What are some common mistakes or misconceptions that players make when learning to play Warhammer 40,000?

Learning to play Warhammer 40,000 (40k) can be a rewarding experience, but it's not without its challenges. New players often encounter common mistakes and misconceptions as they navigate the intricacies of the game. Here are some of the most prevalent errors and misconceptions that players make when learning to play 40k:

1. Ignoring the Rules:

Misinterpretation: One common mistake is misinterpreting or misunderstanding certain rules. This can lead to incorrect gameplay and frustrating experiences.
Skipping Phases: New players might overlook or forget to play through all the phases of a turn, such as the psychic phase or morale phase, which can impact the game's balance.

2. Underestimating Terrain:

Line of Sight: Players might underestimate the importance of line of sight blocking terrain. Not understanding how to use terrain effectively can lead to units being exposed to enemy fire.
Cover Rules: Failing to utilize cover rules can result in unnecessary casualties. Understanding how cover saves work and positioning units for maximum benefit is crucial.

3. Poor Movement Planning:

Overextension: New players sometimes overextend their units, making them vulnerable to charges or enemy fire.
Charging Incorrectly: Misjudging distances for charges can lead to failed charges or units being caught out of position.

4. Neglecting Objectives:

Focus on Annihilation: Beginners might solely focus on destroying enemy units without considering mission objectives. Objectives often play a critical role in winning the game.

5. Misusing Special Abilities:

Faction Abilities: Failing to utilize faction-specific abilities can be a missed opportunity. Each faction has unique rules that can provide significant advantages.
Psychic Powers: Mismanaging psychic powers, their casting, and denying attempts can lead to underutilizing a potent aspect of the game.

6. Poor Target Selection:

Target Prioritization: New players might target the wrong units, ignoring critical threats or wasting firepower on less important targets.
Failing to Focus Fire: Spreading out damage across multiple enemy units instead of focusing fire on a single unit can lead to opponents maintaining combat effectiveness.

7. Overemphasis on Combat:

Neglecting Shooting: Some players focus too much on close combat and disregard shooting phases. A balanced approach is often more effective.

8. Not Planning for Morale:

Morale Tests: Neglecting morale tests or not understanding how to mitigate morale-related losses can be detrimental to army effectiveness.

9. Mismanaging Command Points:

Not Using Stratagems: New players might forget to use stratagems, missing out on opportunities to gain advantages during the game.
Spending Too Early: Spending all command points too early in the game can leave players without resources for critical moments.

10. Relying Solely on Rulebook:

Not Seeking Clarifications: Players may assume they know all the rules from reading the rulebook alone, missing out on official FAQs and community interpretations that can clarify rules.

11. Not Learning from Losses:

Discouragement: Instead of learning from losses, some players become discouraged. Analyzing your losses can lead to improvement.

12. Rushing Paint Jobs:

Painting Quality: Focusing solely on playing the game and rushing through painting can detract from the aesthetic and immersive aspect of the hobby.

Learning Warhammer 40,000 takes time and patience. To overcome these mistakes and misconceptions, it's essential to dedicate time to understanding the rules, seeking advice from experienced players, and practicing. The journey from novice to adept involves making mistakes, learning from them, and continuously improving your gameplay and overall hobby experience.