The "Super Creative" Future Model Brainstorming Thread

[SpectreEliteGaming]

As I am sure we all know, Malifaux has a ridiculously large assortment of crew options to choose from. Honestly, when I think about it sometimes I say to myself "what else could they possibly add to this game without it being simply more of the same" in terms of new models. As such, I kind of decided to propose a community brainstorming exercise in order to showcase what some of the (more vocal) members of the online community desire.

This could just be purely stylistic (I want an arcanist master that isn't boring to look at ) or a "general idea" or set of characteristics that define a character that currently is not represented in Malifaux.

What this thread IS NOT:

This is not a "create your own master/henchman/enforcer/etc." thread. Things like SS cost, triggers or TN are game mechanics that will be designed and fine tuned then redesigned then playtested and beta tested, etc. far into the distant future. Also, complete characters is not required. Even just a "something like that would be kind of cool" idea or two in point form would be perfect. Ideally, someone else would be inspired and add on to the idea, or perhaps make it better!

What the thread IS:

This thread should be an easy to read and user friendly reservoir of creativity. Hopefully we can get a consensus on and showcase what is either missing from Malifaux or just more of what we want to see! You should be able to just skim through the ideas easily and pick out what you like.

The Goal:

If Justin Gibbs visits this thread and says to himself just once "hey, that's a cool idea" I consider that a win. Who knows maybe one day something you propose might actually make it into the game and you can say "that's what I was thinking!" (even if your idea didn't impact the decision at all, you won't know that and you will still feel good about yourself ).

I'll go first for an example!

-----

- My favorite card ever printed in MtG is the badass as hell Siege-gang Commander! To this day I've never lost a game if I can get him on the table. A model (henchman? probably gremlin though that might be typecasting?) that comes into play with 2 peons that he can suicide for guaranteed damage or AP with a bonus in activation advantage would be sweeeeeet.

- Many people have heard about the "Asylum crew" that will be part of the upcoming starter set - how about some crazy berserker patients to go along with the orderlies? Make them tormented for good measure

- A control type 2for1 peon model that latches onto an enemy and parasitically drains AP (to make them slow) for its own use (to make it fast - utilizing AP for aura buff/debuff triggers/activations on Tactical Actions). Condition removal detaches the parasite but it can reattach. Kill it with fire!

Perhaps a behemoth Siege-gang patient who rips the heads off his buddies and throws them at the enemy? Like a Badass Mutant Psycho wih 2 Midget Psycho buddies + a Malifaux twist! Food for thought.

Begin!

[Bengt]

Virginia, Valerie, Vera and Velma. Viktoria's younger sisters.

[SpiralngCadavr]

IDK, maybe a way of representing a collective/swarm intelligence where a set of thematic models either generates an AP pool or can somehow passively pass out slow for fast or something like that. Feels like an Outcast or Arcanist type.

 

I also like the idea of models that are effectively resources (though Colette more or less has those already).

[clockworkspide]

I'd like to see an alchemy-themed master (probably Arcanist) and a Malifaux take on William Tell.

 

Also, a while back someone had an idea for a Guild Hound handler minion, which would also be cool.

[moxypoo]

IDK, maybe a way of representing a collective/swarm intelligence

 

I like this idea.  What about something like a Malifaux Rat: very cheap and poor on its own, but can be sacrificed to grow into a larger swarm with increased stats and abilities.  Then you could allow the Swarm to assimilate (read: sacrifice) more of the cheap, poor models to increase its stats (up to a set limit).  It would be interesting to see a Master who interacts in some way with the swarm keyword, though that might be stepping on Hamelin's toes.

 

Also, it would be interesting to see Malifaux versions of some classic ancient greek monsters, such as the hydra, Medusa, etc. The hydra could have a mechanic where some of its offensive stats increased as it took damage and medusa could do a lot to hand out paralyzed. 

[SpiralngCadavr]

Hmm, yeah, I could easily see something where you got "sacrifice a Chump, Heal 1/2/3, get +1 super swarm. Super Swarm gives you X bonus, max 3 and doesn't expire at the end of the turn" with other master interactions with Super Swarm- kind of a Yan Lo/Hamelin mix.

 

Also, yeah, I like the idea of other mythical beasts, but I prefer the old Rogue Necromancy to the new one in that regard: the new one is basically a sewn together chimera, while the last one was weirdly gimpy and didn't have the traditional wings or heads. The old one was funky and different, while I think the new version is too 1:1, despite being a better model.

[Absolution Black]

I wish i could think if something great .... but i cant. I will just keep dropping hints about the absolution black crew!

[Pyrflamme]

For Ten Thunders, it seems there's already a spy ninja (Oiran) and an assassin ninja (Tokurage), but I'd like to see a saboteur-type of ninja. One or two passive abilities that facilitate scheme marker interactions (ability to take (1) and (2) actions as (0) and (1) respectively, Always on the Move, etc). Also a Ca action that lets you pop scheme markers to do damage in a radius as some sort of trap-like mechanic, maybe with either a flip or static bonus if you target a friendly scheme marker. I know TT already has Tengu, but I think it'd be distinct in its own way. Something that makes your opponent think twice about ending their activation near a scheme marker.

 

I'd also like to see more models in Jacob's "theme", maybe Darkened and TT only to put more emphasis on his Infiltration ability. Maybe TT members that have been assigned to his casino to keep an eye on him. The three casino archetypes I was thinking it might be interesting to see would be Accountant (someone has to do/cook the books), Dealer (maybe some sort of proficient Brilliance spreader, maybe as an aura around him), and Bouncer (Mr. Graves can't be at the Honeypot all the time).

 

I'd also like to see more options for models that have a characteristic that lines up with the Infiltration ability so commonly found on dual-faction masters, but single-faction, so it becomes more of a decision of what to take in one's crew.

[Matney X]

I had a thread on AWP awhile ago about fortune telling that was similar to this -- this is what I predicted:

I  see Henchmen cards for every Master -- the Molly / Kirai scenario on Crossroads is just a taste. HenchMasters won't be full versions of themselves, but it will allow people to run their Ramos / Kaeris crews from days of olde. (Obviously Rare 1, can't be hired with a Master of the same name, may or may not use Master-specific upgrades). This is where we're getting our M2E Alt Sculpts

I see a model / upgrade that gives out an Aura that prevents summoning -- either models cannot be summoned within it, or models within the aura cannot summon models. This won't be constant, and will be expensive, as it totally shuts down some Crews.

I see an Arcanist / Resurrectionist model (probably a Master, but it very well could be something lower). Fluffwise, the model is the most open Arcanist -- they are the public face of the movement -- but they're secretly Ressers.

I see a Gremlin or two completely changing sides to Neverborn. I see a Neverborn being swayed away from their evil ways (probably Outcast).

I see at least one dual-faction master picking a side.

[Justin]

I see a Neverborn being swayed away from their evil ways (probably Outcast).

 

 

Man, so close.

[DeleteAccount]

I still remember the proposal for Werewolf gentleman... Oh the monocles!

[AverageGatsby]

I recently came up with an idea for a Ressectionist Master. 

 

The idea was a wheelchair bound child (teenager) with crippling hemophilia, (and a number of grievous ailments) leaving him quite literally on deaths door. 

The boy (known tentatively as Simon), would move "Unimpeded" due to the wheelchair, but would consider all terrain as hazardous, as he is "on death's door" 

 

Simon's key mechanic would come from another ability, "Sweet Release"

"when this model would be reduced to 0 wounds, summon a friendly Free Spirit" model in base contact with it and then bury this model. The summoned Free Spirit suffers 9 points of damage that cannot be reduced. Simon removes all conditions and it heals 1 wound. Move any upgrades From Simon onto the summoned friendly Free Spirit model ignoring any restrictions for upgrades."

 

Basically Simon, upon reaching the sweet embrace of death, is able to rip his soul from his body and use his new-found freedom to devastate his foes. He doesn't stop there though. 

 

The Free Spirit, is a henchman with the Rare 1, spirit characteristics. It is Incorporeal, cannot be hired, may choose not to be affected by conditions and cannot be buried, and may only be summoned by the Sweet Release ability. At the end of the turn, Simon is unburied in base contact with the Free spirit, and it is sacrificed. 

 

The Free spirit has a Ca attack (melee 2 and range 10) that allows it to heal itself, and a  friendly Simon (even when buried) the amount of damage it deals. 

It would also have an action "Wait, my chair.." that would place it 8 inches or so away, but also give Simon slow, representing that the Spirit has wandered off, but when Simon pops back at the end of the turn, he is chairless for a while. 

 

My thought was that Simon would have a bunch of miserable ghost (Shades) buddies around him with incorporeal, hard to kill, and the same healing attack as the Free spirit that heals itself and Simon equal to damage dealt.

 

Simon himself is less focused on damage and has an ability "Repairs" where he removes a scheme or scrap marker within 6" of himself to make a healing flip, and another ability "Pity" that pulses and give enemies within the pulse a condition where they count Simon as having manipulative 14 and not having activated yet.

 

There are a ton more ideas I have written down, (stats, upgrades, etc.) but chose not to include them for the sake of brevity. These are the main ideas of his character. I proposed the idea to some, and there were suggestions that he could be a Hemomancer, pulling blood out, controlling others through their blood, and swapping wounds back and fourth with his (then blood themed) shades or Free Spirit. 

 

Let me know your thoughts, there is a lot to digest here (sorry) but I appreciate any and all feedback. 

[The Godlyness]

I personally want a male outcast enforcer that has an ability called "dream come true: this model counts as a show girl for actions that target it" also give him "always in motion". Cause people say the showgirls are great dancers but the internet tells me men are pretty good also. Make his model a tap dancer and all will be right in the world. Or break dancing. Or doing the robot. Heck give him an action that makes him be a construct for a hot minute.

Needs to be outcast cause who wants to be friends with a male dancer in a world where anything and everything is trying to kill you. Clearly some shunnage will happen But all he wants is be accepted at the star theater and dance the night away.

Yeah you know you want this to happen.

[rgarbonzo]

Whiskey Gamin, Fire Golem, and someone (could be story based encounter) based on Mr. Garrity and the Graves Twilight Zone episode. Basically, a "charlatan" Ressurectionist that bilks people out of cash to "make the dead stay dead". Of course this is after he already has "raised" the dead from the town. Best thing about this is he could do something along the lines of a summon that wouldn't take effect until the beginning of his next activation and it could be random determination as well since he doesn't know that he really is raising dead. 

[hypoking]

Not models, but I'd love to see some fluffy multi-master upgrades. Rules for a hat that Ophelia and Dita could feud over, or some kind of an arcane elemental hoobajoop for Raspy and Sonia, that sort of thing.

[Bengt]

I see a Neverborn being swayed away from their evil ways (probably Outcast).

Are Neverborn supposed to be evil? I get that Guild may think that but I always thought that was a one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist thing. 

[SpiralngCadavr]

Yeah, I guess a number are creepy, but as a whole I mostly get a "righteous anger about invaders" pseudo-native american vibe off of the faction.

[Patzer]

I personally want a male outcast enforcer that has an ability called "dream come true: this model counts as a show girl for actions that target it" also give him "always in motion". Cause people say the showgirls are great dancers but the internet tells me men are pretty good also. Make his model a tap dancer and all will be right in the world. Or break dancing. Or doing the robot. Heck give him an action that makes him be a construct for a hot minute.

Needs to be outcast cause who wants to be friends with a male dancer in a world where anything and everything is trying to kill you. Clearly some shunnage will happen But all he wants is be accepted at the star theater and dance the night away.

Yeah you know you want this to happen.

 

That characters name is Patrick Castle, for obvious reasons.

[Matney X]

Are Neverborn supposed to be evil? I get that Guild may think that but I always thought that was a one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist thing. 

 

I can't see any non-Neverborn thinking they're anything but evil.  Except maybe Leveticus.

[ArMaLaR(m)]

Are Neverborn supposed to be evil? I get that Guild may think that but I always thought that was a one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist thing.

I haven't read up on the fluff yet but wasn't it just that Malifaux was their place first then everyone else came for a slice and they don't appreciate that? So they're only evil from the perspective of those they're killing out of this anger? I.e everything else and maybe some of their own into the bargain?

[The Godlyness]

I would also accept a neverborn/outcast. With mimic and lost characteristic. Named Mr. Cellophane. Has to be incorporeal, cause you can look right though him walk right by him and never even know he was there.

[RatsInTheWalls]

I would very much like to see a Neverborn/Resurrectionist master that focuses on making fragile exploding undead (No need for new models to come along as all models summoned would gain appropriate characteristics ala Tara Death Marshals).   I've been kicking that idea around for a while now. 
He/she/it would make a good henchman if we're avoiding new masters.

[RatsInTheWalls]

I would also like to see some sort of replacement killer Mimic.

[bandages]

I like this thread.

 

Heavily influenced by the American Horror Story: Freakshow series, I think Malifaux could have some great fun with a Circus/Freakshow themed crew. Probably Outcast based or Neverborn. Here are some ideas about the composition. I realise that the OP said they didn’t want discussion about stats or abilities but once I started I found it too much fun to resist.

 

Illusionist/Conjurer (Viktor Van Niche) Probably the Master? – Aesthetics: Imagine a 1980’s David Copperfield, Perm, long cloak with and arm draping it in front of his body, maybe a wand or cane in his hand. Abilities: Can summon illusions of him or other friendly models to force enemy models to fire at instead, can be placed around the board via disappearing tricks etc. A scheme runner in short.

 

Strongman (Herque Lees) – Aesthetic: an old fashioned strongman; bald, handlebar moustache, Leopard skinned pants, huge weights with the balls at the end. Abilities – A 2” melee with a decent damage spread, Lenny’s Dumber luck ability and an ability called Flex: This model is pushed ½ the intended distance by pushes.

 

Ringmaster – Aesthetic: This model would come with a Lion model as well and they would obviously have AP synergy and such shenanigans. He’d look like a traditional Circus ringmaster, Tall hat, Red coat, whip etc. Abilities:  They could share an AP pool of three, or when one interacts with the other they gain the slow condition. If either dies then they would get a WP debuff, the lion has a charge range which would drag the Ringmaster along with him. The Ringmaster could have a Tamebeast ability which means that any model with the beast profile would have to take a WP duel before attacking

 

Tattooed man – Aestheitc: A tall, slender man, with embossed areas which could easily be dry brushed to give the effect of tattoos. Abilities: A peon or totem model which could be about moving your own or enemy scheme markers. An ability called Spilt Ink: The enemy player selects one card from his own hand then places in face down. If the player with the tattooed man guesses the correct suit he gets the card! Either way the enemy player has to show the card.

 

Bearded lady – Aesthetic – Imagine Sybelle with a beard, she’d have a small pistol to add some range to the crew. Abilities – A human Trixebelle. Her Lure would attract other models with the Freak profile and all others would be directly pushed away. All models with the living profile would have to take a horrifying duel when walking in her engagement or attacking her.

 

Two headed man – Aesthetic: A large model, preferably suited, with two heads looking at each other. Abilities: They would be all about distracting and slowing other models. Forcing enemy models to target each other or at least increasing the 2” range for shooting into engagements. Perhaps they could have an ability to fire two pistols at the same time, but at a cost of 1-2 SH.

 

Fortune teller (Zoltar) – Aesthetics: Ever see the film Big with Tom Hanks? That’s the look, perhaps behind a table with a crystal ball. Abilities: Manipulation based. ‘What your future holds’ could be an ability where Zoltar forces enemy models to only be able to make certain actions, a bit like a nurse’s take you meds.

 

Acrobat – Aesthetics: Circ De Sole type performers. The model could have a model performing a handstand upon the hands of another. Abilities: Leaping abilities and reasonably fast. But once they take wounds I imagine it as one of the performers has been killed so they could have lower WP or DF.

 

Dwarfs – Aesthetics: Two or three on a 40mm base, in slacks or clothes which look like they’ve been handed down to them, ill fitting etc. No beards though. Smoking, or playing cards. Abilities: Perhaps a peon or a totem model. Their main use would be in a thieving capacity; removing scheme markers within 3”, or an ability called ‘Sticky Fingers’, If in base contact with a Master or Henchman model the Dwarves can take a WP duel to try and ‘steal’ a Soulstone for their crew!

 

Elephant man (Merrick): A model with the Elephantiasis disease. A large base model where his head and left side of the body could be affected by the disease, large disfigured arm, bursting from the arm of a shirt etc. The other side would be unaffected by the disease. Abilities: He would cause Horror duels to anyone who ends their walk or targets him with an action.

 

In terms of whole crew buffs and abilities, I feel that the ‘Freaks’ would be close, a lot closer than they were with their family and subsequently they gain buffs (say +1WP) if they are within a certain “6 of each other, but get debuffed if they are too far away (12” = -1WP)

[Sault]

I heard tale once that the Slate Ridge Mauler was supposed to be a sentient circus bear which made me realize, I want a circus master.

 

I have always though Aracanist/NB. With beasts and showgirls from Arcanist, Mimics and fortune tellers from NB. That whole vibe would instantly take my money. 

 

Bandages above came up with a great Ringmaster character. Would make a cool henchman.

 

The "Master of Show" would be able to ooh and aww enemies and obey his (circus) models for for a low cost but have no real offensive abilities otherwise.

 

Maybe NB woe kids to pick pockets as a totem (remove stone from a master or upgrade from a model for a ver high TN on a 1 inch close ca).

 

Maybe an upgrade like "The show must go on" that acts like Tara's end of game reflip.

 

These are just my thoughts.