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New to Malifaux, how to the rules compare to 40k/WM?

They don't compare. Completely different mechanics. Better if you ask me. Wyrd is a company that is taking pride in its work as it hasn't become the broken machine that games workshop has devolved into. But I don't want to derail this thread with any more GW ho-hum.

Grab some models and the necessary items for relatively cheap and get a game in to see for yourself.

The detail of the models and the artistic design really stands out and the rules set really allows for a tactically challenging game yet you better have Lady Luck floating in the background for the right moment as fate is a fickle thing sometimes.

Haha, wow. Opposite ends of the spectrum.

It's not at all an entry-level game and has a pretty steep learning curve; it has a pretty balanced system (far more than 40k's army of the month); it encourages narrative play through objectives and model rules rather than random events; there are lots of rules interactions; players actively defend; activation is model-by-model not army-by army; most things are able to kill most things with enough effort.



Basically, 40k is a lot of fun- love it for a casual game, but I still feel like it kind of runs on autopilot once you've deployed.

Malifaux is all about adaptation and using/using very limited resources carefully.

About the only thing they have in common is that they both support the idea of narrative games.

I'd highly recommend it if you're ready to learn a more complex game, would not if you're looking for highly competitive (WM/H is the clear choice there) or highly casual (40k is great if you want to have fun without concentrating)

I wasn't implying its an easy game like checkers to learn. The OP had asked how the rules compared to one another. There is no real way to describe them due to the differences in design and mechanics. You use a deck of playing cards for Pete's sake! You could but you would have to type a term paper to clarify all points.

The real question should be to the OP what type of miniature game are you looking for?

40k is, as SpiralingCadaver stated, running on auto-pilot once the game begins.

Yes, Malifaux requires much more attention to detail and interaction with the rules, models and between the players as each model activates to perform his, her or its actions.

However, once this is indoctrinated in the same way as all games rules are when played long enough it becomes second nature.

Good discussion!

Oh, I meant that 40k was an entry level game and malifaux wasn't, not that I thought you were saying Malifaux was- we're in agreement.

And yeah, the games are hugely different- past both featuring moving, attacking, models, and winning, they don't have much in common.

Um, I think that Malifaux is a perfectly acceptable entry level game.

The main game rules are well organized and written. They don't particular require much thought into "how things are done."

Then, all the rules you need to play are on the stat cards in front of the player, with all the language on them, instead of sifting through a secondary book's double unit entries to try and figure out what does what...

So, Malifaux is pretty easy to start playing.

What is difficult is the complexity of the game, where are 40K is more point and click or application of force, Malifaux requires in-game adjustments and resource management.

I think what confuses most veteran gamers is that Malifaux is so completely different from a GW game that they are quick to say "it's not easy to get into." The switch away from GW to other systems will always be problematic, most of us come from that background.

I've played 40k across several editions, WHFB, WM, Hordes, a large portion of GW's Specialist line, X-Wing, a handful of the more complex board games like Tannhauser or Sedition Wars, Dystopian Wars, numerous card games, etc.

Malifaux is by far the most unconventional to learn miniatures game I've played, and looking at things on paper rarely gives you more than a sense of what they do. Not by any means saying it isn't worth learning, but it's a difficult game to start.

So is Malifaux easy to learn for someone used to 40K?

I found it so.
I got the hang of it after a couple of play throughs.

The answer is yes! Now all you need to do is pick your faction and get gaming!

Thanks everyone!