Warhammer 40K: The Good Sportsman’s Guide to What NOT to Do At Competitive Events
Goatboy here with some 40K pet peeves, and tips to help good sportsmen avoid some pitfalls at competitive events.
Goatboy here with some pet peeves we have in the game especially when playing an event. These are things that range from being annoying to being a bit of a more serious issue. None of these really sour me on an event, as I usually power through it but these are all things to think about when packing up and rolling out to your competitive battle space.
Counting Wounds UP on Models – BOO!
You can tell when someone learned to play the game when they count wounds up on a model. This is one of the frustrating things that can happen in a game when you thought you only had to do a wound to a model and now it becomes doing 4 or more wounds. I think everyone should always count down as it gives the most information without having to repeat information. The players know what they need to do and it makes it just an easier experience. A good friend who has played for years counted up and I gave him crap during our game. I love you Brad but count down dangit! Or just use those laser cut disks that show how many wounds are done to the model or even little blood tokens.
Not Being Honest on Your Army’s Battle Ready Status
I have seen this a lot when you roll up and the player says yes it is Battle Ready. I really wish judges would “pre” determine if a players army is Battle Ready and set it up in BCP for their event. It doesn’t feel nice to come to a table, question a players army, and then create a sour start to the game. This is just one of the many things that can be frustrating when as a player that enjoys the hobby of painting comes to a table and has to ask – are you sure this is battle ready? We should as a whole push that if there is any questions of it we should be truthful when judging our own stuff and take or deduct the points. It is one thing if something was broken or damage during an event and you have to “work” with the hand dealt to you but at the very least know that models need 3+ colors and basing to be truly consider Battle Ready. What would be great is if GW made a a single sheet of a sample Battle Ready model for every army in the game, so everyone was looking at the same standard. I think there are already examples in every codex – just clip them all together please GW!
Not Having Your Rules or the GW App With You!
I always come with my army book or utilizing my app with all the rules. There should never be a time when you ask your opponent if you can look up a rule to your army that you should have with you. Also – you need to be forthcoming with any rules question asked to the point where you can quickly show the rule. This isn’t a game of secrets and any question brought up should be handled like an adult and properly answered. I play by intent with the idea that this isn’t a game just for me but for both of the players. This means talking about whatever I can do and presenting any abilities and rules that could happen. It is up to the other player to make their choice.
Not Syncing Up Point Totals Each Battle Round
I utilize the Table Top Battles app and each round I check points, Command Points, and anything else that could happen between rounds. I want to always make sure we are synced up and agree to the game state before we move forward. This ensures we have all the information available during a game and there isn’t a round of “what-ifs” at the end of the game. I will always use the app when I play and I suggest any competitive player use it too. You can draw your own cards as you want but again just always stay synced and you will have a good time.
Not Asking Your Opponent During Movement Their Intent
We all know about the 1 inch away from walls rules or the WTC 2 inch engagement rule is for walls. When your opponent is moving models and setting things up just be helpful and ask is this what you want to do? Just asking for their intent and having the knowledge of their intent will let you have a decent game. When this breaks down it creates rough experience that is just not enjoyable for you or the other players on the table. It is a simple thing you can do and it helps make sure the game moves along at a brisk pace.
I am sure there are other things I can list but these are all the things I try to pay attention to when I play. I want to have fun and want my opponent to enjoy themselves too. We put a lot of time and effort into the game on top of just the time it takes to roll all these dice. A few small things easily tweaks the event from being a heck of a lot of fun to a chore you question why you wasted your time out here.
What are your tabletop pet peeves?
