Cedar

I like idea behind this upgrade, however, the execution of it isn't best in my opinion. I'd suggest something like this:

Steamfitter Training

1 SS, Arcanists, living, rare 1

This model gains following abilities:

Creative Salvage: Models killed by this model drop a Scrap marker in addition to any other markers dropped.

Spare Parts: After determining initiative for the first turn, this model may discard any number of cards. Place a scrap marker on your half of the battlefield for each two cards discarded.

Creative salvage would be helpful for a ramos crew to obtain scraps more reliably (by killing opponents or even your own model without the help of Joss -if a player somehow decides to play Ramos without him). Second ability is similiar to wave 5 upgrade for Nicodem - Cricling Buzzards, and for me discarding two cards for a marker is nice fair trade during the first turn.

Back to the topic - I was thinking about something like this:

Stolen Goods

1 SS, Outcasts, bandit or mercenary, non-master rare 2

This model gains following abilities:

Finders Keepers: At start of this model activation, it  may discard an enemy scheme marker within 2" of itself. If it does, draw a card then discard a card.

What's in the box?: At start of this model activation, it may discard this upgrade to attach an upgrade from the enemy player faction, following all restriction for attaching upgrades except faction restriction.

Basically - it's reverse Thousand Faces. 

EDIT: Few small changes.

I'm pleased to invite everyone to the X Gaining Grounds league in Krakow, Poland. You can register until April 15. We will play 5 two-week rounds, beginning from April 16. Detailed information (in Polish) can be found here:

http://forum.vanaheim.pl/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=1028&p=7369

If you wish to attend or have any questions, please contact me via PM. Registration fee is 15 PLN. Games are usually played at Vanaheim store at Lubicz 34/6 in Krakow. Malifaux players tend to meet on Wednesday evening, but games can be arranged any time you find suitable (within store opening hours).

1 minute ago, WWHSD said:

Arcane Storm is 2/4/5.

 

My bad. It's still very strong attack for cheap models.

3 minutes ago, Rillan said:

I've read whole your discussion guys, that was interested but here comes some questions - Do u agree that even if Sandeep somehow gets nerf it won't help other masters to play better against those in top tier? Yes, I agree it not even close interesting to play Malifaux when u find out your opponent plays Sandeep but there are bunch of other strong Masters that are pain in the ass as Sandeep is. Wouldn't it better to discuss how to Improve lower tier masters instead of nerfing greatly balanced top tier? Yes, some might not like tier discussion but in my IMHO lots of book 1-3 masters should be rebalanced. 

To be honest, I've seen many more Lady Justice, Mah, Ironsides, Titania, Von Schiil, Yan Lo, Tara and Hoffman after release of wave 5 than it was before and the gap between the top and the bottom tier masters is smaller than before. There are few masters that require few (sometimes small) nerfs (Zipp, Collodi, Hamelin, Nico etc.) and few that require buff of some sort (Kaeris, Mei feng, Colette - only to name a few). The rebalance process is desired, however, any changes should be made very careful to not overbuff the master and turn them into new Sandeeps.

6 minutes ago, WWHSD said:

For the record, I don't have an issue with Sandeep getting some adjustments. I'm against nerfs that hurt the faction across the board that come at the same time that Sandeep is getting "fixed".

But (almost) nobody in this thread wants to nerf anything that is not a Sandeep except some changes made for Imbued Energies (In my opinion - changing card draw to trigger only when a model is killed or sacrificed by enemy model). Changes for Sandeep (and other top masters) are necessary for sake of the game.

21 minutes ago, WWHSD said:

I'm also against just straight up nerfs to Sandeep since I believe that the problem with him is primarily one of internal faction balance and not that he is brokenly good when compared to the most competitive masters in other factions.

I have to disagree with you. He probably would be equally good in any faction due to his versatility. He offers good attack options (10" CA 5 with 3/4/5 damage spread with possibility to receive  to damage, as well as push to move friendly/enemy model) and solid (0) actions that are great especially for models without them or that have not-so-great free actions (Oxfordian Mages). He is top master right now, mostly due to fact, that he has almost best way of obtaining fourth AP per turn (Only Collodi can do it easier or at lower cost) - that's why I posted a suggestion few pages before to change suit required for Student of All from  to  - first of all, if a model would use his Arcane Storm it would still need to have this suit and second - Oxfordian mages wouldn't be able to  always grant it due to using any of his abilities while standing next to each other. Also, increasing penalty from -1 CA to -2 CA is good step towards balancing this master - CA 4 attacks are still good for cheap, summonable minions (like Gamins). 

5 minutes ago, WWHSD said:

The build that people in Poland are busting out the pitchforks and torches over doesn't use that upgrade so I've been trying to limit myself to discussing that particular loadout on Sandeep (Arcane Reservoir, Seize The Day, and either Commands or Visions depending on the pool). 

Actually in Poland Seize the Day is often switched for the Unaligned Sage.

3 minutes ago, necroon said:

because Arcanists has an internal master balance issue that should not prevent balance changes happening for the good of the game.

This.

It could be only Outcasts box, like brotherhood of rat. Maybe something void, freikorps or bandit related.

I agree with almost anything you stated above, however 

3 minutes ago, WWHSD said:

4. Move the action 'Trick of the Hat' from the upgrade 'Cabaret Choreography' onto Colette's card. The line "This Action may not be taken if this crew hired a Totem other than a Mechanical Dove" gets changed to "This Action may not be taken unless this crew hired a Mechanical Dove".

Colette card has a lot of text right now and this change probably wouldn't happen as there is no space for printing new Action. Maybe increasing range of her Sabre Trick to 10" (14" with trigger from A Lady's Secret) would be great instead.

1 hour ago, WWHSD said:

You might want to take a Cerberus over Myranda if you are playing Ours. Playing 9 points down for the purpose of scoring the strategy is significant. 

IE is 4 cards, once. Even if he doesn't bring much in the way of a card draw engine, Nicodem is typically going to be drawing that many cards every turn.  

Well, you can still take Myranda with IE and sacrifice her in time of need for a beast (usually a cerberus, but i can see summoning other models with her, like Blessed of December).. Usually, losing 9 stones is very painful, but with her you can shift her before enemy would be able to kill her (7 DF and potential prevention flips means she'll likely survive enemy attacks). 

40 minutes ago, Kadeton said:

The problem with Sandeep (in my opinion) is that he completely eclipses everyone else in the Arcanists. That's why you're seeing so many "Sandeep players" - he's a really good choice for any scenario, and playing a single Master is easier, cheaper and more reliable under tournament conditions if you can get away with it, which he totally can.

He eclipses everyone thanks to his versatility. I agree, that masters like Colette, Kaeris and Mei Feng require a boost, however, I still suggest reducing Sandeep power level a bit - like changing the IE and causing his actions to be borrowed at -2 CA.

1 hour ago, Emeryt said:

Not to mention that Sandeep, being AR, just breaks the game.

 

To be honest, he would do the same silly stuff in any faction. His kit is too good currently.

1 hour ago, Emeryt said:

He got Myranda with Imbued Energies, that's a free activation (Cerberus) and 4 extra cards turn one

It's too good currently. I think the IE should be changed to trigger only on kills/sacrifices caused by enemy actions. Right now there is no point of taking Cerberus, as you could hire Myranda with Energies for the same price.

1 hour ago, Emeryt said:

He got cheap Mages, 3 strong activations for 15SS with Well Rehearsed, which makes them even more survivable.

What is more - in two strategies right now, the always avaiable scheme is Guarded Treasure which is very easy to do with mages or other models (who can borrow Sandeep place action).

For now, he overshadows other Arcanists Masters, which is sad as this faction has fun masters to play with, like Raspy, Mei Feng or Kaeris, but their kit is not even close to what Sandeep can bring to the table. My ideas of changing him would be 1) Changing IE to trigger draw only when model is killed/sacrificed by enemy model 2) Either removing Impossible to wound from Sandeep (so he would be susceptible to alpha strikes or change his beacon ability to cause -2 CA instead of -1 CA penalty for actions taken by other models.

EDIT: I would also change suit required for Student of all from  to , as it's too easy to meet the requirement (any model can copy Arcane Storm or Oxfordians can cast any borrowed spell with  in their final duel total thanks to their own ability that adds tomes to their casts).

3 hours ago, WWHSD said:

 

I’m currious when you mention ‘fixed master’ if you meant that the tournament was a fixed master tournament or if those particular players just never chose to play a master other than Sandeep. If it’s a fixed master tournament then it’s really going to skew more heavily towards Arcanists playing Sandeep.

It was fixed faction, but almost all Arcanists decided to play all 6 rounds with only Sandeep.

I was playing against similar crew in last few weeks, and from my experience I can say - don't waste time on Gamins, kill other models. Killing Cerberus or Captain is probably more desired than killing mages, as he can Airburst three models per activation or can charge a beater with his Relic Hammer, while the cat can deal HUGE amount of damage due to three-headed and maul trigger.

Personally I think that Titania with her Royal Indignation limited upgrade could be nice option against that Sandeep crew, as she would reduce damage from all summoned gamins (including Banasuva) by 2 and reduce damage caused by mages by 1. With An Audience With The Queen and Behold My Glory as two remaining upgrades and Hooded Raider and Emissary as a beaters (just lbe careful about Captain) she could be tough opponent for the Arcanist.

My other idea is taking Doppleganger for her ability to cheat initiative as well as Iggy for Incite and go first with two-three models in a crucial turn. Also, Voices Pandora with Rile Them Up seems like a good answer for the Mages - don't waste time for paralyzing stuff, just kill them with her attack that may not be reduced. 

4 minutes ago, Trample said:

You could try the new engineer. He can give her a ram for two rounds, which will allow her to consistently get the Thunder attack off of the downburst. I'm not sure that is worth it, but it is kind of interesting. I think most of the time I would rather charge, but there probably are occasions where the pushes can really help. 

Sadly Misaki isn't a legal target for Engineer (0) action as she isn't construct or doesn't have armor.

He would benefit greatly from either increase of damage track to 3/4/5  or changing his additional turn related AP for Swift.

You can attach this curse to JD, as it was clarified in the FAQ:

38) Some Actions/Abilities allow models to attach Upgrades during the game. Do these Actions/Abilities need to adhere to the restrictions listed on the Upgrade, or can they be attached to any model? Upgrade restrictions only affect the hiring process, and have no in game effect, so these Upgrades may be attached to any model. If there are any restrictions they will be noted in the Action or Ability’s description. It is worth noting some such Actions and Abilities bother noting “ignoring restrictions” but this is simply reminder text which was put on when there was space available.

Hello all! Recently I was talking to a friend of mine about facing Hoffman while playing Gremlins and we both couldn't find any good master to face him now. Before wave 5 Wong was obvious pick, since Glowy Tavish plus two Swinecursed were more than enough to kill armored robots but now Improved Harness negates traditional counters. I don't have much experience playing Bayou inhabitants so I'm asking you - what master/models would you take against Hoffman? 

I have to agree with Adran. I found Obedient Wretch to be essential for Hamelin, as well as Brotherhood. The two more things I'd consider with Tyrant are Benny and Midnight Stalker., which puts you in about 100$ (estimated cost). Howeve, just crewbox and brotherhood should be fine.

I liked Plague a lot, however, introduction of Plague Pits made this upgrade obsolete, as markers can stack more blight than you would be able to apply via Pipes. The only thing I'm missing from Plague is Virulent aura, as sometimes condition removal can be very painful (once I had a game v. Yan Lo where Chiaki removed 8 Blight from old man with her single AP). If Wyrd would ever release model with this ability I'd never consider taking the Plague again. 

You must play him as solid scheme runner/anti scheme runner - simply attack enemy scheme runners (who are likely away from friends) and place schemes to score your own VP. Symbols of Authority, Covert Breakthrough, Surround Them, even Guarded Treasure or Inescapable trap are very easy when you combine powers of Stalker and Hamelin.

59 minutes ago, gribble said:

Emissary over Strongarm Suit? What does he bring?

He has nice aura that causes friendly models near him to skip randomization when shooting into engagements plus he attaches a Shirt to Von Schill few times per game. 

Here is fixed crew that won recent tournament in Poland(and is doing surprisingly well in other tournaments):

50 SS Outcasts Crew
Von Schill + 4 Pool
 - Oath of the Freikorps (1)
 - Nythera Aftermath (1)
 - Survivalist (1)
Steam Trunk (3)
Hannah (10)
 - I Pay Better (1)
Hodgepodge Emissary (10)
 - Conflux of Conflict (0)
Freikorps Librarian (7)
Freikorps Trapper (7)
Freikorps Engineer (6)

 (exported from CrewFaux)

Very good list for either supply wagons, public executions or ours.

Hello all, I have one question regarding being in base contact with marker that has "dense" trait - can a model be in base contact WITH the marker and not be considered to be IN the forest? I found only this answer:

I still have doubts about Grootslang and said markers - can Grootslang be with base contact with forest marker (and gain his bonuses of being in base contact with a terrain marker) and somehow be outside of the forest, so enemies couldn't draw LOS through markers to it?

Power creep is inevitable as you need to sell something different from anything the faction has to stay in business. Other option is selling more powerful version of existing models. I think avoiding power creep is noble goal, however, as I said - power creep happens and a company can only try to minimize it's impact on the game, especially when covering faction weaknesses. For instance - as Outcast player I can say, that yellow guys struggle with chain activations (we have effigy, trinket from emissary and upgrade for Sisters) and non-master models that can push or move friendlies (only destined action on Emissary). i think that covering these particular weaknesses by, for instance, giving new models companion/accomplice could cause serious problems (eg. with Viktorias), but releasing a model that would have an aura that stops enemy models within it from chain activating would cover this particular faction weakness without creating broken combination.

13 minutes ago, thatlatinspeakingguy said:

this autocorrection revealed your identity, Cedar - or maybe I should call you Bolek?... ;-)

the more I read about Parker the more I want to actually play him. he seems to be complex enough to provide some good excuse for me screwing games up ;-)

by the way, how did Taelor manage to kill Sue on turn one?

Damn Android auto-correction...

Parker is somehow both very fun and very frustrating to play. He can move either him or friendly model, cycle few cards or get soulstone, steal his opponent cache or put very nasty conditions on them. If only his push would require, let's say, 5+ instead of 8+ and his upgrades wouldn't force him to discard them when he is using them, he could probably find his niche. 

Sue died because Dead Doxy pushed him into center of the table, then dead outlaw shot him for 3 damage, Taelor used companion from trinket and discarded oathkeeper for fast, then she charged Sue and killed him with both attacks (she hit  with her second attack so she was able to kill him with this swing).

By " adding  to their sabers would make them viable pick in my opinion." I meant they should have both  AND  in their attack action.

Yesterday, I've played Parker against Seamus. I took:

50 SS Outcasts Crew
Parker Barrows + 4 Pool
 - Highwayman (1)
 - Oath Keeper (1)
 - Stick Up (1)
Doc Mitchell (3)
Taelor (9)
 - Oath Keeper (1)
 - Scramble (1)
Hodgepodge Emissary (10)
 - Conflux of Stolen Goods (0)
Hans (7)
 - Advanced Sight (0)
Dead Outlaw (6)
Dead Outlaw (6)
Hodgepodge Effigy (4)

 (exported from CrewFaux)

Seamus had DYKWIAM?, red chapel killer, Sinister Reputation, his crew was: copycat, emissary with general conflux, dead doxy, two belles, kentauri and Sue with MLH. Somehow I've managed to won against him, with taelor killing sue turn one and Parker with emissary killed są us at start of turn 2. Unfortunately, the only thing hans did was forcing my opponent to cheat df flip with RJ, so my sniper wasn't able to hit emissary. I really like conflux of stolen goods, as it generates many cards during the game. Definietly I'll give wokou raiders another chance, however, I still think they are not particularly good model - adding  to their sabers would make them viable pick in my opinion.

Parker crewbox is surprisingly good in crewbox v crewbox mmatche as banditos - despite being worse version of dead outlaws - are good enough for both scheme running and killing stuff.