Casual Guidelines
Before your game
We highly recommend all players read through the game rules before their first game. As well, players should read through the rules of a faction that piques their interest so they can strategize before they build a team and begin playing. Doing both of these will dramatically improve your gaming experience.
Players should make sure they have all materials needed to play a game with the desired factions. The list here in the rules will accommodate the needs of most factions, but you may find certain factions play better when you have a few more materials (eg. some factions may have 3 or more Joker options in a game - having miniature models that suit their individual distinctions would help visual clarity for players. Or some models may have different rule sets throughout the game depending on what happens to them in that game[1] - having two visually distinct sets of chess pieces may be helpful to show this).
Different ideas of fun between players
Different people have different ideas of how playing a game is fun for them. Some people may like playing as a faction that interacts heavily with their opponent, some like factions that do their own thing regardless of what an opponent is doing. Some like factions that have only a few powerful pieces, and some like factions that flood the board with weaker ones. Some don't like playing against any of those particular types of factions - and that's ok! The advantage of Wargame Chess is it offers players up to 40 factions[2] to choose from so long as you have the basic materials for the game. Before you sit down and play a game with your friend, it would be best to discuss with them what both of you want out of a game and try to find the best solution for both and each of you.
Different experience levels
It can be difficult for players with different experience levels to have fun in a game together. If you are well-versed with the nuances of this game and are playing with someone new to it, or vice-versa, we recommend trying the following:
- Have the new player try a 1-star faction they find appealing. The experienced player may help them strategize a team build, if the new player wishes so (some people like to figure things out on their own, some prefer having a guide through new experiences - ask them what they prefer).
- For some players, their idea of fun includes always playing/performing the best they can, and holding back can be very, very un-fun. For experienced players this applies to, maybe try playing a 2- or 3-star faction you are unfamiliar with - trying your best with something you don't know well might be an adequate handicap for the new player's first game. Additionally, it might be best to avoid factions that increase the "mental strategic load" for all players[3].
Footnotes
- ↑ There will be some factions released later this can apply to.
- ↑ Depending on when you read this, we may not have all 40 factions ready to play - but we're working on it!
- ↑ There are some factions which add extra dimensions of play to a game, and can make it extra difficult (for everyone involved). These might be best to avoid for a game with a new player, or even a player who has had a long day and doesn't want to stress over a game more than what's comfortable. In all cases, talk with your opponent and see what they are up for.
