for guidance and tips, thus giving you the chance to be the advisor you’re wishing to be.
But for the love of all things wargaming, please, never develop a “Demi-God of wargaming” complex.
There’s no need to rub a defeated opponent’s face in the dirt by saying things like “I was sure you were going to have me by turn 2, but you didn’t…”
Unless it’s a casual game, and you’re both laughing about how “Oh I woulda got you! I’m surprised you did X, and man that dice roll on turn 5 was so YZ!”
Which leads us to our next piece of advice.
3.) Stop Being A Rules Lawyer In Casual Games
So many of the most fun wargaming moments in my life happened because of allowing do-overs.
One time, my buddy’s champion was cornered, defeat for him was imminent.
And I had my army closing in on his champion from all sides.
But, he had one more roll to make – was he going to be able to dodge?
Then, he made his roll.
And it was a 2. Needless to say, he could not reach dodge, and he died.
But, we both agreed, that was an anti-climactic ending to an otherwise chaotic battle.
Then we also agreed on letting him make a do-over roll, just for the fun of the game.
And that turned that dull moment into an epic last stand, where his champion died fighting.
Who knows how many legendary moments wargamers have missed out on, just by being a rules lawyer?
In case you’re unsure about what a rules lawyer is, basically, they’re a stickler for the rules. They hold you letter bound to the contract of the game rules, don’t allow do-overs, and other white collar corporatism.
Or worse, they expect you to know every single rule in a 200 page rulebook. Every complex rule. Every obscure rule. Oh, and you’d better remember how all these rules interact with one another.
Trust me, even as a seasoned wargamer, I still forget rules and behaviors on occasion.
There’s few things more annoying than some person pulling a “HEY YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT!” And then proceeding to flip out.
Sometimes, these guys allow you to fumble your plays, then pull out an uno reverse call. “Hah, GOTCHA!” Screams the rules lawyer, as he proceeds to ruin your whole day with some “gotcha moment” he had held up his sleeve…
In a casual game.
Seriously, who does that?
But man, those moments where a rules lawyer tries to call me out, and then the rulebook actually backs me up… those moments are so satisfying.
The next piece of advice is a reliable way to help you memorize your rules.
4.) Keep A Cheat Sheet
To ensure smooth gameplay as a new player, have your army list and breakdown ready in an easily readable format.
Map your units, including all their equipment, armor, powers, and special rules, onto a separate page—a “cheat” sheet, so to speak.
Record all the rules, preferably with page numbers that reference your most important statistics. This way, you can quickly reference the book when needed, such as to recall the “S of your boltgun” or the “A of your elite choice.”
Doing this will save time and be a relief for both you and your opponent.
Don’t forget to jot down essential information like what stage comes next, or who can roll two dice for a single attack. A perfect basic cheat sheet will look a lot like a “one pages rules” sheet. Note this information as well.
For instance, create a self-made cheat sheet page that includes details like “Unit 1 – 10 attacks with rapid fire. Drop Pod Unit 1 – Shoot storm bolter,” etc.
This way, you won’t miss any attacks or abilities during the game, preventing missed opportunities or surprises.
5.) Respect People’s Boundaries
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that the people we interact with are actual human beings. What you find acceptable may be abhorrent to someone else.
Therefore, it’s always important to respect people’s boundaries.
Unfortunately, none of us are psykers, and we cannot read minds.
So that means that we usually are made aware of a person’s boundaries after we cross them.
But, this doesn’t give you a free pass to run around hurling insults at people!
It actually means: if someone is absolutely not cool with other people touching their minis, then just don’t grab them.
If someone in the hobby store is only interested in browsing, and doesn’t want to talk or play with you, then respect that and leave them be.
They’ll remember you as the person who respected them, and will be more open to you in the future, because you chose to not force yourself on them.
Conclusion – Last Thoughts On Wargaming Etiquette
I hope these pillars of etiquette will improve your wargaming experience. Wargaming is an awesome hobby that’s been enjoyed by great authors, powerful generals, and everyday folks like ourselves.
My first guide on wargaming etiquette, was hosted on Robinson Well’s website, The Wargame Explorer.
Be sure to read those tips as well. That way, you can become a renown hobby hero at your game store!
I’ve gathered these tips (and more) from all the time I’ve spent wargaming. From these tips, I’ve been able to cultivate my wargaming experience to maximize fun and legendary battlefield moments.
Can you think of any more pieces of advice for your fellow wargamers?
Have you ever had any crazy experiences with “that guy?”
Leave your examples in the comments below!
Until next time, Salute!
