Friday, May 18, 2012

The Eye of the Beholder

The foibles of the human mind. We are all subject to it from time to time and one area that you really see it in wargaming is in relation to our own armies (and those of our opponents).


When we look at comp systems the glass is always half empty. I know when I consider my Skaven I rant/rave (90% internally) as to how stupid the restrictions are. Why can’t the TO see all the weaknesses I can see in the Skaven book? Why is he trying to penalise me far more than anyone else.

And then the dichotomy. Someone will post a thread on a forum and the same people will go on what a great book they have, how well rounded their army is and how everybody else’s army is boring (true for Dwarfs) etc.


And so it continues. You look at someone else’s list and all you see are the overpowered bits that are going to hurt you. Or you see the over-reliance on one phase – give you a clue if you have more than 6 levels of magic or you have more than 45 shots then you are placing a lot of reliance on that phase.

In the old peer marking of comp (yuck) you used to see it all the time. “

My “soft and fluffy” Emperor’s Children was definitely worth a 4/5 while your “All Big Monsters Except for the 50 Ripper Swarms” Nidzilla was definitely a 1/5.”

The mind is a funny thing….you look at your own list and see roses but look at your opponent’s list and all you see is a polished turd.

Discuss!

7 comments:

  1. My army is not boring!, you wait until call to arms, then you'll see ;D.

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  2. I agree with you Pete, and I think what it also highlights is the importance of players doing some background reading before games, and especially before tournaments.

    This includes looking at blogs (like this one and stumpheaven); forums; but most importantly other rulebooks. This way when they get to read their opponents army list they can already identify what are actual threats or baby seals (to use the preferred terminology) to their own list, as well as be better prepared when making lists for future games. Thus also providing a way for both parties to become better players over time, as well as avoid misunderstandings over rules, etc., during games or tournaments.

    Plus it gives me a chance to show off just how awesome, and Samuel L. Jackson cool the dwarf army really is.

    - Adam Richards

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  3. @ Adam you were making sense and sounding fine until... you said dwarves were cool. The men in white coats will be around shortly!

    @ Pete How boring would the world be without one-eyed beholders? LOL

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  4. What are these weaknesses in the Skaven book your talking about? Everything in there looks utterly broken to me!

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    1. There are weak choices in the Skaven book, just like all books. They're conspicuous by their absence from competition tables.

      I reckon there's a pub somewhere in the Old World, where Night Runners and Vermin Lords go to drown their sorrows, in the company of Chaos Forsaken, Daemon Princes, Shadow Warriors and Flame Cannon crew.

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  5. LOL I'm not sure you need worry about Pete's Skaven, as I'd suggest worry more about his Ogres. They are on a bit of an steam roller ride of doom in NZ from the looks of things. :)
    I think the trick is not to get to concerned over what you can or cannot take, just move on, take what you can and have a good time. Something I need to do :).
    Cancon was amusing as I got a 4 for comp out of 10 for my WoC. meh whatever, but funny enough several opponents thought I deserved more. ??? It goes to show that WHFB armies are hard to judge as to thier strength. It's not always whats in your army but wjat is in thiers as how they might percieve your force. Often a persons reputation will add or detract as well. Or how good a player they are, as Adam Wondely had his ETC opponents find out the hard way to respect Wood Elves. Everyone single of them thought his WE as thier best match up?.
    Anyway.
    Pete on a side note some great reads thanks keep up the good work.

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  6. The bottom line is...I'm right and you're wrong!

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