Saracenar

Since there doesn't seem to be much information on Mr. Tannen, I'll chime in with what I know about him. First of all, I am using him in a 10T crew led by Yan Lo, I've only used him twice, and the first time, he did die before he could be too useful (mauled by canine remains because I was too eager to get him as close to the enemy as possible), but in my second game, he faired better, and I saw his worth. If you're going against a crew with ordinary or low will power, his Pitiful ability becomes a really good way to keep him safe. Immune to Influence is also really helpful against crews that rely on spells with Wp resists. Apart from these two abilities, he is otherwise quite easy to kill. That's why he needs to be escorted and protected by your other models. If you can keep him safe, and then put him in a position where his Cooler ability affects a large number of enemy minions or the enemy master, he is effectively halving their hand, which is extremely useful. Plonk him down next to ongoing combats. The key to keeping him alive would probably be to present greater threats. If the enemy has three Ashigaru beating down on them, they may not consider Tannen an immediate priority...at least until they realise how powerful he is. He's a bit of a double-edged sword, in that keeping him alive means leaving him to activate later in the turn, so he gets the most out of Pitiful, but then you miss out on his other abilities like Lethargy, Luck's Turning and Bore to Tears. Dampen Fate is a situational ability. To be honest, Tannen definitely won't fit in every game, against every opponent. But when you take him against the right enemy, he can be such a pain for them, and such a boon to you. Plus, I think he's just cool in general! Fluff and model-wise, etc.

For some reason I woke up this morning and wanted to do something about the poor, neglected Guild Autopsy. I like them, but they really aren't competitive, or even decent models (rule-wise; the sculpts are cool). At best they are situationally useful against living and/or guardsmen models, but do possess one of the few ranged attacks of the Resser minions. I intend, with these suggested house rules, to give the Autopsy a boost in the areas it seems like it was meant to be useful in. Everything you see here is added to the Guild Autopsy's stat card. Rules that are mentioned that already exist on the stat card replace the ones already there. So without further ado: Guild Autopsy Abilities Shambling Too Far Gone: This model only generates a Corpse Counter if there is a model with the Body Parts ability currently in play. If picked up, it must immediately be converted into a single Body Part Counter. It cannot be used or considered as a Corpse Counter for any other purpose. Horrific Reflection: This model receives +Crows to Ca while within 2” of a Guild model. This Could Be You: If this model is killed by a Guardsman, it may immediately use the Confront Mortality Action as if it were a (1) Action and this model had Slow to Die, targeting the model that killed it. Triggers Cb (Rams) Friendly Fire [Guard Pistol]: If the target of this attack is a Guild model, reduce the target’s Defence Total by 1. Df (Rams) Broken Armour: Armour +1 for the duration of this attack. Spells (0) Memories of Service (CC: 11 /Rst - /Rg: C) The next Sword Strike this model makes receives +2 Cb against non-Guild models. These additions make the Autopsy better against Guild, but also gives them some versatality if you wanted to take them against non-Guild. I made Memories of Service a (0) Spell because there will be times when you can't use Surprise! because of a lack of living enemies. I made Surprise! easier to cast against Guild, because we know how much Ressers need their Crows, and I really doubt that you'd be saving a 8+ of Crows for this. To make them a little more durable, they have a chance to get Armour. Shambling helps them from getting stuck in terrain. I kept Too Far Gone, but mitigated its disadvantage slightly for crews containing McMourning, Sebastian or Rafkin. Everything else seems pretty self-explanatory. I mostly wanted to improve its effectiveness against Guild and living models without changing its cost or going outside of its fluff. Considering these changes, would you be more inclined to take the Guild Autopsy? Comments and criticism appreciated. Thanks!

Ah okay. Well, they don't really smell like anything in particular, but this is what I'm talking about: Notice how, particularly with the first one, the section of armour has sunk back against the legs. I'm not really fussed about it, but I just thought I'd mention it.

At last, he arrives in Australia (well, my part of Australia - northern NSW/south QLD). I've already assembled the Ashigaru and Soul Porter. Sadly, they are not perfect. The stat cards are, like with many already reported, misprinted. Chiaki is dual-faction and the Soul Porter costs 5 SS, while there is no card for Mr. Lo's chi paths. So hopefully Wyrd is doing something about that. EDIT: Probably should have read that thread about what they're doing before I posted this. Excellent! I've also encountered a couple of minor miscasts on two of the Ashigaru. The bottom section of their armour appears to be actually in under the 'skirt' and connected to the legs - but they are not really a problem because I can just paint them so that they don't stand out. Anyone else get this?

Well, today my courier/parcel deliverer brought me something I only ordered this week, but not Yan Lo. That means he's either not at the package depot yet or he's buried under a mountain of other mail. Either way I'm not happy. Or I just don't understand how the mail system works.

Thanks for the help and compliments guys. Unfortunately I'm not going to have time to paint between now and a weeks' time, so the hair will have to wait. But I will get around to touching it up/possibly redoing it after then.

That's how I discovered them too. Alan Wake is one of my favourite games, and it introduced me to one of my favourite bands. A couple more ideas: -Shooting targets for prizes (simple duels) -Terrifying tests in some areas, or while you have LoS to something 'scary' -Something that messes with stats, like making you dizzy or intoxicated

You're not the only one (myself and Ausplosions also), so it must be something to do with the Australian shipment, I guess? If none of us (going off three Australian's probably isn't the best sample size, but whatever) have gotten it yet then it probably isn't overflowing Christmas mail that's holding our orders up.

Poets of the Fall! They're awesome! You're awesome for linking them! This sounds like a pretty cool idea. A House of Mirrors could make certain spells that are resisted bounce back on the caster, or give models increased Df, or mess with LoS somehow. Carnival Games could get you Soulstones; seems like it'd be too good to give out VPs, but it's your board.

Thanks Guardian. You're right about the dry brushing! I have been painting models for about seven years now, but my painting only really got 'good' when I started Malifaux. Just from my experience with this model, the first of my plastics, I definitely agree that they are harder to paint than metal (they, and some of their details, are so tiny!). I think a lot of points you mentioned are where I went wrong. I could spray lighter. I could dilute the paints more. Drybrushing is usually the way I highlight (express mode!). I definitely won't be giving up any time soon Is there something I can do to reduce the grainy-ness on the dress? My painting has never been top quality, but it doesn't usually bother me because I prefer playing the game to painting. But with Malifaux there is more focus on individual models, so I do like to do a better job than on say a 40k model. Thanks for your tips

I have finished my Oiran, although I am unsure how I feel about her. Not sure what I'd change though, at the same time. I want complete and brutal honesty about both the hair specifically, and the model in general. All comments and criticism welcome.

Alright, I'll get right on it. Thanks again Edit: And, I will check out the Lady J. tutorial.

Wow, that was a fast reply! Alright, I'll give that a go, and report back here. Thanks for your help Mako. Pictures when I'm finished! EDIT: Also, thanks Evilbleachman! I think what I'm imagining is a snowy white. So I'd be best going with the greys for that effect, yes?

Greetings all! I've just started painting an Oiran. I primed her in black because I wanted to do a dark purple dress and stuff...and then on a whim I decided I am going to paint her hair white. Thing is, I'm unsure how to make the white look good. At the moment it has no depth, and is just a flat sort of white. I've read a few things around the 'net, but not a lot about painting white hair. I assume it'd be quite similar to painting a white tunic or cloak, (although I'm unsure how I'd approach that as well...). So, I've come to ask for help. The first idea I had was to maybe do a coat of grey, and then dry brush white over it. And then...well, that was my only idea. Is this something I should try? I'm hesitant to just throw the grey on without knowing if it will be worth it, as I've noticed the plastic models don't tend to hold as much detail as the metal after you start painting them (they're still good though!) and I don't want to put on any unnecessary coats. Is this is a good idea, or is there a better way? I'm working with gamesworkshop paints (the old range), if that makes a difference. Thanks!

Alas no. I've received just about every other thing I have ordered in the mail. I do hope it arrives soon.

Whoops, I meant my question about the Steamborg and Roar, but I think that answers it anyway. Thanks! Too bad about Purity.

Could someone, preferably Ratty, answer my question about More Metal than Man and Roar, please?

Since this is the official ruling, I accept it, and there is not much else to say, but the way it is written on Nicodem's stat card can be interpreted differently (and not without merit), as we see in this thread. It should be worded similarly to More Metal than Man, to avoid this confusion, should it not? Question about your example with living constructs. Are you saying that a construct that is also living (such as the Steamborg) would not be affected by an ability such as Roar, which affects "Living" models? This would support your statement about Embrace Death, but I want to be sure.

I can't imagine how one could play minimum 40ss. 35ss games take something like 3 hours, depending on the crews/players. I was a little concerned that the box contains less than 20ss of models, but, like most starter crews, you need to buy something to get that diversity and competitive edge anyway, so an additional purchase or two are expected. And considering the most likely purchases are each over 7ss, it won't take much to get into my usual level - 30ss. Although they haven't arrived yet, I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Chiaki is an interesting minion. It'll certainly take me a few games to figure out what she's meant to do/where she fits in. Some obvious tricks stand out immediately, but I can't help but think she has some deeper uses. Not quite sure what to do with the abilities that let you turn Undead to living. Her healing ability doesn't seem like its the only thing you'd do it for.

They can't because the wording of their talent More Metal than Man is different. It says, specifically, that they "can be targeted by [...] spells that only target Constructs." Emphasis mine. This rule is quite more specific than Embrace Death. I'm not trying to play devil's advocate, and I know your say carries a lot of weight (if not ultimate deciding weight) but I am looking at the words logically here, as I would interpret them. The v2 stat card says "This model can choose to gain Undead when affected by [...] spells that affect Undead." Which to me would mean that he can be affected by Purity, as it does not need to target him, and it affects all non-living models, which includes Undead. My understanding is that a spell doesn't specifically have to say 'Undead' for Nicodem's Embrace Death to take effect. However, I struggle to find other examples of spells like Purity that affect 'non-living' models. Purity affects non-living, so it affects Undead. Nicodem can gain Undead when affected by a spell that affects Undead. Purity affects Undead, so it can affect Nicodem if he so chooses. Please help me to understand how, as the words are written now, this is not possible.

I think this debate is more centred around whether he can be affected by it for his own gain. There's no doubt that there is a situation where he is not affected.

This is interesting. Nicodem can choose to gain Undead when he would be affected by a talent or spell that affects Undead. Purity affects non-living models, which includes Undead. I'd be inclined to say it would work.

The instructions are very helpful. I've never used Vassal before but I seem to have gotten the hang of things pretty quickly. The most important thing to do I think will be to learn all the hotkeys so you can speed things up. A lot of them aren't intuitive, but I'm sure there's a reason for it. I do have Skype, but my computer doesn't support microphone input. I assume that's the whole reason we're exchanging Skype names? I live in Australia which could make it difficult to get matches with a lot of people, but I'm plenty interested in giving it a go when I have time.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if it was important enough to go in there.

Greetings. I bought the Kaeris box a while ago, but I only just opened it. I discovered that I have two of the same stat card for a Fire Gamin. I know it's pretty minor, but it makes it hard to keep track of the models in game, if two of the stats are for one model. I noticed the Fire Gamin stat card isn't on the store. Is there a way I can get it replaced? Is this something I should use the "mispacked models" form for? Thanks!