dancater

Looking very interesting. The two Death Marshal looking folks are intriguing and Allison Dade++ although given her look and background interesting that she is not the heavy hitter in the box (seems more theme) over Phiona Gage (who seems more random). I'm going to be interested to read the backstory fluff which explains Phiona.

Awesome Were-Gremlins?? look very interesting. Orange things look, kinda wrong and cool. But mostly love the banjo trio, time to pull out the dueling banjo soundtrack, audio warfare is a go. Masters cards are a great addition and I'm hoping I'll be able to find and attend enough events to make some Guilders. Also baited breath for what is next (I wonder if it is going to be reverse the Ripples master reveal order, which means Outcasts next I think...)

Also I'd still consider Joss, you clearly have the model (so cheap) and he is a really solid all around beater with durability. I've never played with Firestarter (Kaeris is on my list but have her box on back queue for assembly) but Joss is an excellent Henchman leader model and he adds something to any Arcanist master he runs with. I'd run Joss and other minions, enforcers and devote my resources to getting Mei Feng and Kang in a standard campaign. With permission from all other players to take Kang as Arcanist pre-Mei that changes the entire dynamic. In that case Kang alone or your Firestarter/Kang combo is reasonable. Again Joss/Kang would also work, but I do think that maybe Firestarter brings more to provide variety from Kang than Joss does.

The observations above are 100% valid from what I know. However I'll also add that Colette and crew are regarded as one of the trickier master-crew combos to ....master?? This is a crew where a mistake can hurt you really quickly, durability is one weakness and the need to position things carefully is another consideration. It not really much surprise to observe that every crew has a learning curve and you'll always have a composition debate of 'if I include this I lose that' but I think that Colette (at least in Arcanists) is slightly tougher than her colleagues. So at least initially things maybe a little.. tense.. during your initial games. The pure showgirls theme is very functional and adaptable but also mistake fragile, the lovely ladies rely more on tricks than raw wounds to stay upright, if you miss a key trick it is usually bad and often irreversible. Colette is also an amazing support master across a wide variety of models however (outside theme), I'd get in rough order; Coryphee Duet (either one box, modelling skill and magnets or two boxes and laziness), theme, beater with speed and durability, SS expensive and NEVER let them die alone Ramos box, Joss and Howard are superb and the Spiders are useful especially if you have the Mech Rider, or get it later. In addition you get a free master for variety December Acolyte because they are inexpensive to purchase and really good with the Queen of the stage Angellica, she's theme, she's good, but in general it's a choice to double down on what Colette and the girl's already do really well Mechanical Rider, brings some durability and punch with speed and potential end games summons (hence you'll need spiders or metal gamin here) Arcane Effigy it's cheap, it's useful Raptors are really mobile but I think that this is less vital for Colette as her crew does this well already Ice Dancers, never used them, they are released soon, showgirls theme and add yet more speed and scheme tricks and shenanigans to further the objective of 'make opponent cry with frustration as pretty girls in dresses tactics own hard-bitten desperadoes armed to the teeth' Than it gets more open Arcane Emissary is good, you can theme things like burning [Willie, Fire Gamin], Gunsmiths are reliable all rounders, plenty of great mercs [with Johan I think to useful to not be a must buy], Marcus box and Mei Feng box both have some useful models

Oops I missed that totally, thanks hydranixx, they camouflaged it in a different area which I barely skimmed. I'd certainly be interested in a totem which could do some actual heavy lifting in terms of directed violence although points cost would be high, especially if it can be repeatedly summoned and retain its utility. I am wondering it it is more along the lines of a pulse/aura type damage piece (which is solid given its expected 50mm base size). Still I will admit I'd like to see some smash face summoned beast action, given that Sandeep box does not have a big hitter (its not Sandeep at least although the upgrades do indicate he'll likely hit somewhat harder, the Poison Gamin are minions and I would imagine will be 3-5 SS and powered accordingly although Kudra seems she could hit hard "physical prowess" and all). We'll see, maybe its the arrival of the >6 SS totem? Guess we have about 2 weeks to find out because I'm guessing the first OMG posts will occur about 10 mins after GenCon doors opening, and then only because of foot transit time to Wyrd booth and time for money to exchange hands, box be opened and tablet log on. Did I mention how jealous I get this time of year of those people who actually live in the same country as GenCon (or even hemisphere..), I'll have to wait several torturous weeks for mine to be mailed to me

He looks interesting, also still intrigued as to what now seems likely to be the big base and certainly visually impressive totem (Banasuva), although it could be his totems are the Poison Gamin (??) and its not impossible that he'll have no specific totem, but now that Kudra is confirmed as not the totem (Henchman or Enforcer I guess) it seems most probable Banasuva is. The question is 'how/what mechanic?' plenty of options so very curious. I'll also be interested to see if his upgrades will give him some sort of directed buffs to certain gamin (such as more Burning or Poison, some sort of Frozen Heart synergy...)? Will he be able to summon any gamin type or will he be restricted to a certain type/types and if so will the choice of limited upgrade change these restrictions? The card is great but really have almost as many questions now based on what I did not know but now do....? Still cool, but also evil Wyrd as now the Academics from other factions add to my ridiculously bloated collection (roll on the Sanctioned Spell Casters....., what no.. pop!).

Isn't Lovelace an Academic

Awesome series of reveals this week, much thanks to Wyrd for a first class run up to GenCon and building the anticipation (although folks you're setting up dangerous future expectations of continued similar work ). Really liking most of what I've seen in a quick all master overview, with the hints in the descriptions think we are getting a solid idea of how each plays and their potential crew interactions. Also have to say Zipp's upgrade which allowed him to Drop Pianos on his enemies, simply made my morning.

Legit to bow out on Nightmare because it is after all a more expensive purely aesthetic purchase and if the theme does not grab you then why.... Having said that I'm knife edge balanced, I was expecting price as over US$100 based on shear scale of box but its under (just) which is nice. Having said that the new crews and fate decks are superb and they are pretty much screaming to be bought and used. So a limited edition set for pure appearance value on a already looking expensive GenCon weekend online order.... I'm not sure and I suspect a heavy deciding factor will be the US to Australia (damn I hate living so far away) shipping prices which always hurt and always seem to get more expensive. Please Wyrd do whatever you can to have multiple shipping options and at least one that gets carried across Europe and Asia by donkey and crosses the oceans on a life raft rowed by a discarded Apple robotic experiment someone re-purposed from a dumpster, anything to make shipping cost a little less. Please......

Plenty of pre-release models and I assume a good volume of the current stock for catch up, huzzah. Nightmare box is tempting.... But my surprise was 3 new Fate Decks, 2 of which are so gorgeous I will inevitably have to buy them and continue on my quest to be able to play a dozen games of Malifaux with official Fate decks and not use the same one twice. Seriously Wyrd this is getting ridiculous, I'm running out of places to store decks and yet you keep on bringing out more spectacular ones. It's deck crack, "c'mon buddy, just one more, look at it, it's so pretty, one more, you won't regret it...". Bugger.

Well this is awkward... I loved Reva and Nellie in the master previews and their boxes are simply superb (although I too share the dread of the Press) Sandeep I was buying on principle as an Arcanist but like his box a lot, love the poison theme as well as that will have some interesting cross over to other models, I'm talking to you Marcus and Cassandra. Also Cobra lady, is simply divine (I'm guessing she is the totem, love the concept and image). I also liked the Wild Ones and had a bunch of bag log stuff I wanted to grab I'd been saving for a big order. All fine I budgeted for considerable wallet pain, but this, this gentlefolks is simply not cricket, I cry foul. Titania box is exquisite, all individual models, angry environment black Fae imagery and a giant freaking cobra.... me love A Fistful of Script, damn it Parker was a master I thought I could put off but his box and its concept is superb. Sky Pirates, I mean the first mate alone is awesome, this box also excellent. Finally my least favorite master imagery Asami, but an excellent Oni theme which I love and Amanjaku alone tempts me to buy the damn crew. Simply put out of the park hit for me in this collection, every master and crew is evocative and interesting in image and concept and has the creative juices flowing, without knowing the rules I still want to own and play them all. Most unfair Wyrd, I singularly demand that you exercise design control and reduce the % of great so I can work to budget on money and time (I mean the thought of putting them all together and finding time to fully play even 3 or 4 new crews, love it but...).... I was not planning to be poor by mid-August, but I'm going to be.

Lots of companies make nice play mats now a days. I'd say Frontline Games FAT Mats and Deep-Cut Studios Mats are my favorites, Deep-Cut in particular have a nice range of 3'x3' durable mats which fit Malifaux field size perfectly. Terrain wise there is huge varieties with corresponding variations in price and quality. Ebay has many private builders posting, many companies make everything from tress to hills and swamps (Galeforce9 used to do some great pieces I use), Plasticraft games and others do Malifaux style buildings and such and places like 4Ground, Table Top World, MicroArt Studios and others do nice resin or laser cut MDF buildings. Then of course some terrain pro's will do custom work as well for a price. Essentially ranging from some books, a few bits of sponge and a small sheet at the cheapest end to custom terrain tiles and pro crafted and painted terrain pieces its price which is your limiting agent and not availability if you have an internet connection.

I'm really interested, while unlikely to have Gremlin player characters (not impossible but, meh..) at the moment I am very interested for the details it will hopefully provide for the Bayou which is an area I really want to explore and this should provide a great foundation. In addition the beastiary and gear sections should provide more fodder for the machine. Finally it should be noted that it is likely to contain pursuits and options which are not exclusive to Gremlin's, for example Zoraida and McTavish are both non-gremmy faction. So yeah I'm at least one on the interested and waiting for release side.

Was looking over Mei Feng and the Arcane Emissary, while seeing what PullMyFinger had to say I noted the statement that the official Malifaux errata stated that the Emissary's dropped -6 Ca Railwalker scrap marker vanishes once Mei has used it. I quickly looked and could not find this errata ruling, so first question is this confirmed and if so where? Second question is what if Mei does not Railwalker, does the scrap marker then persist? I imagine if it is an errata this would also be explained but want to check. Thanks community.

On both posts I agree with decker-cky. Colette works well with a good number of models and in particular several of the models in the Ramos box (in fact everything but Ramos and his totem) in particular when you get the excellent Mech Rider for summons. The Coryphee's are simply excellent if very expensive (you normally have to think of them at the Duet cost, its rare and not optimal to take only one). You need to field them singly but will as soon as possible combine them, from a modelling, transport, painting and gaming perspective it is far simpler just buying two sets and making separate singles and a duet, the cost is ultimately not that prohibitive, but you can magnet model just one box for either. Also theme+. The December acolyte is a great piece and shines with Colette, well worth the purchase. Ice Dancer I have not played it only releases soon, so not certain here, but she is a Showgirl, so theme. Angelica is good but a model which brings "more of what you have" to a Colette crew, it really lets you max certain tactics but she does not cover the Colette weaknesses as well. She is fun and worth taking but on a budget and if not staying on a Showgirl theme I'd hold off, but yeah theme+. The Arcane Effigy and Arcane Emissary are both really good, the Effigy is cheap (in $ and SS) and well worth taking, the Emissary, well its good but I'd go Mech Rider first. Mech Rider is versatile and if the scheme/strat pool is right and your opponent does not immediately plan against her she feels almost unfair to play. The Mech Rider simply always pulls her weight even if it is in distracting large amounts of resources in order to kill her. Great model, but she needs other models (like Ramos's spiders) to summon. Orian is a mercenary/TT Showgirl, so thematic. But in a Colette crew not particularly useful and honestly rarely worth the Merc tax in order to take her, but I mention her because she is a theme Showgirl which can be taken. Miss Fire, not sure because I've never taken Willie with Colette, but the theory is certainly valid and the model is gorgeous, so I will be. In essence I'd always go Coryphee first, simply makes theme and build sense. Then I'd grab depending on budget, power and theme. For theme Angelica and Ice Dancers. For power and value Ramos (multiple models and bonus master). For budget the December Acolytes because they are awesome and a cheaper purchase and maybe the Arcane Effigy. Mech Rider makes excellent fourth choice sense for any build (she is kinda a general Arcanist theme) and I'd only buy Orian's if I was a theme fanatic and I'd get the Arcane Emissary after I'd bought the Mech Rider.

Power wise masters and crews vary widely depending on player experience/preference, opponent crew composition, strat/scheme pool. While there are certainly masters and crews which are more flexible and in circumstances ridiculously powerful this is such a variable as to be nigh impossible to predict or advise on. However commenting on the learning curve of masters and their "normal" crew, this is easier (so my opinion on easiest to play to hardest): Rasputina; she blasts stuff with ice, her typical crew is resistant to horror (which can be a major issue for new players to manage) , while she is vulnerable she can cast through minions protecting her. The major problem is she is slow (problem in many scheme/strats) and fairly one dimensional (but it is a good dimension). Ramos; is a summoner and support guy, crew moves quickly and leaves resources he can use when they die, has some real heavy hitters available. Problem with him is he is reasonably vulnerable and summoners require careful cheat/card management in order to maximise them which can be tough on new players. Kaeris; very fast fire blaster support (almost opposite of Rasputina), she can work with her crew to heal and harm really effectively - good synergy, fast and thus useful for many scheme/strat pools. Problem is she is fast and can be fragile - easy to over extend, does not have the summoning or immunities of several other masters, relies on stacking the Burning condition and this can be tricky to do for new players, as a cascade master (stacking and building damage) you need to understand the basic tricks. Marcus; the shear variety and flexibility of options is both a draw and a negative - many beast options, plays very well as a fast moving smash face master/crew and he can set up to either do the melee heavy lifting himself or be more support nicely, very fast list options, good strat/scheme utility. Problem is he is not the most durable and nor is his crew in the main - really the list of fast alpha strike, his list 'width' can also result in a dilution of strength as selections can be a bit here and bit there instead of focused. Mei Feng; very tricksy fast melee master with surprising durability when you understand her tricks, crew tends to be slower and more durable, good synergy with crew grinding it out and supporting Mei bouncing around the battle field like a rabbit on meth. Mei can rapidly over extend and you need to understand how to get her out of trouble as fast as she can get into it, while crew is durable they can be slow so position game can be tough especially in some scheme/strats combos, access to Ten Thunders can create some weird (though useful) combinations which only experience teaches. Ironsides; Interesting but odd master, melee beast when she is placed correctly and has the right combinations operating, lots of wounds and base durability - but you need to take pain to deal pain so double edged sword, synergy with crew is not as simple or obvious as many masters, this means she can be flexible because she does not have any themes (such as Frozen Heart, Burning tokens, Beasts or Constructs) she simply should take. Really the trick here is that her play style is very tricky to maximise when you are inexperienced and she does not have much room for error. Colette; The showgirl is really all about the rehearsed performance, both extraordinarily vulnerable (low Wds, no armor) and durable (Df tricks) at the same time and this is true for a wide selection of her typical crew (such as the Corphees), her crew excels at scheme/strat manipulation and scheme marker tricks but mastering this aspect of the game is a lesson unto itself. Colette is a master who should have you flailing at feints, illusions and smoke but if you play her poorly you can't kill much and die real fast, she relies on pulling your opponent around by the nose her crew fulfilling schemes while the enemy futilely chase them around. I think Raspy is clearly the simplest master/crew to initially learn then Ramos and Kaeris follow. Marcus, Mei Feng and Ironsides are all pretty closely grouped and each bring a slightly different fast/melee master/crew combo to the battlefield, preference and play style will define which is easier to learn here as much as any inherent 'power'. Colette has the oddest play style and steepest learning curve, having said that you can play a Colette power list (Howard, Joss, Mech Rider combo) and simply smash an unwary opponent into the ground but even then the small number of models with (relative) vulnerability means this list is still hard. Hope this all helps.

From this we know that Solkan either has some sort of career interest in the textile, rubber, polymer industry or that they have a truly disturbing rubber fetish and to much time on their hands. Honestly though, Malifaux cannot complain about a lack of intellectual input on the boards, modelling/sculpt debates with historical reference and I now can surprise people at trivia nights. It is worth noting again that this is a game with various cyborgs and automatons, all a degree of technology not available.. well currently, let alone in the 19th century. Also I imagine that both cyborg and robot creation would likely involve utilising rubber or similar polymer compounds for tubing, seals and other such construction points, I certainly imagine so anyway. Also my guess is Sybelle has access to certain essential rubber items. Yeah I went there!

Love the models look. But... I am equally nonplussed by the theme/genre, I intellectually recognize in a steam/gothic/fantasy/horror magical world with cyborgs and monstrosities that really some lunatics on steampunk style motor/mono bikes is completely consistent. Nevertheless it feels slightly not on genre to me, just a shade odd looking, no real reason just is. Having said that I am old enough to remember 70's punk and I still love both it and some of its modern derivatives, for this reason alone I might be forced to purchase the box. Besides I don't have a shag pile carpet and I retain a few shreds of sanity and patience from Yan Lo and Gremlin feet construction, this should be adequate to institutionalize me.

Lady Justice is different in nature to Sonnia and Perdita who both work and field more ranged death based crews. Justice is a melee monster and her crew seems to play more up close than most other Guild. Justice box also provides, as you've observed, the excellent and flexible Death Marshals. However Justice is still a pretty blunt instrument, hulk smash master, like Sonnia and Perdita. Lucius, 'The Hoff' and McCabe are all more support/nuanced masters in play and less likely to do the heavy damage lifting themselves. Lucius is considered by many as under powered and certainly requires a well thought crew that he can buff and support, he can be a one trick maestro that your opponent can negate if you are not careful. I think you can make great, multi-faceted crews with him and like him fine but I also heavily use Neverborn models to make this purr (often taking him as NB). May not be your thing. The Hoff I have not got but I understand he is powerful and fun. McCabe I've never played although I do have him and use Wastrel's and Sidir with Lucius and they can be dangerous, unexpected and durable models with him. He also obviously opens a TT pathway. Likewise the Mad Doctor is a workable Guild master, although I think most folks field him Rezzers. I have fielded him with the corpse coalition but never as a Guildie, so I would state he's fun and flexible but running with Guild.... ?? not sure if you'll really see his full scope. That is the Guildcentric answer, everything else is out-faction. For useful models and solid crew I'd get Lady J For a different type of force with real power punch the Hoff is your metal man. For playing something Guild+ other faction Lucius (nuanced, fun, unforgiving of errors, good Guild play), McCabe (sorry not sure I can really say, but seems fun) and McMourning (really needs to be explored including Rezzer options, but when he roles he roles hard and fun).

Like that, narrative is superb counter-swing to the new Guild media master. The official instrument of news and propaganda meet the explosive rhetoric (or just explosives) of the common working Malifauxer.

Also looking forward to someone who is a far better modeler, painter and all round blade and brush whiz than myself making an alt for Colette crew of Miss Fire riding a unicycle.

Well the render looks lovely, I hope the model is as good. So another auto-damn-buy as Wyrd continues to feed my Arcanist fixation. Man every time I look at Miss Fire I can't help but think that she is related to Ironside's and that is one damn mean stubborn family, at least for me I'll be working her into my Ironside's crew as often as possible just because. Awesome alt-figure. Course now we needs to know what other shinies are proposed for the Gen-Con releases... Also last note, the posting of the penny-farthing riding, African heritage (at least in appearance), stogie smoking, explosive throwing freedom fighter on July 4th preview. I'm Australian and not US but kudoes gentlemen and ladies, kudoes

The last of what has been in my opinion a first class batch of forthcoming masters. Really looking forward to grabbing a number of them which is arguably more than I can afford, put together in the time I have and really play fully until I meet a partner willing to work and keep me in the game loving luxury I crave, oh well. But to this little rocket strapped mad gremlin. An unusually small (one might say insignificantly proportioned) hat. Model and render look good, not my favorite of this selection but I like it, rules look intriguing and entertaining. But Sky Pirates!! Nuff said, the thought of a band of scurvy, peg legged, eye patched gremlins riding the winds on a black canvassed dirigible. Well oh hell yeah. There had better be a bloody parrot involved, and maybe a really angry cat.

I am curious now we seem to have the Master and the minions as to what the totem and henchman are likely to be for this crew box.

I started this game with Colette and her troupe, Arcanist's are still my first love for this reason. So given my favorite crew are a collection of dancers, showgirls, stage actors and performers with I believe a single sword between them alongside a walking stick and some particularly harsh derision, ridicule and disdain I am pretty much 100% OK with the power of the press. Also when you consider the risks war reporters take on the front line and the impact they have had on the conduct of war, well I'm not going to ever argue the combat credentials and courage of a motivated person with a camera and pen. But each to their own flavor, I've never really found the switch for several masters, notably I am yet to field Ramos in my Arcanists (own him though), I like him in general but he has never been the priority and while I love an occasional Molly frolic in Rezzers and an odd McMourning as well I really don't like Seamus. This is one of the great things about Malifaux (thus far) solid balance and variety ranging from summoners, support, shenanigans, finesse combat all the way to the traditional blunt instrument to the face. But what I am really liking about this release set is some role/gender/ethnic inclusions, stereotype separation and diversity is increasingly apparent. Wyrd, you keep this up and I'll increase the pool I have of models which I plan to play with if only I could find innumerable opponents, infinite time and longevity bordering on immortality.