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so im looking for something smaller than 40k and both of these games look pretty decent.

infinity looks cool and pretty straight forward

malifaux is kind of scary.... at an initial glance of the rules it reminds me of hordes/warmachine where models require a notebook to keep track of all of their special rules and the planets need to align and the day of the week has to have an are in it to activate some special uber combo power kill attack.
is mali really that bad or do i need to read the rules more?

i was also wondering whether or not the real malifaux rulebook has a bunch of blacked out pages that say "too scary for the general public" or some such nonsense like the free download version does? it was a shame as it makes it really hard to print.

any opinion as to which game is better for someone looking to scale down in game commitment (time/model count/rules complaints/cost etc...)?

Not at all actually the print Rules book is free.
The game itself is pretty good and not as "book keeping" as you may worry about. For a bit it can and will be a bit over-whelming but that's why I'd suggest only playing games with the "Crew Boxsets" until you have a grasp on the mechanics and start to expand.

After the last GW price hike I decided to curtail my GW spending and look elsewhere. I have not played a game of either Malifaux or Infinity yet, but because of how much I loved the models for both lines, decided to get into both games.

Although I've yet to play a game of Malifaux, I can say that the game isn't quite like Warmahordes in that you are not looking to cash in on a big uber-combo. Malifaux games have clearly defined goals, often different for both players. So while in a game of WMH your ultimate goal is to try and take out the opposing caster if possible, in Malifaux you might be able to fulfill your mission objectives without having to engage the enemy. That isn't a knock against WMH, it is just to show that the games have a different feel to them.

In a perfect world I'd say get into both Infinity and Malifaux. Both offer really interesting games with great looking models. And both are cheap enough that you can get into both games for less than it would cost you to buy a single 1500 point 40k army. If both games aren't in the stars for you, I'd suggest watching some battle reports on youtube and deciding which game system suits your tastes the most. Best of luck in your future choice.

You can also choose secondary objectives to go along with the main random one. The deck mechanic also mixes it up a lot, being able to keep a hand adds to the suspense of each play.

Out of the two Malifaux is likely the cheaper option as well.
You can buy one of the Fate decks, or just remember the equivalents and use a normal deck of cards. I'd suggest the actual cards though due to the artwork being nice, also may be worth holding out a little as they should be releasing more of them shortly. I think these new ones were supposed to have different art for each card and be a bit more durable.

Infinity is very open tactics-wise, but NOT straightforward.

Malifaux is more straightforward in comparision but very process driven, certain things have to happen in sequence and you must purchase certain models to make some of the box sets work.

I've played Malifaux almost to death, and only new to Infinity, so I'm biased when I talk about the two.

I love the card mechanic in Malifaux, its so refreshing and gives you more control over events. I love the D20s of Infinity and the FtF system that occurs.

Bottom line is 2 things:

1) Which models do you like more?
2) What style of game do you like? a) Looking for synergies between models and having the crew achieve the effect/ outcome you want or b) Very open playing field where your style of play is allowed, but you have to make it work. Your mistakes WILL be punished.

thx so much all.
one of the biggest problems that im having is i love the models for both lines

is there a printer friendly version of the malifaux rulebook? the free one on their site is color (which isnt so bad) but like i said has a lot of full page blacked out images. my black ink would cry over that

Good thing with skirmish games is that for about the price of a GW battleforce, you get 2 skirmish armies, one for each system.
So you don't really have to chose only one system. They are different in style and game mechanics to both be worth it.

It took me a while to decide between these two as well. Eventually I went for a starter set for each. (Seamus & Yu Jing).

I started playing Malifaux first and the Infinity took a side step and sat in a drawer for about 6 months (probably more). This was mainly because the usual suspects of my gaming circle went for Malifaux over Infinity mainly because it was the most different looking from anything 40k. (Due to the models being more Fantasy/Cowboy/Steampunky and the obvious major difference in the usage of cards over dice!).

Needless to say although I really like Malifaux I am totally hooked on Infinity at the mo! (next month it will no doubt change again!). As are my circle of gamers.

So basically to sum up, you will enjoy both and rather than trying to decide which game to start. You should be asking which game to start first!!

Oh and the Infinity rules are also free to download and very printer friendly!

P.s Seen as you put this question in the Malifaux forum I'm guessing you've already made your mind up!

nah, still undecided but i only wanted to choose 1 spot.

I'd say if you're still undecided then just go with the one which has the best play group near you. Doesn't matter which one you decide on if you can't play them. I'd probably start Infinity if there were anyone who played it around here, but since there isn't I just stick with 40k and Malifaux for now.

I play both games even more than I play 40k. They're both great in their own way yet completely different.

Infinity has almost no forced synergy between specific models whereas Malifaux thrives on synergy and combinations.

Infinity is almost all ranged combat whereas Malifaux has a balance of the two leaning on melee.

Shooting ranges in Infinity ranges can go to 48" to 60" on typical weapons. In Malifaux, 12-16" is considered very long range.

In Infinity, 8" movement is typical in one order. In Malifaux, being able to move 6" in a turn is typical.

Infinity models have a huge range of actions and special rules they're allowed to perform, and they're all referenced in the main rulebook. Malifaux models usually have all their rules listed on their card.

Infinity has a turn-based system where you move several models and then I move several models, but every movement you perform, the enemies that see you may perform a reaction. Malifaux has a model-by-model IGO-UGO system (for the most part) and there are several reactions that may be performed on the opponent's turn based on special triggers on models' cards.

Infinity cares about your army as a whole and each model is capable of doing great things. Malifaux revolves around the master you chose and thus has several safeguards to ensure your master doesn't die too quickly. Both games allow you to operate and still win even if your key units die.

Infinity models oftentimes have one wound; anything higher and they're either superhuman or a large mech. Malifaux models, even the grunts will oftentimes have wounds in excess of five or six.

Infinity almost encourages you to be in cover at all times and positioning is almost everything. Malifaux units benefit from cover but particularly tough guys can just dance in the open.

Both games have their designers constantly changing minor rules for the sake of balance or just to update.

Infinity units oftentimes don't have anything that is outright 'bad'. Some Malifaux models may be 'bad' simply because other units are better.

Infinity rules are a bit convoluted to learn on your own, so it's best to have someone teach it to you or watch videos. Malifaux is surprisingly straightforward and all the complexity derives from your options displayed on the cards.

Infinity is a realistic-scale 28mm with straight bases. Malifaux is an exaggerated-scale 32mm with lipped bases.

Both games have rules available for free online; you can also print them if you want to waste ink (both).

Both games have an available army list builder for free online.

Infinity has the stats of all models available for free online. Malifaux doesn't publish stats of models (except for the first book) but includes useful stat cards in each model kit/blister.

Infinity uses d20s, so there is much less reliance on luck than other games out there. Malifaux uses cards (essentially rolling d13s) and you can replace unfavorable "rolls" with a card in your hard so it's MUCH less reliant on luck than other games out there.

Both games have ALL models and stats laid out as soon as a new book is released. You can proxy and play and playtest anything even before the official models come out.

Infinity is a Spanish company and it takes some people (such as myself) over two months to get the newest releases. Malifaux is in the US and I get the new releases less than a week after they're announced.

Infinity almost always releases one new model per faction per month with 1-2 factions missing out. Malifaux usually releases the same amount of models per month with a heavy focus on a specific faction each month.

Infinity has 7 factions (with one mercenary faction). Malifaux has 5 factions with 5 masters in each faction that completely determine your playstyle.

Infinity gameplay is incredibly tactical yet each factions oftentimes plays similarly. Malifaux gameplay focuses more on strategy and composition where each master plays completely differently.

great post. ty so much Absolutionis!