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[Yan Lo] Because I hate money...


Kobayashi

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For a Thunders Yan Lo, I'd recommend the Shadow Emissary (so, something to proxy as it, since there are no current models that count as it officially), as it's a fantastic addition to his crew.

Toshiro opens a lot of options, for which I'd recommend grabbing some Komainu to go with the Ashigaru in the crew box.

Yin is pretty brilliant, and, with Izamu, completes the Ancestors.

Other models I find work well with him include anything that benefits from either being healed or not having to move far to do damage. I'd also recommend grabbing one or two Wastrels for Chi harvesting early game.

Oh, and Sensei Yu is fantastic with Yan Lo. If you don't fancy picking up the Shenlong box just for him, I'd recommend picking up the Shenlong box for Shenlong as well ;)

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2 minutes ago, BigHammer said:

For a Thunders Yan Lo, I'd recommend the Shadow Emissary (so, something to proxy as it, since there are no current models that count as it officially), as it's a fantastic addition to his crew.

Toshiro opens a lot of options, for which I'd recommend grabbing some Komainu to go with the Ashigaru in the crew box.

Yin is pretty brilliant, and, with Izamu, completes the Ancestors.

Other models I find work well with him include anything that benefits from either being healed or not having to move far to do damage. I'd also recommend grabbing one or two Wastrels for Chi harvesting early game.

Oh, and Sensei Yu is fantastic with Yan Lo. If you don't fancy picking up the Shenlong box just for him, I'd recommend picking up the Shenlong box for Shenlong as well ;)

Since Koimanu are already recommended to me with a 10 Thunders Mei Fang I happily bite... and now I have a reason to get Toshiro, too.

Just a question about RETAINERS; since Yan Lo can hire them. As far as I remember the Onryos also have that characteristic; are they wrth taking?

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Just now, Kobayashi said:

Since Koimanu are already recommended to me with a 10 Thunders Mei Fang I happily bite... and now I have a reason to get Toshiro, too.

Just a question about RETAINERS; since Yan Lo can hire them. As far as I remember the Onryos also have that characteristic; are they wrth taking?

In Ressers, yes, in Thunders, debatable. The amount of effort involved in really exploiting the Adversary condition they can hand out makes it not really worth it, and Thunders don't have a lot of uses for Poison either. Resser Yan Lo can hire more Spirits (like Shikome and Datsue Ba, for example), that can really use Adversary to their advantage (and Poison, in the case of the Shikome), and has more synergies with them himself with his Spirit upgrade, so they're worth a look-in there. The only time I really ever use his infiltration is to get a Komainu or two in a Ressers Yan Lo crew, rather than bringing anything into a Thunders one (I do like to summon lots of Ashigaru, though, if I'm running Toshiro).

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17 minutes ago, BigHammer said:

In Ressers, yes, in Thunders, debatable. The amount of effort involved in really exploiting the Adversary condition they can hand out makes it not really worth it, and Thunders don't have a lot of uses for Poison either. Resser Yan Lo can hire more Spirits (like Shikome and Datsue Ba, for example), that can really use Adversary to their advantage (and Poison, in the case of the Shikome), and has more synergies with them himself with his Spirit upgrade, so they're worth a look-in there. The only time I really ever use his infiltration is to get a Komainu or two in a Ressers Yan Lo crew, rather than bringing anything into a Thunders one (I do like to summon lots of Ashigaru, though, if I'm running Toshiro).

Okay, that is good to hear for an entry point. With Toshiro summoning Ashigaru & Koimanu, would I still be a happy buyer with Yan Lo + Koimanu + Genbu (read Izamu the Armor) + Toshiro?

What can Yin do for my crew and would you consinder Ama No Zako as well?

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Yin is a great control piece against casters specifically, and against anything that has a hard time getting positive flips on attacks in general. While I wouldn't recommend taking all of the ancestors at once, she can be a fantastic piece in certain strategies and schemes, and having access to Smoke Grenades can really frustrate anyone trying to target her from range.

I don't personally use Ama No Zako. The Thunders have a lot of models that do a similar job for less stones, and she can be very hit-and-miss. However, she fits well with Yin, since Gnawing Fears and Yin's Terrifying (All) combine rather nicely with Promising Whisper; if its target suffered from Gnawing Fears earlier in the turn it will be on a negative flip to resist Promising Whisper, and if the action targets Yin it will have to take a Horror duel at a negative flip as well, likely failing and gaining paralysed (although care must be taken, since a negative flip can't be cheated and if they pass the horror duel you would need to actually go through with whatever the action was).

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Thanks, but the list you are presenting is too much to invest for me now*... BUT since I want to get Shenlong (later) I probably will get Katanaka Snipers and Sensei Yu somewhere... :)

I guess most of the 10T dual-faction boxes get good things out of Sensei Yu,when you Play 10T :D

[* Since I also want Kaeris, Gunsmith and a Mechrider sooner than later]

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35 minutes ago, Rathnard said:

Have you tried the Emissary much since this was written? It turns Yan Lo into a formidable table presence, as a Hunpo Assault with Brutal Khakharra at Ml 6 can be extremely painful for a lot of crews. Taking Wandering River Style on Yu simply to enable this to happen twice in any given turn can be a terrifying prospect for any crew that likes to close ranks, or even simply two enemy models within 5" or so of each other that he can place in between. He basically steps into Izamu's shoes in terms of damage output and then some.

On top of that, the Emissary itself can do terrible, terrible things to enemy models, and having Ca 7 on its attack action means even masters like Pandora, Perdita and Lilith have to fear it, with Yan Lo around to lightning dance them into its range. Not to mention it will be Fast itself for much of the game, if you do your positioning correctly.

And it's always fun to bring back a model that your opponent spent a lot of resources to kill (though it doesn't drop its own Corpse marker, so you need to make sure you have your own source of those handy, something easier achieved in Ressers for obvious reasons).

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Yan Lo's box crew is pretty substantial, between Chiaki and the Soul Porter.  Admittedly, I don't use the Ashigaru very often, unless Make them Suffer is on the table, and I need to have Minions available.  I usually bring only one of them.

Yin and the Shadow Emissary are 2 of my favorite additions to his crew.  If you go to the "Shadow Emissary" thread in TT Faction discussion, I posted a picture of my proxie for it.  It's a "Young Fire Drake/Dragon" from the Reaper line.  Only costs about $3, and when painted, is a very closely resembles what's depicted in the Wave 3 book.  Toshiro has since taken a backseat to the Shadow Emissary, since I've started using it though.  Yin is great at locking down individual models, especially if their Wp is on the lower end. 

And of course, who could forget the 8th Master of the faction: Sensei Yu.  :P

 

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I will never understand why people keep suggesting models that are not released or ehole crewboxes to usexq single model to people thatvclearly say they want to start one master and a not optimized but playable startingpool...

While it is somewhat ok for people that expand and may have some of the stuff... it is the way to go to turn down potential new players in the hobby by making the startinvestment look higher or making it look like proxys are needed to keep up...

 

So Yan Lo:

Yan lo box

The Armor

Toshiro

Komainu

Yin

 

In that order are a solid start since you mentioned you play Mei i would put Toshi and Komainu on top of the list. 

Both packs support Mei really really well and flesh out your options with both crews. For the same reason I would recommend Shadow Effigy after you have the stuff above. This are also all relatively inexpensive boxes.

Railworkers can do descently with Yan but at some point you should look for some ranged support. Which of the tt options you use here is mainly up to taste. Most people will advise snipers for good reason.

Personally recently I like having a trapper in this slot in both Mei and Yan lo lists. While unfortunately the traps are no constructs...they have their uses. 

With the models listed both crews tend... besides Mei herself... to be on the slow end of thunders. Thats also part of why the typical good but expensive if you lack the crewbox speed options get suggested here.

The trapper box can provide mid range support with blasts as well as an option to slow down the enemy aaproach or the time they need to take a map position for the strategy without a too big investment. However purely for the range aspect other cheap packs can be better.

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Much obliged :). I think it's more the goodwill of players to give a postive experience. Since I am personally not fond of proxies (the double dipping aspect doesn't sit well with me) I can ignore those recoomendations for now and come back later :).

The things you listed are much in line with my streamlined wishlist, so thanks for reconfirming!

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7 hours ago, Kobayashi said:

Much obliged :). I think it's more the goodwill of players to give a postive experience. Since I am personally not fond of proxies (the double dipping aspect doesn't sit well with me) I can ignore those recoomendations for now and come back later :).

The things you listed are much in line with my streamlined wishlist, so thanks for reconfirming!

Exactly.  Advice is taken at the value of the person receiving them.  In general, most lists/crews will include a model or 2 from a different set or it's own blister pack to finish.  For Yan Lo, for example, just about every recommendation needs at least 2 models not within his crewbox anyway.  I'm glad you're learning from it, and hopefully enjoying the game just as much,

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5 minutes ago, Rurouni Benshin said:

Exactly.  Advice is taken at the value of the person receiving them.  In general, most lists/crews will include a model or 2 from a different set or it's own blister pack to finish.  For Yan Lo, for example, just about every recommendation needs at least 2 models not within his crewbox anyway.  I'm glad you're learning from it, and hopefully enjoying the game just as much,

Yeah, though currently we stay at 35 SS until I feel comfortable about mechanics and all the stuff I need to do, when I than can worry about "what I am seeing" :)

 

Next game will be next monday. Curretnly I stick to Ophelia, since she is straight forward, pick Francois with her and add from there [painting Bayou Gremlins as we speak to bolster my ranks for scheme runners and have Merris and Sammy painted up as specialists].

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Rail Workers are a pretty great addition for Toshiro in general and because they are he works pretty great with Mei but that's besides the point. If you are looking for 35ss, your best bet is likely to get all the Ancestors and Retainer (not sure how good Onryo are with him yet). Komainu and Izamu are especially cool just because Yan Lo can use is Spirit Ascendant upgrade to make them take actions. 

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i like to use Yan Lo with models that can shoot, or models that can benefit from Armor as his ability to make models into Spirits with Armor +2 and then command them for a max total of 3x1 AP actions is pretty swell, if costly combo. When using Katanaka Snipers in this particular way you can feel somewhat like Lucius, ordering the Snipers around: "...Aim.. Fire!" Samurai are amazing in this as they can get a lot of shots from a single AP while at the same time they won't take any damage even if they fail (since Yan Lo ordered them to shoot out of activation). In addition, they already have Armor+2 and are quite happy to receive any form of healing, which Yan Lo's crew can give. Oh, and Sensei Yu becoming Ascendant sounds hilarious.

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17 hours ago, chris_havoc said:

Rail Workers are a pretty great addition for Toshiro in general and because they are he works pretty great with Mei but that's besides the point. If you are looking for 35ss, your best bet is likely to get all the Ancestors and Retainer (not sure how good Onryo are with him yet). Komainu and Izamu are especially cool just because Yan Lo can use is Spirit Ascendant upgrade to make them take actions. 

Oh... I have the Mei Fang Crew ;) So your Suggestion with Rail Workers and Toshiro is not lost to me :D

 

8 minutes ago, Eclipse said:

i like to use Yan Lo with models that can shoot, or models that can benefit from Armor as his ability to make models into Spirits with Armor +2 and then command them for a max total of 3x1 AP actions is pretty swell, if costly combo. When using Katanaka Snipers in this particular way you can feel somewhat like Lucius, ordering the Snipers around: "...Aim.. Fire!" Samurai are amazing in this as they can get a lot of shots from a single AP while at the same time they won't take any damage even if they fail (since Yan Lo ordered them to shoot out of activation). In addition, they already have Armor+2 and are quite happy to receive any form of healing, which Yan Lo's crew can give. Oh, and Sensei Yu becoming Ascendant sounds hilarious.

My pile of Money is melting D: ... ... but my plan was anyway to invest in snipers when I get Shenlong... but the question is... WHEN D:

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Just now, Kobayashi said:

My pile of Money is melting D: ... ... but my plan was anyway to invest in snipers when I get Shenlong... but the question is... WHEN D:

Haha... I was the same way. Now I am painting the last dozen of my models (approx. 100 models over a year and half, started with NB Lynch and derailed from there...). The answer to "When?" really depends on you. Do you have a strong need for endorphines, or a strong addiction for Malifaux models? Just... go and buy them, you'll feel better after scratching that itch. Do you have to ration your use of money, or it pains you to spend a lot (in a short period of time)? Then make a plan - when to buy more models, when to paint models you have in the mean time. Either way, you are going to have a lot of fun, I know I do :)

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The Thing is, I want to paint as much as I can before I order a new round and the easter sale will be oin my heavy side. ... Currently I'm on a good track, but yeah... bad things could happen. With Mei Fang I am goiing Kaeris next and for Yan Lo it is to field Genbu as the Armor... I should further bolster my Gremlins (though I think I have a nice collection as of now)... and with having the Arcanists Wave 1 + 2 deck, I'm also eying Ironsides and her Oxfordian Mages she brings... with that all (probably) be bought in the easter sale, I will drown in models... >.> so Shenlong is not on the "BUY NOW" list, but he comes next I guess, since at least Sensei gets recommended for everything 10 Thunders.

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