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Id say get a copy of the rules and hop to it. A few editions ago (40k that is) I didnt have a rulebook, and just learned from others teaching me, and also just sucked at the game. In 4th, I bought a book and actually learned the rules, and surprise surprise, I started to not suck. Im sure if you actually learned the rules and a tip here or there, youd end up being a much better player, cant really blame a game system if you cant be assed to actually learn it

Once you get the core down there's not that much more. Most of the special abilites are explained on the cards for each model and there aren't that many universal ones. But it doesn't hurt to have the mini-rulebook and its nice index system.

Yeah the rulebook is a nice read and there is several details in there that new players miss, like the fact that you can't cheat fate if you have a - modifier. Once you get the core rules learned, which are rather easy, you then have to digest the combos of special rules.

Further comment on Nicodemus. Yes, he's not a hard hitter, but he is the best summoner master in the game. He can summon any undead type into the game, unlike McMourning or Seamus. What the local Resser player does is start with lots of weak cheap undead, then he kills or sacrifices them to summon much stronger ones. Also, Nicodemus is tough for a master, and can soak or shrug off a lot of damage.

KingCracker wrote:What about Neverborns? Anyone know anything about them, as far as how they play and such? Id hate to have the wife pick them, only to find out they really suck

My other regular opponent plays Neverborn. Pandora is a finesse master: you must get her combos right to win, otherwise she and her typical crew choices are pretty squishy. He really has not done well with her.

Lilith is the best melee master currently, and is highly mobile as well. Her Nephilim usually share these characteristics. They can be glass cannons, though, so one needs to use Lilith's ability to activate a Nephilim immediately after hew own activation ends. Get the hitters positioned, then pile on for at least two activations before your opponent gets to activate again.

Zoraida is the most flexible master in the game, and the one both the Neverborn player and I have had the most fun with. One can easily tailor her crew for any mission with any Neverborn, and (IIRC) any non-unique figure of WP 4 or less from any other faction. With Zoraida, you're spoiled for choice and you can keep your opponent guessing on what you'll bring. She's also surprisingly mobile, so if she's in danger, it's because you chose to put her there.

The Neverborn player has not purchased the other Neverborn masters, so I haven't seen them in action.

Hey, many thanks Hamster, that was pretty helpful to read in all honesty. My wife wasnt really sure on which one to go with (as far as sets to start with) and Im glad you mentioned that Pandora can be pretty potent, but takes finesse, so Ill definitely tell her about that.

The problem with Pandora is that to really maximize her power, you aren't going to take any of the other models in her box set, with the exception of maybe one Sorrow, and that would only be to fill points.

Pandora wants to run with models like
Jack Daw
Stitched Together
Lelu and Lilitu

Pandora is a very powerful master - and an absolute nightmare to play against (my friends suffer so much she rarely gets to stretch her legs now lol)

I would add to the Pandora power list Coppelius, he can keep up with her, pop eyeballs and be throughly nasty! Teddy is everything you'd expect from a giant bear with huge teeth - very painful to fight against (although can be slow as he doesnt have certain abilities that Coppelius has)

I like taking Baby Kade from the box set, he acts more like a cute innocent missile than other, bigger targets and is fun to spring on people.

Ah, how could I forget Coppelius? He's by far my favorite model.

Baby Kade is good, and the model is pretty neat, the only problem is that he's completely out shined by Lelu and Lilitu, and if I recall correctly he's even priced a bit higher.

Ok so as far as the starter sets, what one would be good for someone that hasnt really played any type of table top game except with me? Shes got little experience but thats about it, so as far as tactical planning, its still coming to her. Ideas? (Remember she wants the Neverborn)

If you want a Neverborn master that doesn't require that much tactical thought, Lilith is a great choice. Lilith is one of the most amazing models in close-combat, her defensive is really high, and the Nephilim in the boxed set aren't bad. The Mature Nephilim especially is rather useful at all times.

The Dreamer is also a slightly straightforward master, but the boxed set is mostly questionable because it doesn't contain the Lelus, Lilitus, and especially the Daydreams that make the Dreamer happy.
Also problematically is that the Dreamer's gameplay is very alpha-strike oriented. If you misplay the first and primary attack, things start to look downhill.

Pandora is not very forgiving in terms of new players, she mostly relies on knowing her abilities and chaining effects. Her gameplay is essentially doing a lot of little things and constantly chipping away tons of damage.

Zoradia is likewise a purely support master. Her big effect is gaining control of your opponent's stuff, and not all things can be controlled. It requires quite a bit of knowledge to use effectively.

I'd also say Lillith, as she can dish out damage, take it and the Mature nephilim is also a big hitter. All the starter boxes need extras to build a decent force, Zoraida needs her totem (voodoo doll), Lillith will need Young Nephilim, Dreamer definitely needs the day dreams to help transport him and his crew across the board. IMHO if you were just going to buy a starter box and thats it - Pandoras is the most complete.

Yea I figured we would have to add some. Im going to buy the Nicodem set, and I already know I need at least 1 box of mindless zombies and Im eyeing a Fleshconstruct something fierce.

Speaking of, does anyone know how these minis scale with say, mantics zombies? I have a couple Mantic Zombies (back when they did that free sprue dealy-o) and was thinking, hey cool 2 free mindless zombies, but I dont want to use them if the scale is WAY off. Any clues?

KingCracker wrote:Yea I figured we would have to add some. Im going to buy the Nicodem set, and I already know I need at least 1 box of mindless zombies and Im eyeing a Fleshconstruct something fierce.

Speaking of, does anyone know how these minis scale with say, mantics zombies? I have a couple Mantic Zombies (back when they did that free sprue dealy-o) and was thinking, hey cool 2 free mindless zombies, but I dont want to use them if the scale is WAY off. Any clues?

Malifaux is 32mm "Heroic" so they are on the big side. Don't have any Mantic, so I couldn't say, but why don't you wait until you get your Malfaux minis and just compare them to your Mantic zombies?

If your wife gets Lilith, get a blister of Young Nephilim so she'll have all the growth stages. It hurts a Lilith crew not to have the growth option of Terror Tot to Young Nephilim to Mature Nephilim. Also, it gives tactical flexibility.

Edit 1: Flesh Construct definitely. Takes some killing (most Undead do) but he's more obnoxious than most.

KingCracker wrote:Hey, many thanks Hamster, that was pretty helpful to read in all honesty. My wife wasnt really sure on which one to go with (as far as sets to start with) and Im glad you mentioned that Pandora can be pretty potent, but takes finesse, so Ill definitely tell her about that.

You're welcome. It's best for the Malifaux fanbase if all new players have an easy time getting started and can enjoy their first game, so I'm glad to help when I can. (Only started in August of 2011, so I'm not that experienced a player, and while there are other Malifaux players at the LGS, they have different days off, so I haven't played against the Guild or some of the other Outcast crews yet.)

Not entirely sure how useful this will be to you, but here's an image:


On the far right is a Malifaux miniature, Collete.

Is anything in that picture a mantic miniature? Yea Ive compared the zombies I have to a comparable size with a Tau Fire Warrior once, as I was working on one when I got them in the mail. So if I remember correctly, the FW are comparable to a Dire Avenger....ish. Yea Ill just have to compare when I get the stuff. Thanks again guys

Hmm Ive still not gotten around to getting any malifaux lol but im still really interested, just need to find sombody to play against :/ and a starting crew that interests me.

I hear your supposed to buy afew additions as well as the starting set, how do you know what to buy with it?

Check the articles out here for whatever master you are interested in: http://pullmyfinger.wikispaces.com/

I found the articles immensely useful

Agreed, I read that site for a few hours the other day

AtomicEngineer wrote:Hmm Ive still not gotten around to getting any malifaux lol but im still really interested, just need to find sombody to play against :/ and a starting crew that interests me.

I hear your supposed to buy afew additions as well as the starting set, how do you know what to buy with it?

As above, Pull my Finger is an excellent resource for understanding what synergises well with what!

I'd also add http://www.malifaux.com/Crew.php

This is a crew creator which allows you to build crew lists and see what you can fit in at a given ss cost. Malifaux doesnt lend itself to set army list like other game systems, you will need flexibility in your crew options to be able to cope with different scenarioes

Also do you live in Bristol? As we have a thriving Malifaux community at our local LGS

Hey, I'm looking to get into malifaux as well. Does anyone in the thread play in Los Angeles by chance? I would like to get into it, but the scene seems kinda dead at my flgs...

Anyone New to the game just make sure you know what you are getting into.......

My Friend mentioned Malifaux in May to me, and I got a Gift Card for Father's Day, so I picked up Ramos. That was Great, Cool Models, I added a Hunter and an Electrical Construct. It
was Great! A Little over a month Later, I got the McMourning Box, and Some Canine Remains, and I was on top of the world. But the feeling lasted a Shorter time than before. Before I
knew it, I needed more mini's to get that same feeling. Heck I even made a Custom Fate Deck. Last Month, I had to Buy more than a dozen model....Just to feel O.K. At the Rate I am
going, Within a month or two I will be on a Freeway Onramp with a Cardboard Sign that Says "Will Work for Witchling Stalkers and/or Handlers"

Also, if you buy Ramos Magnetize the spiders....Trust me....

Welcome to the world of Wargamming in General lol. When my buddy first got me into 40k it was a classic line I'll never forget "Table Top miniatures is waaaay cheaper then MMOs. Once you buy your miniatures you're done and never have to pay again"

Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of miniatures later...

Agreed, thats kindda what makes a hobby a hobby though. Why do you think people that shoot for fun, have more then 1 cheap firearm?

Oh Malifaux, how I love thee, your models are like crack though...

Ill be making my order as soon as we get our taxes in! whohooo!!

Anyone loving March's releases (as seen on wyrd yesterday). Those Dead Doxies are amazing!

Havnt seen it, Ill have a looksee

I'm really disappointed in the new Alternate Perdita. It looks like she has no idea what pistols are and she's just standing there goofily/seductively.
The Avatar Perdita is also rather awkward. Not a fan of her inexplicably summoning some blue steed. All the other masters' Avatar Forms actually make sense whether it's Collette replicating herself, Viktorias going crazy, Rasputina encasing herself in ice, Seamus going Hulk-mode, Sonnia going pyromaniac, etc. Perdita pulls a silly horse-monster-thing out of nowhere.

Not a fan of the alternate Viktorias either. Though I like the look of the Kirai avatar, may pick one up later even though I have no idea what they do yet.

Haha oddly I much prefer the new Vikis to the old ones (although a hair cut will be in order!) Yeah Summoning a beast a crew have no link to previously is somewhat bizarre.

Avatars are the spirits of the former socrerrers on Malifaux who once ruled before the Grave Spirit was brought in to end their rule (thats the fluff anyway) As for what they do, they replace the master and have different/enchanced abilities. Hulk Seamus becomes a Terror engine, causing terror to EVERYTHING bar the Dreamer and Pandoras Avatar form. This means constructs, Nightmares the lot! He also heals wounds every time someone fails a morale duel so very different to his normal form.