Debate: Is it better to learn a new game from the rulebook or have someone teach it to you?

I've been going back and forth on this. Last week my buddy tried to teach me Root in 20 minutes and I was lost for the first 3 turns. Then I sat down with the rulebook for Spirit Island on my own and felt way more confident. But some people say learning from a teacher lets you ask questions and avoid missing stuff. Which side do you lean on and why?

3 comments

3 Comments

wesleyflores14d ago

lol I gotta disagree with that a little. Reading the rulebook first always works better for me because I can go at my own pace and actually see all the edge cases without someone glossing over stuff. Teachers forget little things like turn order or specific timing windows and you end up confused halfway through. Plus when I read first I already know the basics so if someone wants to explain strategy on top of that it actually sticks. Not saying teaching is bad or anything but I'd rather get lost in a book for 30 minutes than sit through someone's rushed tutorial lol.

fiona_carr2614d agoMost Upvoted

Go at my own pace" - yeah that's the problem, reading alone never teaches you when you're dead wrong about a rule.

ivan_harris14d ago

Honestly I used to swear by just reading the rulebook myself but after getting taught Dune Imperium last month I flipped. Having someone explain why the rules matter changed everything for me. Ngl I still read first but I get the teaching side now.