Bigkid

Totally agree mate. I think people just sort of imagine a benefit where there isn't really one.

There I was, happily gaming away last Thursday evening when two lads came over to see what was happening. After a few introductions (we're very polite down our club...) I started singing the praises of Malifaux which is, in my most humble opinion, the best tabletop skirmish game I've played. Imagine my despair when they turned and said that they'd looked at getting into Malifaux (having been attracted by the background and miniatures) only to be put off by the belief that the game was very unbalanced. I was a little shocked by this and asked where they'd got this ridiculous notion from. Their response was that they had paid a brief visit to the Malifaux forum. I've been thinking about this ever since and I'm coming to the conclusion that the term 'Broken' is now itself broken. Think about it, how many Masters have had the label 'Broken' attached to them? Pandora, Dreamer, Hamelin, Zoraida, Perdita, McMourning, Kirai, Rasputina, Hoffman, Colette now S'omer. Even Henchman aren't safe with Ophelia, Collodi and Von Schill all getting tarred with the same brush. Now I'm not suggesting that there aren't a few changes that could/should be made to a few rules/abilities that would improve the overall Malifaux experience but imagine you're a new player looking at getting into Malifaux and you decide to visit the official forum for a few pointers only to be faced with a torrent of negativity. The term 'Broken' holds an almost mystical sway over the wargaming community and as such should not be used lightly. Like I said, I'm all for suggesting slight changes that may improve the overall gaming experience but declaring that a Master is 'Broken' (often despite strong counter arguments) is damaging Malifaux's reputation as the saviour of tabletop wargaming (ok, I may of exaggerated that last bit....or not).

Love it. Break them all! Only once we reach total brokennessy (brokenism, brokenisation...) can true balance be achieved!

Do it! I painted up a bit of street (I hope it looks better than it sounds..) for my Seamus crew. Looks so much better than just bunging them on a shelf. And stick coppelius in the back somewhere like a creepy phantom of the opera type thing!

Are there really people out there that base their crews on what other people tell them are good or bad selections?? What an sad, empty experience their gaming must be.

I guess I may of come across as overly negative in my post (I was recovering from watching Arsenal getting yet another stuffing...). I was just warning of the dangers of using fluff just to get what we want. Obviously abilities must have some basis in fluff otherwise I'd demand Seamus gains the ability to breath fire and fly...*wink*

If there's one model that should ignore 'Superior dead' it's the flippin' Exorcist. Oh well.

I'm not comfortable with the use of 'fluff' as an excuse to get the upgrades we crave. It seems to me that 'fluff' excuse is responsible for most of the over-powered aspects of Malifaux (look no further than the Dreamer...). Stating that a character gets off on death and thus should gain a benefit for anything dying (ceasing to be animated??) around him seems a stretch. Would a psychotic killer get of on a robot shutting down? I don't reckon. I'd be happy with '...when a non-construct model is killed...'

I was talking in relation to Mosquitos, in which case the changes I listed make 'Swamp Gas' a sucky upgrade. As sucky as Ophelia after 10 jars of 'shine....

Stunning! I think you've convinced me that more buildings, closer together is the way forward for my own Wild West board.

I think what this situation shows more than anything is that Avatar Seamus has indeed solved the Terror-lacking situation of his normal counterpart and that with the simple addition of Instinctual and a couple more Souls Stones (perhaps a nice new hat...) Seamus will be the well rounded individual we all know and love...

I wont lie to you, I'd love to see this happen. OK, I'm with you. Live for Pain with no Ranged Icon is a great idea. Don't be thinking you can convince me on the H2W shenanigans mind!!

Tee hee!

See, Buhallin wants a new hat for Seamus. A lovely new hat, Instinctual and some nice shiney Soul Stones.

Another good one. Funny it seems so obvious when you see it... Anyway, I'm starting to get a bit worried about old AS'omer. Played AS'omer last night v's a Viks/Von Schill crew and got **censored**! (No word of a lie, I was on the wrong side of a 7 string Whirlwind! Just sat there with my hand of $$$$$$$$e thinking 'Well, this doesn't happen everyday...') and I'm struggling to see what it is he does. You know....actually does?? You manifest and you lose the hand manipulation spell. You lose the frankly awesome 'Pull my Finger' spell ('Swamp Gas' is a very poor subsitute. Df resists with a 13 needed to cast with a Mosquito does not make you friends down the Bayou...). You gain a load of WP buffs but.....so what?? Anyone want to mentally slap me (like a hysterical lass on a sinking ship) and bring me back to my senses?? Please??

Then we're all agreed! Instinctual and a couple more SS it is! Maybe a new hat....

Instinctual and a couple more SS would be enough for me....*wink*

I'm pretty sure I posted: 'I find that even in his current state he is a viable Master against most opponents (other than the big 4), he just needs a little push.' Hardly a statement declaring him a 'solid competitive Master' but hey ho. Guess we'll have to disagree as to his current abilities. Malifaux, more than any other game I've played (and before you say it, I've played a hell of a lot!!) seems to encourage the theory side of things. And let's face it, any Master in the game can be dissected and found wanting when compared to specific opponents in specific situations. I'll continue to use Seamus. I'll continue to win my fair share of games. And I'll continue to enjoy losing with him when it happens. Cheers mate.

I find this a ludicrous argument. You could just as easily claim that Seamus is almost invulnerable as the increased negative flips mean there is more chance of flipping the black joker. I think we've all agreed that Seamus has too few SS and it is a given that he requires more to compete. The Terrifying issue has been addressed by his Avatar form. Locking him in combat should be extremely difficult when he's accompanied by Belles (as mentioned earlier). I find that even in his current state he is a viable Master against most opponents (other than the big 4), he just needs a little push. I wouldn't like to see him have his whole character changed just to keep up in an ever increasing arms race. If you want to play a Resser Master that requires little thought choose Kirai. If you want a laugh and the knowledge that you really did deserve that win, choose Seamus.

Terraclips?

And potentially move out of an unwanted melee. Or indeed, into melee range....

Used Peaches the other night and I loved it (her/him??). Another tactic when facing Terror crews is to keep a Bayou Gremlin near by (or summon one when taking damage. Love that trigger!) then, when it takes a Terror test, cheat it to a fail (if you initially succeed what with all the plus flips...) Bingo! Fully healed Peaches! (see: 'The Other White Meat'). Happy days!

I think you under-estimate him as is. If you want to re-write his character so he becomes over-powered then you may as well go play Neverborn (oh wait, you do ). I use Seamus as my main Master and really don't see him as massively lacking, other then against the top 4 Masters but then who doesn't struggle against them? And we'll have to agree to disagree about Avatars as that's exactly how I see them working. They improve some areas whilst reducing the effectiveness of others. Want a proper terror engine? Manifest. Happy to keep raising belles and blowing holes in folk? Stay as standard. I don't think Seamus needs 'fixing', that implies he's broken (and lord knows that's not the case) I believe he just needs a gentle nudge...

You say 'brainless and boring' I say simple and effective. Combined with an increase in SS it would be in keeping with the character of Seamus as is. If you're going to change 4 or 5 things you might as well rewrite the whole character. Which, as the Avatar already addresses several of his short-comings, I don't think is necessary.

Also that list will struggle to finish a 6 turn game in an evening. You might have to wake your opponent several times as he may well fall asleep...