Better Gaming Part 3: Ruling the Rules

Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Part 5.


Those who know the rules the best has better chance of winning. Those who can convince their opponent how to interpret the rules will win.

If your aspiration is to play - and do well - in tournaments, then you better start reading and understand the rules. Not just the basic rules of the games, but also every codex. You will need to have a good understanding of how each army functions and you better know some of the more complicated rules for the units. Without this knowledge, you are at a disadvantage. You are at the mercy of your opponent.

But what happens if you are a newer player, only play pick-up games, or just simply don't want to read every codex? There are a couple of things you can do to ensure that your opponent understands what you are doing and that you understand what your opponent is doing.

Most players are at the mercy of their opponent to describe the individual rules for their specific armies. Most table-top games are designed this way with each army having their own specific army books or codexes. In most cases, this isn't an issue. However, in some instances, it is an area of abuse.

Sometimes rule interpretations can be misunderstood by the players. And sometimes those misunderstandings are done on purpose. Consider the Warhammer 40k Artillery Unit, for example. Most players do not field or even play against such units, so their knowledge of the specific rules may be a bit sketchy. It is natural, if playing against an opponent with an artillery unit, to ask how it works.

Many people read the rules for a unit and see only the positive. The downside of the unit is overlooked. Sometimes the downside is overlooked on purpose. In the case of an artillery unit, there is the gun (with an armor value like a vehicle) and a crew. You can shoot at one or the other. Most people overlook the downside, such as the rule that states the artillery unit must take a dangerous terrain test whenever moving through difficult terrain.

So the situation is that you are playing the game against an artillery unit, you've never seen one before, and, for the sake of saving time, you ask your opponent about it. He states every rule for it from memory but does not state the downside. Whether it was done on purpose or not, the effect is the same - an artillery unit that can move through difficult terrain with no risk because of your lack of knowledge of the rules and your trust in your opponent's interpretation of the rules.

Avoiding this situation is easy - read the rules. You don't need to know the entire rulebook by memory, but you better know how to quickly look up the rules. All unit types are described in the main rule book. When your opponent is deploying, just look it up.

Do not depend on your opponent's interpretation of a rule. Yes, it's simpler to just ask and listen, but you have only learned how to ask and listen. Take the time and look the rule up. You will remember it longer if you look it up rather than listen to someone saying it to you.

If the rule in question is army specific, then learn this simple phrase: "That sounds like a cool rule. Can I see how it is worded in your codex?". Just ask to see their codex. It is that simple. Opening the codex will help you and your opponent as you will both be reviewing the rule together. It will also help you discover the downside of the rule.

Some people think that asking to see the passage in the army book or codex is an insult or that you are accusing your opponent of cheating. That is not the case at all and if you opponent thinks that, then chances are they are cheating. If you are unfamiliar with a specific rule, just ask to see it. It takes less than a minute.

What you should be asking yourself by now is how to ensure your opponent is aware of your rules. When playing a game it is your responsibility to ensure that your opponent is comfortable playing against you and doesn’t leave the game thinking that he's been cheated.

When playing a unit that has a special rule or unusual ability, spell it all out to your opponent when you use it. Describe the rules in detail the first time you use it during the game. Bookmark the page in your army book or codex so you can read directly from it when describing the rule. Have the applicable FAQ printed out and read directly from it.

You don't need to do this every time you use the unit or rule, only the first time you use it. The trick is to be prepared to read the rule directly from the source. Your opponent may simply say "Don't worry about it, I know the rule", in which case you don't need to recite it again.

Doing this, again, not only helps your opponent, but also helps you. By reading the specific rule during every game, you will get to know it better. Reading the rule directly from the source and offering the book to your opponent demonstrates that you are completely open and not trying to hide anything. This will lead to a much more enjoyable game.



Click here to read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Part 5.