Cruel Technology

A game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Flank Head Hunter

Schemes: Make It Look Like an Accident, Lay the Bait, Leavy Your Mark

My list:

Hamelin, the Plaguebringer & Obedient Wretch
Nix
Fumigator
Tunnel Rats
Hans
Angel Eyes
Rat Catcher
Stolen

Pool: 2

Opponent had:

Tiri the Architech & Unseelie Engine
Iron Matron
Kett
Parson
First Light
2x Aua Warrior
Ancient Construct

Pool: 2

Turn 1:
Plague pick: Lay the Bait, and so did Bygone

Tiri started cruelly laying down multiple copies of lost technology, and managed to blast three points damage in to Tunnel Rats who was hanging around near the center point. Since they survived, they dropped two schemes as soon as possible and got the heck out of there via secret passage.

In the end this gambit was worth it, as opponent started to rush scheme markers to the center as well, although Kett did throw one there far from my bait markers. Eventually an Aua Warrior came to drop a second scheme near the center, which was a successful two point bait.

Later in the game I completely failed to estimate 4" distance, and Nix also gave one point from Lay the Bait for Explorer Society as well.

However, that Aua Warrior, though.

I did get strategy points this turn and opponent did not, but the amount of work it took was wicked. Angel Eyes and Hans both took two shots at the puny minion. 

 Obedient Wretch shot at the thing. Hamelin lured it forward and whacked at the thing.

Finally Nix was able to down the minion, but sheesh. 

Iron Matron was tossed by Ancient Construct, and tried to attack Nix. She did disembowel the dog, but it was already disemboweled anyway, so he was able to heal near to full with crew bonus action.

It was a good 3-1 start for Outcasts.

Turn 2: 
Plague pick: Watch Them Burn, Bygone: Leave Your Mark

Hamelin was able to cause an absolutely miserable board state for Bygone by getting all but First Light, Tiri and Unseelie Engine within 6" of himself before they got to activate, while standing near Nix. 

However... Tiri wasn't exactly lacking in making everything worse for everyone either. Those Lost Technology markers are utterly annoying. 

There was also absolutely silly exchange going on in the middle. No-one seemed to be able to do anything. Nix, Hamelin, Angel Eyes, and also some contribution from Obedient Wretch caused Iron Matron to fall down to two health remaining... but not die! It was inevitable to get one point from watching their mechanical lungs burn from pox, but constant re-applying of Shielded and small heals here and there essentially robbed me two point - one from scheme, and strategy as well, as Parson went to beat a kid with relic hammer. 

Tunnel Rats went to lay they groundwork for Reconnaissance, while opponent had plenty of time to leave their mark for two points.

So, suddenly, the scores were tied at 4-4.

Turn 3:
Plague pick: Reconnaissance, Bygone: Frame Job on Iron Matron

There was little Explorer Society could do to stop me from getting full points from Reconnaissance. 

Hamelin and Obedient Wretch softened Ancient Construct for a bit, and FINALLY Hans was able to do at least, well, anything. He scored not one, but two hits - although the second one was a cheated Red Joker, which killed Ancient Construct.

Rat Catcher wasn't a difficult kill for opponent after being brought down to one health remaining and burning. Both gained enough trophies for a strategy point.

Angel Eyes manages to fall from their crow's nest, how's that for an accomplishment?

I was super careful not to direct any attacks against Iron Matron because early in the turn order a couple of Draw Out Secrets made me rather suspicious. She did take random pings from burning, pustulent tumors and blight tokens, though. But again Bygone models kept healing her so that after resolving everything at the end phase she was back at two remaining.

This swinged the favor back to Outcasts for a 7-5 lead.

Turn 4:
Plague pick: Stake a Claim, Bygone: Make Sure They're Not Found on Obedient Wretch

Bygone was able to kill their scheme target easily enough, but not before she had given one of her trophies to Unseelie Engine. However, Tiri was able to arc through a Lost Technology marker an attack to deconstruct Tunnel Rats. I had had plans for those rats, dammit.

That was a problem on multiple levels. Opponent had seven trophy points now. Looking back now I should have just given two of Hamelin's trophies instead of just one and hope for the best. 

Hamelin did also lure Fumigator forward enough that opponent started to think it might be a good idea to tie him in melee. First Light did so, but warning shot from Hans stunned her away. Explorer Society last activation was to draw First Light back into melee with Fumigator with Kett's gravity alterations. Tiri was at seven victory points and had seven trophy point versus Hamelin's six. Hamelin was at seven victory points. It was an intense situation. Fumigator had everything in his toolkit to force a tie. But First Light had brought one of those damnable Lost Technology markers next to Fumigator, and neither of us had cards in hand.

It was so and so if Fumigator would be able to interact a second marker for a staked claim, so I tried another approach after first Caustic Spray failed. I wanted those Tunnel Rats back to finish what they couldn't. 

Second spray succeeded and summoned Tunnel Rats. They prepared for Focus, although now I think maybe I should have gone for Adaptable. Either case, the check just failed and game ended in a tough 8-7 victory for Tiri.