Recruiting

One of the things that I feel a little guilty about, is recruiting new players, but it's also damn fun, and keeps the hobby interesting. If you play this game, odds are, either you got someone into this game, or someone got you into it, there is just no way around it, it's a two person game.

Now you could argue that I am doing a good thing, bringing something this awesome into someone's life, but to be honest, I wish I had never heard of warhammer, because I am far more than addicted, its just so damn awesome.

Now recruiting new players means a few things, first it means, getting them to choose an army. Next getting them to buy the army. Then, getting them to assemble and paint the army. But wait, there's more, it means getting them to learn the rules. That is a lot of stuff, and certainly not for the faint of heart.

Getting them to choose the army, while difficult, is the easiest step, pretty much because it's free, and requires no commitment. If you're like me, then you spend countless hours simply finding ways to categorize armies, like comparing each army to a metallica song, or nation in world war two, or even shapes. I know that makes no sense, but I get bored easily. I personally find the person will automatically have a connection with the army, and choose pretty quickly on their own.

Next comes the big hurdle. The deal breaker. The heartbreaking point of no return. Breaking it to them how much this is gunna cost. I have spent more money then I dare look at, on this game. If you can get someone to buy an army, then you've got them.

Next comes the tender love and care they must put into their army. This is a process that will give them the personal touch, and the reason to fight. Sadly, this is the least paid attention to part. Please, care about your army, and give them a narrative.

Lastly, getting them to learn the rules, this is the fun part, but also a headache inducing part. For me, the rules are second nature, I simply don't even have to think about them anymore, but God forbid, I have to explain why it is the way it is. There is no way around it, you are going to have some long matches, that are filled with lots of re-reading rules. My first three matches were all over 7 hours long, and that was with only 1000 points, go figure.



Now all these steps, and procedures mean nothing if you can't hook the person to begin with. For me the easiest way to do this, is to show them your army. Just have a friend come over, to watch the big game, easy because the super bowl is coming up. While they are there, you will just happen to walk by your army on a grand display. Pretending to be embarrassed you attempt to hide your ode to nerd-dom. Seeing this as some dirt to get under you they pry further, however, they are inherently jealous, as they are impressed by your awesome collection. Then, after giving your story of how great the 41st millennium is, you can ask them if they want to play. They almost always say yes, so long as you smell nice. Then while you are playing, bend the rules. Bend the rules, a whole stinkin' lot. Trust me, they have no idea why they are rolling the dice, and they never remember the rules the first time around, they aren't invested that much in it yet. When they have the match of a lifetime, thanks to your impromptu rule changing, they will have had so much fun, that you can then begin spinning your web.

Of course that makes us sound evil, but who doesn't love being the bad guy every now and then?