Top 5 Mistakes

1. Reading From the Rule Book

Don’t just read the rules. This I think is tied with my #2 as the worst offenders when teaching a game. But it’s not interesting or exciting to hear someone read from the rules. Also, all the rules might not always matter or be taught in the rule book in the best way possible. There are some horrible rule books out there and even the good ones tend to be dry.

The rules are important to get right, but use the rule book as a reference when you need it. Don’t use it for how you teach the game. This will make sense more when you see some of the other things.

2. Not Starting With How To Win

Such as if you use the rule book, how to win or scoring is at the end of the book. Start with that part. That gives the players a framework of what the goal is. It let’s them know what everything else you teach is going to be pointing towards.

Now, you don’t need to go into the details, for example, of where you get your points, but let people know it’s a point based game, or if everyone is still alive when this deck of cards runs out, or if everyone is on this tile. Put the end goal in focus first so that when you teach the actions and specific rules your players know where the game is going and can start to see how they’d bring it together.

3. Teaching Every Detail

This one might seem odd, but you don’t need to teach everything. For example, Biblios comes in two halves. The first half is handing out cards. Teach that when you start. Let people know the second half, auction is coming up and that you want money to bid on stuff. But you don’t need to explain all the auction details. Then, when you hit that second part, teach it.

This works well for some games and less well for others. But even in games where maybe a new action becomes unlocked or when a weird interaction occurs between a card and rules. It’s useful to know that it might happen, but the full details, probably don’t need them until it does happen.

4. Telling Not Showing

Another important thing, and why reading from the rule book is less than ideal is that you are just telling. Telling is fine, it is a part of teaching, but to get something to stick, showing helps a lot. Show people how an action works. Show people cards from decks. Fill in spots on a roll and write sheet. Do these things and it reenforces how all of the things work.

An example of this is that in most roll and write games I keep used sheets. Why, because they are great for teaching. I can pull out a sheet and point to examples on the board as I’m teaching the game. It makes it so much clearer when people can see how it works when you are explaining it.

5. Holding Questions Until The End

And this one, I think that it’s important to not hold questions. Let people ask away because people might forget questions. Often times the players will notice just naturally something that you missed. Or wording that you thought was clear might be more ambiguous than you think.

If people hold questions, they might forget them. Now, if someone asks about another part of the game, just say that you are going to get to it. But if it’s about something you’re talking about already. Take a moment, talk about it. Repeat stuff as need be, clarify what you are saying. And I think it is important as well, but stay it is in a different way.

Final Thoughts on Mistakes in Teaching A Board Game

The most important thing, no matter how you do it is that you teach the board game. And that you are willing to do it. There are a lot of games that don’t get played because people aren’t willing to teach them. Mainly, because it is a lot of work, sometimes, for the teacher. Unless you know a game well, you will need to review the rules.

And if that means you need to read from the rule book, you might need to read from the rule book. But that should be the exception. With a little preparation you can teach without bouncing to the rule book that often. And it’ll make it a better experience.

Also, expect that you’ll be answering questions throughout the whole game. I like to teach as much as I can, but eventually, even with showing, talking about the end goals, and everything too many rules is just boring and people pay less attention. So spend the time teaching but get playing as well.

Do you find yourself making any of these mistakes?

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What is It?

Brotherwise Games is putting out a tactical minis game based off of the Netflix animated show, The Dragon Prince. Put together a team of your favorite characters and lead them into battle. Will Callum and Soren be able to take down the team of Claudia and Rayla, only your game will decide.

So for what this game is, it looks like it’s a card driven tactical battle game. Like I said, you create your team of characters and then using card play you maneuver and attack your opponent trying to knock out their characters. The game uses a charging systems where characters can charge up powers to do bigger attacks to knock out their opponents even faster. Each characters cards are going to give them a thematic feel like you get from the show. Soren is more of a tank, while the rogue like Rayla will jump in and out of battle.

Why Am I Hyped?

I am hyped because of the theme and because of the card play in the game. I recently have gotten in three games of Super Fantasy Brawl. That was another skirmish tactical battle sort of game but with objectives that you are trying to complete as well. It had simple systems and card play. I hope that this game is similar to that. I think it’ll be more about taking out your opponent than Super Fantasy Brawl was, but if the card play and game play is as fast, that certainly sounds cool.

Brotherwise Games is kind of known for creating games that are lighter. Examples being Boss Monster and Call to Adventure. Now, I have only played Boss Monster and that game is just hanging in my collection. The theme is fun and the 8bit artwork is great for it. The game play is just fine. I do have Call to Adventure: The Stormlight Archives that I need to get to the table. But with the fact that their games tend not to be that heavy, I’m thinking this one will fall in line. And because of the theme, this might be a tactical game my wife would be interested in trying.

When And Where Do I Find It?

The when is still up in the air. You can sign up over on Brotherwise Games site to get notified when the pre-orders go live. But it is going to go to retail for $40 with 8 characters to start. So 8 minis, the board, and 16 cards per character, it is a pretty solid deal in terms of value. I’m glad that this going to retail because I think it should have mass market appeal.

Hype Level

Quick refresher on how the hype level works. It is from 1 to 5. Five is super hyped. One is hyped. I’m not going to do a “Let There Be Hype” if I’m not hyped about it as well.

1 of 5

Now that seems low, like I said it’s my favorite animated show possibly ever. And for sure best one for kids. What keeps it lower is the fact it’s a tactical skirmish style game. Those games come out a lot. And I have Super Fantasy Brawl, which I love. Since I’m getting more characters for that and the game is easy to play, I’m not sure that I need to get this one.

What is your hype level for The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged? Let me know in the comments below.

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