Mister_Q

Has anyone actually used plastic cement? I'd rather use it if it works but testing it on a couple pieces of sprue it still seems a bit soft. It certainly isn't the nice solid bond I see on the GW plastics.

Not a full on battle report this time. I'm back from Cancon here in Australia where I played seven fun and action packed games of Malifaux. I've put up an article on Lord Shaper's blog covering them - have a read and (hopefully) enjoy ...

I'm not sure about that. Shadow: "this model may move ...", so the Hunter's target moves and the Hunter player says "the Hunter will use Shadow to move ..." - doesn't that count as "announces a move action"? Or is it only an action if you're spending a point on it (surely not as that would screw a lot of other abilities on various models)?

+1 to this. I use Army Painter brushes, grass tufts and some of their basing bits and they're all fine. I've tried three of their coloured primer sprays though and I'll never use another.

A lot of Book 1 stuff has been fixed in the FAQ/erratta/v2 cards. This isn't one of them. It's all very nice to say "well it could be written as ...", but it isn't written that way. Counterspell is specific in saying that the model itself must be targeted. This doesn't happen with Bullets & Blades. If there was a target for B&B then it would be the Judge. It's a spell that lets the Judge make two strikes, not a spell that that attacks a target model twice. Should Viktoria's Sisters in Victory strike be negated by Counterspell too? There are probably a few other similar spells. The other issue with having it ruled as being able to be Counterspelled is that it would make the result magical damage.

I've pencilled it in. Not sure I'll have the brownie points built up so soon after Cancon but I'll try.

Change of nights? The 12th is Saturday.

I'm with bobzilla - there is no target for Bullets and Blades so Counterspell wouldn't work against it. Once B&B is cast the Judge makes two normal strikes except for the extra range granted by B&B - so Counterspell can't negate them and Bulletproof wouldn't protect against the damage.

Yep, all Lord Shaper's stuff in those pics. Mine were still in pieces. I've started getting paint on them so hopefully the rematch will have some of my own stuff in it.

I think 'originate within 3"' is fairly clear. Dampening doesn't stop the effects of things that start further than 3" away from Hoffman.

I'm sure you're right. It just seems a shame that since its all being done on the computer that movement and fire ranges, etc. can't be calculated and shown. I suspect it's something to hope for from VASSAL rather than the Malifaux module. It's still all pretty cool though.

Is there somewhere we can report bugs, or should we just pile them in this forum? I've spotted a minor one: The "flip 3 cards" button for player one says "flip 2 cards" in the tooltip.

Yeah, I saw that. The whole rotate to direction, then move is a bit more fiddly than just dragging the model though. It's also a bit less precise as to final placement. Having the ruler stay in place or having it just tell you how far from the initial point you were would be a lot more like how you do it in the physical game.

Is there any way to leave the ruler in place when you're moving the model? Or for VASSAL to show how far the model has been dragged from it's initial position? The way it seems to work at the moment is "measure; move to approximately where you remember the ruler ended up".

Thanks Owen - these videos are great. You might want to fix up the thread title here - still says "controlling models".

You can ... just like you can do it in a real face-to-face game. The Vassal log does say that you've done it though, so your opponent will know. It's only safer 'cos the other player can't throw a Peacekeeper at you across the interwebs!

I thought I spotted a "generic Guild model", etc. in there somewhere too. Perfect for a re-label.

I've tried a few. I had a truly horrible experience with the Army Painter cans, although I know some people swear by them (I just swear at them ). I keep coming back to the GW ones - they give a nice even coat every time. I also do use cheap primer from the local hardware store for terrain and 40K tanks. It's fine on the bigger stuff. It would probably work ok on regular figures with a bit of care.

The Guardian - I'm assembling him at the moment and so many bits have snapped off that I think he's now more pins than model. I'd like a second one for gaming, but there's no way I'll buy another until it's plastic.

He's correct ... More Metal than Man: This model can be targeted by Talents and Spells that may only target Constructs ...

You take as many constructs as you like while I'm using Hoffman.

Nice. I'm sure Lucius had some ulterior motive for allowing Lilith to get away with this - those evil Neverborn underestimate the Guild's determination!

The loud metallic clanging rang down the length of Promise's single street. Hoffman thought it sounded more like the footsteps of some iron giant than the work noise of a rail crew. The thought sparked his curiosity; his engineering mind already considering possibilities. Perhaps the mission Lucius had sent him on would be more than a simple errand after all. Hoffman wasn't too fond of Lucius. The man's perpetually masked face made him hard to trust. "The rail line past Promise should have been completed weeks ago," Lucius had told him. "Mei Feng may just be testing the Guild's patience, but there are certainly other possibilities. You will take some of your mechanical contraptions and investigate. Report back to me promptly." Hoffman gritted his teeth at the memory of the man's manner. Lucius was the Governor's secretary and spoke with the Guild's authority, but Hoffman felt no obligation to like him. He was obliged to obey, however, and so he stood on the large rocky hill at the south western edge of Promise, a town that barely deserved the title. A handful of hastily built wooden buildings straddling a stretch of dirt that only resembled a street due to the wagon ruts that disfigured it. The volume of the clanging increased and shook Hoffman from his thoughts. From the opposite side of town, where the rail workers had made their camp, strode the largest mechanical figure he had seen. He had heard rumours of Mei Feng's arcane abilities to construct these rail golems and now he could see proof of those stories. A small group led by Mei Feng herself followed closely behind the enormous golem. They stopped near a large boulder that had been left near the entrance to town. Mei Feng looked at Hoffman and his metallic group, not quite sure what to make of them. "We have no need of cripples on our crew. Go back to your workshop and leave us to our work", she called to him. Hoffman let the insult slide. He cleared his throat and called back, the sudden silence in the town letting his voice carry quite clearly. "If your current work efforts are anything to go by then perhaps your new toy is not as impressive as it seems", Hoffman said, gesturing to the Rail Golem. "It has its uses," said Mei Feng with a sly smile. "Perhaps you just need a closer look." She muttered something Hoffman couldn't make out and the towering Rail Golem stomped forward toward Hoffman. Game setup C. Hoffman (Guild) vs Mei Feng (Ten Thunders) Shared strategy: Turf War Guild schemes: Machine Spirit Breakthrough Ten Thunders schemes: Steal Relic Frame for Murder (Rail Golem) Guild crew: C. Hoffman Mobile toolkit Watcher Ryle Warden Guardian Hunter Ten Thunders crew: Mei Feng Rail golem Metal gamin Kang Emberling Ototo Deployment Diagonal corners Mei Feng's crew deployed first, grouped together behind cover from a rock. Hoffman's crew also grouped together between a rocky hill and one of the small buildings. Turn 1 The hulking Rail Golem headed straight toward Hoffman's deployment zone, hoping to do some damage and possibly forcing Hoffman to kill it (looking for the Frame for Murder scheme). The Hunter was quick to react, heading north away from the rail golem. The large rail worker, Kang saw that the Guild crew were moving into the street and sprinted to intercept. Ryle didn’t like Kang’s aggressive manner and moved up to support the Hunter. As the rest of the Guild crew advanced into Promise’s dusty street, the remaining Ten Thunders moved to block them. At Hoffman’s prompting, Ryle opened up on Kang with his Gatling gun. Kang took some light damage but was not swayed from his path. Turn 2 The Warden found itself locked in combat with Kang. The large man lifted his mighty shovel and swatted the Warden as if it was a fly. The Warden was staggered but still standing, leaving it, Kang and The Hunter locked into the most deadly of dances. Kang caught a burst of automatic fire from Ryle’s Gatling gun and dropped to the ground. As a last desperate action Kang lashed out at the Warden turning it in to scrap. Heavy, ringing footsteps reminded Hoffman that the Rail Golem was approaching. He knew he would have to get his constructs out of the street before the metal giant outflanked them. Ototo charged at Ryle, smacking him in the face. Ryle roared in pain but stood his ground. Hoffman and the Hunter moved away from their attackers. The rocky hill at the end of the street blocked further retreat, not that Hoffman had any intention of running. Mei Fang bounced in off the Metal Gamin and with a perfectly formed Jackhammer Kick she pounded Ryle to the ground. As she landed with feline agility she struck a Badass Pose and glared at Hoffman. Turn 3 The Watcher streaked across the northern edge of town and into the Ten Thunders camp. Aware of the approaching danger, the Hunter dragged Hoffman through a nearby building and out the other side. With its prey moving away from it, the Rail Golem fired up the Pain Train and stormed back towards the rail camp. Out of sight between two buildings it waited for Hoffman’s crew to act, daring them to move toward their goal. Mei Feng hopped, jumped, leapt and lunged, kicking the Mobile Toolkit to pieces. As tools and fragments scattered she saw the glint of something on Hoffman’s belt; something that looked valuable. Such an artifact might be helpful to her future plans and she knew she would have to remove it from Hoffman’s possession. Turn 4 Mei Feng made a grab for the relic on Hoffman’s belt but he was too quick for her. She was determined to have it and used one of her valuable soulstones to force the issue. With the item in her grasp she bounded away and out of sight. Covering her retreat, Mei Feng sent the Rail Golem around the corner. It swung at the Guild crew gathered there but failed to inflict much damage. Hoffman used his powerful abilities to override control of the Rail Golem. Under his command the iron hulk turned and marched straight back to Mei Feng. It swiped at her but she overcame her surprise in time to dodge aside. Ototo moved into the Guild’s deployment zone. He braced himself and was a threatening presence to anyone who might consider approaching. The Watcher headed back toward the Guild deployment zone hoping to deny Ototo any Turf War points. Turn 5 The Rail Golem came chugging back around the building for another go at the Guild crew. Mei Feng attempted to spring off the Metal Gamin and over to the where the Guild had come from. Even cheating fate and adding the power of another soulstone she couldn’t escape the grasping claws of the Hunter. Her linked Emberling came to the rescue; it smashed its fist into the ground trying to use seismic shockwaves to push its master closer to her goal of the Guild’s half of town. Hoffman found the Rail Golem “demonstration” was becoming bothersome. With barely a thought he took control of the huge construct again and sent it stalking over to an empty corner of town where it wouldn’t annoy anyone for a while. The Hunter hauled Hoffman over to the rail worker’s camp. He was sure to find the cause of the work delays over there. Aftermath One look around the camp told Hoffman all he needed to know. There was no legitimate reason for the delay. Mei Feng was simply pushing her boundaries with the Guild. Lucius would not be happy with the news, but at least the knowledge would allow him to push Mei Feng to get her crew back to work. Power plays and politics were Lucius’s domain and Hoffman was content to leave him to it. Hoffman needed to get Ryle some medical or mechanical attention. He wasn’t sure which his brother needed more. Night was falling. It was obvious to both sides that further hostilities would get them nowhere. Mei Feng stopped in the street, uncertain whether to return to her camp or search the southern side of Promise for more Guild agents. She turned the relic over, examining each side. She still wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew it had value. Even if she failed to unlock its secrets she could still put it to use as a bargaining chip. “I think I’ll hold onto this trinket.” “Keep it,” Hoffman called back. “Just get your workers back on task.” “Very well,” she said, “but the next surprise inspection will not be met so hospitably.” Hoffman wasn’t sure his own greeting had been that warm but he didn’t press her. He gathered up Ryle and his remaining constructs and put Promise to his back. Mei Feng watched him leave. The scowl on her face made her rail workers give her a wide berth as they carried the injured Kang away.. “Next time old man,” she said to herself. “Next time …” Game Results Game was ended after turn 5 due to time. Results Guild Turf War result: - Models in enemy deployment zone - 2 VP - More models in enemy deployment zone - 1 VP - More models in enemy table half - 1 VP Breakthrough - 2 VP Machine Spirit - 0 VP Ten Thunders Turf War result: - Models in enemy deployment zone - 2 VP - More models in enemy deployment zone - 1 VP Steal relic - 2 VP Frame for Murder - 0 VP Narrow Guild victory: 6 VP vs 5 VP Thanks to Lord Shaper for the game and the use of his Hoffman models (mine are still being assembled). The game was really close, with Mei Feng ending up right on the halfway line. There are more photos over on Flickr for anyone who's interested.

Does it need to be 3'x3'? Here in Australia MDF sheets are available off the shelf in 3'x4', which works well for gaming as it gives each player a 6" space for cards/models/etc.

Fair enough. Is Object the only characteristic where this would be an issue? Everything else works on Damage, doesn't it? I'd be playing it as a lump sum. It's Wounds taken from a single source (Poison), not "a Wound from this Poison, then this Poison", etc.