Malifaux

Hi all,

My painting exploits seem to have slowed considerably as work and seasons take hold (terrible light, you know, even in a south-facing conservatory), but trying to get the odd game in......

.....and, talking of odd games, I present for your delight and delectation the alternate world that is "Malifaux".

Played my first ever game last Thursday night against a fellow newbie. What did I like?

1. The variety provided by the card-driven system, cards covering almost all actions within the game, allowing for 54 options (two jokers included).
2. The simplicity of the basic rules, which play very smoothly, but have the capacity for a long time mastering....
3. The figures, which are very good, though a tad pricey.
4. The sheer variety of figures available, with numerous options within each of the five basic "crew" options.
5. As a skirmish game, I do not need much to start.
6. The choices you get to make throughout each turn of the game - play cards, use magic, enter combat, who to attack, what special rules to use, what combos are best suited, etc etc etc.
7. Each game provides primary and secondary objectives for each player, so it is not just a killfest. Whilst I play points games, I greatly prefer scenario-driven ones and would choose these every time given the chance.

And what did I not like (or like less)?

1. The simplicity of the basic rules is fine, but the numerous special rules each character carries look like a potential minefield. (I have taken to down-tooling my Warhammer and 40K armies as I can rarely remember special rules.....)
2. The apparent lack of a creation system for my own characters. It seems to be use the "crews" provided or don't play.
3. The aforementioned cost of the figures. Not exactly major East Mids manufacturer, but...
4. I doubt I will ever play enough to master this game, or even get any good at it.
5. Some "crews" appear to be much tougher than others, so the points costs are perhaps a bit askew.
6. Each player has a "Crew". Warband maybe, or a squad, a posse, a group, a band, a family even, but not a "crew". There is not even a boat in the game from what I have seen. (Yeah, I know, call me "petty" if you like...)

I would still say 7.5 out of 10 on first view however.

Will I be buying into this game?

With a rulebook and two "crews" under my belt already, you bet!!!

I shall revisit this and get some figures painted.

G