Johnny-Crass wrote:Hi all. So recently I picked up the new Lilith model for my VC army and it was just a blast to paint so that got me thinking "Is Malifaux a game for me?". I have a very strong WHFB background and have been having a hard time wrapping my head around the rules pdf. Any help for someone who is a beginner in every sense of the word?
First, Malifaux is worth getting into if you like a true skirmish minis game. Each figure has its own abilities and moves as an individual. It also has some of the feel of a
CCG as an important part of play is finding the "combos", what abilities on figure A interact with those on figure B to give a more powerful effect than either provides seperately. It is also objective-based, so you can win even if you lose your master and most of the crew, provided you achieved your objectives and prevented your opponent from completing his before he kills off your crew.
However, if finding combos and every figure having its own special rules is not your thing, then Malifaux is not a good game for you. Not everyone likes
ccg-style deckbuilding and assembling a crew can be like that. I enjoy it but I know I'm not that good at it (in
CCGs or Malifaux) and I lose more games of Malifaux than I win.
Another aspect is "Cheating Fate", where you can play a card from your hand to replace the one flipped from your deck. For me it feels more magical and so reinforces the theme. We have powerful magic users who are manipulating threads of fate to fall their way. In practical terms, you'll be saving high cards of the right suit so you can succeed with the attacks or spells you consider most important. That mitigates randomness slightly and gives you more control than with dice.
As for a first crew, just get what you like the look of, which is what I did (Rasputina and Ramos, of the Arcanists). Alternatively, as suggested above, visit the pullmyfingerwiki and see which of the suggested starter crews most interest you. There's a crew creator so you can see how many soulstones your preferred crew would cost. [The local preference is for 30-35ss games.]
Also, a visit to the official Malifaux forums can be helpful:
http://www.wyrd-games.net/forum.php
One crew to consider is Zoraida (Neverborn). I've played a lot against her lately, and win or lose, she has been interesting to play against. She is the most flexible of Masters and can use any Neverborn minion (and a few out of faction) well. For most masters, you use minions that play to their talents. For example, my Rasputina crew has limited flexibility as it is to her advantage if her minions have Frozen Heart. There are not many Frozen Heart models, so my opponent knows what he will face and can plan accordingly when building a crew. With Zoraida you can consider the game's objectives, and pick the minions that would best suit play, or to counter your opponent's crew if you have a good idea what he is bringing.
So, welcome to Malifaux, and remember, in this town,
Bad Things Happen.
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2,000 points 
265 point detachment
Iron Hands: 1,850 