New to the game, thinking Neverborn...

[Tiox]

A couple of my cousins introduced me to Malifaux yesterday, and I'm really excited about it. I was thinking of going either Neverborn, or Ten Thunders as my first faction. I've decided on Neverborn since it seems that having a variety of minions and masters to play would be more fun. My cousin also expressed that it could be advantageous in the game, but I'm not sure why.

Anyone in the Neverborn world have any insight on this? Also, any thoughts on which masters to start with, or should I just get them all?

[Clement]

neverborn tend to have higher quality minions and are often seen to be "the strong faction". Once you get further into the game that gets less true though.

As to which master to buy, all of the starter boxes are pretty good crews, so you can't go too far wrong. Is there any neverborn master that you find particularly interesting? Buy that one.

[Fetid Strumpet]

Keep in mind this is only my opinion, but I would disagree that as you get further into the game that NB being the strong faction tends to become less true. I'm very into the game and I still feel NB are much stronger than other factions, but I will leave it to individuals to make up their own mind on that point.

This is however speaking solely in a competitive aspect, if your group is comprised mainly of casual players you might not notice this effect. Again I leave it to the individual to make up their own mind.

All the NB masters are very good, I agree that if you like the look of one I'd go for that one. You really can't go wrong with any of the masters.

Edited November 24, 2012 by Fetid Strumpet

[Sybaris]

The Neverborn are a very diversified faction, and I don't think they're overpowered either, just that maybe unlike other factions, all the masters can be made competitive with their respective minions. Also, some require excellent knowledge of their abilities in order to counter them (especially Pandora, who can be made into an NPE if pushed too far). They have no Molly or Nicodem cases, for example.

They still suffer from the traumatic episodes of the Dreamer, Alp Bombs, Pre-cuddle Nekima, stitched together bury shenanigans, etc...and i think alot of people jugdge them with those past things in mind, tagging Neverborn players with the power-players.

Lilith is great for starting out and if you like melee mastery

Pandora is undeniably powerful in her own psychotic niche

The dreamer can definitely still pull some strings in an unusual manner

Zoraida is superbly flexible

Even Collodi has an avenue to be competitive.

Jacob's totem tend to shred stuff alot

I think people are too unforgiving when it comes to Neverborn. Besides, the last campaign came out pretty close, and Neverborn didn't wipe the floor at all, nor did they even win.

Neverborn are the tricksters of the lot, and people prefer a straight up fight rather than being messed up with unnatural means. They do have very powerful minions though (twins for example), and over-using those might make NB over the hat. In a competitive environment, i can see how this can become problematic (i am very casual).

Edited November 24, 2012 by Sybaris

[Kalkris]

Seeing that you are torn between 10T and NB, why not Jakob Lynch? He is both! He happened to be my first purchase to test the waters from a more serious angle, in that I got him because I wasn't sure which route to take either. He may be a perfect starting master for you.

~Lil Kalki

[BumpInTheNight]

My only thought is don't start with the Dreamer. While he is pretty choice he will be getting an update soon and he's a little more complex (though very powerful) to learn effectively than the other NB masters. Lilith, Jacob, Zoraida are all excellent for getting started. If you're also interested in 10Thunders... well Jacob is both so that might be perfect.

[Fetid Strumpet]

They already fixed the Dreamer, is there another forthcoming update? I haven't heard of that.

[Joel]

They already fixed the Dreamer, is there another forthcoming update? I haven't heard of that.

Can't think what. He's fine as he now is. I started with dreamer - he's not any more complicated than the rest.

[Tiox]

First off, thanks for all the responses!

My main reason for wanting to stick to Neverborn at this time is that I tend to dive into things all the way. I like Jacob, but with so few other Ten Thunder's models released, it wouldn't satisfy my itch for long. I was looking to get a large amount of the Neverborn to start, so that I could try out different models and see what I like.

I know that someone mentioned the box sets. Is there a secondary market for this stuff anywhere? I'm not sure of a store in my area. I just found out about this over Thanksgiving, and don't know much about the local community.

[xKoBiEx]

Secondary market... can't speak as to your locale. Most people buy a couple crews and flip back and forth. Occasionally, you may find someone who will take your old stuff. Or, in the case of the "RARE X" models, you may find someone who will split with you on a blister to optimize your buying.

I will say that if you are looking at NB, the Dreamer and Collodi box sets will give you a decent starting Doll force with almost no wasted models. Then you really only need to buy a pack of Daydreams to have a starting Dreamer crew, as well.

Pandora's box is cool but not optimal. I bought it because I love almost every NB model and I want to create a daycare crew with Dreamer, Candy, and Kade as the kids and either Pandora or Weaver Widow as the daycare worker depending on if I'm playing a Brawl or a Scrap... As a competitive list, it is crap... but it is themed and Malifaux is fun even when you are getting beat hardcore.

[Ozz]

I would say to start from a purely NB perspective, That Lilith is probably the best starting master closely followed by Zoraida, Dreamer and Pandora have more rules and are better to use after you know the basics. (although the dreamer was one of my first masters and i did fine with him)

However, the other angle is to get Jacob Lynch, and all his models, and see if you like them, and then try his crew out with proxies, as there are a fair number of other models out that you can get for them, the archers being my favorite ones, and try them out with other NB proxies (this is assuming you buy book 4 to get the rules for them all, or borrow it from someone for the games) And it lets you see what minions you prefer. I think that made sense?

And as for having more masters in one faction being good, the reason for this is in Malifaux you declare a faction, then figure out what you are going to play scenario wise, then chose your master and crew tailored as best you can for your scenario and based on the faction your opponent has taken as well.