Warhammer Day is right around the corner. On Saturday the 30th of October, we’ll be marking this monumental day with an awesome preview event packed with reveals on Warhammer TV. As part of this unmissable hobby celebration, we got thinking about the ways we love to share this hobby we all love with like-minded friends and family.
Folks around the office have been talking about getting together with their gaming groups, so it seemed like a good time to share some tips for setting up fantastic events. Let’s be honest, a fair few of us are a bit rusty when it comes to rolling dice in person after the couple of years we’ve had…
Everyone had a lot to say about it, so here are some of our favourite tips to help you run a gaming weekend.
In this era of uncertainty, trying to put together a fantastic gaming event with your friends can be a bit of work. Luckily, some hobbyists really enjoy planning and logistics. “We use a voting system in our WhatsApp group to decide who’s available on which weekends,” Andy Dunn explains. “We all have partners, children, and job commitments, so it is important to do this early and then book it into our calendars.”
James Littler adds, “Always be ready for players to drop out should circumstances conspire against them. Preparing backup plans for games with an uneven number of opponents means everyone still gets to play.”
When it comes to gameplay itself, Ben Johnson advises “creating a cheat sheet to remind you of when and where key abilities kick in – this is always helpful, especially if you’re planning on trying out a new army.”
Gaming events are about bringing people together to enjoy the hobby. Dan Entwisle helpfully suggests, “Be sure to take a break – head outside to get some fresh air, go for a walk, or plan an activity that doesn't involve gaming. This helps to keep everyone fresh and enjoying the atmosphere.”
On a similar note, Nyle Ajina says, “Plan for meals and breaks in advance – a simple schedule will ensure you can focus on enjoying yourselves.” Elliot Hamer also has some great ideas for breaking up long days – “Organise some light-hearted things for in between games. Perhaps you could create a wargaming quiz or play an arena mini-game where each player takes their favourite HQ or Hero and battles it out one-on-one.”
Memorable Warhammer moments with your friends shouldn’t be limited to the games themselves. Gaming events are about having a good time, so it’s worth the effort to put a bit of thought into the venue and ambience. “Some people will want to play competitively, but most want to push cool models at each other and have a few drinks,” says Andy Dunn.
Andy Hoare adds “Remember that a gaming event is as much about meeting up with friends with whom you share a passion as it is about throwing dice, so don't skimp on the social side.” He added, “Make sure everyone has plenty of time to hang out and catch up about their hobby.”
But what about those who can’t attend? Nick Bayton suggests using social media groups before, during, and after the games. “We share pictures of games being played so that members of the group who couldn’t make it don't miss out on the action,” he says. “It creates a mini-community which helps everyone keep in touch.”
Everyone had loads of tips about the all-important snacks and refreshments. One of our favourite suggestions was from Leila Craven, who regularly takes part in a narrative Warcry campaign, including some big weekend events. She says, “During the convergences, we always order giant pizzas.” As if the games weren’t enough to look forward to.
Darcy Rowley’s baked goods are famous around the Warhammer Community office, so he had something to say about snacks too. “I find freshly baked goodies always go down a storm. Having a plate of brownies or a stack of cookies on the table is a great way to start a gaming weekend,” he said, adding “The extra sugar also helps keep everyone's dice rolls energetic!” It’s hard to argue with that logic.
There are many ways to make planning and playing games even easier, allowing you to focus on the good times. Gaming aids like the Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 apps – which are both free if you subscribe to Warhammer+ – are great examples, as they enable you to muster your army lists in no time.
We’re sure you’ve got loads of ideas of how to plan your own hobby weekend, and we want to hear them! Hit us up on the Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 Facebook pages, and share your top tips with us on Twitter. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from your fellow hobbyists or give someone else an excellent idea to enhance their gaming experience.
And don’t forget to set aside some time to join us on Twitch on Saturday the 30th of October for our live Warhammer Day celebration.