Tuesday, September 8, 2009

In Memoriam

I'd like to mention that today I found out that a family friend was killed while deployed in Afghanistan. Sometimes we forget that there are still soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. That they are the sons and daughters of friends and family. My thoughts are with his family tonight. His mother was my school teacher in Kindergarten and 1st Grade, and I find it brutally unfair that having lost her husband some years ago to cancer, she has now lost her only son. I hope that some joy comes to that family. I read that his wife was expecting.

Rest in Peace J.M. 1979-2009

It was Legendary.

Or was it? The idea was great. A combined 5000 points of Bretonnian and Dwarven might pitched against the likes of foul Ogres, Orcs and Goblins? Six by Eight feet of terrain with a castle in the middle. Objectives on either side of the map and one in the ruins of the old castle. After an hour of pre-game talk, terrain selection, and hidden deployment we started the first turn. Personally I remember getting the charges I needed, fluffing a lot of rolls, and arguing about the rules.

Let me say it plainly in the longest run-on sentence I have ever written. I couldn't be more turned off by rules arguing, and if it is that important to you, shut your gob, sit down, pull out a book, read the paragraph with the rule in question, think about it, read it again (aloud this time to your opponent), and if your opponent continues to vehemently disagree take a five minute break or roll a dice. Most importantly compose yourself. A few unproductive responses:

"That's not the way I have played it." - Obviously.

"That's Bull****." - Colorful, and duly noted.

"I don't care." - You do, and that's OK.

"No one else plays this way" - Can we just look it up?

"I was going to lose anyway." - Why do you even play this game?

"I play more than you." - A veteran and a scholar general showing true maturity.

Honestly, what's the point? Isn't part of this game the fun of tactics and strategy? Why not discuss the rules that govern the world this game is set in, instead of mudslinging haphazardly at your opponent?

In short, these people teach me to better respect my opponents, to consider their views, and appreciate the challenge of Warhammer. After all, it is a game and in the end is only as fun as the people you play it with.