How Do You Learn Boardgames?

[prabe]

Would it be worth playing Jaws of the Lion as a Starter Set before jumping into Frosthaven? Or would the mechanics be so different as to confuse players when we go to the full game?

We own, but haven't gotten around to playing, Jaws of the Lion. When I looked through it, it seemed as though it would be a superb introduction to what Gloomhaven and Frosthaven are doing.

 

[briggart]

Not a general tip, but I played a lot of Gloomhaven digital before getting Frosthaven, and that definitely helped. On tabletop you’ll need to manage several things that are automated in digital, but having a good grasp of the basics and on the mercenary side of the rules allowed me to focus on just those aspects rather than trying to juggle half a dozen plates at the same time.

 

[Clint_L]

I kinda sorta read the rules, kinda sorta pay attention to part of a YouTube video, then we just try it out and figure it out as we go. The first game usually takes about twice as long as suggested, but then we're good to go.

 

[Horwath]

I'm probably not the best person, I'm one of those weird people that just read the instructions thoroughly and then I'm ready to go

this,
it's basically "RTFM"

 

[Pedantic]

I have found some of the YouTube videos to be the opposite of helpful and have gone away more confused than before I watched them at times.

Is there a channel you could recommend?

Generally Rodney Smith and Co on Watch it Played are the best go-to rules explainers.

My group has settled into a pretty comfortable routine; one player watches a video and reviews the rules ahead of time for the teach, if it's a heavy game, we all skim/read the rules separately before we meet, and then I'm usually following along with the explanation in the rule book looking for edge cases or things that don't sound right to see if they track. Between the initial explainer and my review, we're usually pretty close to correct on the first play, and will figure out any outstanding problems/inaccuracies by the second.

 

[sophotek_bliss]

My boardgame groups tend to play some pretty complex games (Gloomhaven, Twilight Imperium, Root with most expansions, Mythic Battles, KDM) and we usually watch some compact tutorial videos (none of those 1 hour long torture vids) and then just try it out slowly with trail run... make mistakes, it's fine, but once you get a few turns under your belt it starts running smoothly. Also, doesn't really apply to your case, but if there's an option to add expansions, never do that in your first game. Just tackle the basics and then upgrades come easy.

 

[Distracted DM]

I've been fortunate to have friends that can learn by reading- I have to learn by doing, which means the burden is on said friends to the game going. Once we start I'm happy to look at the rulebook for reference, to answer questions, etc. but it's too much to absorb it all at once to get going.

 

[Bohandas]

I was recently given Frosthaven by a friend who said it was "just taking up space." The guy knew my group loved tactical combat like in 4E D&D and suggested we'd enjoy it.
This was a very generous gift. But I must admit, I'm completely overwhelmed. Even the "getting started" tutorial video on YouTube is around 1.5 hours.
How do you go about learning complex boardgames and teaching them? Any tips?
Thanks!

It helps if you have a person in the group who already knows the game, although I understand that this won't always be an option. But when it does happen it helps.