Lictor

I just moved this weekend to Newcastle but it is something I am definitely aiming to attend. I have two possible date clashes that I must first deal with. I don't play as regularly as I should but I think I have recently ensared two new players from around the block to start Malifaux. Playing with newbies won't make me competition ready but I know most people who go to Gosford Good Games and they are mostly new still from what I have heard. If nothing else I would like to go just to see the likes of Mitchell, Vimes (Geoff) and Damian (store operator and Comp organiser) because it has been more months than I care to count

How many points are you playing? Things to consider in strategy - Ramos and Alyce both have a longer range than Marhsalls (12 vs. 10), and they can both fire three times with decent damage. Keep Alyce close to Ramos and you will get to play 8 Control Cards which is pretty freaking awesome. Brass Arachnid can Stoke allowing any construct in 6" to reactivate without penalty. Also pretty freaking awesome. Coryphee are Bulletproof and can't be charged, which negate both Marshalls and Judge/J's primary impact. Take Spiders!! Latch On will drop J's defense, and an Arachnid Swarm has Melee Master, so charge, and then hit 3 more time for funzies!! There is a lot of debate on whether Joss or Steamborg is better, they both have obvious advantages offensively and defensively, so read thoroughly, read again, make a decision, doubt yourself, read again and post more questions for our opinions, disregard our opinions, take either one and spend the whole match wishing you had the other. My last Ramos game I took both Joss, SBE and Alyce and the BA against a Lady J, Judge, 2 GG and 2 DM. My opponent had Slaughter and I had Treasure Hunt. No Schemes. I wiped him from the board end of turn 5 (Sadly, I stuffed up and Alyce fell 2 inches short of my DZ, but I judged I would of fallen short and had the BA within range. I then forgot I burnt my 12 of Tome to destroy the last player so couldn't cheat the failed Stoke, but thankfully drew a 13 for a 7th turn). To be fair Alyce 2 turns in a row drew Red joker for damage against 2 Marshalls eliminating both. I used Soulstone with Ramos to rid both GG. Joss took out Judge faily easily because of Power tokens that added to damage and I had a better hand to cheat with than my opponent. Lady J sucks lol, it took 3 turns with SBE and AS to get rid of her, and again I was lucky that a Black Joker was flipped when J should of decimated my AS but it took both large constucts to keep her steady and deal with her.

If you are up against Pandora and all you got is Ramos then Arachnids and Gamins/Golem become your best friend. Detonate everyone around Pandora til she is dead then hope to Jeebus you got what it takes to finish your objectives lol. *mostly joking tactic*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tales_of_Hoffmann

Another brother joins the fold.

We will just have to wait til Book 3 to see what changes have occured. When is Gen Con again?

An Obey for Beasts only. That is awesome fluff acceptable changes there. Excellent call

Not Obey, kinda ruins the fluff. Alpha (1) is a nice thought. Because of his Wild Heart skills I think Melee Expert is actually too much, but damn!! Would be awesome. Free Charge action + another 3 strikes. Oh so sweet. Fast would be fluff appropriate. Also essentially covers the suggestions of Alpha (1) and Melee Expert as well. *co-wi-Eric-nk-ugh*

I never picked up on that before; that he does not have the skills you mentioned... In saying that, his Wild Heart ability grants him a free charge/strike/+ flips... So it kinda balances out, more options at the cost of only requiring a 4 to cast it. Get a 4+ Tome and you get to use 3 Wild Heart abilities.

My apologies I realised I didn't explain myself well at all. I was trying to explain these are Masters in a Brawl together that are cross factioned without Mercenary. Like any Faction Master can hire Viktorias as they have Merc. trait. But for most that is the exten of their options. But this is combining Guild (Or specifically C. Hoffman) with Arcanist Masters. Arcanists benefit quite a lot with those who can buff constructs.

Haven't played with or against Dreamer yet but I fully endorse Ramos. Ramos can be a bit of a gun turret, but don't mistake that to be his primary purpose. Him buffing is where it is at. But as a turret there are some tricky things you can do if you get the right cards like Electrical Fire your opponent 3 times, summon an Electrical Creation. Electrical Creation gets to immediately activate from summoning and walk it "through" your opponents to cause 1 damage for every base it contacts. Companioned Brass Arachnid then Stokes Ramos reactivating him, who detonates the Creation (causing 2 or 3 points of damage at 2 or 3 inch radius) and can shoot another 3 times to clean up what's left. It's not too hard to create an extra spider a turn for the first few turns either. As I like having Card Control I think Rusty Alyce is worth 10 SS to hire into your crew as she gives you 8 control cards. With Alyce around it gives Ramos much more flexibility and also another ranged fighter with an impressive 12 inch shot on her that she too can let fly a lead storm. Ramos is also probably the most dynamic Master to have (at least with Arcanists) in regards to crew builds. He has quite a lot of Synergy with Rasputinas and Colette's minions as they are constructs so you can easily build a variety of combinations to satisfy your whims.

I think it is possible you guys are missing the point Mr Nybbles is putting across. These list are cross faction Masters beyond the Mercenary options. Imagine what two Construst buffing Masters can accomplish. Imagine a faster, buffier version of Ramos who has a better chance of keeping up with a Colette crew improving their Coryphee's and what not. My nerd senses tingle at such things. I just need to sit down and better study C. Hoffman to see what can be acheived.

I don't think he is awful. I just struggle to win with him... lol

It's not a bad read at all.