New Arcanist Master

[EntrepeNinja]

Lol- I was trying to keep clutter down, but after posting in an old thread that I was still excited about, it was kaiboshed.

SO! Reopening an old topic that I would still love to speculate about- knowing that the decisions have of course already been made- The new #7. The "Something Special" Arcanist Master.

Some of the theories from the old thread were:

The Ex-Witchling Stalker, who was a powerful mage, allowed himself to become a stalker, and wrote himself a key to freedom.

Cool character, rad concept, but other than some sort of afinity for Stalkers and Handlers, I don't really know what his crew would look like, or what he would really bring to the table. He might be a casting/melee hybrid himself, but the story is one of reclaiming what he lost, and while he was obviously quite powerful, we saw no signs of leadership, post reclaimed powers, or what he would look like on the table.

The Regenerating Rivoter, the young mechanic with an amazing ability, not just with machines.

She's had run ins with Kaeris near the breach portal, Ramos, and eventually Marcus, she's a steam-worker with a heart of gold. And an amazing ability to nearly cut her own hand off and be fine minutes later. We've got some obvious abilities- regeneration, and potentially construct repair. This would make her a good construct master, but with Ramos in tow, there would be too much overlap. Maybe an enforcer?

And finally

The M&SU Shadow Division, As lead by English Ivan, a espionage mastermind, with a crack team of plucky specialists.

This is probably my favorite idea. It's got a clear leader, it's got a clear team, and it actually sort of fills a niche that exists in the game that the Arcanists don't really have just yet- The elite support crew. And with Kaeris coming out soon as a new M&SU Master, there could be some really cool overlap there. That being said, this team could just as easily be the crew that's being promoted under Kaeris as her go to crew.

So, what do you think? I'm too excited, and I really want to know, and I know that soon (pretty soon) my wish will be granted, but I love talking it out! Thoughts?

[Cats Laughing]

My thoughts are that:

English Ivan showed the leadership abilities to be a Master, but not entirely certain what his actual powers are, outside of a leadership ability. Good chance of being a Henchman, but would not be surprised at a Master slot.

Ravenwood(?) the ex-witchling would be an interesting Master, but as noted has not shown any leadership (not that it's stopped Raspy, who isn't really a leader by choice, or Marcus, though I suppose leading beasts counts for something). I could see him as an Enforcer or Henchman, but he seems to be fairly independent minded and therefore may stay a fluff only piece as he doesn't "fit in" with the arcanists. That said, we have 4 M&SU related masters (Ramos, Kaeris, Colette & Mei Feng) and 2 "outsiders" (Raspy & Marcus), so he could be a 3rd outsider/loose-affiliate Master. I would love to see him being able to hire Witchlings and possibly subvert them in game (suck it sonnia, suck it :-P ).

The Mechanic girl who heals, was, iirc being followed by Marcus and was eventually offered a chance to be trained. I don't see her making the jump to master quickly and might be a second Henchman for Marcus, or possibly and Enforcer.

I do think that if English Ivan doesn't take the 7th slot, then it's probably someone completely new rather than one of the two others noted above. But, I have been completely wrong many times in the past, so I would put money on anything I say about this topic...

[Linus Mcmold]

I really loved the story about English Ivan, but besides his leadership and mastermindedness I see him as a really good henchman and his gang (Mr.Dewwalt and Ms.Havenhand) as enforcerers.

If he was a master, he would depend on gadgets and boosting his minions with luck or confidence and we already have Von Schill to fill that role.

Ravencroft would be and interesting Master and Tigress Bel his henchman or an enforcerer. He hasn't proven leadership abilities because we've seen him in a story that he wasn't put into that role, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have any.

He understands people and managed to fool other people and himself into infiltrating the Guild. We don't know why he did it yet, so it means that his story will be continued.

Only problem is he has left some evidence behind for Lucius, or that might have just been a lure for someone... I'm not sure.

I see both English Ivan

Open Spoiler

(who is neither Ivan, nor English)

and Damian Ravencroft as working together because they both show penchant for mastermind operations and subterfuge.

Rose Crawshaw might be a henchman since she has proven some ability with soulstones.

Also since she leads two totaly different lifestyles she could gain these by adding multiple upgrades, so that's why I think she's more of a henchman material and as Cats Laughing said, she's too indecisive and would need a lot of training to suddenly become a master. She just got over her fear of being watched wherever she goes and haven't done any mastering besides regrowing her hand...

I just don't think it's in her character to be a master.

There is also that guy from Dead of Winter, but Kaeris needs herself a henchman. :hellboy:

I would really love to see a multicultural Arcanist crew,

or I'm just missing a guy with a fez.

This thread might need a

besides its title...

Edited August 30, 2013 by Linus Mcmold
fez, a comma and a spoiler

[Mason]

Arcanists only have one dual-faction Master (Mei Feng), and I don't see Colette or Kaeris as being anything but standard arcanist. Thus, I would expect the last Master to be dual faction something or another.

Guild and Resser slots are full, which leaves one Neverborn, one Outcast, two Gremlin, and one Ten Thunder slot open.

There's already an Arcanist/Ten Thunder master so I think we can reasonably rule that out. So that leaves us with two Gremlin slots, one Outcast slot, and one Neverborn slot.

If Lucius is indeed Guild/Neverborn as many people suspect, then that lowers the other open slots down to just Outcast and Gremlins. That would point towards the final Arcanist master being either Arcanist/Outcast or Arcanist/Gremlin, both of which would be interesting and would bring plenty of new options to the faction.

Personally, my money is on Arcanist/Gremlin, because it just seems amusing as hell. Maybe Wong? He did show up in the Gremlin fiction that dealt with uniting all of the Gremlin masters...

[Mach_5]

It has been announced in a few podcast interviews and elsewhere that the final arcanist master will not be dual faction.

[EntrepeNinja]

Is there a way for me to add the spoiler? Or...

[Mason]

It has been announced in a few podcast interviews and elsewhere that the final arcanist master will not be dual faction.

Really? So the entire faction will only have one dual-faction master?

That seems odd, unless Kaeris or Colette picks up a second faction...which also seems odd.

[Skyfire]

Well, the developers stated that arcanist will only have mono-faction masters, except Mei. Also, from some interview I read (can remember which), the last arcanist master will be a SHE (or at least was referred to as a 'she' by the dev).

That's one more lady for Ramos as, apparently, Colette and Kaeris, and may be Mei, are not enough for that guy. Not to mention there may be a love-hate relationship between him and Raspy. Seriously, that old man is building up his harem instead of fighting the Guild

[Linus Mcmold]

I suggested to edit the title, but I checked and I think that's not possible.

I wrote that because of this thread and this thread has a lot of fluff characters being mentioned.

[Solicitor 6]

I am not understanding why people don't think English Ivan would not be a good master. I think his story perfectly sets him up as a great support master. I could see a lot of his abilities based on forcing opponents to move into compromising positions or leaving them susceptible to attacks from his crew.

Abilities could be like "Pieces on the Board" where an opponent loses a willpower duel and is forced to move into range of a member of Ivan's crew. An additional trigger could allow for the friendly piece to make an immediate attack regardless of activation that round.

"A Jump to the Left" could be a trigger that allows Ivan on defense move out of the range of the attack.

"What the..." creates an unexpected piece of hard terrain either to provide sudden cover to a friendly target or blocks the progress of an opponent.

"How Did That Happen?" allows Ivan's player to take control of an opposing model to perform any 0 or 1 AP action.

He could have a special hiring ability like "Everyone's got a price" allowing him to hire from any faction a character with a small soulstone cost of (like three or less).

I think the rules and play of Malifaux would easily translate into making Ivan a great master where a game with him plays like a heist movie and his actions creating the idea that events were planned out and anticipated.

[D_acolyte]

I do not think we need The M&SU Shadow Division with a master, just incorporate some of it in to Kaeris M&SU Assets. that would also give us 4-5 M&SU masters, Kaeris, Ramos, Collet (yes she had M&SU on her), English Ivan and possibly C. Hoffman (yes he had M&SU on him) as a dual master; there is also another one that deals with them in the fluff a lot (Mei Feng). I think we have enough M&SU already.

I would like the ex witching, not sure what he would lead. Maybe a cabal of magi that now know how to skirt the hunters, more fire construct models, or .... The only issue with the guy is what would make up the crew, he is a vary interesting character.

I want to see more expansion in to other unheard of sections of the arcanist or going deeper into the other 2 grouping (order of the chimera or the cult of December).

[EntrepeNinja]

What if Snow and Storm get promoted to the new December Vessel, and we see a for reals Tyrant Crew? Or something akin to that.

I think I'm looking for what Niche do we have have a vacancy in?

Marcus is a quick melee oriented crew, good at fast engagement and movement.

Ramos is a summoner with some heals and support.

Raspy is a long range nuker.

Kaeris is (presumable) short range nuke with damage over time.

Colette is movement shenanigan SUPREME, and extremely survivable.

Mei Feng is a synergistic melee model that's made better by her crew.

Group dynamics like the family or like the ancestor of Yan Lo are one of the few things we're sort of missing. (Though... the argument could be made that Showgirl is our Family).

Just thinking out loud.

ENinja

[D_acolyte]

What if Snow and Storm get promoted to the new December Vessel, and we see a for reals Tyrant Crew? Or something akin to that.

ENinja

I would love that, but i think it is doubtful from Snow and Storm unless they divide them up. This is Wyrd, so i am not sure how much stock i put into the final master is already in the fluff idea, after all who has wanted the chimney murder as a model raise your hand. (hand raised)

[bfrench]

Actually with the way burning works now, Kaeris is just massive damage

[EntrepeNinja]

I hope that what she gets that Sonia doesn't have is a shorter engagement range, with some movement shenanagans. Flying in, swooping for explosions, then them pushing or flying back out- Like if VonShill and a Specialist did the horizontal tango.

ENinja

[r4st4f4n]

Reading this thread

http://www.wyrd-games.net/showthread.php?46392-Concern-s-about-Ophelia-s-Upgrades/

it seems that we'll need some anti-ranged / heavy-ranged or at least relentless, or we'll be in trouble...

I didn't play against Seamus and Perdita, during the beta, I did against Ophelia, but she's totally changed. Looks like they pierce 2SS, 1Slot, 1Ap, 8+ Doctor's Screen like a hailstorm on a soap bubble! O.o

Kaeris' crew was the one carrying a bit of these features to the Arcanists, let's hope for her or the 7th!

[Silas Cordell]

It has been announced in a few podcast interviews and elsewhere that the final arcanist master will not be dual faction.

If you're referring to the interview I'm thinking of (Aethervox), then I don't think they said the master would not be dual faction. Mack and Justin mumbled something about 10 Thunders, and doing something different, and then said they couldn't talk about it. Unless there was another interview that I missed, I think Arcanists could have another dual 10T master.

[Curropepe]

I don't think so. They did say in a podcast the last 10 Thunder master would be pure 10 Thunder, so no dual Arcanist there.

[Sybarite]

They have indeed said that the last arcanist won't be a dual faction master.

[eaglebach]

I think that the last arcanist master will be a sentient construct that functions as a highly durable tank, and has the ability to buff nearby constructs through aura.

And for the pure 10T master, the most sensible choice is their oyabun, Misaki's dad.

[hackdZ]

I'm loving the idea of English Ivan as a master.

I agree that the little fluff we did see sets him up as a tricksy manipulator and gadget-man.

Sounds perfect for the Arcanists if you ask me?

Bring on the suave gadget man!

[edonil]

Another vote for English Ivan as a master, or at least as a Henchman.

[EntrepeNinja]

And for the pure 10T master, the most sensible choice is their oyabun, Misaki's dad.

Duuude. The biggest thing I want for the pure 10k master is a honest to god Samurai warlord. Someone who uses the Samurai and Fuhatsu and buffs the crap out of them with tactical stuff- Calling the shots as he cuts his enemies down.

I had another thought last night- The ice gamin and the metal gamin both have the "Gamin" trait. They're also both arcanists, and there isn't anything that makes specific mention of it. Maybe the last entry as a gamin master, or a gamin source or something. Very soft idea- not a lot of character or story behind it in my head yet- more a crew theme...? If that makes sense?

[Curropepe]

I had another thought last night- The ice gamin and the metal gamin both have the "Gamin" trait. They're also both arcanists, and there isn't anything that makes specific mention of it. Maybe the last entry as a gamin master, or a gamin source or something. Very soft idea- not a lot of character or story behind it in my head yet- more a crew theme...? If that makes sense?

An elementalist maybe? Somebody who can lead Fire, Ice, Metal and new gamins and buff them in different ways?

[Skyfire]

An elementalist maybe? Somebody who can lead Fire, Ice, Metal and new gamins and buff them in different ways?

Your post does remind me do the elementalist class from Guild Wars 2: a master that can freely swap play style (referred to as attunement in GW2) in middle of the battle (from zero action perhaps). Think of a more flexible version of Yan Lo's paths. And yes, GAMIN FTW!!!