Kuwanger23 Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I am looking to run demos of malifaux in my area. We have a few players in each of the four stores in my area and I already got some of my friends hooked. However it seems there are a lot of people out there that are either on the fence about the game and or just want a demo. So I went out and bought some supplies to build a textured cobblestone 3x3 table which I am in the process of constructing for my own use and to take to stores to run demos on. I have nico, Seamus, and karai for myself and am in the process of painting nico and co up. But what is another good starting faction for demos? I would love to paint the dreamer but he does not seem beginner friendly. I mean I get him because I play circle of orboros for warmachine/hordes but I don't know if he is good for new players. I am looking for a master or two that is very forgiving yet eye catching and appealing (of course the later part is mostly opinion). So in short list in your replies any and all starter boxes which you feel are great for learning this unique and fun game and supply your reasoning. This will help me out greatly and I would very much appreciate it. Just signed up for these forums and I have had a very positive experience here. Very helpful and friendly bunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilus Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Seamus Death Marshals Ortegas Rasputina Victorias Liliths brood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adanedhel Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Ophelia and Von Shill are pretty good as well And I would have a Pandora box with Candy swapped for a Teddy ready, regardless of how hard they are to learn the game with, they're going to generate intrest ^^ (really, if any models added newbies to this game by themselves, it will be either Dora's or Seamus signature models ^^) (though I fully admit being an exception by being drawn in by the Doppelganger rather then the other Dora stuff ^^ ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilus Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Both are not bad, but I tend to nix Henchman for demos since they are in my "advanced play" thought process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiku Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Ophelia and Von Schill are by far the best demo/starter sets. Though Ophelia doesn't build into any future purchases, Von Schill is great for lots of masters/his own group. You should not consider them "advanced" if you are using them "as masters" because then they are just masters, so who cares? By extension, Ortega are good for new players, but bad because Guild. Seamus and Viktorias give enough for then to play a game and try out VPs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osoi Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Nius has it pretty well nailed, The Ortegas and Viktorias are only slightly trickier than the others in the list becasue a new plaeyr will have all unique models but concepts and playstyles are still straightforward and easy to get the hang of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vondur Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 I think Ramos is one of the better boxes for beginners. It's simple, straightforward, and seems pretty powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuwanger23 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Thanks guys. I'll have to paint up my Seamus box while I do my nico for myself. Seeing as it is only a fee models each I'll probably do a couple of boxes. I want to make sure I have a good mix so people are drawn in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Math Mathonwy Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) Ophelia and Von Schill are by far the best demo/starter sets. Ophelia is very complex though in that every model is different and they have a lot of rules. All in all, I feel that demos with boxes that contain a Master, specialist, and three grunts work the best. So Lady Justice, Sonnia, Rasputina, Lilith, Zoraida, and Seamus are IMO the best. Kaeris and Molly are also pretty straightforward. Malifaux is a very complex game and keeping the prospective players from feeling overwhelmed is extremely important. The balance of the forces OTOH isn't important. You should set up a fun scenario (Seamus escaping from Lady Justice is always good fun) and preferably give the one you are demoing to an advantage. Edited February 28, 2012 by Math Mathonwy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuwanger23 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Yes this is the impression that I got as well Math Mathonwy. When I received my demo I was very overwhelmed. Though the person showing me the game was showing me everything in a weird order. I have played table tops games for 15 years and warmachine since it came out 10 years ago and this was quite the different experience for me. I am going to build my 3x3 table and paint up a few forces. Get about 3 games or so a week until mid April where my friend and I will go to our first Malifaux tournament. By then I should be pretty well versed in all of the rules and I will most likely apply for Henceman. I really want to motivate the players around here and start a summer league. I have plenty of time and I am in no rush. I figure once I get a few crews painted up and got the game down solid I will start a league in my FLGS that meets once a week. Probably something simple like a latter league with some prizes at the end for painting, top spot and so on. I just need to learn how to explain this game to not just gamers (which is the most common to get a scenario) but someone who has never played a table top miniature game before. This is why I am looking for the most straight forward boxes. I too think that having the least amount of models would work best as it would go quicker so it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calmdown Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Agree with Nilus on best boxes. Furthermore, they're all similar-ish in power level so play OK against eachother in followup games too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannonFodder Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have to agree with Vonschills & Ophelia. I really like Ophelia because its always good to have the 'comic relief' crew in demos just to make people laugh. Also both the boxes have standard triggers on all the models, making it easier to catch as a first time player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiku Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 I disagree on Ophelia's complexity. It is entirely possibly to play her crew by just moving the models and shooting/engaging, and each model is VERY clear what they do just from the model itself. You are able to expand into the abilities as and when you feel your players are ready, and in doing so have access to a lot of options. But then I wouldn't demo with zoraida =X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewomie Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 +1 To what Nilus said. I used all of those boxes plus a few more when i was still running demos. (Note to self, time to start running again.) Ophelia and Von Shill are pretty good as well And I would have a Pandora box with Candy swapped for a Teddy ready, regardless of how hard they are to learn the game with, they're going to generate intrest ^^ (really, if any models added newbies to this game by themselves, it will be either Dora's or Seamus signature models ^^) (though I fully admit being an exception by being drawn in by the Doppelganger rather then the other Dora stuff ^^ ) I also agree with this. Big time. Depending on your local players, it might also be good to have Colette and Kirai with you (though maybe not for use so much as eye candy) I would say wether or not they were there for the demo, every other person i showed the game to was drawn to the sculpts of either Teddy, Rotten Belles, Colette's box, or Kirai's box. Personally the death marshals did it for me... So demo with fun/cool/easy to grasp crews, but maybe have a couple of the flashy crews on hand. Just my two cents. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiku Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Oh Collette and Seamus are -definitely- the biggest draws as far as people who see the models and decide to try Malifaux out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SardonicArtery Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 My first demo game was Kirai v. Colette... I got the basics of the game and sat there reading for a looooong time. Go simple, y'all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilus Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 My issue with Henchman is they tend to add concepts and such that a new player doesn't need to deal with. Some players wont care but others will want to know all about it and it wastes good demo time. My goal when demoing is to have someone flipping cards within 5 minutes. Which means simple models, easier rules, less complexity. After they get a feel for the game, if they are still interested, I sit down and talk to them about all the other cool stuff in the game. Its why I generally stick to book 1 boxes as well. I like to keep things streamlined. I also tend to run my demos with three models(Master, one named guy and one grunt/unnamed). I generally leave out any book 2 stuff until after someone has got a feel for the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuwanger23 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 It's funny because I agree with colette and Seamus being giant magnets. I am currently painting a Colette box just because I like her and her "box" (pun intended). So here is what I have on the painting table do far: Colette Nicodem (my own personal use and may as well use it for demos) Seamus Karai (eye candy and personal collection) I am looking for 1 more I think. Maybe two. I do an entire month and a half to get them all finished. Obviously three are Resserectionists because that is my faction of choice and I was paintig them anyway. I am looking at neverborn as a second choice for another box to paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilus Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Colette does attract players, especially the rare female gamer. But don't discount other crews. A lot of people love the Death Marschal box(The Death Marschal models were the reason I got into the game). Ortegas also grab Western fans. I will say that Seamus and his undead hookers still get the most attention. Which is why I really need to bust out my paints and get a demo crew of them done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiku Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Once again; Henchmen as leaders do not add anything that a demo game has to worry about. The people at the demo don't pick the crew, it is already picked, so special forces don't matter. They are the same as a master: they gain master resistances, they have soulstones, they lead the crew. Nothing complicated. Nothing that has to be expressly explained at a demo. I'd say that Ortega are more complicated than LaCroix by far, but both are fun; Justice is great fun; I know a fair few players who love them, and I really wish guild stood out more as they have the awsome western feel <3 But we've already listed those boxes as sensible (though beware explaining bury + defensive stance/weapon stances on justice!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilus Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 I'll give you the Ortegas are probably one of the more complicated in my list. Honestly they would be the first ones I dropped. Its really a matter of preference. I have been demoing this game since it came out so I am partial to the Book 1 Masters and box sets. Its what I am use to running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuwanger23 Posted February 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 Ok so seeing as I can't just go out and buy and paint everything seeing as my money and time is not unlimited...unfortunately. Here is what I settled on. Every Ressurectionist box (Seeing as I am playing them and they are my own personal use models but I am fine with people using my stuff in demos I would be running. So there ya go a whole bunch of one faction. Colette (her and her crew look too damn cool!) Lady J And that is it for now. But that gives me a lot of work to do painting and will keep me busy for some time. Also I am working on that table that I will hopefully take pics of and post in the painting section. Thanks for all your input guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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