Game report 07.04.17 - 50SS Zoraida vs Dreamer

Game report - 07.04.2017

50SS Zoraida (daniello_s) vs Dreamer (Gavin)

Deployment: Corner Deployment
Strategy: Extraction
Schemes: Claim Jump, Frame For Murder, Eliminate The Leadership, Leave Your Mark, Set Up

Gavin brought:
Dreamer (7SS pool) - Dreams of Pain, Otherworldly, On Wings of Darkness
2x Daydream
Widow Weaver - Handbag
Mr Tannen - Nexus of Power
Stitched Together
Insidious Madness
2x Alp

I took:
Zoraida (4SS pool) - Crystal Ball, Tarot Reading
(Obey-support)
Trixibelle - Dirty Cheater
(strategy support who should push off enemy models away from the Extraction marker)
Lucky Emissary - Conflux of Fate
(beat-stick and slow/paralyze spreading model)
Merris Lacroix
(scheme runner)
2x Waldgeist
(tanky models for strategy)
Rooster Rider
(beat-stick and enemy scheme runners interceptor)
Bayou Gremlin
(scheme runner and Frame for Murder sucker)

Gavin picked Frame for Murder (Insidious Madness) and Claim Jump.
I picked Frame for Murder (Bayou Gremlin) and Claim Jump.

So for this game I decided to go with Zoraida as I wanted to try her with Waldgeist's support. Also for the first time I was using Trixie, Lucky Emissary and Rooster Rider. I was especially interested in how Trixie will perform with her Gremlin-lure and how good Emissary will be with spreading Slow/Paralyze and as a beat-stick. Rooster Rider was taken for his (1)AP charge which Zoraida can do with her Obey action.
When Gavin revealed that he is playing Dreamer I knew I will be out-activated from turn 1 and I'll have serious problems with stopping him with Claim Jump or Leave Your Mark whichever he picks.

Unfortunately I was late for the game and when I got there we were told that the shop closes in less than 2 hours so we knew we won't play whole game but still we decided to play as many turns as possible.

Deployment: Zoraida deployed first.

Turn 1
Initiative: Dreamer

Key actions/moments:

- Dreamer was kind enough to summon Coppelius and some other model which I can't recall now ;). Gavin pushed Stitched as much as possible towards centre of the table but Trixie pushed him off back to the edge of the table ;) Widow Weaver started to drop Web Markers near Extraction marker staying away from LOS of my models. Insidious Madness flanked me on my right staying out of LOS as well.
- I decided to be quite defensive and didn't push to much towards the centre. Trixie as mentioned above pushed Stitched Together away so he couldn't punish me that easy next turn. I moved Rooster Rider to my right flank to intercept Insidious Madness next turn or on turn 3. Merris moved behind the building ready to drop scheme markers net turn for Claim Jump. I was bit afraid of how mobile Dreamer's crew is and how easy Gavin will be able to shut my Claim Jump scheme. Bayou Gremlin moved along my left flank but Gavin guessed easily that he might be FFM sucker. I should move him to my right flank and shut Insidious Madness with him teasing Gavin to either kill it or got stuck. My bad...

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Zoraida 0 - Dreamer 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Dreamer

Key actions/moments:

- Dreamer summoned more models: Insidious Madness, Stitched Together and Bandersnatch. Now I was fully out-activated. Gavin dropped two scheme markers near centreline which was clear evidence of Claim Jump. I didn't want to to push that far to negate them as it would expose my model for certain death.
- I positioned myself near Extraction point but far enough from his models as well. Trixie pushed away as many models as possible (poor Stitched Together again, lol). Zoraida summoned Voodoo Doll which Hem Widow Weaver. Then Emissary put Slow and Paralyze on Doll which Paralyzed Widow Weaver also.
- Merris and Bayou Gremlin dropped scheme markers for Claim Jump but Gavin utilized his number of models and pushes from Day Dreams to shut down them. He also didn't bother killing my Bayou Gremlin... ;)
- Insidious Madness on my right attacked Rooster Rider who was close to him now. Gavin also moved Tannen quite close to centre point which made me think he is FFM sucker.
- Thanks to Trixie I had more models near Extraction marker and I placed it at the end of the turn.

Upkeep phase:
Zoraida: 1VP Extraction
Dreamer: 1VP Extraction, 1VP Claim Jump

Score after turn 2: Zoraida 1 - Dreamer 2

Turn 3
Initiative: Dreamer

Key actions/moments:

- Insidious Madness on my right dropped marker and attacked Rooster Rider hitting it for one and putting -1Wp condition on him. later that turn Rooster Rider charge it and kill it which gave Gavin 2VP for FFM.
- I tried to push away as many models as possible with Trixie again but couldn't do much this time.
- Zoraida obeyed one Stitched Together to attack nearby Insidious Madness and Stitched killed Madness nicely ;)
- Waldgeist failed to kill Alp who tarpit Waldgeist, Zoraida and Trixie.
- Second Waldgeist failed to kill Tannen and Emissary charged him killing him with one swing (severe damage).
- I was able to drop two scheme markers and negate Gavin point for his Claim Jump.
- Again I had more models near Extraction marker so I moved it way at the end of the turn.
- Unfortunately we had to finish now this game as we run out of time and shop was closing down... Crap...

Upkeep phase:
Zoraida: 1VP Extraction, 1VP Claim Jump
Dreamer: 1VP Extraction, 2VP Frame for Murder

Final Score: Zoraida 3 - Dreamer 5

Few comments after the game:

- Wasn't sure about choosing Zoraida for this game but at the end I must say she wasn't that bad choice after all. Still I think Som'er, Ulix or Zzip would be better choices but it was pure fun to run this old hag. I focused on Obey mostly during that game but must try Bewitch next time s getting free cards sounds pretty nice.
- Trixie with Dirty Cheater is mean... Really mean... Which I like a lot ;) Her Gremlin-lure is very disruptive action and for Extraction fits nicely.
- Lucky Emissary with card cycling action is very good. His damage spread is really good and with additional swing via Obey makes his really scary. I like also his Slow/Paralyze action which can catch opponent off guard.
- Rooster Rider with his mobility and (1)AP charge is very good even when he lost Reckless after the errata. One of those (or 2 when necessary) and easily hunt down enemy scheme runners. Plus in Zoraida's crew Obey makes then real threat.

Till next time!

Game report 02.04.17 - 50SS Som'er vs Puppet Seamus

Game report - 02.04.2017

50SS Som'er Teeth Jones (daniello_s) vs Puppet Seamus (Owen)

Deployment: Flank Deployment
Strategy: Interference
Schemes: Claim Jump, Frame For Murder, Accusation!, Search The Ruins, Hidden Trap

Owen brought:
Seamus (7SS pool) - Redchappel Killer, Bag O'Tools
Copycat Killer
Madame Sybelle - Bleeding Tongue
Bete Noire - Unnerving Aura
Carrion Emissary - Carrion Conflux
Rotten Belle
2x Canine Remains

I took:
Som'er (5SS pool) - Family Tree
(summoning and shooting/support)
Francois Lacroix - Dirty Cheater, Stilts
(beat-stick)
Burt Jebsen - Dirty Cheater
(beat-stick)
Merris Lacroix
(scheme runner and sucker for Frame for Murder)
Pigapult
(shooting support and 'Express Gremlin delivery system')
Slop Hauler
(healing)
3x Bayou Gremlin
(scheme runners and base for summoning more Bayou Gremlins)
Stuffed Piglet
(turn 1 ammo for Pigapult)

Owen picked Frame for Murder (Seamus) and Hidden Trap.
I picked Frame for Murder (Merris) and Search the Ruins.

The plan for a game was this: turn 1 summon 3 Bayou Gremlins and heal them up. Pigapult should put a pressure on Seamus (I was expecting him to to be Frame for Murder sucker I couldn't let him to jump around and pick my crew freely). rest of the crew should play conservatively and engage whatever jumps too close to my deployment quarter. Then Pigapult should switch to sending Gremlins into position and rest of the crew should annoy enemy models.

Deployment: Seamus deployed first.

Turn 1
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Pigapult sacrificed Stuffed Piglet and fired 3 times at Seamus but I was able to hit only once (cards were not good at all...) for 3 damage.
- I summoned 3 Bayou Gremlins as planned and healed 4 of them fully.
- Owen used blocking terrain to sneak up closer to me and Seamus used one corpse marker found by Canine Remains to summon Belle. Of course Emissary was kind enough to use his Shards of Kythera to block LOS to Seamus just in case if I could get into position to charge him this turn.
- I moved Francisco and Merris closer to Seamus to put a pressure on him (and make Owen guess who is my Frame for Murder sucker). Burt followed behind but stayed closer to my gang of Bayou Gremlins and Pigapult.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Som'er 0 - Seamus 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Merris hit Seamus with her attack twice giving him +6 Burning. Seamus then walked and charged Francisco. I should use stone to get Mask and Squeal but forgot about it and I had to discard Stilts to negate damage from second hit. Unfortunately first hit put a -2MI condition against Seamus on Francisco. Still I swung 3 times at him and forced Owen to use stones for damage prevention. After that Som'er shot 3 times at Seamus (randomizing successfully twice and third shot went into nearby Mindless Zombie killing it) which forced Owen to stone for damage prevention again. After this beating Emissary decided to block off rest of my crew from Seamus with Shards again.
- Merris was hit hard and was left on last wound.
- As I was out activating opponent easily I waited with Pigapult and 3 Bayou Gremlins and then when Owen finished his activations I fired 2 Bayou Gremlins into quarter hold by 2 Canine Remains and third one into unoccupied quarter of the table. After this trick Owen told me I'm really dirty player and Gremlins fit me well ;)
- At the end of the turn Seamus was dropped to last wound from Burning.

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Interference

Score after turn 2: Som'er 1 - Seamus 0

Turn 3
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Seamus jumped, focused and declared shot at Som'er. I knew there must be a catch in this and I guessed that Owen is holding Red Joker in his hand so I used my last stone to put myself on positive defensive flip and force extra negative flip on the damage to negate bonus from focus action. Seamus was so upset with this that he missed. Copycat Killer jumped in the base contact with Seamus, focused and fired at Som'er later this turn but he missed as well.
- Francisco charged Sybelle but he failed to kill her.
- I decided to disengage Merris as I though Owen figured out she is Frame for Murder sucker. First attempt failed, second succeeded but I moved her really poorly between Francisco and Burt. To my astonishment Carrion Emissary killed her which gave me 2VP for Frame for Murder but also put 4 Burning on Francisco (and we knew he will die of it as he had 3 wounds left and I had no stone to prevent it) and Burt. Bete used opportunity to unbury next to killed Merris but Burt killed her with the charge, literally killed her as Owen's hand was depleted and he didn't manage to bury her again.
- Owen also tried to spread his crew and engage my Bayou Gremlins to get some point for strategy but I was able to disengage however I wasn't able to negate him this point.
- As I got 2VP from Frame of Murder I decided to kill Seamus this turn as I thought it is better to kill him now giving up some VPs rather than have him wrecking my day on next turn. Pigapult was delegated to do this job and she killed Seamus and also hurt Copycat Killer. One of the Bayou Gremlins shot at Copycat Killer and finished him off.

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Interference, 2VP Frame for Murder
Seamus: 1VP Interference, 2VP Frame for Murder

Score after turn 3: Som'er 4 - Seamus 3

Turn 4
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Carrion Emissary killed Burt (my heart was broken at this point...) and put Shards again cutting me off from him, Sybelle and heavily wounded Belle. One Mindless Zombie tarpit Som'er so I dropped card to get Crows and hit the guy but first wounded for two, second failed to damage (Black Joker) and only at the third swing I killed it summoning Piglet.
- Canine charged Bayou Gremlin who Squealed and avoided second hit. In return I charged this Canine with two of my Gremlins but I was only able to wound it for 2 damage in total.
- Pigapult hurt Sybelle more and Owen lured her away from me.
- I was able to spread my crew nicely to negate Owen point for Strategy. I also started to drop markers for Search the Ruin on this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Interference

Score after turn 4: Som'er 5 - Seamus 3

Turn 5
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Emissary changed one corpse marker near Som'er, Slop Hauler and Bayou Gremlin into the scheme marker so I knew he is preparing Hidden Trap. I decided to play dirty again and I went Reckless with Slop Hauler, attacked Som'er to trigger Squeal on him (I know, I know... I'm dirty player... ;)) and then Slop Hauler attacked Emissary dropping his Df to 4 with the trigger. Som'er then shot at Slop Hauler randomizing successfully between him, Emissary and Mindless Zombie and killed his Gremlin friend triggering Thinkin Luck to put blast on Emissary. Two remaining shots killed Emissary and Mindless Zombie.
- Bayou Gremlin finished off Canine Remains. Pigapult sacrificed Piglet and killed Sybelle but failed to kill Belle who was on 2 wounds left... The shot went in but again I flipped Black Joker on damage...
- Owen dropped some scheme markers around and I failed to activate models properly and also moved one model quite recklessly (like true Gremlin) and I gave up extra point for Hidden Trap.
- I dropped all scheme markers I needed for Search the Ruins.
- Game ended on this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Interference, 3VP Search the Ruins
Seamus: 2VP Hidden Trap

Final score: Som'er 9 - Seamus 5

Few comments after game:

- I made less mistakes than I did on my first game but putting Merris between my models and then seeing her being exploded and splashed Francisco and Burt with 4 Burning was very good lesson how not to position her in the future ;)
- Summoning 3 Bayou Gremlins on turn 1 and then moving with Som'er to buffing crew and shooting role is very good option. He is crazy damage dealer with his shooting attack and targeting my own model just to put blast on nearby enemy is pure fun.
- Merris is very mobile and nice scheme runner. Her attack which puts lots of Burning on the enemy model is very good too.
- I have to learn how to position Burt properly and must remember that it is good to team him up with Bayou Gremlin just to use his Slippery ability.
- As I final conclusion I can say it again: playing Gremlins is a dirty fun ;)

Till next time!

Game report 30.03.17 - 50SS Som'er vs Mah

Game report - 30.03.2017

50SS Som'er Teeth Jones (daniello_s) vs Mah Tucket (Stephen)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Guard the Stash
Schemes: Claim Jump, Eliminate the Leadership, Tail'em, Dig Their Graves, A Quick Murder

Stephen brought:
Mah (6SS pool) - Dirty Cheater, Know the Terrain, Lead Lined Apron
Little Lass - Out For Blood
McTavish - Dirty Cheater, Cute Critters
Slop Hauler
Bayou Gator (proxied with Wild Boar)
2x Piglet
Pigapult
Stuffed Piglet

I took:
Som'er (5SS pool) - Family Tree
(summoning and shooting/support)
Skeeter
(tarpit for expected enemy Pigapult ;))
Francois Lacroix - Dirty Cheater, Stilts
(beat-stick)
Burt Jebsen - Dirty Cheater
(beat-stick)
Gracie - Saddle
(beat-stick and taxi for Burt and Som'er)
Iron Skeeter
(taxi for Burt)
Slop Hauler
(healing)
2x Bayou Gremlin
(strategy runners and base for summoning more Bayou Gremlins)

Stephen picked Dig Their Graves and A Quick Murder (Gracie)
I picked Eliminate the Leadership and A Quick Murder (McTavish)

This was my first game with Gremlins ever (and against Mah as well) so I was a bit nervous before the game and I knew I'm gonna miss or forget half of the stuff I could do during the game and I aimed at the draw to be honest as the max I can get at the first game ;)

Deployment: Som'er deployed first (left side of the photo)

Turn 1
Initiative: Mah

Key actions/moments:

- Knowing that Pigapult can wreck my day I was rather cautious with my movements. I sent Skeeter as a bait and put him on Defensive Stance but Stephen didn't decide to take this bait. I was ok with that as Skeeter was in position to jump and tarpit Pigapult on turn 2. Som'er summoned two Bayou Gremlins and Slop Hauler was kind enough to heal them fully. Stephen pushed towards the centre line with all his models. Pigapult launched one Piglet in the nice, cousy spot near Stash Marker where it was hardly reachable by anything I had on this side.
- As Stephen pushed McTavish quite aggressively towards centre of the table I decided to put a pressure on him and Gracie used her reactivation to gave a ride to Francois so he could charge McTavish on turn 1. I didn't kill him but Stephen had to use 2 stones for damage prevention.
- Unfortunately Iron Skeeter failed miserably with towing Burt (my hand was depleted and I failed a flip for this action) and Burt had to take simple walk actions.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Som'er 0 - Mah 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Mah

Key actions/moments:

- McTavish knowing his time is up hurt Francois a bit and then Gracie charged him forcing Stephen to further deplete his soulstones. After Gracie, Francois joined the party immediately and killed McTavish with one swing giving me 3VPs for A Quick Murder. I had to discard Stilts here as Dumb Luck trigger would kill Francois. Francois also decided to charged Little Lass and this is the moment of my downfall as Francois failed to kill her...
- Little Lass took a swing at Francois and I used Squeel to push away from second shot. Then she walked towards him to tarpit my henchman.
- Skeeter double walked to tarpit Pigapult but Stuffed Piglet successfully killed him with Bacon Bomb - flipped Crow... After that Pigapult (being on -1Sh) walked once and fired twice at Francois not only randomizing successfully both times on him but also hitting him twice... And guess what? Francois died...
- Bayou Gator punished Gracie a bit.
- Som'er moved towards centre and fired at Mah but failed to hit.
- I pushed two Bayou Gremlins towards Stash Markers and kept two others behind to jump there in next turn if needed.
- Iron Skeeter failed again to give Burt a ride so instead he charged Piglet and hit it once for 3 damage. And plan was to move Burt close to Mah so I could put a huge pressure on her this turn.
- Burt went Reckless, walked once and charged Slop Hauler and... missed both hits... See? I told you my downfall started with Franc failing to kill Lass, no? ;)

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Guard The Stash, 3VP A Quick Murder

Score after turn 2: Som'er 4 - Mah 1

Turn 3
Initiative: Som'er

Key actions/moments:

- With Burt engaged by Slop Hauler and Gracie in troubles I decided to gamble and walk once to Gator (as Gracie was more than 1' from him) and hit it once using Red Joker on my hand to trigger +2 damage and hoping for moderate damage flip so Gracie would heal up all her wounds. I used Red Joker to hit Gator and got single negative damage flip. First card - severe... Second card - weak... Damn...
- Mah charged Burt and guess what? She killed him... Great...
- Gator killed Gracie... Double great... Now I knew my game is almost over...
- Iron Skeeter failed to kill Piglet.
- Pigapult shot twice at my Gremlin who was engaging Lass - randomizing 2x success and bye-bye Gremlin. I had to move second Gremlin to secure point for Strategy this turn.
- Som'er shot Focused once and shot at Mah and hit for 4 damage. Second shot went for 2 damage (with spending the last stone to get + to attack).

Upkeep phase:
Som'er: 1VP Guard The Stash
Mah: 1VP Guard The Stash, 3VP A Quick Murder, 1 VP Dig Their Grave

Score after turn 3: Som'er 5 - Mah 6

Turn 4
Initiative: Som'er

Key actions/moments:

- I lost two Bayou Gremlins this turn: one died from Gators attack, other was killed by Pigapult who again randomized twice successfully between him and Lass... This way I couldn't contest one Stash Marker and game was officially over by now but we continues anyway.
- Som'er shot at Mah randomizing between her, Iron Skeeter and Piglet. First shot went into Piglet and failed to hit. Second went into Iron Skeeter so I cheated fate to get blast and clip Mah which brought her below half of the wounds. Third missed.
- Mah finished Iron Skeeter and run away as far as possible from Som'er.
- I tried to finish Slop Hauler with my Slop Hauler but I failed.

Upkeep phase:
Mah: 1VP Guard The Stash, 1 VP Dig Their Grave

Score after turn 4: Som'er 5 - Mah 8

Turn 5
Initiative: Mah

Key actions/moments:

- Mah run away further, Gator killed my last Bayou Gremlin and then died of Som'er who summoned Piglet with trigger. My Slop Hauler killed Lass.
- Game ended on this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Mah: 1VP Guard The Stash

Final score: Som'er 5 - Mah 9

Few thoughts after the game:

- Gremlins are fun. Period. ;)
Their mobility is crazy (even despite Iron Skeeter's failure this game which broke my heart) and damage output can be scary. What I like also is that they die quite easily so their mobility/damage output is balanced this way. I feel I'm gonna have tonne of fun with them.
- Som'er - fun! Summoning stuff, buffing model's with needed suit and his boomstick makes him very versatile. Plus getting two extra cards when nearby Gremlin dies? Yes, please!
- Francois is like kamikaze-pilot. Aim at the target which must die and send him there to die in the blaze of glory! Lol!
- I failed with Burt this game (bad positioning) plus this Iron Skeeter's problems with hauling him but I see he is great beat-stick. Definitely he will be used extensively in the future.
- Gracie with Saddle - Oh my... hitting like a train and can take loads of punishment herself. Stephen felt in love with her after this game.
- Slop Hauler with his healing is great but again I failed with positioning him this game. Much to learn.
- Bayou Gremlins are totally bonkers. Cheap, reliable and totally expendable :)

Till next time!

Greetings from Bayou!

Hello, hello, hello! ;)

My name is Dan and (hopefully) some of you can remember me from my previous blog (50 Shades of Levi and Jack) where I was happily torturing you with my battle reports as a notorious Leveticus and Jack Daw player. But as we all need some changes and new challenges I decided to grab a chance to join the coolest faction in Malifaux - Gremlins and I swapped my filthy Outcasts for equally filthy little buggers.

I'm starting to play them this week and hopefully as with my previous blog I'll write up on this blog short reports from my game with my usual comments about models I used in each game and general observations. Of course first dozen of the reports will look like coming from a newbie as I need to learn how to use each and every model from the scratch but hopefully my previous experience with Outcasts will give me some help in catching up quicker than I anticipate. I was eyeing Gremlins for a long time and I'm really happy I could finally grab them and from now on I will torment my friends with green menace ;)

Boys and girls, let me present you my new friends in Malifaux. This is only a part of my models and in those photos are not included Zzip with crew, Ophelia herself and few other models including Somer's avatar which looks deadly and I'll be happy to use him as Lucky Emissary.

Wish me a dumb good luck on my new trip and see you soon ;)

Till next time!