New Ambassador - advice for first demo to the public?

[Ravepig]

I've done a nice job recruiting and holding mage wars events within my own gaming group- this time last year none of us had even heard of mage wars, now my entire group owns MWs and all expansions with regularly scheduled sessions. That said, as a new ambassador, I'm gearing up to hold my first demo at my local game store- for those veteran Mage Wars players who have experience doing public demos- what advice do you have?

[silverclawgrizzly]

Congratulations on your success so far! Here's basic advice:

1. If you can advertise. A flyer or post on their social media.

2. Set up Arena and Academy and give people the option of which to play.

3. Have some snacks if possible. Market research shows gamers like snacks.

4. Bring help. Have your friend play casual games using pre made books. Coach the new players but don't dictate.

5. Make pre made books that use simple tricks like a Red Claw canine swarm or a Curse- lock.

6. Go back regularly.

[Drefan]

Congratulations on your success so far! Here's basic advice:

1. If you can advertise. A flyer or post on their social media.

2. Set up Arena and Academy and give people the option of which to play.

3. Have some snacks if possible. Market research shows gamers like snacks.

4. Bring help. Have your friend play casual games using pre made books. Coach the new players but don't dictate.

5. Make pre made books that use simple tricks like a Red Claw canine swarm or a Curse- lock.

6. Go back regularly.

This is pretty much what you should do.

When it comes to premade books, I'd suggest having maybe books with spellbook value of 70, and that really shows the core concept of each mage. This is to demonstrate the differences between them and their strengths. I'd suggest using simple enchantments, that don't require much knowledge of the game in general e.g. Bear Strength, Hawkeye, Rhino Hide, Ghoul Root.

[silverclawgrizzly]

Another thing you can do is contact Arcane Wonders about getting some promo cards to hand out.

[wtcannonjr]

In addition to the great advice above I find it helpful to have players start playing as you teach each rule rather than present all the rules ahead of time.

If you use the Apprentice spellbooks in the 4th edition Core Set, then this eliminates several traits and rules, the mage abilities along with conjuration type spells. This makes it easier to learn the core mechanics and game flow for new players. I treat the rest of the rules along with spellbook design as Advanced rules and save them as talking points only for new players.

[iNano78]

Congratulations on your success so far! Here's basic advice:

1. If you can advertise. A flyer or post on their social media.

2. Set up Arena and Academy and give people the option of which to play.

3. Have some snacks if possible. Market research shows gamers like snacks.

4. Bring help. Have your friend play casual games using pre made books. Coach the new players but don't dictate.

5. Make pre made books that use simple tricks like a Red Claw canine swarm or a Curse- lock.

6. Go back regularly.

This is pretty much what you should do.

When it comes to premade books, I'd suggest having maybe books with spellbook value of 70, and that really shows the core concept of each mage. This is to demonstrate the differences between them and their strengths. I'd suggest using simple enchantments, that don't require much knowledge of the game in general e.g. Bear Strength, Hawkeye, Rhino Hide, Ghoul Root.

I use the recommended starting books for 2 mages (currently Priestess and AC Warlock), where I put the "Apprentice mode" cards in the first half of the book (e.g. facing forward), and the remaining cards that make up the starting books in the second half (e.g. facing backwards). This way, depending on their experience (e.g. have they played other similar miniature or card games before?), I can have them try either the apprentice or full game. And if they try the apprentice mode and want to play again, we can restart with the full 120 sbp book (and with mage abilities) using the same components.

[Ravepig]

Great advice- thank you all!

[steack]

in otcgn you can fin an aptrentice spell book for each mage ,

more easy to learn this game when he use his best mage ^^ /

[Ravepig]

Thought I would share that we had a successful event! Introduced 5 new players to Mage Wars with enough interest that those who attended asked about setting up a Mage Wars League in my area. So, that's my next step- to organize and coordinate actual league play. 

[silverclawgrizzly]

Contact Arcane Wonders to get some promo card packs sent out to you. 5 new players is REALLY impressive! Congratulations my friend!

[Ravepig]

Contact Arcane Wonders to get some promo card packs sent out to you. 5 new players is REALLY impressive! Congratulations my friend!

I don't think all five will become dedicated MW players right away, but 2 did purchase core sets right then and there, so that's a start! Like the idea of having promo cards for league play. Thanks for the suggestion.

[silverclawgrizzly]

If you sold two core sets off one demo then that's a fantastic job

Yeah AW is generally pretty generous with promos.