Like the title says, how do you do this? Obviously, it's not practical to buy the codexes for every army in the game.. moneywise, I mean. Do you find it's enough just to play against the armies a few times, or do you like to go beyond that?

Naughty boy...

Knape

I either own the codex or my friend does so i have access to all of them. One of the best ways i found is occasional they do a tactics article for an army in WD, reading these can give a great insight into how an army works.

You could ask the others at your club if you could take a look in their codex. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you reading it. (Unless you're about to play them :P)

There was a thread here in General a while ago where they talked about temporarily trading army with your freind and play eachother using your freind's army. Sounded like a great way to familiarize yourself with another race aswell.

Well I do buy the codeses of my foes as they are released. I also write up armylists for possible forces so I know what to expect.....(this quite often leads to buying the army in question......darn) making particular note of weapons that are of concern for my army. I also add the weapon stats to a form which I attach to all my armylist printouts.

Obviously the best way to learn is to play against the foe.....and, if you can, swap armies for a game or two. This gives you seriouse aprsiation for the strengths of your foe and lets you study what should be prioratised.

I ask questions and post topics here at LO. I find there are enough knowledgable people to help prepare me somewhat for the possabilities, or I just learn the hard way, at the table during the battle! It can actually be fun to be surprised by what some units do. And then figuring out on the fly how do deal with them!

I have never even seen the Ogre Kingdoms army book, and yet I know most things about them, except some points costs. So I learn from forums mostly, but I also read my friends' army books.

My friend buys all he codices so i just use him as info..........either that or I play against the other armies.

I have been known to go down to my GW and browse through the army books on display :shifty: They have never stopped me in the past and that is where I find out the most, and by playing of course, just reading an army book will not give you the realisation of playing against them.

Basically by playing them and picking up stuff on these here forums.

Dan

reading the codexes from friends.

Thought of the day: Know thine Enemy

between me and two friends we were easily able to get every codex and army book without it costing too much, if needs be i can also memorize an entire codex.

strangely enough, losing to them.
that way you can identify what is nasty and deserves a thump/bolt to the head/ an ordinance blast in a later game.
everything is hunky dorey on paper, but you gotta see it play before you really understand how nasty somethings are (seer council comes to mind....)

Option A
I have different ways going about it. I play a few armies
of one which i'm now selling (cuz its finished) and I'm
now getting ready to plan another one, once my army
is sold that is.

Option B
Option B has already been presented by a few players. Basically
you learn on the fly. Ask for rulebooks before the battle. Take
notes on what saves are ect. I always bring a clip board with me
my army codex, and the 4th ed rule book.

Option C
Use the rule book write down your stats on the table. and write
down the to hit chart on your table. next to your army list.

Example : Write down your army list. Write 4+ 5+ to
roll to hit, then write down what you have to roll to wound
on your guys. You can also do this
to your close combat chart

This helps you learn the rules fast and you can also just ask
what the "to hit whatever rule" and just check your chart and
its pretty quick.

I stalk my opponent and live as they do until I know them better than they know themselves.

In other words, I watch them play their army.

Ahh i see many here have Codex:Codices

I do not advocate downloading PDF versions of codices from file sharing programs as is it violates laws as well as my personal morals.

Originally posted by red120@Feb 4 2005, 04:56
Obviously, it's not practical to buy the codexes for every army in the game.. moneywise, I mean. 320488


Actually, I do own all the codexes. Bought every one, but then I'm a fluff freak and wanted to get my grubby little hands on all the info I could, plus I'm a bit of a completist, so when I get one, I might as well get all. Yes, it was a little pricey, but I managed to get some second hand that were rather cheap (some off ebay, some used at my local GW store, one flat-out given to me by a friend).

But as most have said online here, it's probably enough that you post here on LO. That coupled with searching some additional sites online (especially official GW army databases --- check the UK site for some good info) and playing some games, and that's all you really need to find out.

....but, if you're a stats freak, the only way to get that info is to shell out the money for more codexes. My advice, if you're going to do that, just buy them one at a time, starting with the races you face most often.

On a side note, I will say that most Third Edition codexes weren't all that. As most players know, third edition books were sparse and had only the bare minimum amount of info along with a few bits of fluff. Second edition codexes were far better in terms of content. But then, the new 4th edition books, if the SM Codex is anything to go by, will be far better and a return to the quality of old. I say snap up the new ones as they come out. Really, that only means you're paying $30 every few months - not a huge loss.

I do not advocate downloading PDF versions of codices from file sharing programs as is it violates laws as well as my personal morals.

Just the thought offends me

The best way is throuh experence. I mean you can look at the armie's pictures and description on the gw and start to realize how they play. I have been fortunate eouf to have played every army in warhammer 40k "with the exception of dark eldar" which i've heard soo much about here at LO that i can beat them hands down. (the last statement was more of ork pride then actual fact....if i get a bunch of post about how dark eldar are going to waste the orks im going to hit you through the comp screen and take your LO privlages away :angry: :angry: )

You really have an attitude against everything dont you Gathrog?

.............man.......*nods his head back and forth slowlly*...........read my post again and you will find it was ment to be funny, as do most of my posts. I'm starting to think you have a reading problem..... <_<


(HINT HINT ANOTHER JOKE WAS NOT MENT TO OFFEND YOU)

Har Har. Got It. I'll never understand Orks.

Using Blooms Taxonomy... LMAO...

school helps sometimes...


Knowledge:

You know that BLANK army exists.
You know it is a game army..
And how it looks like...

now go to the next step...

Comprehension:

Start Researching about the army. Get their codex in real life/and or pdf file.
Find what they can do.. and then..start
Talking to other players who play that army... ask questions.. get answers..
but no one local to talk to? go online.. and on many forums.. talk to people...


Application:

Now used what you know of that army, and now proxy your current models as if they were certain models...

lame way, but still works is to battle vs yourself...

or your bro..

or if your friend is cool... experiment on him..

basically get the feel of the army... using what you know from comprehension.


*longest learning stage*


Analysis:

Start analyzing what can do what, and what can't.

Look for the str. and weaknesses.


this stage might lead back to application.. as much as you feel you need to experiment with your army..


Synthesis:

After seeing what the army can/cant do,
create and run down new ideas/plays/tactics


Evauluation:

Then evaluate your plans and such, by pointing out what worked and what didn't work.

Stratedgy didn't work? Find out what you did wrong.

Most likely when creating stratedgies, find out the possible choices/things your oppenent can do, and try to minimize them from doing it.





now if you want to know.... how to familize myself... VS MY ENEMIES... its kind of different.... you see... if you want to know how to do that, there are different steps..

Or you could just do what I did when I was learning what army has what, download Army Builder for free. Then you can just flick through the army lists and look up their stats. Helps you a lot when someone posts something, you can just look up any list and see 'Oh yes, X are T3'

Saves me buying codexs for armies Im never going to play.

That's illegal I think, as well as immoral. You just lost a lot of respect those 335 posts have given you. Why is this game so much about winning? It's much more fun to play an opponent without a clue what they have, and much more satisfying if you win. This is also a great way to learn what an army has.

Yes, everyone's right. Here's how I go about it. I'm not as meticulous as those of you who keep notes and track stats.

I play the other armies and observe their deployment. I watch out for those particularly nasty special items and heroes. I look at the models available on the shelves. I thumb through their codices, and over time, I buy each codex. I read the tactica online, mostly here on LO. And I talk to veteran players. I watch other people play and consider how I would respond in different situations with my troops.

Moreover, I study my own army, keeping in mind the veterans' advice, while trying new combinations of troops and magic items, composition, etc. I study how I react to other armies. I haven't played Tomb Kings, but everyone assures me that TK vs VC would be a dull battle indeed.

Othertimes, I just consult an astrologist and hope for the best.

D

That's illegal I think, as well as immoral. You just lost a lot of respect those 335 posts have given you.
WRONG!
Army Builder Trial Version is a free LEGAL download.
I just think you just lost all the respect those 49 (!!) posts have given you.

(Only the 2nd line is ment to be totally serious, I just love using peoples own Phrases against them to burn them 8) )

Originally posted by Addoran@Feb 10 2005, 16:04
Or you could just do what I did when I was learning what army has what, download Army Builder for free. Then you can just flick through the army lists and look up their stats. Helps you a lot when someone posts something, you can just look up any list and see 'Oh yes, X are T3'

Saves me buying codexs for armies Im never going to play.
325650



Being a statistical master doesn't make you a good tactician!

In my admittedly small experience it has always been about how well you play your own army, and how well you take advantage of the tactical situations as they arise.

Well, I own a few Codexes of armies that particularly interested me. Reading White Dwarf is also a great help, Battle Reports can give you a good insight as to how an army plays, and so do Tacticas.

My friend bought all the Codexes. Now, whenever a new one comes out, he buys it too. Seems to work for him! :D

I used to just go in to the gaming store near my house and just look at the codexes, they didn't mind.