Cedar

4 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

McCabe struggles against armor?

His upgrade gives precise, and Desperaux ignores it by default.

Sure a crew full of armor is probably hard, but I'd think McCabe has more tech than most. Not to mention you can always snag Kiya.

Sorry, I wasn't clear - ES except for McCabe and Cadmus struggle against armored crews  Kiya is worse Joss. She needs shielded to have irreducible damage, and she can get only 1 from her bonus action, so needs to get it from Maxine/Emissary/Machinists/Porter. Emissary is most reliable, as she gets Shielded +1 just by activating near him. She also needs focused to hit those 4/6 damage, otherwise she hits like min-3 beaters in other factions.

I played against raspy few times, with those 3 masters - Anya, Maxine and Basse. I won with both Maxine and Anya, and tied with Basse (it was my 1st or 2nd game with him, and even now I don't play him that well). The games against Maxine was a disaster for Raspy - Harsh Winter and Blizzard didn't work at all. Why you may as? Well, Machinists allow my models within 3" to ignore effects of enemy , so I was just ignoring Harsh Winter, and Golem was engaged by both Kyia  and Emissary (who can be repaired with Machinists/Beebe anyway). Due to reconfigure and deep discovery I was able to cheat freeze overs. Turn 2 Raspy ended being engaged by Calypso, so she had to somehow deal with them. ES have very strong counterpicks against enemy playstyle, you just need to tailor your crew to utilize them, sometimes even playing almost OOK. Except Cadmus and McCabe they struggle against armor, as they don't have reliable armor ignoring models (no, Spectres are not reliable hire, and Hoff constructs have too low WP to summon them with Ivan anyway).

12 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

Is it that good? There is the upgrade, Jedza's lost knowledge, and Botanist, right? We aren't talking like Bayou level of removal.

 

There is also Jessie, who can give you a stone for removing marker

1 hour ago, Alcathous said:

I don't really agree that the nexus picks work into other Explorers. I think there are non-busted masters that could work into Nexus that just lose to other ExpS crews (Luci loses to Cooper, Euri loses to Jedza). But even my busted option (Dreamer), I think struggles into Jedza if it's a pool that supports the bubble (Dreamer wants to murder things and relies a lot on the keyword's incidental healing).

You may be right, I don't have much experience with Neverborn.

20 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

Anyone know how good ES condition removal is?

I know there is a bit of transmute triggers in Cadmus, anything else?

I wonder if traditionally 'bad' crews might be good against ES, but they haven't properly been explored.

Like maybe Kaeris and McMourning are sleeper OP against ES, or maybe Marcus is, or who knows. Very fun to experiment and try to find the solutions.

Hopeful Prospects have condition removal on 6. Cryptologists on 9 . Spelleaters can transform any condition into fast/focus on . Jedza and Nexus have triggers on  on their actions.

19 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

And of course, at crew select you have to pick a master that can deal with ANY of the ES masters, which is a really hard ask.

Technically, you have to pick crew that can deal with Nexus - there is high chance that it will work against other masters  

3 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

The keyword itself isn't too spectacular, so Ivan naturally just picks up a lot of power OOK.

I wonder if when balancing him, a lot of players played him fully in keyword (at which point he seems totally fine to me).

I played him few times fully (or almost fully) in keyword - except him and some random Specter they didn't have enough damage to match opposing players. Gladly, I have access to Archivist, Mikhail, young Harata and Emissary.

16 minutes ago, belorey said:

I think a way to mitigate all  on DUA models should be nerfing their Stats by at least 1. So they go with a 5 as a typical stat and no 6 or 7.

 

TBH DUA hit pretty accurate, they just don't pack a lot of punch -  most models in keyword have damage track of 2/3/4 with occasional trigger (except Ivan, who has it practically build-in). Models with guns have stat of 5, shooting at 8". They will hit you, just not hit very hard. The keyword relies on shadow people to engage in combat, when Corvis/Eva/Infiltrators score points. 

29 minutes ago, ShinChan said:

Ivan is definitely a top master. Not 100% sure that better than things like Dreamer, but definitely on the top 5 of best masters. If he's not OP, he's borderline. 

I don't think Jedza is a problem. She's really good, but there's ways to deal with her.

I believe that Maxime is better than Jedza, maybe close to Ivan levels, but she and her crew really need a lot of practice.

Anya and Lord Cooper are good, better tan the overall if we take into account all the factions, but nothing close to be OP.

I'm actually fine with the Emissary having Df7. He has Wp5 and take the hit doesn't come for free. The healing however, should be once per activation. 

I agree Ivan is in top 5 masters in game - he's weaker than Dreamer/Nexus/Von Schtook. For me his power level is bit higher than Kirai. 

Jedza is an issue when you play certain keywords (like Nephilim, Ulix or Sommer) but she struggles against mobile schemy crews (as she prefers running in ball of death).

Maxine is same as Jedza - really good against certain crews. Machinists shutting down auras mean you don't have to bother with all those hazardous auras or something like Misery. You also have cards to pass the duels from shockwaves and pulses or other simple duels. 

Anya is good, though I'll wait for OC starter to give final judgement for her.

Cooper is amazing in public executions, though he might struggle in other schemes.

17 minutes ago, Da Git said:

Also, just out of curiousity, how many imes have your opponents faced Cadmus? It's not really that uncommon to get crushed when facing masters for the first few times.

I had faced her 3 times previously - two with Ivan and one with Jedza. I won both games with Ivan and tied in Jedza game.

1 hour ago, Plaag said:

1 game in marching tournament

I had fun this game, though I didn't provide any challenge for my opponent. It was just pure luck that Plaag didn't score full 8 points. And damn you Winston, with all the healing you get from winning the duels  

Signed up!

50 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

Well, it is tricky since you declare crews simultaneously. Should you just never declare Nekima into ES? That said, there's always a bit of an issue of bad matchups, so it does come up.

TBH I would never pick Nephilim into ES, as not only Cadmus is a problem but Seekers too - your models take damage from Inevability of Death or trigger enemy chronicles simply by activating.

Small offtop - I'm currently watching the batrep and I've seen 2 small mistakes:

1. Flush with cash - you played it incorrectly - after determining initiative, the model with the upgrade may decide to discard up to 3 cards, then it draws cards up to full hand.

2. Rounding - according to the page 31 of rulebook:

So when there are 9 Cadmus models the Will of Cadmus has stat of 5 not 4.

8 minutes ago, Adran said:

I think this would be too strong.

Parasite tokens are bad for the opponent, and removing their ability to do anything about getting them isn't fun.  It can feel bad enough that my opponent brings along a little side game I have to plan around, but to then not even let me play it would be horrid. 

(I like the parasites mechanic, but I can see the side from people that don't)

I think you can live in one of 3 metas:

1. Parasite tokens are super rare and almost never happen;

2. Parasite tokens are nuts and models throw them around without any issue;

3. Nobody plays Nexus

34 minutes ago, Adran said:

Well by Jerseys request it fits what was asked for.

Its Guaranteed in the extent that if the action and trigger are meet then the parasite token happens. Unlike Nexus who leaves the final choice to the opponent, (either in card discard or fixed TN duel) (or spell eaters, Husks and eyes and ears also all simple tests to avoid). And I think that covers the 6 models that can give them out, two under your control but with lower stats, and 4 that give the opponent a chance to avoid it even after they have done the "action". 

You're right if we think about it this way. I wish we had some sort of enforcer, that has, for instance a 6" 6 stat attack that has TN of 14 with only effect being "target gains parasite token"...

14 hours ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

Meredith gives them guaranteed with two duels (first attack to give two poison, second attack gives two poison for four total meaning the trigger goes off).

I suspect they avoided italics specifically to make this work.

Due to her having stat of 5 (and considering trigger is not built-is) I wouldn't say it's guaranteed.

56 minutes ago, Harlekin said:

If NVB get another Versatile (or non-Chimera) Beast, it won't be any problem at all as it won't have any impact on a Arcanist Marcus crew. 

It's easy to see NB getting something like Swampfiend/Fae beast, that could fit in the Marcus crew.

58 minutes ago, Harlekin said:

Maybe getting an 7 Stones Summoner (Enforcer; similar to the Forgotten Marshal) could help to give the crew a bump. If he/she could summon Minions up to maybe 7 Stones, the Molemen, Corrupted Hounds and Rattlers might suddenly see more playtime and the crew in general would get more ressources in terms of AP? Some Myranda Crocket who calls in smaller beasts again and again would absolutely fit the eco warriors theme in my book.

I imagine a Chimera/Nephilim, enforcer/henchman who is a hound-master, summoning corrupted hounds for the hunt.

Technically Kirai (or rather - her employer) one of the the biggest threats to both Malifaux and Earth. Also, Since TT have new leadership, Yan Lo can be a one scary fellow. 

Though I think that right now the greatest danger to Malifaux is either united Neverborn, or Lady Janus and her hidden goals. 

Ive just had to mix the rules with toward and away, where it refers to center of the object

3 hours ago, NoisyAssassin said:

You can ignore up to 1" of concealing sightlines for terrain you're in. Since Born of Shadow extends directly 1", the Daeva should be fine to copy non-melee attacks without a

Seriously? i thought It'd be something similar to this:

But I'm not especially great at maths. I assumed hypotenuse to be 40.4, as it is 15mm from center of the base to edge, then there is 1" of aura generated, so in total 40.4mm. Maybe I'm wrong and somebody could correct me? 

Yep, this would be good. Same as few more Curses for JD, or other model-related stuff (like Austringers Raptor upgrade or Calypsos Pilot upgrade).

9 hours ago, Filox said:

Okay, so what instead of Laugh Off for non-minions?

Hunker down obviously

43 minutes ago, Maniacal_cackle said:

For Jedza, I assumed she'd be bad against Ressers since we have tons of anti-healing tech, not to mention solid tools to deal with bubble crews (Reap on Dead Rider).

TBH I haven't played against any resser player who brought Dead Rider yet when playing against her. He is good and a priority target for the crew to kill. I think she's really good against almost any resser master, sparing Molly and Kirai (as both have ways of dealing irreducible damage, and in case of Kirai - Mark of Vengeance). Jedza is amazing in Recover Evidence and Public executions though, and my go-to choice for those strats (she's almost as dirty as Levi in Executions).

5 hours ago, Whut said:

Hey All,
Just posted my DUA-Umbra Keyword Review. Check it out if interested, and let me know if I missed anything important.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3alu3DOWx8

 

I really like it! Though when you said that Daeva can copy Vernon and Welles attack I think you should disclaim, that it's good to copy only shockwave attack, as - due to born of shadow - Daeva will suffer a  to the view of the endless.

I agree that people usually like to take WP 5 models so Ivan won't be able to summon Brocken, forgetting that he can simply kill those models with his 3/4/5 damage track.

I don't know if Ivan is terrible against Ressers, Transmortis in particular. He might be in disadvantage, but it won't be one-sided battle. On the other hand, you can always go Jedza who is much better against ressers than him  

I think it's, in no particular order:

1. Winged Plagues - look at them, the look at Necropunks/Crooligans. Plagues have 4 Wds with no defensive tech. Festering Wounds is nice action, but you actually have to survive to use it.

2. Desperate Mercenaries - super bad model. I compare them to Hopeful Prospects, and their only advantage is being able to participate in Schemes - which means there is a chance they end up giving your opponent few points. For me they remain an option if you need cheap model for Hidden Martyrs (though you could hire Child for 1 SS less). 

3. Drachen Trooper - I can't imagine that somebody would hire them when you have Scouts, Librarians and Engineers. Maybe if Flamethrower would ignore Demise then they would remain niche pick against Hamelin/Som'er/Nexus.

4.

10 hours ago, Zebo said:

Big Jake: not exactly a bad model, but Unexpected return should point that the new summoned Big Jake counts as the original for schemes and strategies purposes, as it looks like should be.

This is good idea, I like it.

5. Taelor - there is whole another topic where people talk about why she is bad.

6. Talos - weird model - slow beater in a mobile crew. I'd give him Beyond Time, so he could hit buried models with his Hammer.

7.

10 hours ago, Zebo said:

Obedient Wretch: this could be (and is IMHO) the best 5ss model in the game. The damage that this model can do is simply overpowered. I would erase Bleeding Disease from this model, would turn down the Tossed Rat damage to 1/2/3, quit the gun symbol, add a crow to the Stat and add the Black Dead trigger to it. So she could be doing up to 3/4/5 damage to a model with blight, which keeps being amazing for a 5ss model, or could be summoning rats from enemies, but no more auto 5-8 damage because yes. 

I think removing Stealth/Tummy Aches would be enough, there is no need for complete model overhaul.