Gremlin Swarm

Try Taelor, Misaki, and Johann. Freaking brutal (aside from the low model count), even without the Ronin, plus you'd have 4ss left over for use (in a 25ss game). I like Bishop's versatility, too, though.

A friend of mine had a really good appearance comparison for the Freikorps. He said they remind him of Thule Society characters from Hellboy. (Of course, now I'm tempted to convert Von Schill to look more like Kronin.) The Fremen thing works too, though. Especially if you do them in mostly black.

I was kind of picturing German WWI or WWII soldiers with the long coats, myself. The look they have is more sci-fi-ish, to me. Interesting, though I'm still deciding if I like it or not.

Thanks, Omenbringer. I was wondering about that. It just looked a bit odd, but it sounds like it's covered by how the new rules work. (I'll be able to know for myself as soon as my new book gets here, which should be soon, since it's enroute.)

Is that a typo? I ask because the other hiring limitations I've seen are most commonly for a scrap (the smaller game size), rather than a brawl. (I'm waiting for my (just shipped) book 2 to arrive, so I can't check the actual wording yet.)

Come to think of it, you could also put in his mouth like a big stogie (rather than the Spanish dancer flower style). So many fun options for a madman with explosives...

Don't forget the dreaded Victoria yoyo attack. I've seen/heard of various versions of this, but the one I like best is to have gun Vic run in and hack at the target. Make sure to use her Melee Expert action for the attack so you'll have a 'regular' action to use to push sword Vic into the melee (or just have them switch places). Then sword Vic goes to town. I've also used both Taelor and Johann in my Vic crew. I know Johann has abilities that'll basically go unused in a crew like this, but he hits just as hard as Taelor, and from just as far away. (3" melee reach!) Absolute brutality, if you can get them in there, which I haven't had too much trouble doing. I'd definitely keep at least 1 ronin, though, along with 2 ss, for 'Another One?'.

This Saturday (August 21st) is Games Day for Other Realms in Ward Warehouse in Honolulu--and there will be Malifaux! The doors will open at 10am and the event runs until 4 or 5 pm. We'll be in the conference rooms on the 2nd floor, mauka (mountain) side of the mall. I'll be there with a demo table and extra crews/decks, so if you're in the area, stop on by to learn and/or play. ('Stone limit for pickup games is negotiable. (In other words, agree on it at the time.)) There's a $2 entry fee for the event (the whole Games Day thing, that is, not for each game), but with the entry stamp, you also get 20% off gaming stuff in the store for that day. BTW: If you can't make it for this formal event, I still do Malifaux Mondays (first Monday of each month) at the same location. We also do Malifaux at least a couple of other times a month there, as well.

Your version/idea is a lot more involved than mine was. (If you search for 'Screwball Idea', you'll find it.) I like the bit for crowd dynamics/involvement.

The most common Voodoo Doll Conduit bit I've seen is to have the VD run up, use Reconnect to establish Conduit on an opposing model, and then run back to Zoraida. That let's her target the Conduit victim without worrying about range or LOS. There are probably other bits that can be done (and variations on this one), but that's the basic one.

Like they said, the Guild crews (especially Perdita and Lady J) are good for beginners. Samus is also okay, if your new players are okay dealing with a bit more in the gimmick department. The Victorias are good, too, but like ProdigalPunk said, you'll want Ronin for them.

If you decide you like Lady J, you might want to consider getting a Peacekeeper. It's big (and a bit expensive), but for me, I've always been happy to have in in the crew. (It's a classic big, ugly, scary to go to town and/or draw fire.) If you go with Leveticus, be ready for a lot of bookkeeping. He's definitely one of the more finesse-oriented masters.

The trick to successfully using an axe in a gunfight is to be sneaky enough that the gunfight never has a chance to happen.

Even without the extra support from other models, the Peacekeeper can cover 15" (2 walks and Relentless) in one go. (No attacks with that, but it's still a scary amount of movement.) Then there's the harpoon trick, of course--Chain Spear+Drag followed by Paired Mechanical Claws. (>Choomf!< 'Get Over Here!!!' >Ka-Chunk!!!<) Of course, the thought of that thing doing Relentless and then charging is also scary. (Even if the image of a Peacekeeper galumphing along with its claws up in the air is a bit comical.)

I had the 2-sword Victoria take mine down in 2 turns one game. On the flip side--it took her 2 turns to do it, keeping her away from my other models.

Just in case anyone out there is here then... This will also be a regular thing. The first Monday of each month is Malifaux Monday at Other Realms in the Ward Warehouse Shopping Center in Honolulu. If you're in town, drop on by! We have a number of players (both new and experienced) to sick your crews on. (And vice-versa.)

Squidgy, I think you've nailed my opponent's reactions to my Peacekeeper, though they're not usually so vocal about it. (It's usually more of a 'oh, crap. That thing.' sort of comment.) Their actions in play, though, fit your quote perfectly. (Especially when I send the Peacekeeper screaming in hell-bent-for-leather.)

Som'er Teeth's Gremlin crews are very tricky to play and win with. (Not a good first crew, unless you're really good at spotting/figuring out good combos and finessing your way to a win.) That said, they're really fun, especially if you're willing to get a bit silly when playing them. As mentioned above, Ophelia looks to play at least a bit differently from Som'er. I eagerly await book 2 to see...

Omenbringer, I await the pics. (All for Oink and Oink for All!) Atilla, I've found things like Treasure Hunt and Reconnoiter fairly easy with a swarm crew like that, provided you can keep at least some of your little blighters away from your opponent's models. Slaughter is probably the most difficult with the Gremlins (as it usually is). Assassinate is easier than you might think, if you can manage to concentrate fire on the target. (Don't be afraid to sacrifice Gremlins, especially if they're wounded. Just keep at least 1 or 2 to summon more.) For schemes, Thwart is a favorite. Hold Out is often a good one, too. Bodyguard is a maybe, depending on how you play and what Strategy you get. The folks I play with usually go ahead and Announce their Schemes, as well. (I guess we're not that sneaky that way.)

Attila, Omenbringer is right about the cache thing. Almost no one I know who plays Gremlins bothers with a big cache. If you do go for a lot of Gremlins, go bananas with it. The more the better (along with maybe a couple of mosquitoes). When I do the swarm 'o Gemlins (which is often, as you've probably already figured) I usually go with 12 Gremlins and a cache of 1ss. I keep 1 or 2 back with Som'er for Git Yer Bro, and the rest run up and do a lot of Y'all Watch This, with Dumb Luck whenever possible. They blow themselves up doint this, of course, but that's why I take so many and keep summoning more. It's not guaranteed to win, of course, but I tend to do better with this Gremlin crew than I ever did with a more 'traditional' one.

I'd love to see a pic of that model. (Did you put the hat on the rider, or on the pig itself?) Come to think of it, that Musketeer hat thing would probably go great with Ophelia's crew, assuming you plan to use her when she comes out.

Don't forget the 'Spear and Magic Helmet!' to go with that version. (Hmm...Som'er painted like Elmer in his armor and helm...)

Pig squadrons. Now there's a scary though. And now I'm picturing 3 Warpigs moving in an echelon formation while oinking out the Klingon Battle Theme.

Zoraida and Som'er, pretty much for the same reasons aberration and nilus mentioned. They're both tricky to play, but can be nasty when done right.

Just read the Henchman primer. Ophelia is a Henchman (Hench-lin?) More Gremlins to swarm with! (Insert maniacal laugh here.)