Your first 1,000-point game

Your first 1,000-point game will be slower and messier than a Spearhead game, and that's fine. The aim isn't to win — it's to get through a whole game using the full rules, so the second one feels normal. Here's the plan.

Before game day

1. 01

   Step 1

   Agree the basics with your opponent

   Same points limit, same battlepack, and which battleplan you'll play. If you're both new to full-size games, say so — agreeing to play a relaxed, learning game takes the pressure off.

2. 02

   Step 2

   Check your roster

   Make sure your army fits the points limit using current points, and that your regiments are legal. The official app's army builder will flag most problems.

3. 03

   Step 3

   Read your full-game warscrolls

   Especially for units that came from your Spearhead box — their full-game warscrolls may not match what you're used to.

4. 04

   Step 4

   Write a one-page cheat sheet

   Your battle formation, enhancements, spells or prayers, and anything that only happens once per battle. This is the thing most people forget. You can also add them to your army in the Game Assistant as reminders, in your own words, so they come up in the right phase.

On the table

• Terrain. Full-size battlefields are bigger than Spearhead ones, and battleplans expect more terrain. Check your battleplan for the size, and use improvised terrain if you need to — it still works.
• Deployment. Players take turns setting up in drops. Take your time: at this size deployment decides a lot of the game.
• Objectives first. It's still true at 1,000 points — most battleplans are won on objectives, not by wiping out the enemy.

During the game

• The priority roll works as it did in Spearhead from the second battle round. Round 1 is different: whoever finished deploying first picks who goes first.
• Command points are new: you get 4 at the start of every battle round to spend on core commands, instead of using the commands on battle tactic cards. Spend them; anything left over is lost when the round ends.
• Keep your battletome open for the rules, and let the Game Assistant track command points, scoring and damage. Keep How a turn works and the glossary handy, same as your first Spearhead game.
• If a rules question takes more than a couple of minutes, roll off for it, note it down, and check it after the game.

Afterwards

Write down three things: what worked, what you forgot, and one unit you'd change. That list is the best guide to what you buy — or don't buy — next. Then go back to Expanding your Spearhead to 1,000 points with fresh eyes.