Best Way to learn to play ?

[DataBob]

title says it all really ?

[nikgaukroger]

Enter a competition.

[DontFearDaReaper]

I sure learned a lot when I went up against Steve Payne in the recent Austin tournament here in the US.

[DataBob]

I would really love to enter Britcon but its impossible for me

I will have to wait for some smaller tournaments I think

But it hardly seems fair to pitch up at a tournament in complete ignorance and expect my opponants to teach me ?

not everyone is that patient surely ?

(knowing Nik has patience of a saint LOL )

[nikgaukroger]

Roll Call and Warfare are, IIRC, the next two 2 day comps in GB although I think Hammy is going to do another 1 day one near Manchester as well.

As for pitching up as long as you've read the rules a few times and, IMO, run through a few things solo on table top (plus questions here) you should be OK. For example at Britcon we had Mark Fry play who is a long time Armati player (in fact he was kindly playing FoG to balance numbers in FoG and Armati) and who had just played 1 game and he fitted in fine. There were quite a lot of the field who had hardly played before.

Go for it IMO.

[philqw78]

You may annoy a player who thinks he is going to win the tournament, but only if you slow him down. Most players don't mind at all, we've all been in the same situation. There are many advantages to it:

1. It could be a relatively easy win.
2. You can learn something yourself when going through the rules in more detail.
3. I find it more relaxing
4. The person you helped through the rules generallly buys you a beer

I like advantage number 4

[Probert]

The best way to learn a new ruleset is to wrangle your way into a participation game at a convention.

[daleivan]

The best way to learn a new ruleset is to wrangle your way into a participation game at a convention.

Definitely--and instructive even if you've already played a few games. I definitely learned a lot from playing in two participation games at Enfilade last May--especially with three players on a side so more folks to ask questions.

[vercingetorix]

I agree -- the best way to learn is by playing -- reading the rules only does a certain amout

[timmy1]

A way that we found works was this. Print the Errata and FAQ (but don't read them yet). Read the rules through twice. First time at a reasonable pace (accepting that not all will make sense) and a second time holding the sequence of play and following the examples in the sequence of play. Best if two new players do this at about the same time. The read the Errata and FAQ at the same time.

Choose your favourite from the starter armies, set up on a flat table with no terrain. Then find someone who know FoG, perhaps who is playing a game on the next table, have them start you off. Just follow the sequence of play religiously (and this is the key point) WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Be prepared to try slightly wacky stuff (such as not evading when skirmisher types are charged by light horse) and after 5 or 6 turns (less if you have some Ancients experience) you will find that you have stopped asking questions of the experienced player and will have worked it out. I have seen this work twice and I plan to use it later in the year as we have 2 more candidates. (It is also tremendiously empowering for the players.)

I have heard of two other options, 1 is to play as a partner in a double game with an experienced player, the other is to just get 3 units, say Medium Foot Bow, Heavy Foot Impact and some form of mounted and try it against someone else who has never played FoG and who has done the same.

[DataBob]

Thanks for the suggestions guys

will certainly be playing soon , borrowing an army from defunct DBM player and looking for a Comp LOL

Maybe up for BHGS challenge next year

[Rattleshirt]

I'm with Timmy1 on how to learn. My own example being slightly different but relevant.

I bought the rulebook and got thoroughly confused. My friend and soon to be opponent did the same. We then sat down and tried to decipher the rulebook by going through the example of combat and using models. We then used one BG each to try out different things (impact, shooting, evasions, etc).

Lastly, we both went to a "learning" night for FoG beginners at our LGS and played alongside each other against two other opponents, with a fifth more experienced player acting as umpire. We all learned a lot and felt much more comfortable going forward.

Frankly, I think having a partner and going through it together makes it so much easier then just staring at the rulebook.

Rattle

[CLAVDIVS]

Hi

The next round of the Northern Doubles is in Manchester see below:

The venue for this round has been changed to Emlyn Hall
on Emlyn Street, Walkden Manchester at the Manchester Area Wargames Society
The date is still Sunday 7th September 2008 but will be at MAWS
Players to arrive at 09:30 am for a 10:00 start to the games.
Army list to Colin or Geoff by the 16/08/08.


If you wish just to turn up for the day that is OK by use or we can try to get you into a game.

[robertthebruce]

How to learn to Play??


Read the Rules . I has playing with a lot of guys in Spain who never read the rules .

They says "The rules are not in Spanish", "I don´t understand the rules"," I have the sun in my face".... stupid excuses


Read to rules and try to play, when you have played 5 games, read the rules again, is the best way.


Cheers

David

[jlopez]

Another point is which army to choose for your first competition. I would recomend two types for any beginner:

1. Huns or Ilkhanids: Easy to manoeuver around, some punch and gives you some chance of winning.

2. A big, undrilled, shock troops army (Classical Greek, sundry barbarians): Covers the table to reduce opponent's clever tactics but needs expertise to win with. Good thing about them is that you'll learn more about FoG using them and getting thrashed than with the first option.

Julian

[CrazyHarborc]

Last night we helped each other find this and that in the rulebook and or on those great official charts from the official site. We are learning....now is the time to be certain we all get the rules into our foggy, old fart brains. Now is the time to learn by doing....by doing the "what happens if I move/charge here?"

We always suggest, advise, help each other when trying out/learning new rules. Later, when we know what is what.....THEN comes the blood on the ground. My little group and I do like FOG. I do predict we will be using these rules for years.

I guess that makes my group and I old fart, FOG groupies!!

[Andy1972]

My first game was me and Hercthemediorcre took 650 points each.(i think thats what the points were) And we had both read the rules a few times.. And sat down for an afternoon and just played.. And we just took the game step by step. It took 5 hours.. But we learned alot by doing so.. After 3-4 weeks of playing 5-6 games.. We were pretty comfortable. He also played more with other folks. To be honest i still forget some rules.. But every game you play.. Makes you that much better.. Example, at the Origins tourney, the fellow i was playing against didn't know HF and Mounted couldnt march move together.. Not a big deal.. But he learned something.. I also forgot about the Mounted recoiling from foot still in good order.. That was a big deal! I think it caused me to win the last battle.. But the guy i was playing forgot it too.. Herc was making fun of me afterwards! DJ "bounce" Andy is my name now.

[Jagiello]

Chaps,
Had my first game last night and was pleasantly impressed.
There were 5 FoG novices present; two of us had predominantly DBx backgrounds, two with lots of WH experience, and the other fellow with a cosmopolitan mix.
We just played it through, step by step and soon picked up the system.
One of the lads acted as Umpire and was able (via the index and a good read-through previously) to answer all the questions that cropped up.
We played the Rome v Carthage armies from the core rules book, and although we ran out of time (3 hours was all we managed), we had a really good game; Rome was on the ascension, having just broken through the Carthaginian centre, but were struggling on the wings. Another hour would have seen a result.
We will be trying out the 100YW armies next I believe to get some experience of massed missilery and knights.!
We covered a heck of a lot and understood what we were doing - the rules are well written and easy to follow - but we do need to brush up on manoeuvres, certain aspects of combat resolution, etc ready for the next battle.
So, I guess what I'm saying is, just get stuck in. Try and have at least one person 'familiar' with the layout of the book. A war-game background is very handy, but not essential, and may be detrimental at first.
I went in with an open mind - disregarding the banter between DBx and FoG contingents (I love DBMM) and really enjoyed my first taste of FoG. They're different games and both have great little bits of inspiration and potential personal niggles, but on the whole, I'm happy playing either.!
Cheers
Jagiello.

[ars_belli]

I went in with an open mind - disregarding the banter between DBx and FoG contingents (I love DBMM) and really enjoyed my first taste of FoG. They're different games and both have great little bits of inspiration and potential personal niggles, but on the whole, I'm happy playing either.!

Very well said. If more wargamers were similarly open-minded, it would be all the better for our hobby. Thanks for the great review!

Cheers,
Scott