Pimpcron: Do You Know All The 40k Hand Signals?
Pimpcron explains the art of veteran 40k player hand signals.
Hey! It’s ya boi, P-Crizzle! I was just sitting on my stoop and pouring a WD-40 out for my homies that didn’t reanimate, and decided that I should explain to new players what all of us veterans know: the tried-and-true 40k hand signals.
Of course all of your hardened Warhammer players will know all 16 of the traditional 40k hand signals, so you may not want to read this. But for all of you new players who see veterans display puzzling hand signlas to each other while they play against you, you’re about to be learnt something.
These hand signals were first introduced in the tournament scene back in 1998 by a player named Jeffrey Wheaton in Canterbury England. He was an avid diver in his free time and it just so happens that these 16 hand signals coincide with diving hand signals.
And awaaaaaaaaaaay we go!
The first one on the list is simply the Circle Game, where you try to trick your friends into looking at your hand in this pose and you get a free punch in their arm if they look. It is fun mini-game to play as you and a friend are silently signaling to each other from across the room. Slip in a #1 signal and you get to punch him later. Great fun is had.
The 2nd gesture is usually followed by the other player replying with a number. This hand signal means, “Hey I’m getting a drink/beer, you want one?” in which they reply with a 0-5 as the number of drinks they want you to bring them back.
This hand gesture is actually one of many replies to gesture number 15 in which your friend asks how your game is going. This means that it is a close game, neck-and-neck.
Number four is also an answer to gesture #15 in which you mean to say that you’re pretty sure you will win this game. It also serves as a confirmation that you received and understand the signal just sent to you. Example: You signal #2, they reply with a “0”, you reply with a #4 gesture.
This one is called the “Whoopity Doo” and is commonly used against salty Tau players. In past editions it was often used to describe Tyranid or Ork players. You signal to your far away friend that you’re playing against someone who does nothing but whine about how terrible their army is now when it’s really just their lack of skill.
Number 6 means “I glued my hands together again last night, I hate assembling drop pods.”
The above signal implies that you want to punch your opponent, meaning that they are being a jerk/cheating/being cheesy/not fun to play against. In the past this was often used against Tau players, which has now switched to being used against Tyranid players. Oh, how things change.
But Wait, There’s More!
Eight is in conjunction with either pointing at yourself or your opponent, meaning that the pointed player is going to be wiped off the table soon.
Number nine means, “After this match, ya wanna hit the club/pub/bar?” It is often followed by or preceded by the cabbage patch dance. Pssssh. Nerds.
This signal means, “Oh Lord, something awesome just happened. Don’t bother me right now, I have no words.” Usually your signaling partner will give you a few minutes before signing to you again. To give your heart a rest.
These interesting signal means, “You know it bro!” which can used in place of signal #4 as an enthusiastic alternative. Example: You signal #9, he replies #11. This can also be the start of an affectionate “You complete me” reference to Austin Powers as a reply “Thank You”. It can also mean “Haha” as a reply.
This is the tried and true gesture for, attracting your distant partner’s attention and initiating a signaling conversation.
Check These Out
This signal means, “I/someone farted over here, please stay away for the sake of your nose and our friendship. Something died in a rectum and the poisonous gas has escaped.”
Fourteen can either mean “No” as a reply, or “Bad”. Example: Your partner signals #15, you reply with a #14 and possibly a point to yourself and a #8.
This obviously means “How’s your game going?”
Finally, the gesture implies that you are either going to try harder or less in a friendly game. If the hand is raised higher, that means you are going to try harder now because your opponent is better than you expected. The lowering of your hand means you are doing quite well and you will begin pumping the brakes and going easier on them. The WAAC player’s gesture vocabulary stops at gesture #15.
As a final test, interpret this conversation:
Player A
Player A
Player B
Player B [Points at Opponent]
Player B [lowering hand]
Player A
Player B [both laugh]
And Here’s Another One For Fun
Player A
Player A
Player B
Player B
Player A
Player B
Player A
You earn 400 Internets today if you could read those two conversations!
~Any other hand gestures that you think the International Board of Warhammer Hand Signals should consider adding?
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