The Swiss Army Knife outcasts, or "hey you come and play with my miniatures".

[Arcantix]

Hello all, I just recently signed up to the forums and figured I'd meet and greet with my fellow Outcast players What I'd like to do is challenge you more experienced guys and gals out there to put together some "lists" using my current roster of miniatures. It would be cool if you could do say 25 -35ss lists, and highlight which strats and schemes you think they'd be best suited for.

Currently, my outcast roster is as follows:

Viktoria - Swords

Viktoria - Bounty Hunter

Ronin (3)

Taelor

Misaki

Sue

Hans

Convict Gunslinger

Ten Thunder Brothers (3)

Desperate Mercenary (2)

Von Schill

Librarian

Trapper

Specialist

Friekorpsmen (2)

Student of Conflict

So, with those 22 individual miniatures, what can you put together with me?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[Jewomie]

Well, as i am not an outcast player, i will hold off on giving you lists... After playing Ressers and Archanists, i've learned to not make a list until i know what i'm up against, and what my strat will be. But from what i gather, that's a little less critical for the outcasts...

I play against everything in your list... regularly... like... 2 times a week... you're army is almost dead on to what my girlfriend typically runs. Minus the Ten Thunders as she only just picked them up. i'll get her to stop by here later and see if she can fill in any gaps i leave.

I will tell you, there are some combinations that she's pulled that are quite nasty...

Von Schill wins games. I dubbed him Von Badass. I'm heard him called Boba Schill, and Iron man and Revolver Osolot's steampunk love-child... long story short, this guy is going to get a lot of stuff done for you. (if you have the points to hire him...)

Taelor is a mad house of pain... the magical Hammer and knock backs can be epic... Toss in Sue's Cirlce of flames, and have Taelor bash some folk right into the fire... they'll go down down down... forgive the pun....

Sue's WP buff can prevent a good deal of stuff, Von Schill's is even better... i just like Sue a little more... Johnny Cash fan and all... :3

we almost always run 35 pt games, and Rebecca loves her Soul Stones, so she tries her best to keep all 8 around, even if i am going to out activate her because of it.

I see her run a couple lists pretty often.

With the Viks she'll grab

Taelor or Misaki

usually 2 Ronin

Sue

Lately she has traded in Taelor or Misaki for Von Schill, and had to drop Sue so she fills in the blank with a couple other Freikorps. those vary depending on what she needs to accomplish and how many Stones she feels like giving up.

I know these aren't the coherant lists you were hoping for, but as someone who has lost the last 7 straight games against Viktoria... i'm starting to learn which lists make me cry.

I'll point her in this direction tonight when she gets home. Maybe she can help you out by telling youw hat stratagies she takes with these crews.

cheers!

[Dustcrusher]

So you have two master options- the Viks and Von Schill. I'm brand new to the Viks so I am sure the veterans will have more to offer, but here's what I'm thinking:

Unless you desperately need two or more Minions instead of one, take Von Schill every time. To borrow a line from another board member, the dude is bacon i.e. he makes everything better.

I'll probably be deciding between Taelor and Misaki a lot. Taelor trashes almost anything in melee and can use her Hammerstrike to push models friend and foe. Misaki is more fragile but has a toolbox of spells that make her a bit more versatile. Taelor is appropriately armed with a hammer, because that's what she is. Misaki is more of a scalpel.

Sue, Convict Gunslinger, or Hans? Generally Sue if you need utility, especially Wp buffing. The Gunslinger's firepower for 5 stones is sick, but he has only one non-combat-related spell in Suppressing Fire that, while potentially very useful, does not a multi-purpose model make. Sadly, he's Ruthless, which means he and Sue can't play nice.

Hans I have only seen played once- he is hamstrung by his move-or-fire limitations. However, if you can get him into a good position where he doesn't have to move, he can hit very hard. The best suggestion I've read so far is he can be effective at killing a single target. However, is that worth 8 stones? You can get a Gunslinger and a Desperate Merc with a stone left over, and one more stone will get you the far more versatile Von Hogan, er, Von Schill.

Generally the Trapper is a better choice than Hans for long range shooting. I suspect that Hans will get a makeover for Malifaux v.2, whenever that will be. Nothing says you can't proxy him as a second Trapper, either.

Ronin or Ten Thunders Brothers? Depends on who else you're taking. I'd recommend at least one Ronin if you're running the Viks as masters- they are highly mobile and once on their last wound you can sacrifice them for 2 stones, plus "Another One?!" can be good fun when you can pull it off. The Ten Thunders Brothers exchange the mobility and sacrificial tricks for companion with Misaki and each other. Crab Style is a good ability to use when they are objective sitting. I wouldn't take just one though- at least two or one plus Misaki so you can take advantage of Companion, otherwise you may as well take two Ronin.

Desperate Mercenaries- I'm eagerly awaiting mine. They are to Malifaux what Toku was to Legend of the Five Rings- disposable, versatile, and a bargain. I like the idea of waiting to add them in until the end as you'll probably be left with a choice of a couple of those and a stone or some other model. You'll probably use them a lot.

Specialist- one thing the veteran Merc players have said that bears repeating- don't take the Specialist if there's a good chance he'll be Obeyed. At best he'll lose his Flammenwerfer for the rest of the game; at worst he takes himself out and maybe other models too. Beyond that, he seems pretty good if you need to do damage in a wide area.

Librarian- once I get the Freikorps I will probably use this model as a crutch for a while. Healing flips, card cycling- she's pricy but if you want one or the other of those things she will handle the job nicely.

Student of Conflict- Comes down to whether or not you think an (All) action to give another model Fast is worth it. Seems like it could be but the little guy is kinda slow compared to much of the rest of both the Viks and Von Schill's other crew options.

Search the board for Hodgepodge Effigy to see what has been said about it- I'd consider it when it comes out.

[Kadeton]

To be honest, in almost any scenario (assuming I was just playing to win) I would start with the Viks, Von Schill, and the Librarian. That core of models is so good together that it's hard to pass up.

[RebeccaJo]

Jewomie told me to stop by and fill in his gaps... he gets his ass kicked up and down a table that he doesn't know what hits him sometimes. ;] Just kidding... kinda

Anyway, let me start by saying that both the Viks and Von Schill are just awesome. :] Let me start with the Viks. They.Are.Awesome. The models that are offered to them, although costly, have been well worth the cost if used correctly. Typically, I've been running the Viks, at least 1 Ronin, and Taelor. From there I fill in the gaps with what I need. Sue has slowly made it onto the table more as I find new ways to incorporate him: WP boosts, Circle of Flames, Disrupt Magic, Gunfighter, etc. I'll be adding the Convict Gunslinger and the Ten Thunders once I have them painted (they'll probably be getting primed this week :]).

Von Badass: He's a great model, and his crew is awesome. He is pretty much anti-any faction. lol. His WP boosts and killer armor 1 that offers, immunity to blast templates, pulses, and auras... He's badass. So are the rest of the crew. Librarian with the healing, Trapper offering a stronger, better range (both I consider better than Hans, personally). The Freikorpsmans are pretty fast with good damage output, range, and combat. Their defense could be better, but for 4SS and the awesome armor, it evens out. Out of all the freikorps, I love Franklin (The Specialist). His hesitation ability screws most people up: anyone with a WP of 6 or lower receive a negative 1 flip on their attack. It makes complete sense in a fluff standpoint; who would want to melee attack a guy with a flamethrower... lol

What I have found out recently about the Viks and Von Schill together, is that you need to run either a Von Schill crew lead by the Viks, or a Viks crew with Von Schill as a utility model. Even though I love how much of a powerhouse Schill is, I find myself running him as a master more than a henchman. He has such great synergy with the Freikorps, but not so much with the mercenaries. In smaller games (25-30 SS), there is not a lot of room to balance both the freikorps and the mercenaries. In bigger games, there is more room to add Ronin, Convict, or other mercenaries for the Viks to utilize while having room for Von Schill and the Freikorp that is most needed based on strategies/schemes.

In my personal playing style, I opt for a Viks crew centered around Mercenaries, taking Von Schill or a Freikorps as needed or desired. That is my personal preference. I love the fact that all the mercenaries bring their own unique abilities, spells, combat, etc. to the crew while still holding a synergy. Plus most of the mercenaries that I play (Ronin, Taelor, Sue, Misaki) have either Hard to Kill, Hard to Wound, Magic or Paired weapons and/or Melee Expert. It's a nice perk to them. :]

Hope this helps.

[BlueStar86]

No offense Rebecca, but you really don't get a choice in the matter on who the Viks can take, so it's always centered around mercenaries. Just putting that out there.

[Jewomie]

No offense Rebecca, but you really don't get a choice in the matter on who the Viks can take, so it's always centered around mercenaries. Just putting that out there.

That's not true bluestar... She is saying she prefers a Merc crew as opposed to a Freikorps crew. So yes, she does have a choice in the matter. And she clearly stated that when running the Viks, she feels they preform better with a Mercenary crew instead of just Viktoria leading a crew of freikorps.

For the purpose of her post the Freikorps and Mercenaries are two different groups of models. Do the korps even have the "Merc" trait? I've never looked to be honest

[RebeccaJo]

No offense Rebecca, but you really don't get a choice in the matter on who the Viks can take, so it's always centered around mercenaries. Just putting that out there.

I was saying Mercenary to distinguish between a Vik/Freikorp crew and a Vik/Mercenary crew (no freikorps or Von Schill)

[Arcantix]

I understood what you meant Rebecca. I often refer to the 'corps as a separate group to the other mercs too though, so maybe you me and jewomie are just whackadoo

I appreciate your input though, gives me ideas. Tell me, what do you find is your weakest story/strat/scheme?

[RebeccaJo]

I understood what you meant Rebecca. I often refer to the 'corps as a separate group to the other mercs too though, so maybe you me and jewomie are just whackadoo

I appreciate your input though, gives me ideas. Tell me, what do you find is your weakest story/strat/scheme?

The hardest strategies I've found with them are Reconnoiter and a line in the sand.

Reconnoiter: This can be hard for the Viks due to having a low model count. If you play with a heavy hitter or two with their high SS cost and keep at least a 6-8 ss cache, it is completely possible to have 4-6 models on the table. Although not bad, it can be less than other crews. If out numbered, you'd need to start killing before you can set up in the quaters. That's not a hard thing for them to do in the least, but just takes time and before you know it, it could be turn 6 and you're still fighting in the center.

Line in the sand: This one, I've found hard with any master. Maybe I'm going about it all wrong, but I never have had luck with it, especially with the Viks. With the Viks, if I don't have the Ronin to run around and do it for me, I don't like wasting AP to "arm" the bombs. This is especially bad in Shared Line in the sand when the Viks are the defenders. It takes 2AP to disarm them, so that leaves them vulnerable. If one of them does the the disarming, that leaves you the other Vik that Sisters in Spirit her out of there. It's a viable tatic to do it, but I feel like if you use the Viks obtain those VP, you'll need a strong crew to back them up and protect them in case they get stuck somewhere and with no AP. Not that the Viks can't hold their own in defense, I just like to play it safe.

When it comes to schemes, I'm still in the process of trying all of the general options. So far, taking the oppossing crew into consideration, I have yet to take Eye for an Eye, Kill Protégée, and Steal Relic. Eye for an Eye simply because in the games I've played, at the beginning, I have been outnumbered by at least 2 models. In hindsight they would have been really good with my track record of clearing the table against Jeremy. :]. Kill Protégée because they are usually either really strong or it doesn't fit well with my strategy. Steal Relic because I'm usually only in melee with the opposing master, with my master. Plus, if I don't take Sue for the WP boost, I don't particularly like to Steal Relic because in general Mercenaries don't have the most outstanding WP; they're anywhere from 4-6, which isn't bad, but without a boost, I wouldn't want to risk getting stuck in melee with a master.

Jeremy and I haven't played any stories, so hopefully someone whill be able to shed some light in that area.

I hope this helps. :]

[Jewomie]

In hindsight they would have been really good with my track record of clearing the table against Jeremy. :].

She likes to bring this up... lol.

Last night, i tured pokey vik into a beast and controlled her. hahahahahahhahahahahhahahaha

of course, i only got this because the highest card in her hand was a 2... but i'm counting it as a win.

[RebeccaJo]

She likes to bring this up... lol.

Last night, i tured pokey vik into a beast and controlled her. hahahahahahhahahahahhahahaha

of course, i only got this because the highest card in her hand was a 2... but i'm counting it as a win.

1.] we were playing on a smaller table

2.] you had every model of mine in melee except for the viks IN TURN ONE

3.] I chose not to kill Marcus

4.] MEANIE!

LOL

<3

EDIT: It was also an off game for me because I ran a Von Schill crew lead by the Viks and not a VIks crew.

[Jewomie]

1) details... details....

2) that's silurids for you...

3) that was after i made her do my bidding, and i chose not to maker her charge guntoria

4) i felt TERRIBLE about doing that afterwards... it felt super cheep and cheesey since it used your activation for the turn.

<3 :*

[RebeccaJo]

1) details... details....

2) that's silurids for you...

3) that was after i made her do my bidding, and i chose not to maker her charge guntoria

4) i felt TERRIBLE about doing that afterwards... it felt super cheep and cheesey since it used your activation for the turn.

<3 :*

you're lucky I love you.

Edited March 16, 2012 by RebeccaJo

[skyhawk]

Well I love von fett! I just run him as a master but im planning on getting the viks and there avatar when it hits the shelf.

The crew i ran last night absolutly kicked ass!

30ss game

i call it the hunting party

Von schill-4 cache

2 freikorp trappers

convict gunslinger

mctavish

hans

most people generaly dislike hans and i can understand why, but if you get him in position his custom ammo is great and he got good damage and the headshot trigger

i posted up my snipers and created a perfect killbox crossfire and the neverborn came running and didnt get the chance to run back

i also use killjoy in my von fette crew just because if he stays alive long enough to get ahold of some thing hes gona kill it,eat it, and heal all wounds

i will almost always have a trapper and a gunslinger because pound for pound both these modles rule!

---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:18 PM ----------

Oh and by the way welcome to the outcasts...were not the good guys, were not the bad guys, not good, not evil. But we sure can bring the pain in our own way...best faction ever!!!!!!! ahahahahaha

[CannonFodder]

Look at the following

Outcasts Crew - 35 - Scrap

Von Schill

--

4 Pool

• Desperate Mercenary
  [2ss]
  
  
• Desperate Mercenary
  [2ss]
  
  
• Freikorps Librarian
  [7ss]
  
  
• Renegade Steamfitter Johan
  [6ss]
  
  
• Ronin
  [5ss]
  
  
• Ronin
  [5ss]
  
  
• Taelor
  [8ss]
  
  

Its list based around hard to kill, basically all the models have it, and the librarian heals them out of the 1 WDs so it can trigger again. Keep the librarian near VonSchills so it get slow to die and can heal itself out of death when it. I had her take full assault from killjoy and die 3 times, then as the ronin sliced him apart the black blood killed her 4 more times. Works best if you activate her first and give her the healing suit so she only needs a 4 to heal. You can replace the Desp Merc with a Ronin, but most people like the 4 SS with VonSchills.