Focus and you

[the proxy union]

Some questions for all of you more experienced players.

 

when do you use focus?

 

why?

 

do you usually aim for one good cheatable flip or multiple (-) flips.

 

 

I am interested in the decision making process used to determine when you focus and when you don't.

 

-Proxy

[SpiralngCadavr]

-So shooting isn't at a negative

-To get cheatable damage (almost only do it when I can guarantee a neutral flip, i.e. either know the best my opponent can do is tie on 2 focus or almost match on one focus) with something with a big difference on damage levels)

-Occasionally push odds in my favor when I don't have the cards and either I'm trying to drain my opponent's hand or theirs is gone too

 

...that's about it. Otherwise, I'll usually spam attacks to try to get something through.

[Mikey_C]

- If you are on a single  flip, focus so you can cheat the result.

- if moderate damage is more than double weak damage it is often a good idea to focus. For example 1/3/4 damage.

- if you need to hit a suit that you don't have in hand and can't use soul stones.

 

and all the instances SpiralingCadaver mentioned.

[Myyrä]

Why ask experienced players when you can just use the power of mathematics?

Seriously though, I probably really should do some calculations to get a decent answer to this question. In reality I do pretty much what SpiralingCadaver does, but I'm fairly sure that is not the optimal strategy in all situations.

[Bengt]

-So shooting isn't at a negative

 

...that's about it. Otherwise, I'll usually spam attacks to try to get something through.

 

 

- if you need to hit a suit that you don't have in hand and can't use soul stones.

 

Those are my main motivations for using Focus. Some sniper type models can also shot farther with focus.

[Math Mathonwy]

There's also the defenses of the defender to take into account. For example if missing or hitting the Defender is somehow detrimental (like against Black Blood, Barbaros, Squeeling Gremlins, or Mei Feng, for example) or, perhaps even more commonly, if they have, e.g., Armor +1 and your damage track is 2/4/5 or something.

If you aren't willing to cheat for whatever reason, OTOH, Focusing often becomes less attractive.

[Dirial]

There is a short page about Focus on the Wiki, too.

[StuffedKiwi]

And there was a good article about focus and defensive stance in one of the Chronicles, a few back (maybe 15? I'm just guessing).

Personally, I mostly find myself using it to overcome a negative flip: targeting Yin, for instance, or shooting at a model in cover. Which is to say, I don't think I think of it often enough.

[zFiend]

-So shooting isn't at a negative

-To get cheatable damage (almost only do it when I can guarantee a neutral flip, i.e. either know the best my opponent can do is tie on 2 focus or almost match on one focus) with something with a big difference on damage levels)

-Occasionally push odds in my favor when I don't have the cards and either I'm trying to drain my opponent's hand or theirs is gone too

...that's about it. Otherwise, I'll usually spam attacks to try to get something through.

Pretty much this.

[Kogan Style]

I like it on the CCK (Copycat Killer) since every shot he takes he is pushed back 4" at the end so its likely that he'll end up 8" away from Seamus at the end of his activation (which can be problematic if he used Teleport to get him to Seamus) He is also Sh4 so more cards the better - any chance to get 4/5/7 from a 3ss model!

[zFiend]

I like it on the CCK (Copycat Killer) since every shot he takes he is pushed back 4" at the end so its likely that he'll end up 8" away from Seamus at the end of his activation (which can be problematic if he used Teleport to get him to Seamus) He is also Sh4 so more cards the better - any chance to get 4/5/7 from a 3ss model!

That's why you place him in base contact in front of Seamus. Can't be pushed back then. or next to terrain.

[Kogan Style]

That's why you place him in base contact in front of Seamus. Can't be pushed back then. or next to terrain.

 

Sometimes that isn't the best option e.g. CCK activates first and I want Seamus to Charge after. Anyway, lets not derail this thread further.

[Dirial]

Anyway, lets not derail this thread further.

 

You're talking to the wrong guy there.

 

I also tend to focus with ranged models to overcome cover, or with models with blasts. Or when I'm Bewitched by Zoraida. Which happens a lot recently.

[Adran]

Just really seconding the above use.

There are 3 reasons to focus first

Firstly to get cheatable attack flips. This is normally to either counter cover, or a models inbuilt negative (Zoraida, Yin and Lucius)

 

Secondly when a cheatable damage flip is better than 2 weak damage flips. So either a model with  good moderate/severe damage, or a model with Blasts.

This is probably the hardest decison to make. Focusing to make the most of your damage is typically going to be card intensive. You typically need to beat your opponent by at least 1 to still make it a chatable flip, and they will typically need to spnd less resource to keep themselves safe (Their 1 high card in hand can potentially stop 2 ap from your model).

You will also want to have the good card in your hand to cheat the damage.

And if you are looking at blast damage you are probably doing more total damage, but spread over a large number of models. This can be handy in the long term, but malifaux typically models are fully effective until they lose all wounds, so concentrating damage is often a safer bet.

 

Thirdly, on Snipers who gain a bonus when using Focus.

[the proxy union]

Thanks for all the replies. Most of them sound like solid advice. my main reason for starting this is that Focus seemed like a subtle but really powerful ability that could be a deciding factor if used correctly, and I thought it could use some discussion. if anyone has in game examples of when focus or even defensive stance was really good and they want to share I would love to hear them.

 

Thanks

-Proxy

[Durza]

I've had an opponents Bayou gremlin tank Killjoy for 2 turns with double defensive stance .

[Carcosa]

Proxy

 

What faction are you thinking about?

[Phototropic]

i love using focus with datsue ba so i can cheat the damage and make sure the other model dies creating a gaki or onryo. I definitely see defensive more than focus, usually to keep models in the area for turf war or the like. 

[Carcosa]

That's another thing with focus, you can go "fishing" for suits to trigger stuff as well with the

[Rathnard]

Fishing for suits with a focus isn't that great if it's a (1) action, since taking the same action twice would have the same effect (you're still flipping two cards, after all). And if you get the needed suit on that first flip, well, you just saved yourself an AP. For (2) or (0) actions with a suit requirement though, yeah, it's definitely worth considering. 

 

Other than that, I wrote an article on Focus & Defensive in Wyrd Chronicles 14, so you could always check that out too.

[Carcosa]

it's not a primary goal. but when you are dealing with focus 2+ with guild riflemen, it is a consideration, hence why I asked what faction.

[the proxy union]

I usually play outcast but also use neverborn when i feel i really need a win. Again thanks for all the replies. This thread has helped me a bit to understand how the rest of you use the focus mechanic.

[admiralvorkraft]

I use focus almost any time I activate a Rifleman or Austringer, or any Guardsman model that happens to be standing near Dashel.

[Valcurdra]

Obvious one but I often focus once per turn abilities. Ie. Seamus' flintlock

Reason being that I don't have the option of simply shooting twice.

[Philosfr]

I've found that I nearly never used focus until I played with a Lucius crew. Once you start using focus for cheap with a lot of things that play nicely with him, it is easier to justify using it when it's not so cheap/easy in other crews.

 

I still don't focus as often as I should though. I think it's that optimism that I will get good enough cards even on a negative. Then math smacks me in the face, demonstrates statistical chance, and makes me regret not focusing to avoid a negative twist on the initial flip.