Good Evening and welcome to another post here at The Theory Machine, tonight we have something for our Malifaux players, by Malifaux players. Recently, many Warmachine and Hordes players at my local game shop (LGS) decided to pick up Malifaux in spite of several Malifaux players moving to another game shop for their gaming pleasure. As a result, myself and many other WarmaHorders picked us up some beginner's boxes and whipped out our Fate decks for some soul cheating fun! After our first few games I thought I'd see how we were all enjoying the game and decided to dedicate the first Malifaux post to giving their new experiences some voice.
Question #1: What did you think of the aesthetic of the world of Malifaux? The fiction, models, artwork, etc.
Carl Smith (Neverborn): I really like the look and feel of Malifaux, the macabre, the creepy, the "monstrous" aspects. I feel like there are two kinds of models; the ones that "work well", which are interesting, eye-catching and cool, and the models that "don't work well", who don't capture the eye and don't give me the impression that I could paint it aesthetic that I want. Don't get me wrong, I like the slightly "over-the-top" commitment to a particular feel or style, like Nicodem's clearly Victorian panache.
Hugh Tran (Resurrectionists): I have some mixed feelings really; I sense that it's humorous, creepy, cool. I certainly have my likes and dislikes but doesn't everybody?
My Response (Arcanists): I love it. I think the melting pot of themes and styles creates a very unique world that really pops evertime you take a look at it. Every single character and model has such a very personalized sculpt, I think that the idea of "character" is even more pronounced in Malifaux than in other table-top games.
Question #2: After your first couple of games, what did you think of Malifaux compared to Warmachine and Hordes? The scale, mechanics, strategies, etc.
Carl Smith (Neverborn): I guess even with the "smaller" scale, they kept a "full" feel to it. Even though you were controlling fewer models, the game doesn't lack a large scale to it and the fact that you are focusing on a small group of individuals instead of cranking out forty identical Space Marines. I love the focus on scenarios and strategies as opposed to just "kill everything". Depending on the strategy and schemes you have you could bring the exact same list every game and still have a different and fun because you are doing different objectives. Using the cards as opposed to dice make me feel like I'm less likely to have a "bad game" because of crappy dice rolls. Honestly, I feel like there's more control and I'm not bound to luck as much. I do feel that dice are better because they afford more risk, with the reduced risk with the cards; it feels like I need to change my plan to stop my opponent more often. Having to meet a goal in order to cast feels very "forced" and you need to be "lucky" to get a proper casting. At the same time, having damage profiles makes getting higher than minor or minimum damage a pipe dream thanks to all of the damage reduction abilities in the game.
Hugh Tran (Resurrectionists): It feels extremely different because models have much higher survivability and the strategies make you feel much more involved in the game itself. In WarmaHordes, there's a point where you "stop thinking and start killing". The factions feel much more balanced, even though they have their ups and downs. The idea of counter-listing feels very difficult given the lowered emphasis on rock-paper-scissors combat.
My Response (Arcanists): My two favorite mechanics are cheating fate and burning soulstones to help my flips. When I cheat fate, I can sub in a card suite I need to trigger an ability or spell, hit something really important, or any other shenanigans I want to pull off. Burning soulstones, on the other hand, feels more like insurance, giving me boosts and such for higher likelihood that my Master can survive a dedicated assault and pull off some cool combo. If there was an equivalent for this WarmaHordes, I'd say it would be the Cyclops Warbeasts from the Skorne faction. They have abilities like boosting attack and damage rolls after the roll has been made and forcing the enemy to re-roll his attacks. These things make me more efficient. I like it. It does suck when you work really hard to do something game-changing..and then I draw the Black Joker.
Question #3: How did you select your faction, did you instead just choose a Master and how have you been enjoying the models you have been playing?
Carl Smith (Neverborn): I chose the Neverborn because I love the models and really wanted something different from Cygnar in Warmachine. Playing something with a "dark" feel was attractive to me. I also selected them because some of my friends had already picked some of the factions and I didn't want to play something someone else already had. After painting armor and weapons in Warmachine, I was really craving opportunity to paint some tentacles, wings, claws and especially skin. I chose to play the Dreamer and Lord Chompy Bits because I really enjoy using an "unconventional" playstyle where I didn't just go run in and kill thinhs. I like thinking creatively about new and different ways to play and I felt that the Dreamer and Lord Chompy Bits offered me that more than the other Neverborn Masters. I'm also a big fan of the changing forms mechanic of the Dreamer and Lord Chomy Bits, like a back-up plan.
Hugh Tran (Resurrectionists): I chose Kirai because; A: she was available at our game shop, B: people had pretty high opinions of her and C: she felt comfortable to use. Spirits in general are pretty strong and their accompanying rules make them super fun and "stupid good".
My Response (Arcanists): Seriously, I chose the Arcanists because I have an affinity for magic-users and I love Ramos. He's incredibly cool, his background, rules, model; he's awesome. I recently picked up Marcus the Beast-based Master and after just one game with him I know why I love the Arcanists: their sheer utility. Ramos summons Steampunk Arachnids and Electrical Creations, casts defensive buffs, heals, blows stuff up, blasts things with electricity, I could go on. I need to learn more of what Marcus can do but I'm already sold on his powers anyway. I sort of started the new wave of Malifaux at our game shop so I got first pick of factions.
Question #4: What are you looking forward to in the world of Malifaux? New releases, new Masters, playing a new faction, bigger games, etc.
Carl Smith (Neverborn): I want the new Teddy model that is supposedly being released. My standard 25ss list is the Dreamer and Lord Chompy Bits, 3 Day Dreams and 2 Teddys. I really want to paint up a second Teddy to use. As far as Masters go I'm not interested in others and am pretty happy with what the Neverborn offer. In terms of new models go, I want to see what Wyrd Miniatures releases that works well with the Dreamer since more Nightmare creatures would be great. The thing I noticed about the Rising Powers expansion was adding models that also worked well with pre-existing Masters as opposed to just filling out the rosters with things for the newer Masters. That's what I'm excited to see, more stuff for the Dreamer.
Hugh Tran (Resurrectionist): It would be nice to have a model that is geared towards multi-Master use. I mean like a totem every Master could take or more mercenary and open options really.
My Response (Arcanists): I can't wait for the Gunsmith model to come out, same as Kaeris. They both look amazing, both rues and model-wise. The third book for Malifaux should have some great stuff and I'd like to see what new Beasts come out because that'll increase Marcus's roster and make his toolbox of Beasts stronger. It's a bright future for Wyrd and Malifuax.
Although I put in my own thoughts as well, I figured my input was just as good as anyone else. I play with Hugh regularly and I see what he means by more open options, there are few Spirits and if there were more available models that could work with Kirai, I'm sure he'd love it. I think it's important for all players to get together and talk about what they think of a new game.
All we can do is wait and see what Wyrd holds in store for us Malifaux players. While we wait, there's sabotage, intrigue and shenanigans for us to enjoy!
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