The Battle Barn

Ok, this just looks cool. Malifaux is a game produced by Wyrd Miniatures that is described as a gothic, steampunk, victorian horror skirmish miniature game. I remember hearing a 40kradio podcast where the guys did a small review of the game. I think it was one shortly after Christmas. From what little I've read, it seems a great game for those interested in smaller, skirmish based games. I think a full squad runs about 5-10 models. It's a dice-less game, and utilizes card decks for what happens in the game.

The miniatures...wow just wow. They look amazing. They are 32mm 'heroic' scale, so a little larger than what we're used too with 40k and Fantasy. The larger models obviously bring greater details to the table, and it really shows. The different factions seem just crazy and off the wall. As much as I want to start Firestorm Armada this summer, I can't deny that this game certainly sparks an interest as well. I might just have to see about picking this up during the summer as well.

Those models are definitely nice.

I've got to say though, I'm more interest in Lord of the Rings, which also has some great looking models.











I grabbed a copy of the rules for War of the Ring and I've been reading through it. I have to agree with the positive things that I've been hearing. The rules seem tight and relatively simple. I like particularly like the turn sequence the game has.
And, the many of the models can be used in the skirmish version of the game "Strategy Battle Game". Helps ease the pain I would feel at having to start all over in regards to buying models... at least they can be used in more than one system.

Lord of the Rings/War of the Rings doesn't look bad I admit, but I'm leaning more towards a smaller model count 'skirmish' type game. I know War of the Rings is very similar to Fantasy, in that you need somewhat large blocks of models in order to have a good sized force. Painting 150+ Orks the past few months has totally killed my desire to paint another large force anytime soon.

Sometime in the next month or two I'll see about getting a copy of the Malifaux rules to have a look over. It's quite possible that after reading them, I'll realize the game isn't worth it. I'd find that a let down though, considering just how awesome their models are.

How small is this model count?

I like the idea that it is based on cards.

From what I've read, an average game consists of around 5-7 models. Larger games use more obviously, but I don't think you have more than 15 models in even the largest games.

I understand, but dont forgot that there are two seperate rule system for the GW Lord of the Rings games. "War of the Ring", which would have a similar model count as Fantasy and 40k, and then it has "Strategy Battle Game", which has a much smaller model count per game. And as stated I very much like the fact that I could buy a few models for SBG, and then turn around and use them for WotR as well.
GW has a starter kit called "The Mines of Moria", which is like $75 list price. Comes with a total of 34 models. Similar to Black Reach.

I've also thought about Malifaux as I'd like to have a smaller scale game to play once in a while. Totally different strategy when you're playing a skirmish game. The other one that I've been contemplating is Alkemy from Kraken Editions (http://www.kraken-editions.com/en/alkem ... index.html)

I'm thinking Lord of the Rings as well. Starting off with the SBG then possibly expanding into WotR later on. With the SBG you can essentially purchase 2-3 heroes and one box of "troops" and be good for a while.

Mordor and Angmar look okay but otherwise I am not liking the look of the armies...

I like the Haradrim from the LotR game.

Well Jeremy and I just placed an order for Malifaux rules and models this past Friday, and supposedly it was shipped out the same day. We'll be getting the rulebook early next week and I wouldn't be surprised to see us trying out a few games here in the near future. We'll let everyone know how it plays and whether it was a good investment for us.

Ok, after looking at the models more thoroughly, I think it couldnt hurt for me to order a box and paint them up. What minis did you and jerms order? I dont want to order the same thing, I was looking at the Ortega Gunslingers. Sound good there big B-dog?

That would certainly work. I picked up Lilith's Brood, and Jeremy picked up the box of Death Marshals.

So, if I got a box and a fate deck, I'd be good to go then?

Was looking at the box sets...do the models have to all be from the same faction in order to put them in the same team/group?

Looks fairly cheap to start.

Well you'll probably want the rulebook as well. I mean you can look at mine and Jeremy's but getting it away from us for any length of time to actually learn the rules might be difficult.


To my knowledge, yes all models must come from the same faction to use them. The exception might be the mercenaries though. Those goblin guys. They might be able to be added to other factions. I honestly just don't know. Jeremy and I won't have the rules until tomorrow so we're flying blind until then.

Yeah, let me know about the mercenaries thing, because a couple other individual models caught my eye and I want to know if I can use them.

*Wonders if anyone else has realized the name of this game literally means "bad fake."*

My favorite quote from the rule book so far...

So while the "no dice" idea from this game seemed strange at first, I rather enjoyed the gameplay. It adds an element of strategy to the game, and there is no cursing the dice gods, but don't think that takes away from the randomness, there are still plenty of ways for you to get lucky (or screwed for that matter) by the turn of the cards.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game, and am quite happy that I picked it up. I would love to get more people interested and try it out over the next month or so. Hopefully, Jeremy and I can get a few starter forces built and painted to give people some different types of factions and crews to try out. The actual rules of the game seem very easy to pick up, and really it's just learning what each model can do, and how best to utilize their powers. Kind of similar to Warmachine, i think utilizing combo's from multiple models is a key to running a successful crew.

I really like the Miner's and Steamfitter's look...I think I might buy that soon...I want to actually watch a game first.