rythos42

I have a silly question... So, I buy a gift card today for $100 to get a Kaeris. I spend that gift card during GenCon for $100 to get SuperCoolSpecialModelX as a bonus? Feels like cheatery, so wanted to check.

If you think that being out activated is causing you stress, I know exactly how to fix it - don't play Guild! *cough* By which I mean, plan to try to out activate your opponent. i do this regularly, because I hate feeling like I'm on the back foot. This is part of why I value Metal Gamin so highly - 4ss models that don't die, means that I start with good activation control, and have a better chance of keeping it. I don't know your faction, but maybe there's something around similar that you can take advantage of? A lot of the 4ss models are amazing for their cost, and they'll go a long way towards getting you into higher model counts.

My strategy when I started -- pick a single Master and learn that one really well. That Master probably has a few models that are "in theme", and usually in theme has some good synergies. Just play that Master even if they aren't great for the strategy/scheme, it's fine, and you'll learn a lot. Play the first game at 35ss, then find a handful more models to play at 50ss. After a couple games (like 2-4), you'll realize that model X (but not your Master!) isn't pulling its weight. Not fast enough, not tanky enough, not killy enough, etc. Go to the rulebook and find a model that fills that hole you need filled and play again. Now you have extra models and can make a single decision based on what you know - bring model X, or bring the new one. Rinse and repeat until you think you've got all the holes filled. Then pick a new Master, because almost certainly your first choice isn't good enough at Reckoning (...no one is good enough at Reckoning...). I left the Master for the end, because as the most powerful models, they are more likely to require large changes of playstyle than swapping a Rail Worker for a Metal Gamin. The reason I like this method, is it doesn't force you to learn 20 new models at once. You learn as you go, making the process a lot less overwhelming. As someone said in another thread - it's better to know your models, than it is to bring the most efficient models for a job. But the corollary to that, is that if you can know your models and bring the most efficient, that's the best! If you're looking for actual information on what Master to bring to what combo, the wiki has information on this -- http://pullmyfinger.wikispaces.com/

I'm with Hateful, there's too much to think about on my own end, let alone theirs as well. At the same time, there are a few models that I like that cover a few bases -- like if my opponent declares Neverborn, in my area they are probably playing Lynch so I should probably bring Sue against Huggy. Some of the same models in this thread too -- http://wyrd-games.net/community/topic/107380-mercenaries-youre-playing/ -- like Johan(na) is a strong model against a good number of possible Resser/Arcanist/Outcast that it's hard not to bring her. Gremlins I think "oh hell, I've never played against Gremlins, what do I do?!" Resser I think "...again...?" And bring Kang.

My proxy is a Hell Dorado ifrit warrior: http://geeksong.com/pigment.apply/2014/03/malifaux-the-firestarter/

I think the Nothing is missing a pair of extra arms in the regular box? I really like the Nightmare static pose of Tara, so this more dynamic pose doesn't make me jealous of it. Ironsides....for my birthday!

I think it's not just expense. I like 35ss because it's a quicker game as well, so I'm more likely to be able to get a second "full" game in, even if both games are semi-stunted or not balanced, or whatever. I also occasionally like it because it forces you to make hard choices with crew selection - you can't have all your toys, so the toys you do bring had better be perfect for the job. Also, oddly, I designed a scenario for Walpurgis last year that actually played much better at 35ss. I played it a bunch at 50, and after we'd mucked out the big problems with it, we tried 35 (see above: not enough time in a day ) and it was much smoother. Fewer models meant that the tension to get points was higher, which made it more enjoyable. Obviously not the case with the Big 5, but it's a thing.

Just a thought...any chance you guys could rename the TTB "New Players Lounge" to something like "TTB New Players Lounge"? When I'm scrolling through the "New since my last visit" list, I wouldn't mind being able to tell if something is for TTB or Malifaux.

Whenever I take Thunderous Smash, I usually end up not using it. You'd think that against ressers, or when the scheme/strategy gets people to clump with scheme markers that it would be king, but Mei always ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time for me.

I literally just pulled Willie and the Miners out of my "will do someday" box and put them in the "will do shortly" pile this morning. When you take UM, how many do you take? I love the hell out of my Rail Workers. Awesome damage and decent defense make for a solid model.

My problem Decker, is that when I don't take Seismic Claws, I always end up in a situation with a 13 of Tomes or Masks in my hand and a bunch of people surrounding her who need their hobby wrecked! So I just started taking it by default... But yeah, Vent Steam is the way. Especially if your opponent plays Sonnia. Then you just vent all the steam and laugh while s/he is crying into their empty soulstone pool. Imbued Prot is good too, but for 2ss, unless Assassinate is in the pool, I don't bother. (and recently I've been playing someone else for Assassinate)

I always regret when I don't take Seismic claws, even though I don't use it as much as I think I do. Imbued Energies is amazing with her - extra movement or punching is so good. I will often take Arcane Reservoir, an extra card is good for everyone. I've heard lots of people (^--) love Vapormancy, but I tend not to value it that highly. The extra attack action is good, but eh, I'm ok without. And the trigger to get Vent Steam is really nice, but I'm usually ok spending an AP to vent if I need to. I couldn't even tell you what her other upgrades are.

I've found that I usually want 3 Burning on him for turn 2. Generally I'm able to get 2 attacks from Locomotion, which means that second one is missing the +2 Damage. Having said that, I haven't deliberately applied Burning to him for a long time. On a model that's probably going to kill whatever it looks at, missing 2 additional damage is a really low priority. Just saying, ideally 3 on turn 2.

I was playing against Tara once and I swore my opponent was making an idiotic mistake by EJing back to his Deployment Zone instead of stopping me from getting points. I forget exactly the circumstances, but it won him the game. I would take it if Assassinate was in the pool, I think, but tend to avoid it as I like her other upgrades a lot more.

Yay GottaCon!! Yay Malifaux at GottaCon!

Vassal is good because it lets you do the impossible, not because it's a particularly good way to play Malifaux.

You have exactly two options here. (1) Arcane Effigy, (2) Johan. Arcane Effigy is 4ss, with decent defense and is a construct, which is exactly what Mei wants in life. Ramos too, although if Ramos is using this guy, the Effigy is no longer useful. Johan is 6ss (7...), with decent defense, and a ton of awesome things. Plus flips in the right area, a 3/4/5 (1) attack, condition removal, healing. Now we get into the anecdotal stuff. I play Mei, and less often I play Ramos, and I've been ramping up on Kaeris. Mei: Johan is good, but doesn't usually have enough synergy to justify taking with Mei. I don't take enough M&SU models for the heal, and at 7ss, I want that heal. Arcane Effigy...has decent synergy with Mei, but I struggle to use him. If he isn't removing conditions, he isn't doing much else, and that bugs the hell out of me. He has a 7" effective range with the CR, which I don't find far enough to let him fill the role I tend to take 4ss models in. At the same time, if the strategy is for clumping, he doesn't need that much range. Mei also likes constructs that go forward, and this dude should be nearer the back to maintain his usefulness for the entire game. Either way, with Mei, I find it hard to justify either option, even if I'm playing against McMourning like I usually do. Ramos/Kaeris: Johan has awesome synergy with most things Ramos and Kaeris want to bring, with their abundance of M&SU models. I have no problem using Johan as a back-field support model for 7ss. Because I know, that as things start winding down and the threats are less powerful, Johan can get in there and knock people around. I tend to take Imbued Energies, to make sure that if I need a walk/heal, I can do it. Arcane Effigy I find less useful with Ramos because I tend to be playing support with him so he doesn't need the Burning, and he doesn't need a 4ss follower because he makes his own. I could see the Effigy being useful for Kaeris, but haven't tried it...because Johan is so good at what s/he does.

Decker beat me to the welcoming party. We're both in Vancouver, BC, and there is definitely a growing scene of awesome people playing Malifaux regularly. The two places he mentioned are my favourite, but there's also people sometimes playing at GameStars in Langley and Connections on Renfrew St (I haven't been to either, and only know them because people say things on Facebook ).

Hey hey! Do you mean Vancouver, BC or Vancouver, OR? Welcome back, either way.