Scatterbrain

So I've got my name down for the painting challenge, but I don't currently own any Malifaux miniatures. (I have limited agricultural experience, so I think putting the cart before the horse is going to yield good results. )

I went to the only store nearby that I know stocks a few Malifaux miniatures today to view the range, but I can't get anything for another two days, leaving me time to think about which choice to make, and ask for a bit of opinion to guide me.

The store keeps a limited range because they explained they mostly just order in whatever specific players want on a week by week basis, they don't get a lot of sales straight from the shelves. That appeared to be true as they had several out of production Masters boxes and other older edition miniatures I had never seen in my recent Malifaux research with thick layers of dust on them.

I need to paint miniatures of at least 1-5ss value for the competition, but I don't mind painting something worth much more. I'm going to play Arcanists but specifically want to get into Marcus so I'll have anything with the Beast characteristic available for use at some point.

My options are (in Australian dollars, at retail store marked-up prices): 

• box of 3 Union Miners $31
• the current MS&U Ramos Master Box $62
• older out of production Marcus Box $47 (Myranda, Razorspine Rattler and Sabertooth Cerberus but no Jackalope or Cojo)
• older Spawn Mother individual model $41 (does not include Gupps)
• the Sow $22

I've already ruled out the older Ramos by himself miniature and also Cojo by himself. By the same logic I'm leaning away from the older Marcus box, because I may as well get Jackalope and Cojo at the same time.

The current MS&U Ramos Box may seem like an obvious choice, only, I'm sorry, but I don't love the miniatures. They might be awesome in the game, but they don't appeal to me aesthetically whatsoever. If you think Ramos is an amazing first Master for a complete beginner, please try to change my mind! It'd certainly make good practical and monetary sense to simply paint one miniature from the box each month for the next 5 months to hit my soulstone goal.

Who likes Miners? One a month for the next 3 months also hits my soulstone goal, but that's a bit boring.

Who likes the Sow? It's the cheapest option and fairly straightforward to paint, but I'll have to invest in Piglets too eventually in order to field it.

Just FYI, paints are no object, I have any and every colour available that I might need for any of the options. That wasn't a boast because I'm actually not very good at using them. 

Wow, Paul7926, you are an extremely considerate player. If there's a Best Sportsperson award in the tournament, I'd think you would be a top favourite. Remember that even if you're a newer player, if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements, you're just as entitled to be there as anyone else. Plus, if any of your opponents are ruthlessly competitive, they'd probably like the fact that you're less experienced than some of the other players. So in that sense, you're doing them a favour, and they don't have a right to get excessively impatient with you. If you have to look up a rule once or twice midway, at least that means you're not likely to instinctively know how to counter whatever Awesome Tournament Winning List they have put together.

I gather you must use the exact same list in all three rounds?

From a financial and new models to paint to "tournament quality" point of view, I just wonder why you haven't included all of the models from Von Schill's box over buying additional models? If you had both Freikorpsmenn minions and the Steam Trunk totem anyway, why not throw them in instead of having to buy the Student of Conflict or Taelor? That is, of course, unless you already happen to have the Student and Taelor anyway?

Caveat: this "advice" comes from a complete n00b, who has not yet played a single game. So it requires a massive grain of salt, like the margarita glasses about which Milton was going to "put strychnine in the guacamole" at the end of Office Space. 

Thanks, KingCrow! You have mail. 

Thanks everybody! New player here. My first choice was going to be Rasputina, but she's a little hard to find at the moment. My next preference is to start with Marcus. 

Arcanist Master, that is. 

Did you start Malifaux with the Arcanist Faction? If so, who was your first Master, and what drew you to them in particular?

Did you start with other factions and arrive at the Arcanists after playing some other Masters? If so, who was your first Arcanist Master, and how did that come to pass?

Hi Skarloc, in which country are located? You have a wonderful collection available, I'm just wondering about shipping costs.

10 minutes ago, Franchute said:

No problem. We can wait to see what you'll paint, though those will have to be painted in January 

Come Friday 4th I'll be in business! Maybe I'm just such an amazing Minion-level beginner that I needed to give everyone else a four day headstart? 

Total n00b to Malifaux here. May I please join in as a Minion? First miniatures will have to wait until this coming payday. 

This sounds amazing, I have friends in Canberra, I should consider this for 2019 if it's an annual event?

7 minutes ago, retnab said:

Not too late at all, the backerkit's still open for a little longer and you can still get in on the goodies here  

Thanks retnab! Now if only there were a sizeable deposit to my bank amount of the required amount... 

I've learned about it all far too late.  Congratulations to everyone who contributed and who are expecting some wonderful rewards for their pledges. Jealousy ++.

A Johnny-come-lately here. I like the look of the non-human miniatures and prefer the aesthetics over the other three major factions. Circle Orboros is my chosen faction for WarmaHordes, so as retnab said above, the play style of Cult of the Burning Man will hopefully mesh. Plus I like that they're religious fanatics who are well beyond the realms of sanity. Maybe that appeals to me on a personal level? 

Another Australian here, from Brisbane. Completely new player. I've chosen the Arcanists led by Rasputina for my first crew.

I started with the Dark Elves in Warhammer Fantasy Battles back in 1998. Loved Mordheim when it was around, which has now piqued my interest in other skirmish games, leading me to Malifaux. I'm also starting Warmachine/Hordes at the same time with Circle Orboros.

Despite having my toe in the pool for such a long time, I haven't done a proportionate amount of actual gaming or painting compared to the amount of money spent and miniatures owned. I'm hoping to change that in the New Year!

Anyone in or visiting Brisbane is always welcome to drop me a message.