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So I'm going to be getting into malifaux soon and I generally know absolutely nothing about it. I've seen a few battle reports but it hasn't really helped me pick out what im going to make my first group with.
I am going to be trying to use mostly models that I really like / find funny and I think I'll be starting with Neverborn.

The models I like / want to include

Wicked dolls
Teddy
Mysterious effigy
Collodi (eeeh)
Marionettes
Pandora
Candy
Baby kade (eeeh)
Lilith

The eeeh options are models that don't overly shout out to me, but for the sake of synergy I really don't mind taking, could be fun!

I know with this list I have some problems with the fact I have like, 3 group leaders and bits and pieces all over the place. I'm kinda leaning into getting Collodi's starter box mostly because the wicked dolls are my favorites and the box
covers most of the stuff I like I think in terms of your basic run around people.

But in all honestly I'm not really very sure how to approach this. I don't want to buy stuff I won't use but at the same time I don't want to use things I don't like

Help?

Those three masters are pretty fine to start with. With your 'eeehh' options, you get them anyway. Collidis box comes with a set of Marionettes and a set of Wicked Dolls, so even if you aren't thrilled about Collidi, if you're buying those two sets, might as well just buy his starter crew. Baby Kade comes with Pandoras crew anyway.

Collidi likes minions and dolls. In the place of the Dolls and Marionettes I'd add the Widow Weaver and either a couple of Effigys from other factions, since the Effigys work well with Collidi, or a box of Stitched Together, which are all round fantastic and work with Pandora and Lilith.

Pandora and a Teddy is a nice little 50ss list. You don't need to add much to it and you'll have a lot of fun with it. Teddy adds more WP tests through Terrifying and synergises well with Baby Kade, and you get some more physical attacks which is nice. Barbaros from Liliths box is also a nice option due to his Challenge ability causing lots of WP tests.

Lilith works with a lot of the faction. Her in theme Nephilim are great with her. Teddy works well as a beater with her. Like Pandora, Liliths box plus Teddy is a nice way to start off using her. Baby Kade also works well here.

So my first purchases really are going to be
Pandora's set and Zoraida's set.

I'm not a fan of what comes in Zoraida's box but I reaaaally like the stuff Zoraida can do from what I've red of her.
I have put together some make-shift lists of my own crews (I can't help myself, I really like trying to use my own set ups and models I really enjoy over premade)

First
This list is nurse + voodoo doll + zoraida synergy attempt, with candy causing trouble and baby kade + teddy, stitched together aside from the fact it looks like the boogeyman from nightmare before halloween is there for
potential out obey usage with that severe 7 damage. (this is all based on my reading of things)


Second
Like the first but without baby kade

The Malifaux starter box is quite good if you are thinking of playing Neverborn, Angel Eyes is a real asset with her ranged weapon.

Don't think I've seen angel eyes D:

Angel Eyes is only avalable in the 2 player starter box found here
http://giveusyourmoneypleasethankyou-wyrd.com/collections/guild/products/m2e-starter-box?variant=4926823169

So it looks like you are now leaning toward Zoraida

Form looking at your crew builds one thing to consider is that you won't be able to use the voodo doll and the primordial magic (I cannot remember if you cannot summon the doll if you have another totem, or if you need to sacrifice the magic if you summon the doll). So that looks like a waste of 2 SS.

what specifically do you like about her playstyle from what you have seen?

Stitched and Teddy can be very good, but are probably better with someone like the Dreamer than with Zoraida.

With either of your lists Iggy looks like a good pick (dumping burning on the doll, has some synergy with candy).

FWIW it looks like any of those lists are quite money intensive, so my recommendation would be to pick a crew box and maybe one other box and try it out, see what you like, what you think works well, and what does not. If you put in a ton of money into a fixed crew and end up not liking it, or it doesn't work I think you will be disappointed.

Based on a lot of the models you seem to like I think you might be better served playing Dreamer, Pandora, or Collodi though.