Proper training of a 9yo to appreciate WHFB

Eric · Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Posts: 532

Oh Venerable Sages and Longbeards of the Chantilly Gaming Syndicate/Group/Club/Thingie,

I seek your advice and council.

So I am worried that I am in danger setting up a blosseming young gamer for disappointment. I would be interested in hearing other people's thoughts (particularly those of you with children to whom you are teaching Warhammer) on the best way to teach a 9-year old on how to enjoy this hobby. For those not interesting in reading a long back story, feel free to skip down to the section labeled "[Question]" at the bottom of this message.

Over the past two years I have been slowly introducing my neighbor and his son to warhammer fantasy battle. We played a few small games at first, 800 points, a thousand points with mostly proxy models. However, his dad has really started to get into the collecting side of the hobby and has acquired for himself almost 2500 points worth of bretonnians, and perhaps 2000+ points of high elves for his son.

A part of me feels a little ashamed because from the very get go, I've warned my friend and neighbor that this can be an expensive hobby, and that he should go into that with eyes wide open. None the less, he has been indulging his son's interest, and gleeful at the idea of having something that he can enjoy with his son.

Now, about his son. Let me stress that at heart he is a good kid. He loves animals. He is kind to his sisters (most of the time), but I suspect (as I have no children of my own, yet) that he may just be acting like a typical 9-year old boy. I have on occasion tried to impress upon my neighbor's son notions like "sportsmanship," "how to be a courteous and gracious competitor, both in defeat AND in victory." However, I worry that my attempts to teach him about the finer points of the hobby have fallen on somewhat deaf year (or perhaps 9-year old ears).

Over the holidays, I decided I wanted to do something special for my neighbors as I know that he and his son where both excitedly gathering their respective armies. So, I decided to indulge my neighbor's son's interest in world domination and bought for him (and painted for him)... wait for it... Teclis.

I did not own a copy of the High Elf army book at the time that I made this purchase (I had given that as a gift to my neighbor's son shortly after he expressed interest in the hobby), but I thought to myself that I kind of knew the rules and didn't think that he could be that bad. It was only after the holidays, this past Saturday when I asked if I could look at his army book and read the actual rules that I realized what an awful thing I had in fact done. I had no idea just how abusive Teclis was under 8th edition. I’ve not

So, with a free afternoon, my neighbor's son (with a fair number of models proxied from his Dad's bretonnian army) asked if we could have a 2000 point game. I thought, sure! Me teaching him the game has greatly improved my own understanding of how to play. Plus, he wanted to try out his new general, Teclis.

So I brought a balanced Dwarf list with 3 big blocks, a runed up grudge thrower, organ gun and 1 unit of shooters.

By the bottom of turn 3, my neighbor's son had destroyed 1700 points of my 2000 point list. Now, to be fair, I made some silly mistakes that did not help my cause. He also rolled quite well for the winds of magic for all three turns (something that would have been beneficial whether he had Tecilis or not). But I now, truly and intimately, understand just how broken Teclis is.

Here is where it get's tricky. I don't want to discourage this young gamer. I know that his dad is very excited about the idea of family games on the dinner table. However, I am desperately trying to resist the temptation to want to make the filthiest dwarf gunline and abuse the rules in every way possible so as to turn Teclis into something that resembles grade-school paste. At the same time, I am trying to demonstrate to my neighbor's son how to be a good looser, and how to be respectful of one's opponent.

Although, his celebratory dance around the table when he "Dwellers from Below" my General plus 15 addition hammerers on his first turn suggested to me that I may have a ways to go to teach him about being a good winner.

I figured I have maybe one more game where I would be willing to play a 2000 point game that includes Teclis where I try to bring a balanced list. After that I am not sure I could resist the temptation to bring a 100% gunline, which I worry will teach him the wrong lesson (that one needs to filth it up to win).

[Question] So, for those who are still reading, here are my questions:

So how does one teach a young gamer that it is important for both opponents to enjoy the game?

How do you teach him that the best game does not always involve the hardest most filthy lists?

How do you teach a 9-year old that having a good game is more important that winning?

Any fathers, uncles, big brothers out there with sage advice?

- Azric
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ExecutionerofKhaine. · Shade Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 2420

I would express that rare characters are...rare. using them, especially Teclis, is frowned upon and usually not allowed in tournament, even ones just for fun. Use him on occasion and when he chooses to use him, bring the unmerciful gunline including the anvil with your special character to teach him humility as he has already learned the other end of it.

Other than than he will learn better with age and games against people other than family and his neighbor Wink

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SiteAdmin · Site Admin Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 956

I would say that it is the age but I know adults who are the same way. You can explain the finer points of the game saying that special characters are really for special games such as story scenarios but friendly games they are not used.

I wouldn't crush him wont teach him anything other then not to play you also might push him away from the game. Frankly if his interests continue he will learn different styles anyway so a reminder about special characters might just be enough.

As for lists, its also an experience thing. If he continues to play more than the next year and encounters more than the adults across the table his gaming style might change..or might not. Have him play at a local GW store the age group is closer and they have a nice class that teaches them all the games, painting and the like. My eldest went through it a few years ago and loved it.
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Corey · Clanrat Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 832

Spank him?

Hahaha, just kidding. I know I started collecting around the age of 10, but for me what drew me to the hobby at first was the models, not the actual game. It took me a couple more years after that to start collecting armies and playing the game.

Haha, getting him to stop using Teclis now might be tough. You might try promoting the idea of creating his own characters. Just because it is a Teclis model doesn't mean he has to use him as Teclis.

Eric · Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Posts: 532

Thanks for suggestions!

I will probably make an attempt to take on his army (including Teclis) one more time. But then I will gently suggest that, if he would like to play, that he will have to leave Teclis at home.

Thanks again!

Azric
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All hail, WARHAMMER is Dead. Long live WARHAMMER!