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I fancy trying something very different after years of GW . I have decided to go with Malifaux as it seem a good game and I love some of the figs. What's the best crews to go with . I will say I love painting and if its a crew that I just don't like the look of it won't mater if the are the strongest in the game I just won't want them because I won't want to paint them . I've made a bit of a short list purely of crews I like the look of and like the fluff .
Kaeris
Lady justice
Lilith's
Let me know if any of the above are any good or who I should have a look at.
Thanks

Either of those 3 can be very competitive! So it really does come down to which one you like most!

(Then get the other two later! )

If you haven't already, check out www.pullmyfinger.com for a bit of advice on play styles.

All three are competitive and yet all three are from different factions. I'd advise you to look at their factions and see which faction you'd enjoy painting more.

Lilith -> Neverborn
Lady Justice -> Guild
Kaeris -> Arcanists

Of the three, Lilith and Lady J are surprisingly similar. They're both melee powerhouses of their respective factions.

Kaeris is a bit different. She's really fast for an Arcanist, often relies on ranged attacks, and is prone to blowing through soulstones quickly. Additionally, she is a "henchman". You could run her as a Master, or run her alongside another master; you don't have this option with Lilith and Lady Justice.
She works well with Ramos considering he doesn't use Soulstones in order to be effective. She works well with Rasputina if you want to make everything explode and run out of soulstones. She works poorly with Collette because she relies on soulstones, is already decently mobile, and relies on 'Showgirl' models to be effective (which Kaeris is not).

I play Arcanists, so I'm a bit biased towards Kaeris.

EDIT: Correction in Ramos. He CAN use soulstones, but doesn't need them to be effective.

Go with what you like.

1. Looks of the models. You will enjoy paintinghem.
2. Play styl. Shoota, magic, in your face combat.

Ask local players. Seems like all Malifaux players in our area have multiple crews and will let you use them for a game. Ask around.

For me I would have to say Kaeris (I'm starting to love the Arcanists myself) she just has the additional ability of being a henchman (starting off this wont be an issue) which means if you want a second master later within the Arcanists (Mei Feng!!!) then you can still use Kaeris as a second in demand.

But at the end of the day, its your money and hobby so go with your gut

When I was getting into it, I was told to avoid Kaeris. Of those, I'd recommend Lady J. She's fairly straight forward to play.

Here is a good page about the "easy" to learn masters :http://pullmyfinger.wikispaces.com/Gathering+Supplies

I went with Rasputina since I knew Kaeris has Synergy (She is a very awesome looking mini). Of course, Mei Feng also has good synergy with her. I'd recommend finding a faction you like, and pull out the easiest model in that faction to play. (Easy being straight forward...)

Why were you told to avoid Kaeris if I can ask? She's not spectacular as a master (she's a henchman, so it's to be expected), but the way she meshes with some of the Arcanist Masters is well worth it.

Also it should be noted that if you're not a fan of Kaeris's sculpt, a new one is on it's way. Since the Arcanists won the Summer Campaign last year, they're getting an alt sculpt for their henchman.

As for the other two, Lady J and Lilith are both "easy" to learn simply because they're from book 1, when masters were simpler because the game was simpler. I personally would go with Lady J, she's a little more forgiving on a newer player, that being said, Lilith is no pushover.

 Alfndrate wrote:
Why were you told to avoid Kaeris if I can ask? She's not spectacular as a master (she's a henchman, so it's to be expected), but the way she meshes with some of the Arcanist Masters is well worth it.

Also it should be noted that if you're not a fan of Kaeris's sculpt, a new one is on it's way. Since the Arcanists won the Summer Campaign last year, they're getting an alt sculpt for their henchman.

As for the other two, Lady J and Lilith are both "easy" to learn simply because they're from book 1, when masters were simpler because the game was simpler. I personally would go with Lady J, she's a little more forgiving on a newer player, that being said, Lilith is no pushover.

Kaeris is not as straight forward to play. That is all. She is not as forgiving. She has her little quirks. I'd actually read that advice online, and heard it from players at the local store. Personally, I like her sculpt. I ordered her this week, and will finally have her.

As you said, as well, Lady J is a bit more forgiving. That is something good for new players. It also is a good start for a guild crew. I'm a personal fan of Arcahnists and Ten Thunders. That is why I suggested finding a faction they prefer, and then choose a master.

You can also figure out what your playstyle is. (fast, hit and run or long range, or more subtle, or in your face...) and let your playstyle help choose your master.

Rifter wrote:

 Alfndrate wrote:
Why were you told to avoid Kaeris if I can ask? She's not spectacular as a master (she's a henchman, so it's to be expected), but the way she meshes with some of the Arcanist Masters is well worth it.

Also it should be noted that if you're not a fan of Kaeris's sculpt, a new one is on it's way. Since the Arcanists won the Summer Campaign last year, they're getting an alt sculpt for their henchman.

As for the other two, Lady J and Lilith are both "easy" to learn simply because they're from book 1, when masters were simpler because the game was simpler. I personally would go with Lady J, she's a little more forgiving on a newer player, that being said, Lilith is no pushover.

Kaeris is not as straight forward to play. That is all. She is not as forgiving. She has her little quirks. I'd actually read that advice online, and heard it from players at the local store. Personally, I like her sculpt. I ordered her this week, and will finally have her.

As you said, as well, Lady J is a bit more forgiving. That is something good for new players. It also is a good start for a guild crew. I'm a personal fan of Arcahnists and Ten Thunders. That is why I suggested finding a faction they prefer, and then choose a master.

You can also figure out what your playstyle is. (fast, hit and run or long range, or more subtle, or in your face...) and let your playstyle help choose your master.

Not sure if advice is directed at me or OP.... >_>

Kaeris isn't straightforward to play as the two melee powerhouses Lady J and Lilith.

Kaeris focuses on the condition of "burning". Pretty much everything about her focuses on throwing around burning tokens and comboing off that. For that reason, you REALLY want to throw around those tokens when it matters, and a single missed attack means that her effectiveness is significantly lessened. Usually this means shoving soulstones into her. That being said, Kaeris is one of the more reliable damage-dealers in the game. Also, one of her strengths is control in general. She spews area denial and slowing effects quite easily while being exceptionally mobile (while flying).

One drawback to Kaeris is that she's a henchman and thus her minion selection is greatly lessened.

All that considered, the Kaeris boxed set is full of rather good minions. Gunsmiths are amazing, and the Fire Gamin support Kaeris rather well considering her reliance on setting things on fire.

On the Subject of Kaeris her selection pool is smaller then the other two Masters but I think for a new starter that could be very rewarding as you can make your choices with more knowledge of your own models capabilites and your playstyle. However it does depend on what the OP wants to paint as if there is anything on the below list that they hate (aside from converting a model) limits the choice further

Kaeris as a Master can still hire
Fire Gamin
Joss
Kang
Rail Workers
Willie, the Demolitionist
Iggy
Johan
Gunsmiths
Large Steampunk Arachnid
Rail Golem
Soulstone Miner
Union Miner

Which although limited (13 including Kaeris) still has a great scope of abilities for a master, plus starting as a Henchman has its own benefits such as initially starting with more SS although the SS Pool is limited.