Saturday, January 20, 2024

Anger Issues

 A 50ss game of Malifaux over Vassal.

Strategy: Corner Raid the Vaults

Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Hold Up Their Forces, Protected Territory, Death Beds, In Your Face

My list:

Ensouled Jack Daw & Lady Ligeia
Montresor
Auguste Hart
Midnight Stalker
Malifaux Child
Hanged
Crooked Man
Guilty

Pool: 3
Schemes: Protected Territory, Death Beds (Corpse)

Opponent had:

Tomb Delving Lucas McCabe & Luna
Sidir
Koji
Kara
Huckster
Cryptologist
Tanuki
Ruffian

Pool: 4
Schemes: Death Beds (Scrap), In Your Face

Turn 1:

Montresor gave Hanged a little walk and lumbered towards center-left strategy marker along with Malifaux Child. Auguste was speeding to top-left strategy marker and for a long time seemed uncontested, until Ruffian that had Fast from Timeworn Blade took a full run towards top.

After Sidir had activated Jack Daw felt bold enough to hide behind a forest at the center, almost contesting center-right marker. Lady Ligeia and Crooked Man were lazily following him.

Hanged attempted to connect some Forbidden Knowledge to Kara, but the cat was just damn too menacing. Guilty ran to Hanged, and Midnight Stalker joined to form a trio that could seize bottom-right strategy marker next turn.

Lucas and Sidir were holding the middle behind center forest. Kara and Koji reinforced Sidir with claims to center-right strategy marker. Huckster was kind of everywhere, at the moment of picture she was inside the building near bottom-right strategy marker. Cryptologist was also jogging there, but with Mv 4 it was going to take a while.

Tanuki and Luna acted like the animals they were behind Lucas' back. 


Turn 2:

I was hesitant, because I was quite aware of the risks involved. But nonetheless, when I won the initiative, Montresor activated and ran into forest. Luna dug up artifacts-to-be, and then - Jack Daw charged and landed hazardous terrain aura on Sidir. Two Draw Them Ins later both Kara and Koji were engaged by Jack Daw and were staggered,

It was an oppressive move for sure, but now my master was next to Sidir, Koji, Kara and even within easy charge range of McCabe.

McCabe, however, didn't charge Jack. Instead, he tossed Phantasmal Mask for Sidir and went to contest center-left strategy marker. 

Lady Ligeia moved to complete the unholy trinity of Montresor, Jack and her. 

Huckster used secret passage to deliver a scheme marker below Kara and near Jack Daw. Death Bed mirror seemed likely. So, Guilty came to plant a scheme near Kara. Guilty received some consolation from Sidir after sharing his guilt. Sidir was staggered below the burden.

Sidir tried to give shielded for Koji and Kara with Phantasmal Mask, but didn't want to cheat to succeed. I guess it was the guilt. Or, maybe not, because he had no qualms about cheating attacks against Jack Daw. Jack received only three damage in total, but this drained all of my soulstones. 

Koji and Kara went berserk and tried to kill Jack Daw, to hell with hazardous terrain! Too bad none of the actions scored a hit. But Koji and Kara were down to three health both. Ouch. At least Crooked Man didn't manage to land earthquakes on Huckster. 

Malifaux Child came to wrestle center-left strategy marker from the clutches of McCabe. This, however, prompted Russian to shoot the kid with derringer and then walk a little closer after he failed to score a kill. Tanuki ran to secure the vault for Ten Thunders. Oh well. At least it wasn't healing Koji or Kara.

Auguste went to control top-left strategy marker and began an interview with no-one. That's his thing. 

Hanged went to place a scheme marker near bottom-right strategy marker, and after Midnight Stalker failed to leap, he ran to at least secure the marker.

Cryptologist went to provide his aura to the troubled lot near middle. 

Both players scored strategy, and neither revealed schemes. But the situation was rapidly turning sour for Ten Thunders. However, Jack Daw was vulnerable now. They had their chance.


Turn 3:

Unfortunately Jack Daw won initiative. While opponent passed admirably Draw Them In checks even while the models were staggered, there were just too many checks. Only Koji died, though. Lucas whipped up another Timeworn Blade for Sidir and went to whip a kid to death. 

Guilty was only guilty of compassion. He tried to pet the kitty. Kitty died. Tenderly Guilty dug up a pretty Death Bed for the kitty and scored a scheme for Outcasts. 

Sidir tried to remove Jack Daw, but managed to bring him down to two health remaining. As a final act of defience Sidir did Blade Storm, prompting tests for Montresor, Lady Ligeia, Guilty, Jack Daw, Huckster who was at one health and Cryptologist who was at one remaining, too. 

It would have been cool to lose Jack Daw this way, but it was not to be. Only Huckster died.

Montresor activated and did his things, killing Cryptologist. It started to look like game over, so Ruffian tried to make the unlikely shot that would kill Jack Daw, who got both concealment and friendly fire.

Attack did not land, and we did not continue the game. My gambit paid off in a brutal manner. 


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