Popular Post Justin Posted July 4, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 The starter box is probably the thing I am most excited for this Gen Con (though that's tough, because I'm hugely proud of the campaign system and Shifting Loyalties book) so I wanted to continue the discussion on it after the last thread got a bit off topic. In this thread I'm going to compile some teasers we've already released on podcasts and such so, even if you've already seen the art, keep scrolling! So, first, what we already know: The box! The box will run $65 dollars and include all new fate decks! Samples: And model renders: Alright, onto the meat! The starter booklet is divided into five teaching games, which allow players to learn as they experience the game. Each one builds on previous games with new concepts until you know how to play Malifaux! It is very much designed to be used by two people who have NEVER played a miniatures game, and get them ready for the full glory of Malifaux by the time they're done. After a few explanations of what a miniatures game is, how to read a stat card, the fate deck, etc. the players begin playing. Game 1) In game one, each player has one minion (Bloodwretch for Neverborn and Orderly for Guild). They start out next to each other and the booklet explains how an opposed duel works along with cheating fate, damage, etc. The players take turns attacking until one dies. However, Accuracy modifiers are not introduced at this time (they are introduced later along with and flips. Accuracy modifiers are a common stumbling point for new players, and remember we want people to be able to learn from this box with no help). It's also worth noting that there is no need to explain Triggers at this point, as none of the basic minions have any. This may seem like an odd starting point. But I think that the opposed duel (along with cheating) is really the heart of Malifaux and what separates it from other games. I've seen other starters begin with movement, but after years of doing demos and with the advice of the henchmen who playtested this, we determined that starting people in the action is really the way to get them interested! Game 2) In game two each player gets two minions (two orderlies and two bloodwretches, depending on the Faction). This game walks you through alternating activations, AP, walk actions (along with movement and measuring) and initiative. Since game 1 has taught the players the basics of how "fighting" in the game works (i.e. opposed duels) game 2 sets up the opportunity for players to start learning how to bring the tactics to that fight with positioning, AP, and Activation order. While game 1 introduced cheating fate, the heart of Malifaux, game 2 introduces the heart of miniature gaming as a whole. Game 3) In game 3 players add their respective Henchman to the two minions they already have. The Henchmen have more advanced things on their stat cards such as Triggers, zero Actions, and pulses. This game also introduces and flips, so it also explains how Accuracy Modifiers work. Again, I know Accuracy Modifiers are a key element of damage, but introducing concepts with a gradual progression is a very important teaching tool. Game 4) In game 4 the players add the two Enforcers (Nurse Heartsbane and the Scion of Black Blood), completing the box set and learning more complex concepts which those models have access to such as: simple duels, Target Numbers (particularly how target numbers work within an opposed duel), defensive triggers, interact actions, and conditions. Game 5) In game 5, the players attach their Henchman's Upgrade and learn the basics of Upgrades and Soulstone use. There are other concepts which are included in the games but I haven't listed as this is getting long, such as charging, engagement range, shooting into engagements, cover, etc (likely along with a few I'm forgetting!). Point being, after game 5 the new players should have a very good understanding of the game save for how the individual strategies and schemes work (although the games introduce the basic concepts of VP as well). And with the free rules manual download, they will be able to fill in any holes in their understanding they may yet still have, with the advantage of knowing the basic structure which creates a game. Oh, and the Faction dynamics of the models were switched up a bit (with Neverborn getting some shooting and Guild getting some fast melee) to hopefully make these models more appealing to you veterans despite the simplicity in design that being included in the starter necessitates. A lot of thought, effort, and testing went into this (I know Lee from Fools Daily made his poor wife play it until she never wanted to see another miniature again, just to get a new player's perspective), and I can't wait for you all to get your hands on it! 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferossa Posted July 4, 2015 Report Share Posted July 4, 2015 /cracks knuckles As has been previously mentioned, Angel Eyes was once a human. It has been stated the Asylum is run by Pandora. Is Dr. Grimwell related to Angel Eyes and Tuco? Will the fluff uncover the conspiracy? With the extra info, it looks like a perfect introduction to the game. This is exactly what I need for my newbie friends. The smallermodel count and ensuing shorter game length make learning much easier and it layers in rules organically. I hope we see at least two more, or one for every faction. Four model henchman starter kits + cards would be a really cool way to expand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted July 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 /cracks knuckles As has been previously mentioned, Angel Eyes was once a human. It has been stated the Asylum is run by Pandora. Is Dr. Grimwell related to Angel Eyes and Tuco? Will the fluff uncover the conspiracy? With the extra info, it looks like a perfect introduction to the game. This is exactly what I need for my newbie friends. The smallermodel count and ensuing shorter game length make learning much easier and it layers in rules organically. I hope we see at least two more, or one for every faction. Four model henchman starter kits + cards would be a really cool way to expand. There is some fluff for each game explaining why the fighting is happening, and Shifting Loyalties includes all these models with bios. There are no plans at this time to do more starter sets, but you never know what the future holds. It's worth noting that all models included have the mercenary characteristic, so you can use them with whichever Faction you choose (and the booklet gives a brief outline of what each Faction is about). On a purely personal note, I like having one introductory product to avoid confusion. But we shall see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadow2 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Is there a reason that the world of Malifaux isn't explained on the box? Seems odd to me for a starter box to not mention anything about the fantastic, mysterious, and messed up land they will hopefully be visiting soon. I guess we don't know what is on the sides of the box, but I would consider getting that info on the box. As for the new characters and models. I think they are amazing. I can't wait to learn more about the history of these characters and how they interact with the others. I love the look of Nurse Heartsbane. Will this box also include a breakdown of each master for new players? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted July 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 There is an outline of the world in the booklet. There is not a breakdown of each master, but there are addresses for a number of online resources and a suggested next Master purchase for each Crew and a brief description of those Masters (Lilith for Neverborn and Sonnia for Guild - the Guild models are witch hunters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otylia Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I absolutely love the idea of introducing elements through a series of games! I've tried to explain the mechanics of the game to a few people who haven't table top gamed before and they were fairly overwhelmed. This seems like a perfect way to break the game down and gradually introduce characters not just to the mechanics of the game but also to rules and abilities of models more gradually. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Barrows Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I'm curious, are the tape measures special (ie Malifaux on them, Guild/Neverborn symbols)? Regardless, I'm looking forward to this. Looks like a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlett fever Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Freaking awesome, love it. I've introduced a few new players to the game over time and with less experienced wargamers teaching Malifaux is an overwhelming experience. This looks like a very sound way to go about it and you could probably get through it in one sitting. I'll defiinitely be picking up a box. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paradoxstorm Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Do want new decks. Me too! Sadly as an Arcanist I don't suppose I'll actually be using them outside of introducing the game to newer players, but they do look nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengt Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 So are the cards over the title on this page from the starter box decks? Aaron was cagey about them when I asked for more information before the starter box had been announced. Are these decks plastic? Will they be available separately? If they are, how about card backs with different faction symbols? I would like a new fate deck but I think the Arcane fate decks are a bit busy looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyrdaholic Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Hello, Really like the look of the cards, specially the backs. Will they be the awesome high quality plastic decks? The polymer decks are some of the best quality cards I have seen and really hope they will be, can't get enough of the artwork and can see myself buying the box just to get the cards/minis even though I currently have more decks than can be used for a game. hehe (great value with this box for certain, love the medical staff, full of character with great ambiance) Thanks, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakurazuka38 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Sonnia ? They scream mcMourning for me but i didn't imagine they would be witch hunter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zFiend Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Sonnia ? They scream mcMourning for me but i didn't imagine they would be witch hunter. Yeah I was surprised too when I read that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guardian Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Witchhunter is a keyword synergy, mcmourning does not have real keyword synergies if I remember correctly. Also, to work with mcm, poisom should be prelevant mechanic, which is not really beginner friendly... But Aaron did mention that grimwell and good doc were known to fist-bump from time to time (what ever that means) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted July 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Witchhunter is a keyword synergy, mcmourning does not have real keyword synergies if I remember correctly. Also, to work with mcm, poisom should be prelevant mechanic, which is not really beginner friendly... But Aaron did mention that grimwell and good doc were known to fist-bump from time to time (what ever that means) I think that was Mason and he was joking. McMourning isn't beginner friendly on a few levels. Poison for one, lack of synergy, and being dual Faction. Sonnia isn't the simplest Guild Master, but she's not bad, and her models are easiest to assemble. Plus there is fun story potential to be had in attempting to cure rogue magic users of their "mental illness"... Don't know about the fate decks, myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leebat Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 im really looking forward to this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psientologist Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Are the Sanctioned Spellcasters a tie between Sonnia and Grimwell background wise? Not much else to say, I'm super excited for this product and I can't see anything I dislike about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakurazuka38 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 The poison thing is not so prevalent in guild McMourning but I understand that he's not newbie friendly (so as lucius who fit completely the guild/neverborn box). However I play thematic crew and I would prefer none keyword rather than the witchunter one which doesn't fit thematically! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fetid Strumpet Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Ummm it does. Honestly I don't understand the "they are mcmorning theme" because they aren't. McMorning is a coroner, the models in The starter box presumably aren't. So I don't understand the assumption. Not every kind of doctor works together, and wearing a lab coat doesn't unite them in some kind of theme. For all we know he's a physicist or chemist. It's like saying this guy works outside for the majority of his job and so does this guy, so they're the same! Except one guy is a park ranger and the other is in construction. I'm sure when the box is opened the reason for the witch hunter keyword will make sense. And frankly we needed more witch hunters. Sonnia's keyword has been totally under represented as more and more models have come out and new crews have dwarfed her own with their own theme models. Now, more belles please. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zFiend Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Yes. More Belles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakurazuka38 Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Manual chainsaw for chemist or physician ? I see some tool to open body (in a sadistic way)! Maybe all the medical stuff is not link to the good doctor (and I disagree since all the malifaux crew are built around cliché) but where is the esthetic link with witch hunter ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 I would have said more an asylum feel. That to me would rule out mcmourning. I guess magic use could drive you insane enough to be institutionalised? These orderlies etc are likely part of a scheme to cure magic use via 'experimentation' imo. The chainsaw? Hey...maybe you can 'cut' the magic out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zFiend Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 To me the whole "cut the magic out" sounds something McMourning might be ordering.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolution Black Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Nah he digs the dead people...these guys i can see doing it while the patient is alive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako Posted July 5, 2015 Report Share Posted July 5, 2015 Looks to me like a jumbo version of the old school amputation bone saw - that was essentially a chainsaw with a hand crank... And those patients tended to be very alive, and in asylums, undergoing quite insane surgeries to 'cure' them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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