Boshea

Rat Catchers, and the Wretch I believe are the only other core models for Hamelin. If I remember correctly the core of Hamelin's model pool is Nix, 12 Rats, 6 stolen, 2 Rat Catchers, and the Wretch.

Jealous of that skin tone on Lilith

We'll start with Lilith. After my so-so work on the Showgirls, I decided to try a different method for Lilith's skin, copied from Privateer's Circle Orboros books. I think it worked out pretty well. I took a lot of time on the red hair, too, using a tutorial from an old No Quarter magazine; it turned out much better than earlier attempts on the Showgirls (poor Showgirls. I kind of want to buy another starter of them and go for a re-do). I made her look more human than the others, as if she had mated with some demon, rather than being one herself. The kiddies get the ginger hair from her side of the family.

Due to some unfortunate chipping I ended up stripping everything I've painted. So far only Von Schill has been repainted and in a new Freikorp scheme since I didn't like the old one on him. Looked good on every other member except him, and he's the one who is going to get the most play.

Only one angle currently since he became detached from the base when I tried adjusting him. His feet must have gotten bent when removing him from the slot insert since I didn't notice him leaning forward until I went to take a picture from the side. A sign I probably should have pinned him to his base. I'm also making good on my word that I'd repaint my Freikorp in Ultramarine colors. Pretty much just switching the stuff I did in Knarloc Green with Mordian Blue, and going for lighter colors in certain places. The lighter colors is what fixed my Von Schill paint job. Swapping the Snakebite Leather parts for Dheneb Stone and going with Calthan Brown instead of Bestial Brown for my leathers. Beyond that change a few detail colors and brush up on codex approved color schemes based on space marine rank.

Also since I don't have more pics to post, random Blood Bowl tangent.

They're basically the Space Marines of Malifaux - great for new players and small games.

They even come with power armor...... Totally repainting my Freikorps as Ultra Marines now.

Misaki, Convict Gunslinger, and Johan would give you a pretty bare bones crew for 25 stones with a cache of 7. Can also take the student too if you wish. If you're willing to expand the models a little I'd strongly recommend Ronin, since they are needed for the Vik's Another One. People either like or dislike Hans, and I've yet to figure out how to play Jack Daw.

I'd say Viks or Von Schill (if you don't mind leading with a henchman). There is almost no overlap in minions between Outcast masters so its really a process of elimination based on what you have. You got a ton of mercenaries, and mercenaries are the basis for a Vik crew.

Seems fairly accurate to me, but this thread is gold more for the clever come backs than any accurate tier system. Still I've always wondered why you hold Kirai in such high standings Calmdown. I just don't see the same level of shenanigans in Kirai as Dreamer, but I may just lack the play experience.

The Viks are a crew with an answer for everything, because mercenaries are designed to be answers for things a faction is lacking. Not having to pay the mercenary fee is the only thing that makes the crew workable, since the 0 cache can be brutal at times. The tried and true 25SS Vik+Gunslinger+3xRonin list would have a cache of 1 if we had to pay the mercenary fees. I think the problem with that versatility is that when making a crew you may go against taking a niche model to beat certain masters for a more versatile model in the event they don't take that master.

Sue is the biggest example of this since there are some matches where he'd really shine. However it involves giving up the Trapper, the Gunslinger, and VonSchill, three models which are extremely useful in almost any circumstance. The other problem with mercenaries is that they are definitely a low model count crew which can sometimes be a disadvantage. We only have two options (currently) under 5 stones, one of which leaves halfway through the game. About the only other reason I could think why you don't see mercenary crews topping tournaments is because we play "fair". Merc crews don't exactly warp games or have shenanigans like Dreamer, Hamelin, etc.

So a friend of mine is having trouble beating my Viks with his Kirai crew. Pretty much every game can be summed up as "Whirlwind happened". Personally I think a big part of that has been me getting a dumb number of Masks when going for it, and being able to flip/cheat past the Onryo's Haunt. Another part of the problem is lack of models, since he currently doesn't have Shikome or Gaki.

We're playing at 25 stones currently with the following lists

Kirai Ankoku -- 8 Pool

Lost Love [2ss]

Datsue-Ba [7ss]

Seishin [2ss]

Seishin [2ss]

Seishin [2ss]

Seishin [2ss]

Seishin [2ss]

Viktoria -- 5 Pool

Convict Gunslinger [5ss]

Ronin [5ss]

Ronin [5ss]

Ronin [5ss]

I've been reading through the units and nothing is really jumping out at me for how to deal with the Viks other than "grind out the games". Just the games have been so one sided to the point of not wanting to play.

Really enjoyed it, and its helpful considering my group is just starting out. Oddly enough primarily with unrecommended masters (Viks, Pandora, Ortegas, McMourning, and Kirai).

My problem with eyes is more that I can't get them both looking where I want. Several failed attempts resulting in Derp eyes before I got them to an acceptable point. Fortunately I'm working through the Freikorps currently which all wear blank easy to paint goggles, except Schill but he's getting painted last.

Freikorps Librarian

Freikorps Trapper

Freikorps Specialist

Specialist's backpack is magnetized on so that I can easily track when he detonates his tank, also because I couldn't find my pinning rods at the time.

Convict Gunslinger

Taelor, Lady Hammerstrike

Bounty Hunter Viktoria

Sword Mistress Viktoria

Only model left to paint for my core group is the Freikorps Librarian until my Ronin show up. Just not sure if I want to go for my own color scheme for the Freikorps or stick to the example one. Oddly enough the only model that didn't give me trouble with eyes was the gunslinger, who I painted first, at 4 in the morning, and didn't use an illustration marker for. Every other attempt at dotting eyes with my liner since then has failed horribly. Debating how I want to base them but I'm putting that off until I have all my core crew painted.