Cool Model - Smoke

In today's email announcement, there was also this cool photo of a new model... I believe it's called "Smoke" but it looks similar to the model for "Nothing Beast". {Edit: the gray transparent material is called "Smoke" - the model is from "Nightmare Edition Herald of Obliteration"}. It looks to be a "Special Edition" sculpt (for an expensive $90!) But it is cool looking.

In addition, the email today had a bunch of other announcements for this weekends "Black Friday" sale. Looks like a lot of new sculpts are being made available!

I actually can't recall how I ended up getting this email. I either signed up for it on their website (I can't find the link), or I submitted my email address to them when I signed up to join their Forums.

If you didn't get the email, you can view all the info here on their website.

Rules? Who needs rules?

I do!
One of the frustrations for wanting to jump into Malifaux now, at the start of the new 2nd edition... is the lack of available 2e rule books. Up until today, Wyrd has been silent on why the books are pretty much unavailable. They are out there, don't get me wrong, but they are rare. Some people are also taking advantage of this (aka Capitalism = supply and demand and all that). You can go on Amazon.com right now and purchase this book for $60 plus $6 shipping - BUT the book retail price is $40!
This afternoon though, Wyrd finally broke the silence and has offered up an alternative... you can now purchase a smaller rules handbook for only $15. The book does not contain any of the "fluff" or back stories about the world of Malifaux. It's basically just a collection of the rules for how to play the game. But at this point, I'm in. In honesty, I probably would have purchased both books anyway.

As an fyi... the main 2e book is scheduled to be re-stocked sometime in January. Of course that is not set in stone, but it's the target Wyrd is shooting for. Here's their official statement.

Hopefully soon, I'll be able to get my first game in.

Soft plastic

Short Post. I started assembling the models and discovered that the plastic used is a softer plastic than I'm used to working with (in comparison with Privateer Press). While there is hardly any flash and very little mold lines, there was some minor clean up, and I discovered that you have to be careful when using an Exacto blade. This can also be a positive thing though, because it doesn't take much to clean the lines.

Shadows of Redchapel - unboxing

Just a few comments on the "Shadows of Redchapel" box and packaging...
The artwork is fantastic! The images on the back of the box are taken directly from the 3d sculpting program producing accurate renders of the models. I do have two complaints though regarding the packaging design; There is no description of what's inside the box. I would have liked to see a list of the cards included, as well as confirmation that 6 bases are also included. Second, and most of all (from a beginners point of view) Please Wyrd, put the faction name on the box too.
I also had to laugh at the disclaimer statement, "Some cleaning and assembly may be required before painting." – 'May'? Try using the word "ARE" required.

Plastic:
I was a bit surprised at how TINY the actual parts are... not that it's bad to have tiny parts, just took me a little by surprise. My experience is mostly with Privateer Press' Warmachine/Hordes pieces, which are much more substantial in comparison. Assembling these pieces is going to take a bit more finesse (and possibly a pair of tweezers).
I like how each model is represented clearly on the sprue and grouped together.
The flash is nonexistent! I've never seen sculpts this clean before - well done Wyrd.
There are still some mold lines visible in certain areas (mostly Sybelle), but for the most part they are near-seamless.
The amount of detail on these sculpts are also really well done.
I'm a little concerned with how I'll be attaching these models to the bases. There is not a lot of contact area (just their feet) to provide a surface for glueing. I also plan on using some "Secret Weapon" custom bases, that have a texture to the base - I hope I'm not going to have to pin these tiny parts.

Cards:
Nicely printed. A gloss coating to allow one to use a dry-erase marker directly on the card, but I'm not going to take chances and will sleeve the cards.
1 card for each model: Seamus, Madame Sybelle, Copycat Killer, 3x Rotten Belle's.
6 upgrade cards: Bag O' Tools, Mad Haberdasher, Sinister Reputation, Red Chapel Killer, Not Too Banged Up, Bleeding Tongue.

Bases:
6x 30mm plastic bases. (also with no apparent flashing to trim).

And not mentioned anywhere on the box, but if you need it, there are detailed illustrations on their website that provide assembly instructions: http://www.malifaux.com/instructions.php Though they're pretty straight-forward.

Tokens on the cheap...

A short post - So while I'm not clear yet on the use of tokens in the game of Malifaux, I know they are part of the game. Basically they are tokens used to mark various elements on the gaming table.

One thing I've discovered... the most popular tokens are 30mm in diameter... rather than run out and purchase tokens at this point (there are various places on the web to purchase these token sets), I've found that the average plastic bottle cap (from Soda or Water bottles) are 28mm. I'll be using these for my tokens until I can figure out the best deal for purchasing*. I of course will be upfront with my opponents that they are off in size by 2mm, and for FUN games this shouldn't be an issue.

*My intent is that I'll be designing and making my own tokens at some point down the road using a laser cutter service.

Arsenal Boxes - what are they?

So as I mentioned, I'm new to the world of Malifaux, and one of the things I'm slightly confused over are the "Arsenal Decks". I seem to be getting conflicting information too, which doesn't help. But this is what I've been able to piece together over the past couple of days.

I was initially told that inside of the starter box, there are no "upgrade cards" and that the only way to get these "upgrade cards" is via the arsenal decks. Turns out that's not entirely true.
Inside of the starter box that I just bought called the "Shadows of Redchapel" there are in fact Upgrade Cards. There are 6 upgrade cards: 1) Bag o' tools 2) Mad Haberdasher 3) Sinister Reputation 4) Red Chapel Killer 5) Bleeding Tongue 6) Not too banged up. Note: #5 is specific to Sybelle and #6 can be used with Seamus or Sybelle.

Inside of the Resurrectionists Arsenal Box are a total of 27 Upgrade Cards (including the ones I mentioned above). At this point, I think, there are some additional Upgrade Cards that are ONLY available in the Arsenal Deck - I'm not quite sure on this point.

One other point about the Arsenal Deck that I think is an important one for new players... You don't need this deck to start playing your games with the starter boxes. BUT... if you choose to purchase any of the additional 1.x models, then you will need the new deck, because the cards are different in the 2nd Edition. Example: If I bought a "Punk Zombie" from the old 1.x model, I would need the new "punk zombie" 2.0 card that is available ONLY in the arsenal deck.

If you're lucky enough to have the new 2.0 rulebook, the cards are in the book - well not the cards actual, but images of the cards on the pages. Some are complaining on the web that the type/font is too small on the cards. Some are photocopying the pages of the book and enlarging them, the laminating them to make their own cards. From what I've seen the type is about 6 point, and is readable when you hold the card up close. If you expect to read the card while standing and the card is on the game table, chances are you might have problems reading it.

Lastly... On the front of the Arsenal Boxes are the words: Wave 1. Using my awesome powers of deduction, I assume at some point there will be a "Wave 2". Wave 1 covers the first set of models to be updated for the 2.0 rules. There are more models that are NOT in the Wave 1 Box, that will be updated at a later time. These models are currently under "Beta rules" and not "officially" supported for things like tournaments. For example, the Resurrectionists have a model called "The Drowned" - there is NO card in the wave 1 box for this model. So while you can still purchase the (metal) model, it's still considered a 1.x model and does not have "official" 2.0 stats. Confusing isn't it.

If you see that I've made a mistake or can offer additional information on these Arsenal Decks please leave a comment. Thanks!

Oh, one other point... when I first unwrapped the deck, the outside box was packed extremely tight. Had I not slipped a flat sculpting tool under the flap to open it, I probably would have ripped the box - which is what's happening to other people. Use caution when opening for the first time. I'm also seeing recommendations on the web, to use card protector sleeves on these cards. They do have a nice gloss coating (which you're supposed to be able to use the dry erase markers directly on the cards), but I think I will get the card protectors for myself - they will have to be clear on both sides, since the cards have writing on them on both sides.

What version of Malifaux?

At this time it's a bit confusing for a new player (such as myself) to deal with the different versions of Malifaux. Basically though the "new" version is being called the 2.0 version (or M2E) 2E means "second edition" I think. The game is undergoing the process of being changed from the 1.5 edition into the new 2.0 edition. This includes a new rulebook, as well as new "plastic" models. Most (but not all) of the 1.5 models are metal (known as white metal). Since the old models are being phased out, the chances of finding them at cheaper prices is good. Be warned that you don't want to spend good money on a model only to learn that a new (better looking) model is coming out over the course of the next few months into 2014.

Personally, I LOVE the new model sculpts and prefer them much more over the 1.5 versions. But that being said, not all of the models are out yet. So if it means spending $5-20 for the old versions so you can play with the models you like, then that's the way it goes. Just be sure to do your research first to see when (or if) the models you want are either out already, or will be available shortly.

While this does make things a bit more complicated for a new player, this is a great time to get into the game.

Tip: you can tell a new model is version 2.0 because the box will have the M2E logo on it.

What is Malifaux?

What is Malifaux?

Malifaux is a "miniature tabletop wargame". To put that in layman's terms... they're little toy soldiers that you play a game with. But of course it's much more than that. It's a hobby at its core. A hobby that involves a creative art aspect (building, modding, painting the small miniature figures, as well as making, designing and using terrain pieces for the tabletop game). In addition to the creative building aspect, there is the actual game play itself which involves thought, and strategy (and yes luck). 

You can read more about the game here on wikipedia.

Malifaux is a game designed and built by a company called Wyrd Miniatures (pronounced "Weird"). This is a fairly new company as they started in 2009, but they have carved out a nice niche in the wargaming world, and have gotten to be very popular. 

The basics are that this is a two player game. Each player buys, assembles, then paints his (or her) own models, and brings them to a 3'x3' tabletop. The figures are then like chess pieces that move about the table, and interact with both other figures, and terrain pieces (such as buildings, forests, hills, etc...). Each piece has certain rules that pertain to it (again similar to chess). As well as strategic thinking, this game also relies on luck, in that many of the interactions are controlled by the flipping of a card (though the random odds can be controlled to some degree known as "cheating", which is part of the game).

There are Seven "Factions" in the game, which are basically a theme that surrounds a particular "army". They are:

• The Guild: A sort of lawman in the world of Malifaux (though possibly corrupt). 

• The Arcanists: Individuals who practice magic

• The Resurrectionists: Best described as necromancers or the Undead (zombies!)

• The Neverborn: "native" inhabitants of the Malifaux world (demon like creatures)

• The Outcasts: think mercenaries 

• Ten Thunders: A newer Shadowy faction (similar to the Japanese Yakuza)

• The Gremlins: New to the Second edition as a new faction - little green chaotic monsters

To start a player needs:

• A rulebook - (Approx $40) - though if you know someone who already has a rulebook and can teach you the game this isn't 100% necessary. But it contains all the rules of the game as well as the backstory for the game and characters - not to mention mention the awesome artwork.
• A starter set - also called a "Boxed Set". These usually contain one Master and few other models to get you started. (Approx $40) (note: some of the older version box sets are cheaper than the new 2.0 version - we'll get into that in a minute).

• A Fate Deck - a custom set of playing cards (Approx $8) - You can use a standard deck of cards, but for a beginner player it's easier to use a fate deck. AND the artwork looks really cool!

• Optional - An Arsenal Deck - (Approx $8) - basically a collection of every card available for a paticular faction. I've been told this isn't necessary to have to start playing the game.

One of the hardest things for a new player is to decide which faction they would like to play as. Often times it just comes down to looking at the design and aesthetics of the model(s) and choosing what they like best. Of course, there are some players who like to do a lot of research BEFORE making a decision as to how a particular faction is played (eg: are they known as heavy hitters, or are they known for ranged attacks, do they rely on weapons or magic/spells, Are the known for just having fun, or are they a strong competitive force, etc...)
My personal advice... choose a faction that you like the looks of and have some idea of the back-story (also called "fluff") of the faction. Find a style that you like and start there. There is a good chance that as a beginner you will change your faction later on.
(sidenote: one of the good things that I like about this game is that the cost to enter into this game is relatively cheap (compared to other wargaming companies) - so changing (or adding) other factions at a later time isn't that big of a hit to the wallet.

I've chosen the faction known as "The Resurrectionists" and just bought my first boxed "starter set" yesterday (11.16.13) known as the "Shadows of Redchapel" who is run by the "Master" known as "Seamus".
You generally pick one "Master" or leader of the gang to run. and then based on point levels you build your army/faction from there. Note the terms "Army, Faction, and Crew" are used in Malifaux and are basically interchangeable. 

Beginnings...

The start of a new blog. It's like staring at a blank canvas. What to write... what direction to go... In short, I don't know. The reason I don't know is that I'm a total beginner to the game of Malifaux. I don't have words of wisdom to report, or advanced tactical advice to dish out. Rather I hope to really just document my beginnings into a new game. I've yet to even play a single game yet (though I did watch a demo game last week). But I thought maybe this blog would help other beginners in some way - or if nothing else, I'll look back on this and be able to see all the mistakes I've made in getting started on this new hobby.

Who am I?
Just a person who is starting out with this game. All of my posts (both positive and negative) represent my opinion.

Shout Out
I would also like thank my gaming buddy Chris S. for introducing me to this game and suggesting that I might like it - he's right. I'd also like to thank Jim P. who is taking on the daunting task of introducing everyone at our FLGS (Friendly Local Gaming Store) to the game of Malifaux. He's doing "demo games" for anyone and everyone who is interested in the game with the goal of creating a community in the area to play the game on a regular basis. He's given up a lot of his time to help others learn the game. Also thanking my FLGS (known here as OTB) for carrying and supporting the game.
Of course, my wallet hates you all at this point, but it's all good. :)

Legal mumbo jumbo
I (nor the persons who comment on this blog) am not associated with Malifaux or it's parent company "Wyrd Miniatures" in anyway. This is a fansite and all trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners and are used here under the terms of Fair Use as defined in the United States Copyright Doctrine.

First posting: 11.17.13