Does anyone here play Malifaux? I know we're all mostly 6mm nuts here, but gamers are well known dabblers!
Anyway, I've not seen anything about it here, so I thought I'd write a super-quick review and post some model pix.
I think it is a pretty tactical skirmish game that would appeal to anyone who likes small games with tight rules. Games typically feature around 5-8 models and take about 90-120mins to play (faster if you just get on with the game though and worry less about the 'social' aspect).
Rules-wise, it is bit like a leaner but more detailed version of Warmachine. It mainly differs in that most models are unique named characters, and that it is a true skirmish with exhaustive scenarios and terrain rules. The rules mechanics also have many cool triggers (sorta like criticals, but not) which allow additional effects to occur.
The other main gimmick of the game is that the whole game is played with a card deck. Each player has a Poker deck (with different suits, but a conversion table is in the book in case you don't want to buy the proprietary decks), and has a hand of six cards. During each turn, cards are flipped off the top of the deck instead of rolling dice. Under certain circumstances, some card flips can be 'overwritten' by playing one from your hand, and some cases also mean that more than one card may be flipped and the player is either required to take or allowed to choose one. Quite often a required score is quite achievable, but the ability may sometimes also have a suit requirement as well, which is where the skill in knowing which cards to play comes in.
At the end of each turn, the decks are reshuffled, and players can discard and refresh their hands.
Models have action points (typically 2 each, plus a single specific 'free' action), and can carry out a number of activities that use one or more APs. Activation alternates between players (one model each usually), starting with the player that won the initiative flip for the turn.
Unspent points when building your force are added to a 'stash' of magic stones ('Soulstones') carried by the crew's leader, and this forms a pool of resources that can be spent ingame to boost card flips. These Soulstones can also be used for a few other things too, like re-flipping the turn initiative card or healing your leader.
There are five main factions (one for each suit, and an 'oddball'/Merc faction). I've so far got one fully painted crew for the Guild. Perdita is the crew's Master, and she leads her team of bounty-hunting Mexican gunfighter-themed family members. Pix of the crew for your enjoyment (click image for bigger image!):
A second crew (for another faction) is currently in the works, and is based around an Ice Witch and her mountain-cannibal cult associates. I'll post pix when they're done if folks are interested?
Anyway, hope this gives you a little taste of this cool skirmish game.
Oh, and of course, if you have any questions about the game, please feel free to ask me here!
