Time to Jump on the Bandwagon

If the 40k blogs that are appearing in droves prove anything; it is that like any other game known in the history of humankind, there are players who want to win at all costs.  

Now that's a bloody shock to the system.

Meh.

That's my unequivocal opinion on the matter. Why? It's something I learned a long time ago. Do I hold a special place in my heart which is reserved for hating these people so much that it consumes my every waking moment, erhm no. Because let's face it, nobody enters into a contest wanting to lose. And I'm no different. What is different is the lengths that people will go to, to win.  

I read this post over on BoLS today which has started up a reasonable response rate and, to be honest, as far as I can see it pretty much sums up the approaches that players take to the game. What it also did, was got me thinking about a couple of other posts which I'd read over the past few days, one of which was an editorial over on House of Paincakes in which GMort had a little trip down memory lane. It was perhaps one of the best posts I've read for a while, highlighting the fact that he would have walked away from the hobby if someone hadn't taken the time to work on the finer points of his army building etc. and how in turn he helped someone else.

It is, probably, a story that's been played out in countless stores by numerous players. However; (and I know it's about illegal first armies) would he have been so magnanimous if the army he was facing in a tournament had glaringly obvious weaknesses he could exploit to the full? Well, I wouldn't bet my mortgage on it. You see, people don't enter competitive arenas to get their arses handed to them on a plate. They do it to win, or go as far as they can. They do it to see what's winning games and how those games are won, and they do it to tweak their own army so it has a better chance next time. 

In other words, it's the competitive side of the game that breeds obnoxiousness like a buck rabbit with 2 dicks, 4 bollocks and a warren full of does. But is it wrong? Obviously not, enough people want to play in tournaments to make it viable. Does taking your tournament army to the local store for a game make it wrong? Only if you don't tell your opponent it's a tournament list. 

I don't play in tournaments, I build lists I like and hope they do well. I don't want to lose, but I do; comprehensively in some cases if my old fart memory serves me well. And, if I'm entirely honest with myself, at times I'm just a little pissed off. But what I don't do is get all hung up on the obnoxious little bastard who has appeared half way through turn one where my mild mannered opponent was a few minutes ago. I simply say 'good game', concede the loss and pack my models away. Go and look for another opponent and start again. 

Try it, it's actually quite amusing. Either that, or buy this book -