How good of a player are you? Really...don't lie.

[markwars]

This is a nice way to have a private confession...share only if you want.

I myself believe it's all about the dice. 8)

[Su-Bak-Na]

I chose the third option down.

[feekonea]

Well I dont know which one to pick. Ive only lost once, and that was because I had Charos powered up with raelin so he had 7 defense dice.... and then he rolled 0 shields... 8 times in a row....

[Aranas]

I would say I fall between two of your categories (second and third). My category would be:
I'm good. I can win most of my matches, no matter what army I play.

[Logan_Xavier]

All in the dice.

I've had the best laid plans brought down by poor dice. Quite a few games I should have owned, but I just couldn't roll any skulls.

If you can't hit you can't win!

[Jormi_Boced]

There should probably be a bell curve to this poll, but so far not.

[LilNewbie]

Robert Burns wrote it best...."The best-laid plans of Mice and Men gang aft aglee."

I'm pretty good with tactics but the dice betray me more often than not.

But I still love the game and playing games in general. Must be a glutton for punishment. :D

Newb.

[markwars]

50% of the attraction to this game is the fact that my son loves it.

49.9% of the attraction is the awesome game sessions we have monthly here in the DFW area.

0.01% of the attraction is the feeling I get after a win. But perhaps that's because I suck and I only win when the dice betray someone else. :P

Seriously though....winning is not important to me at all. And I go into most matches playing stuff I just want to try out. The tourney we had in February was different, but I still didn't mind losing two out of four games. At some point when I'm more familiar with every unit - I can imagine myself getting a lot better, but at the rate stuff comes out I can't keep up with actually playing every unit regularly. Some of the guys in my local group are absolutely genius when it comes to just about any game. Playing with them is certainly humbling to me at times. And no matter how much experience I get I know that I will never be able to truly compete with a few of them (I won't embarrass anyone by naming names, but you probably have an idea about whom I am referring). That being said...I've beaten enough of them to know that sometimes it's all dice rolls or lack thereof.

[Jandars_Hope]

I'd love to say that i'm a great scaper player but when i play with my brother and dad in a three-way battle i tend to go out first or second from last and my brother almost always wins. When he takes a turn he puts all of his marks on one card most of the time and kicks my butt! Plus he rubs it in my face! (Not his butt!)

[Jormi_Boced]

It is starting to Bell.

[Jandars_Hope]

...But then again, when i play with my dad and brother we pick a certain amount of players each randomly, usually 1xEinar, 2xVydar, 2xUllar, 3XJandar and 3xUtgar. We don't care much for the points when we play because I'd be there all day with them two! so usually i get the non-decent players!

[yagyuninja]

Yeah, I bet it will be a bell shifted a bit high, though. Generally about 90% of the people think they are better than 90% of the people. Too bad we can't all get together to really battle it out!

Markwars, I mostly agree with you about not caring about winning. I do get tired of letting other people win though, since that's what I often feel like I have to do to get people to keep playing with me. If I knew that I didn't have to worry about friends getting "All Heroscaped out" (actual quote by friend) because they can't work out a strategy on their own, I would have more fun whether I win or lose.

[Jandars_Hope]

I agree that i don't mind whether i win or lose but I just need to play some one who isn't a sore winner!

[Gambit]

yeah i cant beat my little bro but he stinks up aginst real compition id probly not last too long, i mean its also because i have the worst luck in the world and never get good rolls :frustrated: , but i still kinda stink anyway....

[feekonea]

Im like the exact opposite of everyone here. I have to win (yes, of course Id throw a game or too for starters, what human wouldnt?) but if there expecirenced enough, It means war. Now I know I act like a little know it all on these boards and most people probably think I suck greatly, because all I do is argue with people about this stuff. I remember one time on HQ that there was like 60 posts about whether you liked raknars vision or not, and I was the only one that didnt. I think Everyone stopped posting on that topic because they were tired of argueing with me. But when It comes down to the games, I have to kick your butt, know matter what.

[yagyuninja]

Man, I wish I could play against you feekonea...that would be fun. I just need some competitive players, that's all.

My brother is moving near me soon and I can't wait...I'm sure he'll take pleasure in learning the game and trying to whoop me. Mmmm, I can't wait to take off the kiddie gloves.

[hex706f726368]

I'm somewhere between #3 & #4.

In 300-400 pt games, it's 50/50 for me. But as you go into 600-800+ point games the dice tend to even themselves out and I win more than I lose.

[ptucker78]

I can admit that I am horribly unlucky at this game. Yeah, that's it, it's all the dice's fault..... Ok, so maybe a little of it is my drafting. I still love playing the game, even if I do have about a .350 win pct.

[K/H_Addict]

it's all in the dice. i don't care what you guys have to say. no one can win 100% of the time with out cheating. I think anything above 50-50 is rigged. I have high point and low poionts, but i win about half the time, and lose the otehr half

[ultradoug]

it really does boil down to luck in this game.

[K/H_Addict]

not just luck. there is strategy involved. i managed to screw my self over last game i played and couldnt move my jotun out of my base because i had 1 wide steps, and he is too big to fit under the bridge i had, so i had to lure my opponent over, rather than meet him in the middle. i positioned Jotun to where he could only be attack if DW8K was just inside my movement range, and he jumped at the opportunity to pull off a rapid fire (it failed yay me) so, Jotun engaged him next turn and then since he had one life, i knew he wasnt going to move, so i then engage him with 2 Tagawa Samurai.

I out-thought my opponent, but my dice through-out the game sucked ass.

[cbs42]

I'm roughly 50% versus my gaming buddies with 1-on-1 games. We're all pretty experienced gamers, so it may just be that we're simply evenly matched strategically. I'm sure if I played some other guys my ratio would change -- hopefully for the better.

[Gambit]

not just luck. there is strategy involved. i managed to screw my self over last game i played and couldnt move my jotun out of my base because i had 1 wide steps, and he is too big to fit under the bridge i had, so i had to lure my opponent over, rather than meet him in the middle. i positioned Jotun to where he could only be attack if DW8K was just inside my movement range, and he jumped at the opportunity to pull off a rapid fire (it failed yay me) so, Jotun engaged him next turn and then since he had one life, i knew he wasnt going to move, so i then engage him with 2 Tagawa Samurai.

I out-thought my opponent, but my dice through-out the game sucked ass.

yes but no matter how much stratagy you use, if you get all bad rolls, you gonna lose

[Fallen Templar]

West Point did me good :D

[Rÿchean]

I think I am pretty good. Though, I have yet to beat you, markwars..;-) but in due time.

Honestly, for as much as I play....I should be uber eilte by now, but I am not.

I do know that each game makes me better and I also know that I play more than any other person I know. (25 games in the last 12 days)

I did vote “all in the dice” since I rolled so pathetically the last time markwars and I played. :-D

[Grungebob]

I like to play more than I care about winning, but I do tend to win more than I lose. I am not that concerned about strategy and I rely on luck and feel that I am fairly lucky compared to others. Also I always seem to be testing customs when playing which sort of tosses the competetive stuff out in an effort to put the unit through the paces.

[feekonea]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.

[Grungebob]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.No you're wrong! It is all about luck.

[feekonea]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.No you're wrong! It is all about luck.

I guess we'll have to play sometime and settle, this wont we grungebob?

[Grungebob]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.No you're wrong! It is all about luck.

I guess we'll have to play sometime and settle, this wont we grungebob?You'll be amazed at my dice mojo. Just ask ninthdoc about my dice mojo.

[feekonea]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.No you're wrong! It is all about luck.

I guess we'll have to play sometime and settle, this wont we grungebob?You'll be amazed at my dice mojo. Just ask ninthdoc about my dice mojo.

haha okay I will...but heres another arguement, If heroscape was mostly luck, thn how did Oogie win 3 straight so cal heroscape tournys? and play 4 while only losing 1 match?

[Grungebob]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.No you're wrong! It is all about luck.

I guess we'll have to play sometime and settle, this wont we grungebob?You'll be amazed at my dice mojo. Just ask ninthdoc about my dice mojo.

haha okay I will...but heres another arguement, If heroscape was mostly luck, thn how did Oogie win 3 straight so cal heroscape tournys? and play 4 while only losing 1 match?Um... He's freak'n lucky that's how!! Jeez!! :roll:

[ninthdoc]

GB has some hella incredible Dice-Fu!

[Grungebob]

That one night I could have had an army made entirely of Kosumets and Valgards, and I still would have cleaned up!!!

[feekonea]

That one night I could have had an army made entirely of Kosumets and Valgards, and I still would have cleaned up!!!


wow...okay im convinced, heroscape is all about luck! :D

[ninthdoc]

That one night I could have had an army made entirely of Kosumets and Valgards, and I still would have cleaned up!!!

...and this one time at Band Camp... :lol:

[DoesntCompute]

Over a long period of time and many games HS is about skill. For a single game HS is all about luck.

Over a long period of time, you and every opponent that you play against are going to average 1 skull for every 2 attack dice. Since the luck factor averages out over time, the skill of the players will become apparent. A player who consistantly puts his units in a position to roll more dice and drafts better will flat out win more games.

For single games anything goes. I had a game where I blew my opponents away with the draft, had better positioning, and lost 400 out of 500 points in the first 3 rounds. I also had a game where I didn't draft particularly well, had lousy positioning, and had my 2 squads of moving (to achieve the objective) Minutemen take out 700 pts of my opponent's armies.

The more skilled player will win more games.

[InfinityMax]

I came in fourth in our first tournament, and second in our second. I think I'm good, but I can't beat UPC without really getting my head in the game (and that's theory - he's undefeated in DFW so far). I've been beaten pretty well by a few people on these boards, and I've won a lot of games. I win more than I lose, but I still lose just fine.

And GB does have strong dice. It's scary.

[feekonea]

I came in fourth in our first tournament, and second in our second. I think I'm good, but I can't beat UPC without really getting my head in the game (and that's theory - he's undefeated in DFW so far). I've been beaten pretty well by a few people on these boards, and I've won a lot of games. I win more than I lose, but I still lose just fine.

And GB does have strong dice. It's scary.

wow, more credit on his dice huh?ok im definetly gunna have nightmares.

[Agent Minivann]

I think I'm pretty good, but in all honesty I have no idea. I play the game mostly with my son. He's getting pretty good, but I don't know if he is a good guage of my skills. But the kid likes chess, and he's pretty smart. Everyone else I've played is really new, and they get schooled. Against my son I'm probably 50-50, but I wouldn't say dice dictate the outcome. Other than that, I haven't been tested.

[Aranas]

Over a long period of time and many games HS is about skill. For a single game HS is all about luck.

Over a long period of time, you and every opponent that you play against are going to average 1 skull for every 2 attack dice. Since the luck factor averages out over time, the skill of the players will become apparent. A player who consistantly puts his units in a position to roll more dice and drafts better will flat out win more games.

For single games anything goes. I had a game where I blew my opponents away with the draft, had better positioning, and lost 400 out of 500 points in the first 3 rounds. I also had a game where I didn't draft particularly well, had lousy positioning, and had my 2 squads of moving (to achieve the objective) Minutemen take out 700 pts of my opponent's armies.

The more skilled player will win more games.

Very well said. That's also what I think.

[Revdyer]

I voted for the dice, too. I've only been playing nine months and am still learning. Sooner or later I'll get good, though. Until then, the only time I hate losing is when I don't learn anything from it.

[markwars]

GB has incredible dice skills because you suckers get drunk and let him roll attack dice for his defense rolls. I know his secrets...he's no Dice Jesus...he's just sly. 8)

[Gambit]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.


i beg to differ, i was playing aginst my little brother who really, REALLY stinks, i used aton of stratagy and managed to draft all the best guys i own, i took out his toughest unit really early on, but i was using krug and you dont really need luck with him, any after that it somhow went down hill for ME, wtf!?!, the thing is that all my rolls stank and all his rolls were awsome. i BARELY managed to win with some last second "mirical rolls."

[feekonea]

Look all of you guys are saying that its all in the dice. No its not.Of course your gunna win if you roll all skulls and shields the whole time, but its not gunna happen. 90% of the time the dice will go evenlly to both sides, of course there is that occainsional stroke of bad luck (i dont know if any of you caught my first post in this thread) but most of the time, its gunna dwindle down to strategy.


i beg to differ, i was playing aginst my little brother who really, REALLY stinks, i used aton of stratagy and managed to draft all the best guys i own, i took out his toughest unit really early on, but i was using krug and you dont really need luck with him, any after that it somhow went down hill for ME, wtf!?!, the thing is that all my rolls stank and all his rolls were awsome. i BARELY managed to win with some last second "mirical rolls."


you see? that wasan example of every 1 in 10 times that you get lucky and win, (or almost). so are you giving as this example, and stating that its all about luck? I wish UPC was here. then hed show you guys a thing or two.

[geddy lifeson]

I can hold my own usually. I like to play different units, many times with armies that one would say...WTF is he doing with that motley crew? I also have a tendency to get too aggressive which can be a downfall more times than not.

If I play smart with a good army, the game does change, but I really only care about having fun. Really for me, it does come down to luck most of the time. The dice don't play favorites around my parts.

[LilNewbie]

I can hold my own usually. I like to play different units, many times with armies that one would say...WTF is he doing with that motley crew? I also have a tendency to get too aggressive which can be a downfall more times than not.

If I play smart with a good army, the game does change, but I really only care about having fun. Really for me, it does come down to luck most of the time. The dice don't play favorites around my parts.

In most games (HS, W40K, WarZone, etc.), I love to experiment with strange combos of units or units that don't see the table very much. It tends to keep my win/loss ratio heavy on the loss side but that's not that important to me. I love to win but would rather lose and have fun then win and not enjoy it. The most memorable games are the close ones and stories of those battles still get thrown around the table like retired generals reminiscing about long lost battlefield glories. :D

Newb.

[netherspirit]

I haven't played many games against people other than my girlfriend or a couple of different friends. My gaming group just keeps getting smaller as people graduate and get real jobs and move away. I'm not good at making new friends. :(

So I am probably a mix of the 2nd and 3rd options. I have been playing games for quite awhile and have strategy and decision making down, but then there are time when there is nothing you can do when the dice don't land your way.

[noodles]

I'm the lonely vote for "i'm bad". I rarely win but I don't care.

[Nooblar]

I'm 50% but I know I could improve if I played more, and against more of the people in our area.

What do the HS masters have to say about practicing? What is the most effective way to boost your tactical knowledge? Are there any books or resources out there that could help in any generic strategy game? (And no, please don't say Sun Tzu's Art of War).

[netherspirit]

I'm 50% but I know I could improve if I played more, and against more of the people in our area.

What do the HS masters have to say about practicing? What is the most effective way to boost your tactical knowledge? Are there any books or resources out there that could help in any generic strategy game? (And no, please don't say Sun Tzu's Art of War).

I have been practicing using the Automated Battle Rules, its a good time and I have even lost a couple of times.

[RobWeaver]

I chose the third option. I'm good, win often. I beat one of my kids every time we play, and the other maybe 2 out of 3. I have several friends who never beat me and one who out-thinks and out-rolls me on every level. I don't make a lot of mistakes when I play, but when I do, the game is all but over from that point on!

[markwars]

I'm no master, but I'd say the best way to practice Nooblar is to simply play a LOT of games...even if you're playing SoloScape it will help. Most of my practice on a daily basis comes from games with my six year-old. But that has actually helped me a lot...when I let him decide my armies for me I'm forced to play units I might not like or be familiar with and that helps. Simply playing one unit vs one unit quickie matches with my son also helps me stay familiar with all of the units, their powers, the interactivity, etc. Playing daily will help you with ANY game out there (be it crosswords, video games, pool, or basketball).

And perhaps the best way is playing people that are way better than you. Luckily I have no short supply of very good long time gamers willing to kick my butt on a monthly basis at the DFW gatherings. :P Playing the best makes you better even if you lose virtually every game. At the very least you get to see why your army sucked, why their units were superior, how they attacked with their armies, etc. I also try to pick their brain after they've slaughtered me (hey it's the least they can do after an ego boost right?). I ask them what mistakes they thought I might have made. I ask them where they thought the battle was won or lost. I ask them what they think of units that I'm playing and units they played. Ask lots of questions.

I'm still no expert...and as long as I feel that the dice betray me regularly I won't be....but I do feel that my game in general is improving. My biggest challenge with a terrible short term memory is keeping up with all my enhancements, basic movement rules, and crap like that. :roll:

[gibberish_47]

I'm 50% but I know I could improve if I played more, and against more of the people in our area.

What do the HS masters have to say about practicing? What is the most effective way to boost your tactical knowledge? Are there any books or resources out there that could help in any generic strategy game? (And no, please don't say Sun Tzu's Art of War).

Noob, it'd really your fault you don't practice enough. You need to get out here to 'scape more often. :D

[Agent Minivann]

I'm 50% but I know I could improve if I played more, and against more of the people in our area.

What do the HS masters have to say about practicing? What is the most effective way to boost your tactical knowledge? Are there any books or resources out there that could help in any generic strategy game? (And no, please don't say Sun Tzu's Art of War).

I actually have to say Sun Tzu's Art of War is worthwhile. Seriously. I have two copies that are different translations. It's a quick read, and if you understand it, you will get how it will help your strategy. Otherwise it's all about Allen Iverson's favorite thing in the world, practice. Learning comes from repetition. Whether that is "book" learning, motor (skill) learning, or 'scape learning. If you want to really get the nerd freak on, build a map and play one on one with you taking both sides, or do situational stuff. Pro golfers do this all the time. They will create a "game-like scenario/environment and then practice that type of shot over and over again. Think the undo function on spider solitaire. Go as far as you can/like and then "reset".

[Jandars_Hope]

Most of the time i play as both sides when i don't have anyone else to play against! *OMG! That made me sound very sad and lonely!*
But in all fairness it does let you see things from both sides and helps you learn to react to the other persons actions.

[Codeman]

I'm 50% but I know I could improve if I played more, and against more of the people in our area.

What do the HS masters have to say about practicing? What is the most effective way to boost your tactical knowledge? Are there any books or resources out there that could help in any generic strategy game? (And no, please don't say Sun Tzu's Art of War).

I like that... I know what you are saying... but one could take "the people in your area "( I think I am one of them ) aren't very good and you could improve your record agaisnt weak compotition. Again I know what you were saying but it struck me funny when I read that.

Hope to see you in Tree Town this October - didn't get to do battle last month in Austin.

[CupidsArt]

I'm pretty good now, way back when though my game was rubbish. I do have a real weakness against Deadeye and any Frenzie characters, but other than that I'm alright, but not the best, :D I'll leave that title to Endpawn.

[noodles]

I can sum up the art of war for you - if 2 sides are fighting the side with the best espionage will win.

[LilNewbie]

Good point, noodles! Another way to sum up the Art of War:

Never do what the enemy is expecting and always expect the unexpected.

Newb.

[Aranas]

Good point, noodles! Another way to sum up the Art of War:

Never do what the enemy is expecting and always expect the unexpected.

Newb.

...and always roll skulls or shields as needed :wink:

[LilNewbie]

Good point, noodles! Another way to sum up the Art of War:

Never do what the enemy is expecting and always expect the unexpected.

Newb.

...and always roll skulls or shields as needed :wink:

LOL! That's the part that eludes me....all the time! :D

Newb.

[jbbnbsmith]

I picked the third although it was a toss up between that and the 50%. But I think I have won more than 50%. Maybe even 52%!

The truth is a really enjoy a good game that swings back and forth and comes down to the last few figures slugging it out, players frantically rolling dice, and everyone cheering when the last hero falls, even the losers. That's why I play this game. It's just fun.

[Aranas]

The truth is a really enjoy a good game that swings back and forth and comes down to the last few figures slugging it out, players frantically rolling dice, and everyone cheering when the last hero falls, even the losers. That's why I play this game. It's just fun.
That is so true! :D Theses are the best games!

Edit: the emphasis is mine

[Agent Minivann]

Good point, noodles! Another way to sum up the Art of War:

Never do what the enemy is expecting and always expect the unexpected.

Newb.

...and always roll skulls or shields as needed :wink:

That's more Machiavelli.

Another summary statement of the Art of War: Attack with strength where your opponent is weak, and appear weak where you are strong.

[Jason]

Sometimes I like attacking their strength, if you can take that away it leaves them with nothing

[RobWeaver]

[quote="markwars"]I'm no master, but I'd say the best way to practice Nooblar is to simply play a LOT of games...even if you're playing SoloScape it will help. Most of my practice on a daily basis comes from games with my six year-old. But that has actually helped me a lot...when I let him decide my armies for me I'm forced to play units I might not like or be familiar with and that helps. Simply playing one unit vs one unit quickie matches with my son also helps me stay familiar with all of the units, their powers, the interactivity, etc. Playing daily will help you with ANY game out there (be it crosswords, video games, pool, or basketball).

I agree with you up to a point. I've always had to solo a lot of the games I've played simply because opponents were scarce. Solo play makes you very good at following the rules, at least in so far as you understand them. You can also try out mtach-ups that seems crazy without the embarassment of actually losing to someone. My Dad used to ask when I was playing solo, "How do you know if you've won?" OTOH - soloing will perpetuate both your gaming style and tactics. You will get very good at beating yourself. When you face a live opponent again, you have to allow for surprises in drafting that you never considered. You may have to fess up that you haven't been playing a key rule correctly because you didn't understand it. He won't behave in the predictable manner you do. He won't back off key terrain because he wants to save that squad; he'll stay on it and make you take casualties taking it. When fighting a live opponent after a lot of soloing, expect to be surprised.

[Codeman]

I know it be said in a few different ways on here… but I too think to answer this poll honestly there needed to be a category between # 3 I’m really good & #4 Luck of the Dice. The luck of the dice certainly has changed the tide of a battle ( There are several rolling for initiative rolls I’ve lost at a critical time ( along with winning some also)). While luck can play a huge factor at certain critical points during the game the rolls themselves should pretty well balance them self out over the coarse of time and in most cases I do think the better strategy does win well over 50% (75%?). But again you can have the best strategy and army and on any given day and a seven year old can still come up and take you out…. What a great game. As I’ve said before it is an unpredictable just like life, you aren’t guaranteed a win.

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Good point, noodles! Another way to sum up the Art of War:

Never do what the enemy is expecting and always expect the unexpected.

Newb.

...and always roll skulls or shields as needed :wink:

LOL! That's the part that eludes me....all the time! :D

Newb.

oooo. Those blank dice get me soooo pissed off. I can expect it with defense dice, but when I'm rolling 5 + attack dice and come up with 1 or 2 skulls, I curse the dice gods out loud. Grrrrr.


I'm no master, but I'd say the best way to practice Nooblar is to simply play a LOT of games...even if you're playing SoloScape it will help. Most of my practice on a daily basis comes from games with my six year-old. But that has actually helped me a lot...when I let him decide my armies for me I'm forced to play units I might not like or be familiar with and that helps. Simply playing one unit vs one unit quickie matches with my son also helps me stay familiar with all of the units, their powers, the interactivity, etc. Playing daily will help you with ANY game out there (be it crosswords, video games, pool, or basketball).

And perhaps the best way is playing people that are way better than you. Luckily I have no short supply of very good long time gamers willing to kick my butt on a monthly basis at the DFW gatherings. :P Playing the best makes you better even if you lose virtually every game. At the very least you get to see why your army sucked, why their units were superior, how they attacked with their armies, etc. I also try to pick their brain after they've slaughtered me (hey it's the least they can do after an ego boost right?). I ask them what mistakes they thought I might have made. I ask them where they thought the battle was won or lost. I ask them what they think of units that I'm playing and units they played. Ask lots of questions.

I'm still no expert...and as long as I feel that the dice betray me regularly I won't be....but I do feel that my game in general is improving. My biggest challenge with a terrible short term memory is keeping up with all my enhancements, basic movement rules, and crap like that. :roll:

I'm in your camp Markwars. Play as much as possible and against really sharp players. Guerillanator never ceases to amaze me in his playing. He's always got something worked out - even before we start playing. He takes the field into consideration and goes out with a plan. If that doesn't work, he seems to always find avenues to resist my strategies or make them more difficult for me to implement.

I've learned a lot playing against him!


My biggest challenge with a terrible short term memory is keeping up with all my enhancements, basic movement rules, and crap like that. :roll:

I think that's why I've given up on customs for now. There's so much with the regular game to get enjoyment out of and strategies to try. And so many rules and intricacies to learn with the current units and the new stuff coming out each year.

[boom]

Aaa, I picked the third. Seemed like a safe assessment as I win most but not all of my games. My 6-year-old is getting better, though. :lol:

[Cave-2]

Bad dice rolls can get you every time, One time I lost over 300 pts of a 500pt army due to that glyph of Mitonsoul (mass curse). while my opponent lost nothing.

[Gambit]

ouch

[DoesntCompute]

<edited>

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Aaa, I picked the third. Seemed like a safe assessment as I win most but not all of my games. My 6-year-old is getting better, though. :lol:

I don't know. That fourth choice seems to nail it for me. I play consistently against a guy who's the same age as me. We end up each winning about the same amount of time. We play pretty good against each other, but are constantly victims of those dice - attack, defense and the d20.

[Fallen Templar]

I lost my first game an hour ago it sucked I've been playing since 2004 and finnaly lost 1 :cry: I blame the Dice

[feekonea]

I lost my first game an hour ago it sucked I've been playing since 2004 and finnaly lost 1 :cry: I blame the Dice

gotta hate that feeling dont ya? was your openent just gettin lucky..or would you consider him being good?

[Drumline3469]

I just lost my first fair loss. I always get shenked in FFA matches cuz I'm so good. A Newb just beat me. I had 3 minions and he had a krug with 2 health. he got first attack and tooke 2 out. I rolled one skull he rolled 2 shields. I fell to his 5 skulls. I was pissed. The only other time I've lost is when I get ganged up on. I think I lost cuz I felt bad and told him to draft Krug and intentionally didn't get him. Why do I have to help out newbs?

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

I just lost my first fair loss. I always get shenked in FFA matches cuz I'm so good. A Newb just beat me. I had 3 minions and he had a krug with 2 health. he got first attack and tooke 2 out. I rolled one skull he rolled 2 shields. I fell to his 5 skulls. I was pissed. The only other time I've lost is when I get ganged up on. I think I lost cuz I felt bad and told him to draft Krug and intentionally didn't get him. Why do I have to help out newbs?



I took the Zettians the other night and, I kid you not, when i rolled defense for both guards (in completely different turns, mind you) I came up with ZERO SHIELDS.


Why do I have to help out newbs?


Because it's good sportsmanship. What good's a win against a person who doesn't know what they're doing because of inexperience? This situation is the only thing that irks me about getting newbs to join our group. Lopsided battles or overly helping hands to assist them during the game.

[Fallen Templar]

I lost my first game an hour ago it sucked I've been playing since 2004 and finnaly lost 1 :cry: I blame the Dice

gotta hate that feeling dont ya? was your openent just gettin lucky..or would you consider him being good? Luckiest B@$t@rd I have ever met

[Drumline3469]

HEH it may not be any good. But how bad is it to lose your first game to a newb?

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

HEH it may not be any good. But how bad is it to lose your first game to a newb?
Me? I can't remember my first battle lost to a newb. It has happened often. Cursed multiples of Microcorp Agents...
:x

[Tiberius]

In a one on one battle, I have no trouble cleaning my friend's clocks but in multiplayer games, I become target number one for some reason. I guess they dont like my aggressive style of play. I like the marro or viper armies and I can normally take more down between the 2 or 3 of them than what they collectively take away from me.

[LilNewbie]

HEH it may not be any good. But how bad is it to lose your first game to a newb?
Me? I can't remember my first battle lost to a newb. It has happened often. Cursed multiples of Microcorp Agents...
:x

LOL! Someday soon he is going to have to find out what it's like to lose to Newb!! :D


Newb.

[countblah]

I am teh ballzors. I'm not going to play up my abilities, becuase, frankly, I could use some work. But I do enjoy the journey more than the destination. It's a fun game, whether you win or not. And It is usually not.

[markwars]

I think the bell curve is about what I expected when making this poll. The general humility is more pervasive than I expected though. :P

[Revdyer]

We're very proud of our humility.

[ninthdoc]

We're very proud of our humility.

Are you kidding? Modesty is one of my many finest qualities!

[markwars]

You two! You're everywhere I go! :shock:

[RobWeaver]

HEH it may not be any good. But how bad is it to lose your first game to a newb?
Me? I can't remember my first battle lost to a newb. It has happened often. Cursed multiples of Microcorp Agents...
:x

I've lost more than once to newbies! Probably because I give them some beginner's advantages: I won't draft an army I know like the back of my hand, let them pick the terrain, give 'em some drafting advice "You know, that hero is really expensive and doesn't help anything else yo bought," etc. Fortunately, my initial generosity means that after cleaning my clock once, they'll be back for a rematch thinking I'm a push-over!

[pashadowops]

The biggest attraction to the game is that my son and daughter both enjoy playing it. Fridays and Saturdays are Family game nights. Firdays it's the Monopolies and Risk type games with mom. Saturdays are when the real games comes out.

While I too enjoy winning, nothing compares to your baby girl princess tellin' you "daddy your DW9000 just got smoked by a couple of vipers" as she turns to high five her brother on a job well done. I had a really bad night with the dice. :?