How to introduce a new player

If you have multiple armies loan them one of yours for a game. They
are motivated by playing with real (hopefully painted) troops rather
than cardboard units. If you design both lists and give them choice
of army they begin playing with a good army straight off. Better yet
give them the better list. You derive experience in its use by
playing against it too.

Experience is a better learning tool than lots of theoretical
ramblings on the experts part.

There is also lots of scope for loaning them troops they don't have
for experimentation: "Here, try these ogres instead of your empire
knights against my RBT's"

For their first game keep it small and simple--2000pts max.
Also limit the troop types used by both sides. There is
so much to learn at first that it will help them if you can reduce
information overload.

Help them set up and explain why they should set up that way.
and explain why you set up the way you did.
Set up first and then tell them which of their units are effective
against yours, and vice versa.

For their second game you should each make up your army as
normal-ie.secret. and only help with strategy and tactics if they
want help. I find that they still generally benefit from lots of instruction at
this stage though you do have to try to be aware of their need for
self-determination. After a while you can begin pointing out better
options after they have committed themselves and later still as they
are starting to become a decent challenge only offer this advice at
the end of the game.

Build local contact lists so you can encourage them to play people of
their own levels. While they are learning from you with your active
participation it is still discouraging to lose. Give them the
opportunity to test what they have learned against other novices.
That way they win occasionally by putting your suggestions into
practice. Those strategies often will not work against you because
you are likely to already know its counter. If they don't see it
working they are likely to stop using it.

Never do a complete smear job on a Newbie even if it means you have
to initiate some charges that won't win. These guys have to be left
with some glimmer of hope.

Give them a points advantage.

The reader's suggestion of playing multiplayer games was a good one.
Combine the best and worst player together and face the two least
experienced players against each other.

_

Regards,
Sage.

Wisdom is beyond price my son,
Be grateful that you have it.
Imperious the Monk
Expound oh sage, and elucidate.
(Wish I knew who said that)

&

DRAGONOGRE