Hobby Wyrd

Waldo went on a fitness frenzy this week. We thought it was because he wanted to carve out a six-pack before Halloween. But when his version of "working out" included candles and chalk circles in the break room, we thought, "Ah, he meant 'exorcise,' not 'exercise!'" Classic Waldo mix-up! While we get the janitorial team to remove the remnants of Waldo's... shall we say, 'spiritual gym session', let's dive into something equally enchanting and perhaps less messy. Big News from the Crypt (or our office, same thing.) Our Kickstarter for the double-feature Vagrantsong expansions, "Encore" and "Off the Rails", has taken off like a bat out of... well, you know where. Since its debut, we've unlocked a cauldron full of extras: ranging from eerie Junk cards to chilling Scenarios. Hold on to your broomsticks because... drumroll... we're shrinking the supernatural! Yep, your beloved Vagrantsong characters now come in bite-sized miniatures! The inaugural pack showcases the first six Vagrants (and let’s not forget the adorable Runaway’s Pup). But with a sprinkle of your magic (and pledges), we can bring even more mini haunts to ... life. Next in line? The Westbound Vagrants, and, hot on their phantom trails, are minis for each Chapter, including the "Bridge of Leaves" in Vagrantsong: Encore. Snag these ghoulish goodies by either adding them individually to your pledge or, for the sorcerers who want it all, jump onto the First Class Pledge. If we manage to unlock every spectral reward, there’s an All-In Pledge ready to go, bundling everything Vagrantsong has to offer under its ghostly glow. But tick-tock, the witching hour nears! The Kickstarter fades away come October 12th. Pledge now or forever hold your peace... or pieces? Back Vagrantsong: Encore and Off the Rails on Kickstarter today for your exclusive mini of DC, our devilishly delightful demon kitty, and other treasures!

In "Heart of Stone," Guild Sergeant Hiram Moore teams up with Hunter Helena Krause to find a killer on the loose. http://www.breachsidebroadcast.com/e/chronicles-49/

That’s right, the Vagrantsong Encore Kickstarter is now live! We are offering two brand new expansions on the platform: Encore and Off the Rails. The trailer below has a look at what the Silver Ferryman has in store for our brave Vagrants! Whether you’re here for a Return Trip or a New Passenger, we have a pledge level for you! You can also Pick-and-Choo Choose with our 1$ tier that gives you access to the pledge manager! That’s not all! Early backers can get an exclusive pin if they back within the first 48 hours! Are you ready to climb aboard the Silver Ferryman, either for the first time or as a seasoned traveler? Back Vagrantsong Encore and Off the Rails for all the bone-chilling excitement!

Hey Wyrdos! This week, Waldo tried his hand at hat-making. Although they toque him a long time to make, most of his creations were beanie-th our notice. That is until he became absolutely cap-tivated by the thought of adding more gunpower. So, while we child-proof the office Boomsticks, let’s go a-head and take a look at a model from the upcoming book, Ashes of Malifaux! The Habber-Dashers are completely inconspicuous infiltrators. Few would notice a discarded garment scuttling itself behind enemy lines. Fewer still would expect that same garment to sprout legs and aim a Boomstick at their heads. The Habber-Dashers were initially an attempt to broker peace between the Joneses and the Tuckets. Although designed with utility in mind (who wouldn’t want a hat that fetches itself?) the Habber-Dashers soon found themselves conscripted into the conflict to provide an extra bit of firepower. But where did all these classy constructs come from? An equally stylish engineer with a gatling gun for a top hat of course! Jebediah can help reposition allies and is able to fashion himself some mobile headwear from just about anything he can get his hands on. Hmm, it looks like the Gremlins are playing a new version of Bayou Two Card. What could this mean for the Bayou boss with the Biggest Hat?

sign up for notifications here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrdgames/vagrantsong-encore

Spend $75 or more on Wyrd products at your local game store in September through October to get your own Rotten Harvest alt of Prof Von Schtook, Stargazer! Offer Valid September 7th, 2023 - October 31st, 2023. Receipts must be submitted no later than November 5th, 2023. https://www.wyrd-games.net/promotions <-for the submission form.

In Pt. 2 of "The Anti-Kythera Mecha Missed 'Em," Som'er Teeth Jones and Mah Tucket arrive at Hollow Point in search of the Leviathan. Mayhem ensues. http://www.breachsidebroadcast.com/e/tales-of-malifaux-162/ In Pt. 1 of “Thunder Fuel, Gremlin Fire,” the Brewmaster faces off against Popcorn Turner in a distilling “competishine.” https://www.wyrd-games.net/news/2023/9/7/breachside-broadcast-tales-of-malifaux-163

Hey Wyrdos, This week, we found Waldo buzzing around some old company files. When we asked him about his buzzarre beehive-iour, he said he needed to look through the arc-hives, but finding anything was like pollen teeth. So, while we try to convince Waldo to beehave, let’s take a look at one of the new spooky ghosts you’ll be facing in Vagrantsong: Encore! Beekeeping is a tradition that is tens of thousands of years old, with a rich history stretching across the globe. And like many age-old traditions, beekeeping and the folklore behind it found its way to America. One such beekeeping tradition is making sure to tell your bees of important events that happen in your life, such as births, marriages, and even deaths. If the beekeeper happened to forget to tell the bees, it was believed that a penalty would be paid. That is one of the major inspirations for Honeyed Henry, a brand new Haint in Vagrantsong: Encore, the upcoming expansion for our spooky boss battler. As it turns out, nobody told his hive of poor Henry’s passing, and the penalty to be paid was worse than anyone could have imagined. But Henry won’t be the only adversary you’ll have to face in his Scenario. With the inclusion of two new terrain types, you’ll also have to navigate around his angry and aimless Swarms of bees before they get out of control. Can you make it out unharmed, or will you get stung along the way? The only way to find out is to back Vagrantsong: Encore on Kickstarter, which launches on September 19th! Sign up today to be notified when we go live, or click on the image below!

Hey Wyrdos! This week, Waldo decided he’d commandeer all our hobby supplies for his new obsession: model trains. He’s transformed the entire office into a little depot, crisscrossed with tracks, little locomotives, and more trestle bridges than he can shake a claw at. Unfortunately, it looks like he’s got the attention of another fellow enthusiast… Quite a character, wouldn’t you say? He’s been busy critiquing Waldo’s trains and hasn’t told us anything about himself, so it’s just guesswork for now. We can, however, give you a look at the equally spooky sculpt: That’s all for this week, Wyrdos. Who do you think this mysterious train-man could be? As a reminder, if you’re in the DC area this weekend, head on over to NOVA and visit Wyrd’s booth! We won’t share anymore about this ghostly fellow, but it’s the perfect time to pick up some reinforcements to deal with him!

In part two of "Someone Else's Toys," Joseph Denton discovers the true price of stealing from Malifaux's abandoned buildings. http://www.breachsidebroadcast.com/e/chronicles-48/

Hey Wyrdos! This week, Waldo was highly inspired by someone's um, creative re-imagining of the cover shown at Gen Con, and we’ve had to remove all tools of vandalism artistry from his tiny claws. So thanks for that… really. Just… thanks. Let’s take a look at the actual cover, shall we? Previewed at Gen Con, Ashes of Malifaux is the next expansion for M3E. Packed full of new models for you to add to your crews, there’s never been more options to tailor your crews to perfect that Strategy or counter that troublesome opponent. One of the new models in Ashes of Malifaux is the Hand of Janus, a potent Versatile option for the Explorer’s Society. Commissioned by Gretchen Janus herself, the Hand ensures her influence is felt, and exerted, throughout Malifaux. If you’re curious about how it works, take a look at the card! Isn’t it amazing what deep pockets can buy you in Malifaux? Here’s a preview of the sculpt as well, so you can start planning on paint schemes for your very own Hand. That’s all for this week, Wyrdos. What else are you hoping to see in the upcoming book? Share your speculations below!

Hey Wyrdos! This week, Waldo learned that while everyone celebrates Wednesdays with Waldo’s Weekly, there are many people who also include frogs in the merriment. He took to the Internet and came up with this meme for the occasion. He has asked us to ensure everyone who sees it knows they can use it to share not only the glorious Wednesday, but also the mug of one half of a new dynamic duo. While this frog’s face is handsome as can be, the sharp-eyed among you might’ve noticed a different amphibian with a curious passenger in Wyrd’s booth at Gen Con. Let’s take a look at his official artwork! Nothing crazy ever happened from lobbing jars of mysterious liquid from atop a rowdy frog… right? That’s all for this week, Wyrdos. What do you think about these curious individuals?

Heya Wyrdos! As soon as Waldo got home from Gen Con, he immediately grabbed his comfort snacklebox and flapped away into the warehouse's rafters for a much-earned rest. Don't worry, we've got our poking stick ready to wake him in about a week. While we find ways to drown out the eerie snores echoing throughout the office, here's a look back at Wyrd's Gen Con 2023! With the amazing work of our Gen Con team and volunteers, this Gen Con 2023 isn't one we'll soon forget! The booth was packed with plenty to browse and buy, and we got to show off some peeks at our upcoming title Ashes of Malifaux. Aside from the fun and action at the Wyrd Booth, we had many opportunities for visitors to the Event Hall to make their Gen Con a little more Wyrd. Those in the mood for some M3E had plenty of options! The Henchman Hardcore event on Thursday ended with Bryan B. in 1st place, Andrew L. in 2nd place, and Logan D. in 3rd place! Friday had Malifaux Masquerade, along with the chaotic and casual fun Double Random Rush, where players were given a different teammate and crew each round! Random Rush had David C. come in 1st, Cole T. in 2nd, and Bryan B. rounding out the podium in 3rd place! Saturday kicked off the Tyrant Tournament, where participants played 3 rounds in the hope of securing the Tyrant Belt! Nathan L. took home the belt in 1st place, with Joe P. in 2nd, and Chris S. in 3rd place! Rounding up the Malifaux fun on Sunday was Bonanza Brawl a fun twist on our Enforcer Brawl format. Victoria B. with Archie came in 1st place, while Danielle O. and Story of Sun Wukong came in 2nd place. In a woeful finish, Roman H. and his Sorrow rounded out the podium in 3rd place. Malifaux 3E wasn't the only wargaming fun to be had in Wyrd style! There were events for The Other Side, with Titan Smash on Friday and Saturday which allowed players to control a Titan of their choice in a bid for area control! The Other Side format Against the Odds debuted this Gen Con with 2 Saturday events, giving players an asymmetrical battle of Earth vs overwhelming Malifaux forces! The convention wasn't only about miniatures! Bayou Bash: Hog Wild allowed players to discover new chaos in the Bayou, and keen-eyed folks even spotted some familiar previews! Our Vagrantsong: Encore experience let folks meet Slag Pile Annie in a new scenario from the expansion. If you're eager to meet her yourself, Vagrantsong: Encore is coming to Kickstarter in September! In addition to all the gaming to be had, there were our Splash of Color Paint & Take events, Through the Breach character creations, take events and some creative Wyrdos even showed up in Malifaux cosplay! While the Wyrd Gen Con team worked tirelessly throughout the convention, the success and fun of Wyrd at Gen Con couldn't have been possible without our amazing volunteers. One volunteer, Maht C., has expertly managed our tournaments, and we're deeply thankful for all the ways Maht has supported and contributed to this vibrant community! That’s all for now Wyrdos, see you next week for more Waldo’s Weekly!

As the Best Four Days in Gaming ™ takes Indianapolis once again for Gen Con 2023, we are celebrating with our annual Gen Con sales event! That’s right folks, our GenCon sales event is live! Hoping to snap up a Limited Edition model or maybe our new Nightmare Edition Box, Reap & Sow? This eerie take on the Seeker Keyword will be available online August 2nd - 7th in addition to being available at Booth #1129 at the Gen Con Exhibiter’s Hall. And there’s no forgetting this year’s exclusive Gen Con model, Miss Conduct! This alternate version of Arik Schöttemer from the Freikorps Keyword is free with every purchase of 100$ USD or more! In addition to these amazing Alts, we’ve got new and upcoming releases that will be going on sale! WYR23437 Kastore Core Box $60.00 WYR23435 Deep in the Dark $30.00 WYR23934 Ruins of a Lost Age $45.00 WYR23436 The Hushed Copse $35.00 WYR23036 Classic Fate Deck $13.00 WYR23032 Paragon Deck $13.00 WYR23736 Linh Ly Core Box $55.00 WYR23737 Lifted from the Page $42.50 WYR23530 Tenacious Tradition $25.00 WYR23827 Tiri Core Box $52.50 WYR40014 Beyond The Other Side $35.00 Or maybe you want to adopt an expressive imp yourself with one of our new keychains! These little guys are only $10 and are sure to make your day a bit more Wyrd. Also, Vagrantsong: Encore is coming to Kickstarter! Get notified by Kickstarter when the campaign goes live or sign up for our Vagrantsong Newsletter! That’s all this week Wyrdos, what are you most excited to pick up this Gen Con 2023?

Hey Wyrdos, You read that right. We’ve hopped aboard the Silver Ferryman again, and this time, this haunted train is headed to Kickstarter. We are bringing TWO brand new expansions to the platform: Encore and Off the Rails. Let’s dive into what is included in each of them. What’s in Encore? Vagrantsong: Encore is a huge expansion to our award-winning boss battling campaign game, Vagrantsong, that will take players to new heights, new lows, and everywhere In-Between. Included in Encore: A fourth door to open that leads to the Bridge of Leaves, a new Chapter with 5 new Scenarios, including Haints inspired by Canadian ghost stories, West Virginian cryptids, and even beekeeping folklore. 6 Save Your Soul Scenarios to pull your friends back from the brink of becoming Haints themselves. Each Scenario will have players diving into a dark moment in a Vagrant’s past, and it will be up to you to remind them that we emerge stronger through the challenges we overcome. Short Trip Mode gives players the opportunity to explore the Silver Ferryman in Chapter-sized chunks – each with their own new beginning and end! New In-Between cards, Skills, and Junk. Baggage cards, which will inflict negative effects on you and your friends while replacing your Passive – make sure to get rid of these as soon as you might get them! Turn Tracker Tokens so you don’t get lost along the way. Smoky Bones, special dice that players earn and find to help turn their bad luck around. And enough twists and turns to make your head spin. We packed Vagrantsong: Encore with so much stuff that it’s impossible to include everything in a bullet-point list. We haven’t mentioned Generic Coins, Soul Skill cards, the new Malady, or the two new types of Terrain! What’s in Off the Rails? Vagrantsong: Off the Rails offers players the opportunity to revisit Scenarios from the core game and its expansion Encore, with new and exciting challenges along the way. Included in Off the Rails: A new game mode that increases the difficulty and replayability of every Scenario, including new Actions to avoid and Events to explore! The Poison Berry Rummage Token, which can remove Haint Effects from yourself or nearby friends (for a small cost, that is!). New Objectives tailored for each Vagrant called Devious Deeds that provide more character customization as Rewards. Some will give you more Humanity while others might replace your Passive altogether! More Smoky Bones! And a few spooky surprises along the way. Both expansions will require the core game of Vagrantsong in order to play. Why Kickstarter? There are two major reasons why we decided to bring Vagrantsong: Encore and Off the Rails to Kickstarter. The first admission: when we originally rolled out our spooky boss battler, we thought we had produced a comfortable amount. But it soon became apparent that we significantly underestimated the game’s appeal and demand. We didn’t anticipate such an overwhelming response from you all! This led to the unintended challenge of tracking down copies at local stores, which turned into a game of its own. We’d much rather have you enjoying playing the game itself, rather than having to embark on a quest to find it. By launching the expansions on Kickstarter, we can more accurately anticipate how many players want more out of their Vagrantsong experience. Our second motivation? We’re excited about creating entertaining and whimsical elements within the world of Vagrantsong, and Kickstarter provides us with the platform to do so. For a tabletop company like ours, producing smaller-scale, non-essential stuff like plushies, fancy dice, and other deluxe items can be risky and expensive. Nevertheless, we think our community will be just as excited as we are about some of the extra components we’re cooking up. As for the specifics of these doodads, you’ll have to patiently wait until we unveil them with the launch of the Vagrantsong: Encore Kickstarter in September. We fully acknowledge those who may be hesitant about backing projects on crowdfunding platforms. When we release games and supplements, our primary aim is to ensure they’re easily accessible at your local game stores, and this is no exception. Following the fulfillment of our Kickstarter pledges, we will swiftly release these two expansions into retail. Retailers, we haven’t overlooked you! Your role is vital in our haunted journey. Stay tuned for pledge options specifically designed for retailers. Something we’re doing a little different with our Kickstarter: once the crowdfunding campaign concludes, we’ll be all set to send the content for production. We’ve been focused on playtesting both expansions for a while now, and are currently in the final stages of refinement and fine-tuning. Once we’re set to hit the ‘print’ button, you won’t have to endure an extended waiting period before you can embark on your journey with the Silver Ferryman once again. Why Two Expansions? You might remember our initial announcement back in January. Lots of things can change within a few months of development, and Encore was no exception. What we found was that some players might want some of the new content, but not all. Some players might be more interested in making the core game experience more challenging (with Off the Rails), while others want more Scenarios and related content (with Encore). We decided to split Encore into two expansions to accommodate both groups. But you’ll be able to get both of these expansions and a ton more when the Vagrantsong: Encore Kickstarter launches! Find Out More at Gen Con! We’ll have walk-up demos and full learn-to-plays of Vagrantsong and Vagrantsong: Encore. Find us at Booth #1129 to play a few rounds against Slag Pile Annie, a brand new Encore Scenario, as she tries to keep her steel mill’s furnace from getting too hungry. When Does the Kickstarter Start? We are aiming to launch in mid-September. Keep an eye out for our news and social media posts for when you can sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter launches. In the meantime, sign up for our Vagrantsong Newsletter to be the first to know!

In part one of "Someone Else's Toys," a small-time thief breaks into an abandoned orphanage in search of valuable lead pipes – and gets more than he bargained for. http://www.breachsidebroadcast.com/e/chronicles-47/

Hey Wyrdos! This week, we found Waldo had crafted himself a little superhero costume out of cardboard, a curtain, and what we’re almost certain used to be someone’s lunchbox. He’s been pondering a few names and asking us all what we think… While we endure Waldo’s usual rambling, let’s take a look at some things we’ve been working on: the FAQ and Errata! Errata'd cards are now available through the Dropbox link provided here. Eager to review the updates without delay? Here is a direct link to the changelog as well! For those curious about the thought process behind the changes, we've penned an article to shed some light. You can read it here: https://www.wyrd-games.net/news/2023/6/29/expect-july-errata. *Note: Sanctioned Spellcasters have been removed from the errata. They may be adjusted in the future Keep your eyes peeled for an imminent update to the Malifaux Crew Builder app as it will soon feature these new cards. For those who prefer physical cards, rest easy knowing they will be included in the Gaining Grounds 4 pack set to release later this year. Furthermore, these cards will be available shortly for print-on-demand via WargameVault. Have a pressing question about a Malifaux mechanic? Our newly updated FAQ covers new clarifications, and it's designed to ensure your games proceed as smoothly as possible. Remember, GenCon is just around the corner! Come and visit us at Booth 1129 to pick up that crew you've been eyeing, take a sneak peek at Beyond the Other Side for a glimpse into the Kimon and Three Kingdoms Allegiances, and explore our collection of Nightmare boxes (including this year’s special, featuring Jedza as the Skeleton King). Don’t forget to grab Miss Conduct either, a new take on the Freikorps’ Arik Schöttemer. That’s all for now. Keep an eye out for an extra-spooky update tomorrow, Wyrdos…

Hey Wyrdos! This week, Waldo broke out his suitcases, hat boxes, and lanyards to prepare for his trip to GenCon. While we help him make sure he doesn’t forget to bring anything, here’s some information about what will be available at the Wyrd booth! In case you missed it, this year’s Nightmare box features the Seeker keyword, with the Skeleton King and his ghostly retinue taking the place of our beloved undead grandma and her crew. As an extra treat for those who have made the trek out to Indy, we’ll also have a selection of other Nightmare boxes, so those who missed out on them in previous years can have a chance to pick them up. For those hoping to snag them on the webstore amid the Limited Editions available, don't worry they'll make their return this Black Friday! WYR23437 Kastore Core Box $ 60.00 WYR23435 Deep in the Dark $ 30.00 WYR23934 Ruins of a Lost Age $ 45.00 WYR23436 The Hushed Copse $ 35.00 WYR23036 Classic Fate Deck $ 13.00 WYR23032 Paragon Deck $ 13.00 WYR23736 Linh Ly Core Box $ 55.00 WYR23737 Lifted from the Page $ 42.50 WYR23530 Tenacious Tradition $ 25.00 WYR23827 Tiri Core Box $ 52.50 WYR40014 Beyond The Other Side $ 35.00 In terms of new releases, there will be boxes for the Returned, Red Library, and Bygone Keywords, new Fate Decks, and a glimpse into the awesome mechanics for The Other Side’s expansion with the Beyond The Other Side book. We told you Waldo would be at GenCon! Nab your own impish keychain for only $10! This year’s Miss model is an alternate version of the Freikorps’ Arik Schöttemer, Miss Conduct. If you’re interested in winning your very own Miss Conduct painted by one of our PlayWyrd streamers, check out the following streams for a chance to enter the giveaway: That’s all for this week, Wyrdos. GenCon is fast approaching, and we’re excited to see you all there, show off new stuff, and keep playing Wyrd!

In part one of "The Anti-Kythera Mecha Missed 'Em," Som'er Teeth Jones and Mah Tucket hatch a plan to raid Hollow Point. http://www.breachsidebroadcast.com/e/tales-of-malifaux-161/

Hey Wyrdos! This week, we caught Waldo binging sci-fi flicks and taking apart our old office computers to try and give himself a mechanical tail. While we were cleaning up Waldo’s mess, we found some of our old artwork for the newest member of the Outcasts and the Explorer's Society, Tiri. We’ve decided to share it with you, a look behind the scenes at the process of forging the Aua. Every character in Malifaux starts out as a single interesting idea. Sometimes, it begins with a piece of artwork that truly inspires us. Other times, we realize there’s a gap in our keywords that needs to be addressed. And occasionally, we simply envision something incredibly cool. In the case of the Aua, we were creating a brand-new race of people, so they went through a few iterations of rough sketches focusing on a single idea or theme: In this case, we really fell in love with the jewelry in the top-leftmost figure, and expanded it into a full-body drawing: This would become the very first draft of Tiri, The Nomad. Once we have the general idea, we sit down and merge many of our initial concepts together, creating an art document. We write down a general description of who the character is, some physical traits the character should have, some traits the character might have, and things that should be avoided. Here is what Tiri’s initial description looked like: Tiri, The Nomad (master title 1) General Description: Tiri is the leader of the last remaining Aua, an ancient Neverborn race of artificers and smiths. The Aua were the creators of most ancient Malifaux technology (like the Anti-Kythera device and Ancient Constructs), but knowledge of them and most of their tech were lost in the Tyrant Wars. Barely escaping with their lives, the remaining Aua have since wandered the deserts west of Malifaux for thousands of years, hiding and preserving what they have left. Because there are so few left, the Aua preserve the elderly and dying by replacing pieces of them with sleek-but-scavenged/repurposed technology. An elderly Aua will eventually be fully remade into a construct that is no longer bound to mortality. Tiri is smart, 2nd generation Aua (meaning her mother was there when Cherufe destroyed her people), and should look like the equivalent of late 30s/early 40s for her people. This still makes her several thousand years old. Should Have: Light, breezy clothing. 90% organic (meaning she is only just starting to replace pieces of herself with tech, such as her fingers), a sense of pride and presence of wisdom. Aua are described as tall, strong, glowing eyes with brilliant colors, and skin radiating the warmth of the sun. Might Have: Pieces of technology that look like they are being worn as jewelry. Avoid: While Neverborn, the Aua should not feel ‘evil’. Otherworldly, yes, but not monstrous This description is paired with a collection of artwork that we think represents that character in some way. From each piece of artwork, we pick out individual details we like and dislike: Takeaways: This was the original attempt at Tiri. We like the general flow, pose, and sense of regalness of the character. The rest can be adjusted. The ultimate goal of this art document is to stoke the creative fires of the artist’s mind. While we know who we want our character to be, their essence can only be conveyed through their artwork. It’s up to the artist to capture their emotion and movement, showcasing more of the character than just what is written in their biography. Sometimes, our ideas are translated into an artwork that perfectly captures exactly what we had envisioned, but often an artist will add something new and exciting to a design that elevates it beyond what we had envisioned. After this draft is received, we all gave our feedback on the artwork and how well we think it represents our vision of the character. In this case, we were captivated by the alien look of the shape of Tiri’s head and feet, they were so distinct from anything else seen in Malifaux so far. These served as a basis for the rest of the Aua. We also really loved the way her mechanical hand looked sleek and impressive, almost natural. At the same time, we didn’t really like the look of her tail or how severe the bend in her ankles were. With this feedback, the artwork was then adjusted to extend Tiri’s robotic hand all the way down to her elbow and increase the length of her legs so that the Aua feel like a tall race: Once we have the line art finalized, it is sent off to another expert to provide color and shading to the artwork. We went through many skin pattern variations and different combinations of effects: Before finally settling on the colors you’ve already seen: With the artwork portion finished, it is time to turn it into a model! This render goes through a similar feedback process as the artwork. At this point we already know exactly what our character looks like, so this step is to get the render looking as close to that artwork as possible, with one neat twist: This is the first time we get a clear look at the back of our character. Lastly, we size the model by comparing it to your standard reference Pandora to determine just how large the model is and what base size it will require. This requires no further explanation because of course, everyone has a standard reference Pandora. And once even Pandora has given us the thumbs up, she’s finally ready to be sent off for production! Tiri’s Core Box will be available next month. Let us know how you are going to paint your Tiri. Will you Follow Tradition, or Embrace Technology?

Hey Wyrdos! Every year, we Chronicle in a new Nightmare Edition. These shed an Unnatural Glow on Masters and their crews, allowing us to continue walking A Weary Road as we add to our piles of unpainted miniatures. They offer a great way to add some visually stunning variations to your favorite crews. Last year we had a Fallen Kingdom of metal and flesh; now, we’re heading off to a place where the spirits refuse to take their Final Rest… Let’s take a look at this year’s Nightmare Edition models, and see what’s inside: The Seeker Keyword is ready to stride forth, bringing eternal undeath to all who dare cross them with the Reap & Sow box: Morose Bellringers create dour songs in place of the Lamplighters. The Stalwart Knight replaces Mikhail XVI as a (literal) eternal guardian. Continuing to offer excellent transportation in place of Sophie is the Ghostly Coach… or part of one, anyway. Heading this army of unlife is the Skeleton King, representing Jedza’s original model. Heavy indeed is the head that must bear a crown for all eternity. We also release a new Miss model every Gencon! These offer unique versions of your favorite characters to bring some variation into your crews. This year is Miss Conduct, a brutal take on Arik Schöttemer from the Freikorps Keyword. We’ll have more information for you about the Nightmare Edition, Gencon sale, and how to acquire these awesome new sculpts soon. In the meantime, might be best to speculate about what could happen if the Skeleton King ends up listening to that shady advisor… or what he might look like after!

In July we will be releasing our latest Errata, and we wanted to give our community a little bit of insight into our thought process. The community has voiced their concerns about balance issues since Madness of Malifaux, and we wanted to let you know how we are addressing them. Let’s start with the list of models that will be getting an Errata. These models fall into two camps: models that are too powerful and are getting toned down (they’re being cuddled nerfed, there, we said it), and models that are not powerful enough and are getting a bit of a boost. The cards getting toned down are as follows: Damian Ravencroft, Unbound The Configuration (Upgrade) Lohith Soulstone Gamin Harrison Frodsham Harris J-5 Gearling Sabertooth Cerberus Harold Tull, Artillerist King’s Wall Louisa Fusi John Watson Guild Mage Perdita Ortega, Neverborn Hunter Nephilim Hunter (Upgrade) Hag Hunter (Upgrade) Bestial Hunter (Upgrade) Ghost Hunter (Upgrade) The Iron Matron Koji Yannic Waller Wandering River Style (Upgrade) The cards getting a boost are as follows: Slate Ridge Mauler Sergeant Sanctioned Spellcaster Razorspine Rattler Angel Eyes Tuco Ortega Maurice Bloodwretch Corrupted Hound It would be surprising if there is a single person in the community who 100% agrees with the above list; however, we think it will address many concerns. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether to Errata a model. Every meta is different; it is possible there are models some players consider problematic, which other playgroups have found ways to deal with, and potentially even consider underpowered (or vice versa). While we strive to create as balanced a game as we can, perfect balance is unfortunately impossible. But, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Asymmetry adds a lot to a game. Building lists and finding ways to counter the top of the meta can be fun, but only to a certain degree. When the top of the meta is too high, it becomes oppressive. When it came to some of the Madness Keywords, they have been found to be in that oppressive category. Hopefully, the steps we have taken here will make those Crews not as over-powering, shake up the meta, and create a healthier game overall. Of course, we also want to mention the models we are giving a boost. In a game with so many models, there will always be some that are not taken as often as others. You may be asking yourself how we chose which of these models to address. There are many factors that go into these decisions: some models are good tech picks, others exist in crews with lots of options, etc. We used those factors and more as a part of an experiment to see how this can work. There are significantly more models getting a boost in this Errata than in previous ones and, if it goes well, we will strongly consider doing more in the future. It could be argued that these are not the “worst” models in the game, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if it’s the worst or the second worst if it doesn’t see the table. When selecting these models, we weighed out-of-game factors, such as unsold stock we had on hand, as well as on the shelves of game stores, to a higher degree than when we tone down models. Since these models aren’t running around breaking the game, leaving some models be was an option. The meta of any game is a living thing that changes and grows with time, experience, and, on occasion, Errata. This was not the first Errata and will not be the last. There are almost certainly models that exist that will see an Errata later, but that is the natural ebb and flow of a game’s meta. In other words: if we missed something, we’ll get it next time! This Errata will be released in late July, just in time for Gen Con. So if you want to see how these changes play out and you’ll be there, sign up for some Wyrd events! With all of that said, we also wanted to give you a sneak peek at a portion of the upcoming Errata. The most exciting ones are the ones happening to the Witness Keyword, so let’s go over them. The Configuration Upgrade affects the whole Keyword, so let’s start there: The Conduit Ability is now only Once per Activation. This allows the Configuration to work how it did before while preventing the Witness models from always getting the Triggers they need. Next up is Lohith: We made one simple change to Lohith: his Soulstone Geode Action no longer affects damage flips. We feel that this will stop the model from increasing damage outputs, reducing the oppressiveness and damage output of the entire Keyword, while retaining the core of what Lohith is all about. Next, let’s look at the Soulstone Gamin: We replaced the Prioritize Trigger with Drain Magic. This is to prevent an unintended exploit where Drain with Prioritize built-in could be used on relenting friendly models as a form of free card draw. This was too powerful, un-interactive, and not very fun. Swapping this Trigger out for something else allows the model to function similarly to how it did before without being open to that particular abuse. Finally, there is Damian Ravencroft, Unbound himself: Damian Ravencroft, Unbound has received the most changes in this entire Errata cycle, arguably the most changes of any Errata cycle. All the other models and Upgrades on the list above have received changes more in line with those to Lohith or the Soulstone Gamin. A Trigger here or a word there has been altered, but the identity of the model stayed the same. Damian Ravencroft, Unbound did not stay the same, so let’s talk about it. This model was way above the curve, and he was above the curve in a way that changing a word or swapping out a Trigger would not solve. Part of the issue was that he just did everything a little too well. He drew cards, dealt damage, he Healed, he turned off enemy Soulstones, enemy Triggers, and enemy card draw. He repositioned models, handed out the Focused Condition, and cleansed Conditions. He was good at everything and lacked focus. So we decided to give him exactly that. Damian Ravencroft, Unbound now prefers to stand in the center of the battle, allowing his models to draw LoS and range through him while he supports them and directs what they do. He is the eye of the hurricane, heralding the onslaught his crew will throw out while controlling the action. Let’s go through his card and talk about how his Abilities and Actions facilitate that playstyle. Refraction is now his signature Ability. This is what allows friendly models to draw range and LoS through Damian, and defines where he is supposed to be on the board. His 14 wounds, Superiority Complex, and Beacon of Order help to keep him alive while he is in the thick of it. Witness’s Influence supports his Crew by manipulating the Configuration. On the back of his card, Absolute Control and Chains of the Tyrant are the two most important Actions for his new playstyle. Absolute Control allows him to make friendly models take Actions, and, since they can draw range and LoS through him, it enhances his ability to act as the eye of the storm with Attacks striking out from him. Chains of the Tyrant allows him to reposition models and Pulse out some damage, further controlling the area around him. He can even Summon Soulstone Gamin with it, positioning them to use their new Drain Magic Trigger. Waves of Power and Die Though, Unsung are not part of the heart of his new playstyle, but they are important Actions. Waves of Power is a powerful Bonus Action. Its unique format encourages really thinking hard about the value of cards in your Configuration. The lower the value of the card you draw into your Control Hand, the more powerful the effect. This forces an interesting choice between receiving either a stronger effect or a higher card. Finally, Die Though, Unsung is his new melee Action. Damian, Unbound has awakened the powers of the Tyrant Witness, and what better way to represent that than turning an enemy’s own attacks against them? Die Though, Unsung is stronger against the mighty, while, ironically, being weaker against weaker models. After all, it is a very different story for a Mature Nephilim to get hit with its own Attack than a Mindless Zombie. So think about where you use this Action! It is our hope that this Errata does not simply downgrade the power of a problematic model, but also creates a new and interesting playstyle that did not exist before which even Damian enthusiasts will enjoy. With all of that said, some people will want to know why Damian Ravencroft, Aspirant is not on the list. The changes to his crew, and the Configuration Upgrade, in particular, are a hit to his power. The meta will need time to adjust to the changes we have here, then we will see what the future holds. That’s all for today! If you liked this Errata deep-dive, let us know. Maybe next time we can share our thoughts about the value of a good hat... Also, note that all of the featured cards are still being tested so are subject to change. Have a great day, and stay Wyrd! We’ll see you at Gen Con!