Abuela

[Jonas Albrecht]

Been noodling around, trying to figure out how to make Abuela work in today's Malifaux. I'm not going to do a rundown of all she has, but instead focus on two of the major aspects of Abuela. Namely Shotgun Wedding and her spell loadout.

Shotgun Wedding: A single use action that lets you add Ortega as the last name of whatever living, non-unique chum you bring along. At first glance, this is kind of a novelty Talent that you can use to extend the Ortega companion chain range with an Austringer, or make Pine Box executable. Looking at the infaction stuff from SoS that you can target, I've got three different opinions.

There's no real reason to use it on a Wastrel most of the time, as they are usually going to be off doing shadowy skullduggery.

The Pathfinder's about par for how much most models get out of it.

There's a lot of gunline shenanigans potential with the Riflemen.

Spells: It's a little tricky selecting Abuela for her spells, because even though she has Obey, she needs a Mask to cast it. Needs a Mask to cast almost all of her spells, infact. And you know that when you play with lots of Ortegas, you're going to end up making some tough choices with your Masks. Most will go to Trigger Happy or Obey, and you never really have any to spare. I don't really think "Play Nice!" is worth it, unless I'm trying to hold the line somewhere and expect things to turn into a melee fracas. "Wash Your Mouth Out", on the other hand, can be devastating. Nothing quite ****es off a Bete Noir player like suddenly finding themselves without access to One With the Night. Matriarch's Care is one that I struggle to use in game. Most of the time I find myself running Perdita back over to Granny for the ol Whiskey and Gunpowder cure that I am sure she utilizes.

Basically, right now I want to use Abeula, but think she lacks that one thing that would make her really good in an Ortega crew. Plus I think she's a stone to high, but that's an argument for another day.

[Forar]

I know you've tossed the thoughts in at the end, but you've pretty much hit on why I've only ever fielded her once; she's a bit on the pricey end, her love of Masks infringes on Obey and Trigger Happy needs for the same, and to add on that she's a bit slow and her heal is a (1), meaning the targets I'd likely want healed might have to come to her, which is often less than ideal. Be nice if her heal was a (0) allowing for a double move and cast, but I get that under some circumstances this could be devestating while holding a position.

Shotgun wedding can have some nice uses, but as I don't use large Family companion chain alpha strikes, it really just lets me set up some different pairings if I even use those (depends on how badly I'm likely to get out-activated, and if I'm running Abuela, Nino and some of my other big ticket figures, the odds are already kinda good).

[Sarsnick]

I know you've tossed the thoughts in at the end, but you've pretty much hit on why I've only ever fielded her once; she's a bit on the pricey end, her love of Masks infringes on Obey and Trigger Happy needs for the same, and to add on that she's a bit slow and her heal is a (1), meaning the targets I'd likely want healed might have to come to her, which is often less than ideal. Be nice if her heal was a (0) allowing for a double move and cast, but I get that under some circumstances this could be devestating while holding a position.

Shotgun wedding can have some nice uses, but as I don't use large Family companion chain alpha strikes, it really just lets me set up some different pairings if I even use those (depends on how badly I'm likely to get out-activated, and if I'm running Abuela, Nino and some of my other big ticket figures, the odds are already kinda good).

Making a Drill Sarge an Ortega lets Nino and the Marshell activate firing range first and them immediately follow up with three amazing shots.

[Cadilon]

Making a Drill Sarge an Ortega lets Nino and the Marshell activate firing range first and them immediately follow up with three amazing shots.

I am not sure I am understanding what you are saying. The Drill Sergeant is a totem so he can activate with the Ortegas through Perdita. But even if he companions, what does that do? His Shooting Range only applies to Guardsmen. What am I missing?

[Hateful Darkblack]

"That one thing" is a mask in her Ca, no?

[Jonas Albrecht]

"That one thing" is a mask in her Ca, no?

That would be a hell of a thing for her to have. Or the "handing out masks" ability that was discussed in another thread.

[Forar]

It'd certainly change my assessment of her.

Of course, balancing giving Perdita or Nino a relevant mask would be a challenge.