Malifaux - Avatar of Imagination

This was posted on Wyrd forum. Very cool. Might just have to get one...

Malifaux - Show girls crew update

I have added a mechanical rider to my Arcanists . Here she is with the Show Girls, my last Arcanist crew.

Its probably the one I like least, its not so much the models but the play style. Its too "cheesy"  and not really my style. In fact I've only used it a coupe of times so maybe I was missing something. I should get some mechanical doves to finish it off.

Malifaux - Marcus crew update

I got some Raptors and another model (see below) for my Marcus crew. I really like Marcus and his play style although I think he needs plenty of SS to be successful in a game.

Malifaux - Rebasing Ramos

I purchased the new "Avatar of Invention"for Ramos and 3 more steampunk arachnid and I had no bases. So I got some MA bases the "Ancients" and rebased my Ramos crew. It has made the models stand out more and I think it works. I will also use the MA bases for a Large arachnid and a Soulstone miner when they arrive.

I do like the new avatar models and think they have added to the Malifaux game. The manifestation of the avatar is in interesting change to the end game and for 2 SS they are really a must have. I have only had one game using an avatar, The Neverborn Avatar of Fate and it was a very enjoyable game. They definitely add a centre piece to your crew from a modeling perspective.

I wonder what is next for Wyrd, as it seems that Malifaux has had enough expansions and enough model to last for ever. Maybe a new faction ? Although I'm not sure what it could be themed on. Maybe a new miniature game using the fate card mechanic (I think its excellent) but with a different theme e.g. Sci Fi Malifaux?  Puppet wars doesn't interest me but a new miniature game would.

Malifaux - Rebasing my Arcanist Rasputina crew

I never liked the bases I had my Rasputina crew on so I got some MA winter shale bases. Very nice, simple yet I think they really match the Arcanist crew.

Here is Joss on his new base.

I also picked up an Avatar of Famine as well and mounted on a 50mm MA base , he is a beast and appropriately sized. Base has been undercoated grey and I need to finish with white but you get the idea.

The whole crew rebased (except for snow storm as I need one more base!)

Malifaux - Avatar of Insanity

I got Pandoras Avatar and my initial feeling was very mixed. Once I had mounted her on a base and started painting her I my thoughts were more "wow" what a stunning model. The tentacles that twist around her and her head back pose is fantastic. The only bit I didn't like was the "box opens" three snakes or something like that so I didn't attach it to the box. I would rather imagine the spirits or magic coming out of the box.

Model is resin and one piece of metal with Avatar, so no worries about her falling off. it comes with a resin base and the tentacles match the base holes for a good fit. You also get Candy which I think is a nice model as well. He they are based coated and inked. I just need to highlight and they are finished.

With original Pandora.

From a game perspective , I like her. You go from 8 to 10 wounds (plus Candy). Defense 2 to 4 but you can't move and are height 4! You get a 3" Tentacles of madness attack with 2/2/3 and a wretched gaze range 10 attack which uses cb->wp and ignores armor. Avatar can use Candys eye for range and LOS for casting spells such as Self destruction, Mass Hysteria and Hollows of Despair. Overall I think she will be fun to play but Manifest requirements might make it hard to bring the Avatar on until quite late in the game.

You also get Candy, the Petulant Youth with 6 wounds( or 8 if you already have pay for her) and defense of 7. She Increases the activation count if you wish(may activate simultaneously with Avatar) which is always good and her casting expert combined with unnerving presence means she will be high priority target for the opposition. The way the wounds work is any time Candy gets wounded the Avatar takes half (and visa versa)

Cool.

Malifaux - Ramos crew gets a Mobile Toolkit and other scheming

I have used Ramos quite a few times but always struggled to get scrap and cast Contruct Spider. Its not his Casting ability (He is CA of 8 Tome) but more the fact that he needs another Tome with a value of 8+ to get the 16 Tome Tome requirements to cast the spell. So I brought a Mobile Toolkit. Nice little model with the ability to give a friendly model a +Tome to his Ca. Combined with his handy ability and the "Magical Extension" make this totem a compulsory selection.

To deal with the scrap issue, apart from a controlled detonation on a Steampunk Arachnid that you have already purchased, is a  need for another source of scrap. I think a Mechanical Rider would be a good option. It has good abilities and I would use her to get involved asap using nimble turns 1 and 2. If she dies then that is three scrap tokens to make some spiders and hopefully in a good central position as well. You could always do a controlled detonation but I would only if she had a few wounds left.

One possible list could be for a 30 SS Scrap

Ramos -- 3 Pool
+ Ramos, Avatar of Invention [2ss]
Mobile Toolkit [3ss]

Mechanical Rider [8ss]
2 * Steampunk Arachnid [6ss]
Steamborg Executioner [10ss]

Also ......   I've been thinking .....

With the release of the Avatars in book 3, I like the idea of having a Leviticus list with Riders. I already have a hooded rider (and planned mechanical rider) so would probably only need one more to have a cool list. Maybe a pale rider when it gets released. The idea is that you manifest the Avatar of Entropy, then cast "Bring forth a rider" sacrificing a SPA and using a SS (and maybe another one to boost spell as it is a 20 Mask). It would be a cheap rider costing only 2 SS.

Outcasts Crew - 30 - Scrap

Leveticus, Steampunk Necromancer -- 3 Pool
+ Leveticus, Avatar of Entropy [2ss]

Hooded Rider [8ss]
Mechanical Rider [8ss]
3 * Steampunk Abomination [9ss]

Malifaux - Ashes and Dust painted

I got my box set of the "Ashes and Dust" last week. I had reservation that the models would be very average but shouldn't have. Some more very nice models from Wyrd. The dust and Ashes and Dust are resin with the core and the front bit on the Ashes and Dust are metal. Good fun to paint up and I they make a good addition  to the Outcasts. In fact I think they are a must have if you want to use SPA's as they really do add to the crews tactics.

The "Dominate abomination" spell is very good and it help me win a game I had the other night. I cast it on a SPA twice and wounded Perdita. I never got the change to place a Desolation Engine but the spell works on one of these as well!

Painting - Using quickshade dipping mix finished models

Here are the finished models. I just dry brushed on some highlights, painted the bases with a matt brown and did the eyes etc.

I think they came out ok, considering the how quick they are to paint. I especially like the base on Grandma and the shadowing on the madness is very good as well. I left the shine on it cos is a spirit!

Painting - Using quickshade dipping mix

I got a pamphlet the other day from the guys at Army Painter about using the quickshade mix. I have used this before to paint a 130 Orks and grot army but I had forgotten I had some left. It was the Dark Tone can that I hadn't used so I had a few models that i had base coated but not finished so I though I would quick tone them.

Basically you just dunk the model in down to the base (upside down) , pull it out and flick it a round to get rid of the excess quick shade mix. Leave to dry and the spray with a matt varnish to get rid of the gloss.

Here are the models just after dipping and flicking,,, A rat catcher, 2 desperate mercs and a madness.

They are still 'tacky' and when completely dry it does look better. Its a very effective way of quickly finishing models but I would test it on one before going mad. It shades but sometimes it does look a bit 'heavy' compared to normal washes etc. Remember its is "quick shade" to get quick results.

Malifaux - Getting ready for a scrap

Its time to get out the Outcasts for a scrap. I have had a Desolation Engine made up for a while but not had the chance to use . He's tough and if he hits you your dead and he summons a Steam Punk Abomination or SPA.

Outcasts Crew - 25 - Scrap

Leveticus, Steampunk Necromancer -- 2 SS Pool

Steampunk Abomination [3ss]
Steampunk Abomination [3ss]
Steampunk Abomination [3ss]
Killjoy [11ss]
Necropunk [3ss]

The idea is to use the 3 SPA to get an engine , I only need to summon one SPA and cast concentrated deformation.

or maybe


Leveticus, Steampunk Necromancer -- 0 SS Pool

Steampunk Abomination [3ss]
Killjoy [11ss]
Necropunk [3ss]
Ryle, Guild Pawn [8ss]

and try and summon some SPA to get the Engine via concentrated deformation? Ryle is a beast and can provide some good support for Leveticus.

Malifaux - Holiday models ordered

I've put my order in for some Malifaux models for the holidays, I need something to do when its raining, blowing a SouWest gale (like it is a the moment) or just not nice.

First up to give some punch to my Arcanist I have ordered Kaeris and some Fire Gamin. I didn't do the box set as I don't really want the gunsmiths. Its been a long wait for the Arcanist henchman (women) but she looks like a very nice model. I have some 50mm bases to make some flames walls, I just need to work out how to do it.

Henchman 5, Special Forces(M&SU Asset) for 8SS. The ca of 8Tombes (T) and 9 wounds along with flight and casting expert should provide some punch! Her weapon is Ignite range 10, 6TT and 1/2/3blast. Might not seem very good but she can trigger 'turn it up' and target another model at a -1T.

The Fire Gamin are Construct and cost 4SS. Pretty fragile but the armor +1 might help. Nice range attack called 'spit magma' that is range 8 , 4T and 2/2blast/3blast plus burning token. Models with burning tokens can be have 'Accelerant' cast on them by Kaeris and they suffer Dg of 1/2/4 or chose to be paralyzed. Or they can have 'immolate' cast on them and suffer Dg 3/5/6. Yikes. 

Next on the list was some raptors for Marcus. Not sure if I like the 'stands' but a pair of clippers will fix that. I probably mount on some trees or lampposts?  Raptors are beasts and have flight of 8/10 and a cool trigger where you can rearrange the top 3 cards from targets discard pile on top of their fate deck in any order. Don't flip the black joker if these guys haven't activated or your in trouble.

I got one more model ordered but I'll wait until it turns up before announcing it. I do like the soulstone miner and the large steampunk arachnid ;-) which are both on 40mm bases.

Malifaux - New models

I've had these for a while so I thought I'd better base coat them so at least I could have a game. I have always liked Marcus, not sure why, but he is just fun to play and rules are easy to remember. Also new sculpt for Zoirada and her Avatar. They just need some dry brushing, wash and then highlights to finish.

I think the avatar needs more branches on the tree and some more roots. also the all need flock. and the cauldron needs to be painted with gloss to give it some shine.

malifaux - Twisting fates

Wow, I just love this game. The new never born model the "Weaver Widow" is great. She is a nightmare, scavenger and a graverobber. I especially like that she can "create plaything" and summon a teddy. Yikes. Also the "Craft Doll" spell lets her summon a wicked doll. Pop over to the Malifaux site for a look

Malifaux - Twisting fates

Wow, the new expansion  "Twisting Fates" arrived today. Had a quick look and I must say I'm impressed.
The new avatars artwork looks absolutely fantastic and have given me a big boost to get some modeling done.

I will start reading tonight but I will take my time and enjoy turning each page. The artwork will almost exactly represent the finished model if past experience is repeated. The Avatar I have for Zoraida looks just like the art work from the book. 

New Maifaux recruits based

Popped the new models onto the back2basix resin bases. I'm using a 50mm base that had a tree stump on it for the Avatar trees. Makes it a bit higher and looks better I think.

Marcus

I like the old model but its good to have two I think ;-)

Zoirada

I think this one is better than the old one

Mobile tool kit

This is a nice model.

Malifaux new purchases

I got some stuff from Wyrd during gencon ordering cos I couldn't wait ;-)

Marcus alternative sculpt - pretty nice

Zoraida alternative sculpt ok and Avatar of Fate. Not sure what it is all about as I have not got book yet!

Snow Storm base coated

Computer problems have plagued the household recently and I thought I was not going to get my Gencon order in. Luckily I have a great ISP - Orcon - and its all sorted.

I based coated my Snow and Storm. Very nice models and I choose to have a very limited pallet and I think it works. Looking forward to testing it in a game but I have been distracted by another very cool game "Eden" from Taban. Models a very different and have been great fun to paint both Malifaux and Eden models.

Snow Storm

Apparently the small model is storm and the large model is snow?

Very nice resin model and it definitely the way for wyrd to go, so it was disappointing to see that the Gencon Teddy is metal! Whats that about, its a backward step I think. Rant over... Snowstorm is very cool and I cant wait to paint it.

Apology for night shot but you get the idea. Mounted on Back2Basix resin base. I wanted Snow to be higher so mounted on a tree trunk, which is hidden by storms arms. I hope I have that the right way around, snow storm or storm snow?

Note: The number of wounds changed from 6 (in book) to 8 on card. Also ice tornado has become a ranged spell (gun icon added) which makes it harder to hit. I think this is to power down the potential to Overpower this spell , wash and repeat.

Malifaux new release

I'm looking forward to the new Arcanists releases in July, especially this one ..(image hotlinked from Wryds forum page)

My plan is to make a snow/ice terrain board with lots of snow and ice made out of resin. New models are a very good source of inspiration and an excellent reason to make some more terrain.