apes-ma

I have been playing Jack Daw for a while, and I now have his crew box, Crooked Men, The Hanged, Sue, Bishop, Convict Gunslingers and the Hodgepodge Effigy. I also have the Tara crew box, and I now have a moderate amount of spare cash, and was thinking of expanding upon my outcast masters - specifically getting a box of models to augment Tara. My question, then, is given the core box for Tara and the models that I have, would I get more mileage out of a box of Death Marshals, or models that Karina can summon? I assume the latter is true, since Karina gets a LOT better with models to summon, whereas I feel the crew is OK without Death Marshals, but then the NEXT question is this - if I can only buy a single box of minis, are Crooligans or Punk Zombies going to augment my crew more? Crooligans are easier to summon, and would make for useful scheme runners, but then Void Wretches are pretty passable scheme runners. On the other hand, Punk Zombies are harder to summon, but are immediately offensive, with a Flurry right off the summon, and then more cool stuff once they are unburied. I guess the final question is is there a box I haven't even considered that would power up Tara (or Jack?) that I haven't even thought of?

I split the generalist upgrade deck with a friend, and took the Outcast cards - Faces of Oblivion and Void Shield have the circular logos for both Outcasts and Ressurectionists, but I am pretty sure the colouration across the top is just plain yellow (without the blend to green), although that is based on my memory... I played with them yesterday, but I don't know if that increases the chances that I am right or not... EDIT: I just checked for sure - they are yellow all across!

So the upgrade you are looking for is called Faces of Oblivion, and is in the Crossroads book - it's a 0SS upgrade that gives her the summoning tactical action, and also allows crews with Karina in to hire Void Wretches, The Nothing Beast and Guild Autopsies regardless of the declared faction. The book also has another pretty useful 0SS upgrade for The Nothing Beast, which lets it prevent damage once in a game, and gives it an aura that allows you to bury friendly models even if other friendly models are buried. You get those cards by photocopying out of the Crossroads book, which is a bit spendy, but you can also get them from the Wave 2 generalist upgrade deck - that has all the generalist upgrades from the first book printed on cards, generalist upgrades from the second book (for example, I Pay Better and Scout the Field for Outcasts) and it ALSO has any upgrades printed in the second book, but for book 1 masters (that's how I got those upgrades for Karina/Nothing Beast - by splitting the generalist deck with a pal). So yeah, the Wave 2 generalist deck should have everything you need that you can't get from crew boxes and individual models - I don't believe that the third book has any upgrades that are generalist, or for models that are already released, and so everything you need from that book ought to come with the models that it works with.

This is great, thanks! I just think she's such a cool character, and I really like all the models in her box and so on - and I like to play models I like over models that are the best. This seems like great advice, thanks - I think Troubleshooters + Gunsmiths seems like a good bet then. Johan seems like a good fit, you're right. If I dropped a mage (the one I'd put Nemesis Ward on, I reckon) and Mouse I could fit Johan in, and put Patron's Blessing on the Captain - alternatively I could drop the Mage, drop Warding Runes on the Captain and take Mouse to fit Johan in (both times having 2 Gunsmiths). Obviously I can experiment with both, but do you have a hunch as to the more flexible/better version? Willie seems great, but I don't want to drop to much cash on this project right now (which definitely rules out Howard/Joss/Rail Golem etc.) and I feel like the Gunsmiths are a better addition to the crew box than Willie, if you factor in only buying one other box. Do you think Frontline Leadership is a better upgrade to run than Challenge the Crowd or Iron Determination? I feel like with 2-3 Mages (which I will be running since I don't want to buy much more than the crew box + one other box) it is worth running Warding Runes for the counterspell and the regeneration especially, but I only went with Challenge the Crowd and Iron Determination since they seem great for increased survivability. I can see how Frontline Leadership is a good way to build up Adrenaline (since it doesn't require AP or suits), but I also feel like with the Gunsmiths "Switch Chambers" ability AND Frontline Leadeship I will be putting too much pressure on my hand. I hadn't really given much thought to Message from The Union. Having a second look at the Gunsmiths it definitely pairs very well with them, but I wonder if dropping the more tanky upgrades from Toni in order to have another source of burning for the Gunsmiths might be a mistake, given that the Mages and the Captain can both hand out burning, and so can the Gunsmiths themselves with their defensive trigger (although I don't think I should consider this in my gameplan, but just as a bonus). It also seems next to useless once Toni is engaged, but then again, it seems like it might be useful in the first turn or two before I'd WANT Toni to be engaged. What do you think about Message From the Union? EDIT: What about Imbued Protection? I feel like Challenge the Crowd is going to be better than this in most situations - a double + flip to defense seems more usefuul than a defense of 6 considering she'll likely be engaged when it matters?

Thanks for your reply! That is kind of the read I have on her as well (having never played her...), she reminds me of the kid at school that IS hard, but thinks they're even harder than they actually are. What is a good model to use the 7SS a Gunsmith takes up? Or a 5SS model that lets me slap Patron's Blessing on the Captain? Ideally a model that comes in it's own box... if I have to buy another crew box to get one model than my plan to have a single "refresher" crew suddenly becomes "getting into Arcanists"!

I am pretty new to the game, and I have invested my energies into the Outcasts. HOWEVER, I have a few spare ££ this month, and I feel like having a 50SS crew in a different faction to have a good game with now and again, especially one with some cool models that are a bit different to the Outcast (and a few Ressur) models that I have been painting recently. I really like the look of all the odels in the Ironsides box, and I love the idea of this scrappy master in the middle of a riot, riling up the enemy, riling up her allies, biting off more than she can chew and brawling. The thing is, it seems like the consensus is that Ironsides is pretty bad. I know that there is a difference between "unplayable" bad, and "don't take this to a tournament" bad, and my question is would the following be a fun crew to play every now and again as a change from my Outcasts? I don't want to get into the Arcanists (yet?) or spend a lot of dosh messing around with crew options, I just want a fun crew to crack out every now and again! I was thinking I'd buy the Ironsides box, and a box of Gunsmiths and call it a day. Running all the contents of the box (Ironsides (with Challenge the Crowd, Iron Determination and Warding Runes), Mouse, 3 Oxfordian Mages (one Ward each), The Captain (with Warding Runes? I wouldn't be able to fit on patron's Blessing unless I drop a model or an upgrade elsewhere.)) and two Gunsmiths would put me at 50SS with a 5SS cache. Is there a better way to build a good fun all around crew for Toni?

Are you making Jack killy by using the charge trick (put on firing squad injustice with the first attack, then rip it off with the second)? I'm most interested in trying the effigy with Jack since I feel like the cover will be useful, but I haven't worked out how to make Jack particualrly killy (disclaimer: I am very new to the game, and I still have a LOT to learn with Jack) - I find myself needing cards/suits with him though so the extra SS could be really handy if I can get him to start merking models.

For example with Tara, Jack, and to a lesser extent Hamelin, would you ever consider taking an Effigy just for the cover he can provide, dropping the odd scheme marker and the odd chance he might let you reap a soulstone if your master does get a bit of killing done?

Ooooh, OK! Thanks!

While I was googling a while ago I found some cards for the Dark Carnival models on the Wyrd playtest forum that showed them as being distinct models, rather than alternate sculpts for Colette (for example, Mr Cooper was Arcanist/Neverborn, and had some on-theme abilities and so on). Were they originally supposed to be a distinct crew, and then got canned and turned into alternate sculpts?

This is a pretty cool idea - I'll definitely give that a try if/when I pick up a Von Schill box (which will also let me play around with the Librarian as well).

Yeah, OK cool - that makes sense (except Sue is immune to horror duels :P)! So a paralyzed model forefeits all of it's activation, except passive things? Does that mean it would also fail to trigger things like Poison if you are near to Sebastien, and the damage from Unnerving aura? Or do those go off purely as a result of the activation starting, even if it then immediately ends?

Wow! Those semi-transparent void beasts look great. It's not often you see void wretches or a nothing beast that actually look like they are the space around "nothing"! The conversion is fantastic as well - I really like the combination of the expression and the tentacles blowing in the winds of the void. Nice work!

Here is a question - obviously it's not the best to paralyze Sue in order to heal him, but when the paralyzed Sue activates will I still be able to reduce him by a wound and draw a card, even though he generates 0 AP? It says something like (I don't have the card to hand) Hurt: At the end of this models activation it may lose one wound to draw a card. This is printed on the front of the card, so I don't think it counts as an action. I feel like a Nurse might not actually be the WORST option (especially since I can't really buy the whole Von Schill box for the Librarian yet) since I can activate Sue early, leave him with the Ring of Fire or Man In Black activated for some protection, draw my card, and then use the nurse to heal and paralyze him. If I am right about this (please tell me if I'm not!), he can then wait to activate late in the next turn so he can maintain the benefit of Ring of Fire/Man in Black, generate 0AP but still draw me a card, and maybe get pushed around or used to shoot (or some other (1) action) via Jack Daw - so even though he would be paralyzed he wouldn't be completely neutered for the turn.

I currently play a Jack Daw crew, including reader models the Hanged and crooked men. I'm going to buy nurses, but I realised it might be worth buying the crew box of the eminent doctor for the nurses, which gives me a new master, new models and a new faction too! I've got plenty of time to paint the whole box, but I'm not sure what I'd need in addition to the basc crew box and the reader models I have to make the good doctor sing. So assuming I have the crew box, where should I go from here? Or is the box good enough on its own?

Yes! I am excited for the Emissary model to be released - the model looks great and it looks like a LOT of fun to play with as well. Malifaux Child seems like a good bet for this problem though (at least, until I can get Emissary) - it plays well with Jack, and can extend Sue's lifespan a bit here and there as well!

Sue is great, but he gets low on wounds fast when I'm using Hurt. Is the only real option I have for healing him back up the Librarian from the Von Schill box? There's also Nurses, but I feel like without another model to remove the paralysis it's a bit of a red herring.

I'm just getting into Malifaux, I've got a few games under my belt and I'm just now thinking about some things I wasn't thinking about before as my newness wears off, like using focus and defensive stance, and my soulstone useage. I'm wondering if I should be maximising my pool when list building, or getting more models into play, and also what I should be using my soulstones on - its my clear when I am wasting them. I seem to use them mostly to see more cards at the start of the turn, or reflipping initiative when I feel like I really need it at the moment. My crew consists of Jack, Ligeia and Montresor, and then some combination of up to 3x guilty, up to 3x crooked men and up to 2x the hanged. I also have Bishop and Sue (mainly since I love the models!) but I haven't had a chance to play with them yet, so I don't know how well they will fit with the crew or how often I'll play them.

I'm just getting into Malifaux, I've got a few games under my belt and I'm just now thinking about some things I wasn't thinking about before as my newness wears off, like using focus and defensive stance, and my soulstone useage. I'm wondering if I should be maximising my pool when list building, or getting more models into play, and also what I should be using my soulstones on - its my clear when I am wasting them. I seem to use them mostly to see more cards at the start of the turn, or reflipping initiative when I feel like I really need it at the moment. My crew consists of Jack, Ligeia and Montresor, and then some combination of up to 3x guilty, up to 3x crooked men and up to 2x the hanged. I also have Bishop and Sue (mainly since I love the models!) but I haven't had a chance to play with them yet, so I don't know how well they will fit with the crew or how often I'll play them.

Haha, I guess that's already been discussed, sorry! I'm pretty new around here... Anyway, the model is rad, I'm excited to get one on my work desk!

I love the emissary - it has a strong vibe, like a friendly travelling salesman you'd regret saying no to. Like the tinkerers in the Kingkiller books! It's looks like it will be a royal pain to assemble though ...

I am pretty new to the game as well, which means I don't exactly know what I am talking about... But I have been playing Jack with his crew box, crooked men and the hanged, varying the crew based on what the schemes and strategies are (for example, if it is scheme marker heavy I might swap a guilty or two for some crooked men, if my oppionent has a lot of big nasties that heal themselves I'll play the hanged, etc.) Like I said, I don't really know the game very well at all yet, but you could add the Jack Daw crew box to the models you already have, and there would be a few different lists you can play there. For example, Jack (3 curses, twist and turn, writhing torment), Montresor (fearful whispers, creeping terror), Lady Ligeia, 2 Crooked Men, 2 Guilty and The Hanged is a 50SS crew. The other nice thing about Jack is you can just stick any cool Outcast model you like the look of in there and use The Guilty to make it tormented, and then it can benefit from all the cool movement tricks and action-borrowing that Jack can mess around with - that's where I am now, I feel like I have a feel for the core of the game and I am thinking about what other models I want to try out in the crew (mainly based on how good the models look!) Edit: It occurred to me that you might get some mileage out of Void Wretches with Jack as well - if you don't need The Guilty for tormenting your own models, and don't intend to try and torment the enemy the Wretches might be nice scheme runners. The Nothing Beast might be fun to ship around with tormented as well - and I don't know what attacks it has that Jack can borrow, but that might be fun. TL;DR - I am also new and have had a lot of fun with more or less the same pool of models you have, but with the Jack Daw box instead of the Tara one.

Thanks, everyone, for all the pointers and advice! Especially Freman for the comprehensive rundown of the faction. The Outcasts are just so varied I wonder if perhaps I won't be branching out into another faction as soon as I thought! The Tara box and the Von Schill boxes are looking pretty appealing as masters to head towards next. Tara is exciting for the possibility of painting Death Marshals, but not playing Guild, and for the "reanimator" style burying hijinks (my favourite deck type in Magic...), and Von Schill just seems like a lot of useful models, and a pretty fun dude to be in control of... Leveticus looks super cool (I love some of the models associated with him), but seems like he plays on such a different axis to other masters I feel like I'll try and get my feel for the game down better before taking on that beast... I'm just coming to realise how many different directions I can take my Jack Daw crew in as well, with handing out tormented to non-tormented models, so that's going to be a lot of fun as well.

I'm pretty new to the game, I started out with Jack Daw and I'm looking to move into a new master in Outcasts, and then after that a new master in a different faction. I have Jacks box, the Hanged and some crooked men for Jacks crew, but I also just like painting good-looking models, so I also have Bishop and Sue. My questions are, what outcast master would make a nice compliment to Jacl, playstyle wise? And, based on that and models I have, which non-outcast masters could I be thinking about to slot in? I thought it would be good to plan ahead since then I can narrow down the pool of random models I'll buy to paint, and actually end up working on models for a future crew. EDIT: I should also say, a) I have a freikorps trapper (came in the Jack box), and b) thanks for any help! I'm looking forward to navigating through different masters an factions, brush in one hand, fate deck in the other, and a bit of direction at the start will be so helpful!

Wow - The Nothing Beast and the Void Wretches look amazing! It's pretty hard to convey the fact that they are nothing, but you've got them looking really other-worldly. Did you use an iridescent paint?