If you have played warhammer, you will most certainly know that some people play to win, while others like to play for fun, without concern on whether they win or lose.
In my opinion the most crucial factor when playing games of warhammer (no matter which edition) is to make it fun for both players, no version of warhammer was really designed for tournament play, especially not 4th or 5th edition, aka herohammer, this is important to keep in mind. Flexible games rules with a lot of room for different interpretation are not really suitable for competitive games, its made for fun between two or more consenting persons.
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| But the rulebook states... |
Does that mean that I shouldn´t make a good list and do my best to win? No of course not, however your games of warhammer won´t be fun if one of the players continually attempts pick holes in the rules or bend the rules, or even just takes the same army made up of the very best units and magic items every game. Some people like competitive gaming, I used to as well, but whenever I play nowadays, I try to embrace the spirit of the game and just have a great time, no matter if I win or lose.
But even then, what is fair and balanced in one guys opinion might be totally different to his opponents. So where am I going with this then, well the most important thing to ensure is that both players have fun, talk with each other before the game and decide what type of game you both want.
Agree on limitations, personally we play with max 33% characters, minimum 33% regiments. Maybe decide on not bringing a certain unit next game if the opponent agrees to not bring his most powerful unit, try out different magic items or agree to not using certain items at all, for example we don't play with the Black Gem of Gnar, its powerful, but just not fun. Remember to play the different scenarios in the battle book, maybe even use newer editions to find even more scenarios, or make up your own with limitations or win conditions that favor different styles of play.
Play your army, the armybooks are filled with detailed background about each army, making an army that feels like it fits the background will help a lot with the balance, for example an Empire army with just Dwarves, Ogres, Flagellants, Kislev troops and some war machines does't feel like an Empire army to me, where are the halberdiers and state troops? Same with an undead army without at least some slow shambling undead such as skeletons or zombies, or a combat oriented wood elf force made up of chariots without archers in it, there's of course certain times when such armies work, maybe in a special scenario, but make sure to talk about such armies before you play your opponent then, so that he is at least somewhat prepared.
Some players will argue that this makes it harder to win, but if both players talk beforehand the game will be an epic story that are won by the best general, rather than the best force builder.
The same is true on how you play the game, if someone misses something in a phase and then remembers it, the friendly thing is to allow them to do it. Don´t argue over whether a unit misses a charge with 1 mm or happen to touch a terrain piece so they can´t march.
Another thing to talk about is characters, herohammer have some of the most powerful characters that was ever in the game (until 8th edition at least), and a lot of players believe that they have to field powerful characters in order to win, this often becomes an arms race where the creation of an all conquering lord is the ultimate goal, regardless whether the magic items fits that race.
If both players agree on limiting characters and concentrate on regiments the games will be much more enjoyable. Selecting items that fits your army's background further enhances the feeling of an epic story unfolding before your eyes.
Remember if you are arguing about it, then it's not worth doing it!
If someone still continues to fuck up your fun by doing these overpowered characters, then take a look here on how to defeat them, then maybe next time they will refrain from using the best stuff over and over again.
As I said above though, some people enjoy playing for the win and doing broken stuff, as long as everybody in your gaming group agrees to that, then go ahead, it's your game after all, we all enjoy different things and with that I leave you with the words of Nigel Stillman:
A very agreeable post from my point of view. I must admit though, that I had you pegged as a different kind of player altogether.
SvaraRaderaI have probably always played more or less like you describe. And the narrative is always at the forefront in my games.
What I have learned over the years, is to be critical of whom I game with. I have had many a "I kill that model by shooting it's banner"-games which I did not enjoy.
But in general, once you have a gaming group, it is easier I think. My greatest disappointments were narrowly tied to pick-up-and-play games with new opponents.
I guess me reminiscing about my old days (when I was a tournament player), as well as being a regular on the Flail of Skulls podcast (which have a very competitive approach) means there´s probably a lot of people who don´t really know what type of gamer I am.
RaderaI used to be competitive (but always friendly), but once I got older I realized I just wasn't having as fun as I could have, this applies both to warhammer as well as my long tenure in magic the gathering.
Great article. As an Orc player, all I can hope for is hilarious defeat. Give me fluff and narrative over stiff competition any day. Waaargh!
SvaraRaderaGreenskins have always drawn out the more relaxed players haven't they, I mean you can't be playing just for the win with such a race where animosity tends to fuck up things over & over again!
RaderaNice article! I totally agree.
SvaraRaderaThank you, I hope to play against your beautiful armies some day Kristian!
Radera