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Has anyone any experiences they care to relate about hard to deal with opponents?

I had one, we would get together to play micro armor, always USSR vs. Germans (WWII), USSR vs. Americans (immediate post war period pre-Korean War), or USSR vs. NATO. he ALWAYS wanted to be the Russians (loved those KVs, Stalins, T-3485s and not to mention the 3-1 odds in the Russian favor). Scenarios were always attack/defend

He alawys wanted to return fire even if his units were surprised, insisted a ISU-122 could fire indirect (it's artillery isn't it?), lost intrest when the battle went against him, didn't like attack helicopters in an ACAC scenario (he did have ZSU-23-4s), and challenged everything.

At the time it seemed "it maybe croocked, but its the only game in town".

Haven't seen him in a long time.

If you've had some brillant players tell about them if you want.

Back in my Warhammer Fantasy and 40k days, I played up against numerous opponents who were like that. Some event went as far as throwing their mini's back into the box because that unit sucked and didn't do very well. Or they were just poor sportsman, thus I left that gaming area for those simple reasons.
But, ever since I started into Flames of War, all of my opponents are more adult like, they laugh at terrible dice rolls and so forth. I had one get his blood boiling when my 3 StuG III's took out his 3 Chruchill III tanks from the front. He needed 2+ for his saves and rolled nothing but 1's, then I needed 3+ for Firepower check and rolled nothing but 6's . It was funny to watch is face go from a smile to a frown in a matter of seconds...LOL.

All in the name of fun,

In the past I have been across the gaming table from an individual to whom "winning is the only thing". They are not fun to game with, but can be amusing when you finally figure out how to drive them over the edge of reason just so you can watch the "melt down"... That's almost as much fun as the game though after a while they may quit gaming with you because they realize you are laughing at them behind their back.

As I have aged I have tried to keep from cheering when my opponent has a bad die roll, so much to the point that we allow one or two re-rolls per player during the normal games of our Sunday evening group. You may find that practice good for your games, because it helps even out the luck, or break that string of "bad luck" rolls over the many die rolls of a contest. When you fail a morale test twice there's nothing you can do about it but try to recover as best possible...

Our 30mm Napoleonic gaming group is mature enough not to cheer, but there are arguments at almost every game when certain players attend. Usually the arguments can be settled by a reading of the rules, but when that doesn't work an opposed die roll works every time. That's the best way to settle questions, by the way... Gives both players a chance, ...unless you are in the middle of one of those bad luck spells.

Will

I think we all have people like that in any gaming group no matter where, who, or what gaming era you play. I have had a few over the years also. We actually had two at one time that where the sorest losers and wanted to nit pick the rules or scenarios apart all the time. It was funny when they played on opposite sides the arguing and bickering would insue. At times it was entertainment, but in the end it ruined the whole experience, because as we get older and more responsible we have less time for actions such as these. Especially when most of us get maybe one or two days a month to actually game for a few hours, we dont want to sit around and bicker about terrian or rules that could have been changed or looked over months before. I finally got to the point where i told them hey you have the rules you have the time make up your own rules or scenario's. Usually this shuts them up:)

fullmetaljacket

WHM wrote:Has anyone any experiences they care to relate about hard to deal with opponents?

At the time it seemed "it maybe croocked, but its the only game in town".

Haven't seen him in a long time.

If you've had some brillant players tell about them if you want.

I've seen all kinds of wargamers in my 32 years of wargaming. One thing that I've learned from wargaming is that people mostly play the genuine personality they are. I've seen it all too many times. People who throw hissy fits at games usually also act like that in their life. Just like in your life you will always run into people who disagree with everything. If you go to games in other areas, and often, you will always run into this type. Knowing this, try to use it to your advantage in the game, and hope you don't have to deal with them in your non gaming time.
P.S. I also thank God for all the wonderful people I have met at games or through this hobby!
JB

I used to belong to a group who played a lot of 1/285 Yaquinto tank games and some 25mm Colonial as well as the occasional space game. One evening two guys came up with a scenario, them against the rest of us (2 vs 4 players). Late WWII Eastern Front. They were the Germans, we were the Russians. We had to cross the entire length of the board (three two foot by four foot sections of 2" hex grid) over mostly completely open terrain in the lightest hitting or slowest moving tanks availalable. T-34 75s and KV-1s. At their end of the board was woods, high elevation and a river as well as more Panthers than the Germans sent to the Eastern Front during the whole war. Not only that but when we finally managed to sneak a couple tanks to the river without getting shot up, one of the guys pulls some pontoon bridges out of his pocket to lay across the river we were trying to ford along with a half a dozen more Panthers and an Elefant. At that point we on the Russian side just quit. They were not happy that they weren't allowed to continue to kick our butts. Bridge Boy later stole an idea one of our guys was working on for Colonial rules and later got his lawyers involved. He never came back after that.

Then I moved to the DC area and fell in with some gamers who also played Yaquinto. One night these two guys came up with a them against me scenario in North Africa. I was the Germans with limited points to buy equipment and they were the allies with more points. To top it off they granted themselves a couple extra points over what the scenario allower to get one more vehicle when they relized they would have points left over they couldn't spend. I tried to explain that this was unfair as I too had points left over I couldn't spend so they granted me two extra points, which still didn't buy me anything. We never played that scenario. When they left to the room to work on their strategy I packed up and went home and never saw them again.

I must say I truly enjoy playing with people who do this for fun and act like adults, but get thorouhgly annoyed with those who act like spoiled children.

Tanker

Over the years of my gaming life I have ran into people who would show poor sportsmanship or poor attitude; few are chilren but most are adults who has shown this behavior .,....even in games I did not play in just watch on the side at conventions....It is sad to say these people have no life...reading some of the other post regarding this topic i have also just gracefully left because of the immaturity. We <gamers> do this game for fun and enjoyment...some can not accept this....
Ar

This discussion is quite well timed.

I've been attending a games club for the last year or so and been having fun with like minded adults who just want to game and don't mind if their die rolls are crap (in fact we used to have a laugh if it all went pear-shaped).

However, just before Christmas a new guy turns up who I think is either at school or has just left. He seems to have behaviour problems in that his mannerisms seem not quite normal.

I'm not sure if some of the other gamers have invited him along but our firendly games have de-generated into no-holds-barred contests where this guy must win at all costs, and when he does he delights in rubbing peoples nose in it (usually mine). And he seems to turn up every week.

It's got to the point now where I really don't want to go anymore and content myself with the knowledge that I'm saving myself a 50 mile round trip if I don't go.

Thing is I don't know how many of the other 'adults' feel the same way.

What would you guys suggest? Find another club maybe?

I would ask the others how they feel...besides you were there first and he was not....tell him to grow up or leave...I noticed you are in the UK where gas is expensive and your time as well...if you enjoyed your self before then stay....

I would suggest you talk to the other gamers in the group, as adults, either before or after the next game. Perhaps there are others who are not enjoying the addition to the group, ...who would like to see a resolution to the situation much the same as you. As a group you can come to a decision how to handle the new dynamics of your games, and/or you can find a path that helps return your games to their original purpose: FUN.

"Communication, communication, communication; are the three most important words in decision-making: ...in that order"! MGen Bob Hollingsworth(USMC ret).

Will

Wow guys - quick responses!

Thanks - I'll try talking to the others. Problem is getting an opportune moment. But I will persist.

Thanks,

Battler

One of the best ideas I have seen work was in the early 90's I hooked up with a guy that was trying to start a group. He had a monthly list of games he was hosting. There were the brain drain games (my favorite), beer and pretzel, and few in between. He stated very clearly the intent of the game. (Hard core simulation, fun, learning etc.) While we did have the rules lawyers and some other nonsense we had very little of it.

In short he set the expectation of the game. If it was for players new to a set of rules there were learning games. Very small scenarios so you could play and still have time to rule lawyer . If the game was a hard core simulation newby's could come watch and push lead but the "commanders" were all well versed in the rules and the sceario and the newby's were asked to hold questions till after the game was over.

These are the extreme examples there was alot of fun stuff in between.

Anybody who gets riled-up over a game with little lead men is a half wit.

If you're having problems with one particular person in a group, simply tell them that you don't enjoy his/her behavior and that you don't want to play against them. Chances are you are not alone in your feelings. Said idiot will either lighten up or stop showing up.

The important thing is that you give them specific information as to why their behavior is unacceptable.

-Tad

20 years ago I had a roommate who was so insistent on winning he would blatently cheat -- fudging die rolls, mismeasuring to his advantage, interpreting rules to his advantage only -- that I stopped gaming with him the last few months we shared a house. One time there was a questionable line of fire for one of his units that I suggested be settled by a die roll. Iit turned into a huge argument during which I gave in and allowed his unit to fire at mine. The very next turn, when I wanted to fire back, he insisted that the LOF was blocked! Another time he was playing Stratego with a third friend and I watched him looking at the opposing set up when the other player had stepped away. He saw nothing wrong with this type of behavior. I haven't talked to him since we moved...
Luckily I now play weekly with a small group of older, experienced gamers who have fun playing the game win or lose. We do two things to help guard against bad luck:
First, we have what we call the "reroll marker" which we trade back and forth after use. Whichever side has the marker is allowed to make a reroll, which must be adhered to, and then hand over the marker to the other side.
Second, we have what are called "player character reroll chits" which are purchased at the beginning of a scenario (we have a detailed point purchase system) and are used to buy extra rerolls during a battle for a specific commander on the board that represents the actual player. It adds a bit of role-playing to the wargame since we allow a few special charasteristics for the player characters, and also adds spice to the game.

Hi

I am reminded of an opponent, a mature grown man, who would scoop up the dice after an unfavourable result (for him), and dash them against the wall. Also frequently would grab his models at the point of defeat and go home, often muttering about the quality of his opponents! LOL.

Oh well, no more gaming with him any more.

All part of human nature I guess.