Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Lately iv been testing the waters for a new game to play, with GW and Warmahordes heavy in my FLGS, and growing attention for Hell Dorado, im looking into skirmish based games (and a certain 8Bit Boardgame). Main reason for this being they are cheaper in the run, and il never have to paint the same mini twice

Anyway, with my local store reserving a copy of super dungeon explore for me if they get any in, My choices lay between Malifaux and Anima Tactics. Yes being the Malifaux board im probably going to get some biased answers, but as far as i can tell few enough people seem interested in answering me about anima that its easier to do it this was round.

Iv heard Malifaux has 2 rulesbooks, but the local store only stocks one (only been stocking these for a week or so). So is it one book or two?

Il probably be picking up the lady justice box set and maybe a second that catches my eye, is the starters enough to get a game going?

Also how much scenery/table size is typical for the game?

On top of the Lady justice looking around i was thinking of adding a Judge and a Pale rider, sound good? (basing off models that look good )

Lastly how intuitive are the rules? will it take constant rule book checking and dice offs to avoid arguments?

Oh and if anyone is able to answer a few anima questions please let me know, pm me or something so it stays on topic here

Thanks all

I've only just started with Malifaux.

You only need the one rulebook (the Rules Manual)which you can buy or download for free.

Most starters boxes seem to be playable at 20-25 points but some need a couple of extra purchases to be at their best.

The game is played on a 3'x3' table and half the board should be terrain (precise quote from the rules is; 'each square foot of the battlefield should have approx. 2-4 pieces of terrain measuring at least 3"x3"'). Terraclips do some really good cardstock terrain with Malifaux specifically in mind.

I'm not really very sure about Guild models that go well with Lady Justice I'm afraid but ther eis a host of infor here: http://www.wyrd-games.net/forum.php (not only on this but all the questions you asked)

The rules are fairly straightforward in principle but the number of special rules each model has and the pre-game set-up are quite intricate (they're cleary defined and easy to follow but you need to take the time to make sure you're getting each stage right).

I like it a lot so far.

doc1234 wrote:
Iv heard Malifaux has 2 rulesbooks, but the local store only stocks one (only been stocking these for a week or so). So is it one book or two?

Il probably be picking up the lady justice box set and maybe a second that catches my eye, is the starters enough to get a game going?


On top of the Lady justice looking around i was thinking of adding a Judge and a Pale rider, sound good? (basing off models that look good )


Thanks all

Hi and welcome! Malifaux has a number of books which I'll cover off for you:

Book 1 - This is the original Malifaux book and features all the original rules and the fluff for the start of Malifaux (There is a continuous story threading through each of the books and it all starts here) It also contains all the stats for the Masters and minions for each faction that were released at that time. This book is OOP as both the stats and the rules are outdated.

Mini-rulebook - This small book (yellow cover with a Death Marshal on the front) is the latest rulebook. This is the book you want (and should be the only one in stock )

Book 2 - Rising Powers: Continues the story from Book 1, and introduces a new Master for each faction, plus Henchmen (lesser Masters but don't let Von Schill hear you say that!!) as well as a bucketload of new minions.

Book 3 - Twisting Fates - Carries on the story, and introduces Avatars (super versions of the Masters) and yes... More minions lol

Lady Justice - The flithy Master everyone loves! She gets the Judge in her starter set, so you'd only need to get the Pale Rider. Another model that's great for Lady J is the Executioner, he loves his job so much that when he kills something, he heals all his wounds!

re Starter sets: Some sets are better than others if you are just playing Starter vs Starter as a lot of the boxes desperately need additional purchases right off the bat just to get the master to work. Prime example is The Dreamer, who can't even perform his one trick straight out the box, he needs his totems - the day dreams, to pull it off. I would say, list the boxes ou are interested in and we can go over them to see what purchases might be required to get them going. Lady J plays straight out the box

Thanks for the assist Kogan :p

basing this entirely off what sets look good visualy, the starters that have caught my are are the dreamer (which youv covered), kaeris and the viktorias i believe its called?

doc1234 wrote:Thanks for the assist Kogan :p

basing this entirely off what sets look good visualy, the starters that have caught my are are the dreamer (which youv covered), kaeris and the viktorias i believe its called?

You may want to visit http://pullmyfinger.wikispaces.com/home, the unofficial Malifaux fan wiki. There are a number of useful articles about getting started, including which starters can be played as is, and which one need added blisters. Another useful article is the one about which masters are good for a first crew and which are not (Leviticus, Pandora, and Collete are the ones who come to my mind right now).

Also, a visit to the official Malifaux forums can be helpful: http://www.wyrd-games.net/forum.php

Regarding Kaeris and the Viktorias, I do own both, although I haven't played them yet (never mind prepping them for painting ...). Kaeris is a Arcanist Henchman, and Henchmen have certain hiring restrictions that Masters do not. IIRC, Kaeris can only hire MSU members and MSU assets (and the Fire Gamin). This isn't to say that a Kaeris-led crew cannot be effective, but you will have a smaller selection of models that you can legally hire (pretty much the box set plus a few other models) as compared to a Master (like Ramos, Rasputina, Marcus, or Collete).

As for the Viktorias, you will need a blister of Ronin to play them properly. The box set does not have much synergy between their models as is, and without the ronin, the Viks cannot come back if killed. [It's not easy and requires a surviving Vik and two soulstones, but it is demoralizing for your opponent to have worked so hard to kill a Vik and then she comes back.] The Viks are usually a melee-oriented crew, but the Ronin do carry pistols, as does Johan who comes in the box, so you can soften up the foe before the swords come out. You may want to consider getting Hans and a Student of Conflict. Hans is a sniper and can give the Viks some useful long-ranged support. The Student of Conflict is a totem who can give the model he is linked to an extra action. On turn 1, the Student is linked to one of the Viks to get them into the action faster, then on subsequent turns the Student boosts Hans so he can get into a good sniper nest and fire more often.

Good luck, and remember, in Malifaux, Bad Things Happen.

Malifaux is a great skirmish game. All the reasons you listed above were part of the appeal for me. Small amount of minis to paint, never painting the same one over and over. I have the Guild, have painted 3 gaurdsmen, none the same mini, so nice.

As far as rule books, the main rules manual is all you need. The other "big" books just offer alot of fluff on top of it all. Also, the original "big" book has alot of out of date rules, rulings. Just get the rules manual, all you need.

The website offers alot of great content for you also. The crew creator is a great tool to use, and, it is free.

Well By the sound of it, il go from the rule book and one of the starters (justice or viktorias). Ha i look into this against "army" sized games, and im still biting myself being unable to choose between x3 HA between this and anima im be selling my sould for model money Thanks again guys. Looks like Wyrds fairly "for" the customers unlike some

And thanks for the clarification on the rulebook. The thought of having to lug around 3 or 4 of the damn things was a put off, but if i just need one then all the better

doc1234 wrote:Well By the sound of it, il go from the rule book and one of the starters (justice or viktorias). Ha i look into this against "army" sized games, and im still biting myself being unable to choose between x3 HA between this and anima im be selling my sould for model money Thanks again guys. Looks like Wyrds fairly "for" the customers unlike some

And thanks for the clarification on the rulebook. The thought of having to lug around 3 or 4 of the damn things was a put off, but if i just need one then all the better

Yes the little rulebook is all you really need. Small and Compact. The other books are good to look at other models, both for your list and and see what your advisery may be bringing. The stories are woth it, just not needed. That is one thing that has kept my attention from the begining. The stories are fantastic and give hints to where the game is going.

As for masters, Kearis I know very little. not much use by me. The Vickys, my second favorite master, after Pandora. The bos is not horriable, just not the best. My favorite build is,

Vickys
Ronin x3
Misakia or Tayloer (depends on how heavy hitter I need or if I am going after constructs)

that is about 20ss if my morning math is good. Then as points go up,

Convictied Gunslinger (x2)
Student of Conflict
Misakia or Tayloer (depending on who I took above)

Yes I know that I only use at most 3 models out of the boxed set. That is unfortunatly the downside of her box. The best synergy is acheived outside her box. It works as is, just better with other models.

Overall though the game is great and well woth the time invested. The big seller for me over 3 years ago was the low model count and the good prices on them. For about 100 bucks i have all I need to play and really dont need anything else.

Love this game.

BattleBrotherBob wrote:

Convictied Gunslinger (x2)

Convict Gunslinger is Rare 1, so you can never have 2

Convict Gunslinger is Rare 1, so you can never have 2

In a Brawl, rare restrictions are doubled so you could have two Convict Gunslingers (p.71 of the Rules Manual)

skrulnik wrote:

BattleBrotherBob wrote:

Convictied Gunslinger (x2)

Convict Gunslinger is Rare 1, so you can never have 2

Why yes you are correct. Thats what I get for typing this stuff up early in the morning before my coffee kicks in. Thank You. I dont even remember typing the x2 haha.

Basic theroy still works though.