Megapunk

 A 50ss game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Flank Recover Evidence

Schemes: Make It Look Like an Accident, Public Demonstration, Frame Job

My list:

Rusty Alyce, Trigger Happy & 2x Hollow Waifs
Ashes & Dust
Marlena Webster
Maurice
Hard-Stop Herbert
2x Scavenger
Necropunk
Bloodwretch

Cache: 1

Opponent had:

Kaeris, Iron-Threaded & Eternal Flame
Fire Golem 
Elijah Borgmann
Firestarter
Carlos Vasquez
2x Firebranded
Fire Gamin

Cache: 2

Turn 1:
Amalgam picks Frame Job on Ashes & Dust, Wildfire took Make It Look Like an Accident

I thought I would be able to take an easy Frame Job, but opponent had read the starting schemes carefully enough and would not attack Ashes and Dust who went to pick up the starting strategy marker.

Marlena Webster went into base contact with the Arcanist starting strategy, which I assumed would give me lead in the strategy. More on that later.

Firestarter made a guy on a wheelchair fall from a roof. That's some Lucas McCabe level of problematic behavior right there. Anyway, Arcanists took their point from Make It Look Like an Accident, but Herbert took triple-walk to the top-right corner of the board for safety and leylines.

Carlos waltzed to the base of the big hill on my deployment, and set a bunch of people on fire. During end phase Maurice, Scavenger and Alyce herself were on fire. He also removed a scheme marker Scavenger had put up to claim extra point from strategy, a homing beacon for Rusty Alyce... and scheme marker for Frame Job that never got framed. 

Alyce went to drop another scheme marker next to the building that was easily within 6" of both of our deployment zones to secure the extra point. She also managed to shoot five points in to a Firebranded, and summoned an Abomination. More on that later.

The Bloodwretch had escaped north, almost hugging the left table-edge.

Arcanist side, Fire Golem summoned a Fire Gamin and walked a tad closer, but that was it. However, Fire Golem, (now) both Gamins, Firestarter and the second Firebranded were going bottom-right... but not only. Elijah was able to walk and charge Marlena Webster, and dared to call her teddy a dude in a furry suit. Marlena was ENRAGED. More on that on later turns. 

Anyway, that flank was held by Marlena, Necropunk, Herbert and a Hollow Waif. Scavenger was sort of nearby, but at least I felt quite the discrepancy between power level of involved models. 

Both crews got the extra point of strategy as a courtesy of sacrificed peon. Arcanists got one point from Make It Look Like an Accident. Amalgam took their point from actual strategy... but so did Arcanists.

The Abomination (in full health) that had been summoned by Rusty Alyce was smacked dead by Kaeris herself, and she even had the action points left to spare to pick up the strategy marker. Oh well.

A 3-2 lead for Arcanists.

Turn 2:
Amalgam picks Harness the Leyline, Wildfire took Ensnare

From top to bottom, Bloodwretch placed a scheme for Harness Leylines late int the round.

 Ashes and Dust was able to charge and kill the already severely injured Firebranded, and claimed the strategy marker right away as well. 

Rusty Alyce shot Carlos a couple of times. She did okayish damage, but her empowered rams trigger was robbed by Carlos butterfly jumping into engagement range. Oh well. Carlos survived and went to kill Hollow Waif.

Another Savenger had just tried to attack Carlos. It took a whole lot of effort from Alyce, Scavenger and Maurice, but finally the fire dancer died. Another Scavenger went to pick up the strategy marker, and scrounged his way to stand in contact with Waif's strategy marker. 

Fire Golem and another summoned Fire Gamin caused the second Hollow Waif to die as well, although that happened during the end phase.

There was a whole bunch of twisting and turning happened at the bottom-right quarter, which eventually resulted in Marlena Webster getting hit hard by Elijah, and healing for a bit. 

Necropunk and Herbert placed the remaining two markers for Harness the Leyline, but somehow Hard-Stop Herbert was able to hard stop a Fire Gamin with just one attack. Unfortunately he was in base contact with Necropunk, who was also on fire. 

Curiously enough Outcasts managed to take the point from strategy. They also took two points from Harness the Leylines. Arcanists fell one TN 5 short of scoring two points from Ensnare, so Outcasts took a 5-4 lead.

Turn 3:
Amalgam picks Scout the Rooftops, Wildfire takes Frame Job on Elijah

Marlena Webster had been so severely damaged earlier that she had to activate. However, she was still pissed off about the furry remark and succeeded in all her attacks, healing both herself and Herbert, who had been smashed down to one health remaining. In the end this did not save Herbert, but at least it wasted precious action points from Fire Golem. She did give Arcanists a point from Frame Job, though.

Necropunk, however, did a miracle. It killed Elijah Borgmann. That must be its greatest achievement in, like, ever. Unless you count points scored, but hey, who counts those when a little guy punches a scary melee dude dead. 

Unfortunately whatever I threw into that melee were not ultimately able to block Arcanists from gaining the upper hand in strategy this round anyway. Outcasts did pick up two, but Wildfire had easy enough time picking up kills from previous turns. 

Scavenger to the left survived conflagrations and whatnot, albeit at one health remaining AND burning... but he had prepared Shielded for the occasion.

Rusty Alyce, Bloodwretch and Ashes & Dust were easily able to score two points from Scout the Rooftops. Also, Alyce shot off a summoned Fire Gamin off the board.

Both players managed to score two points, which made Outcasts still lead the game with 7-6.

Turn 4:
Amalgam picks Detonate Charges, Wildfire attempts Scout the Rooftops

In short, Wildfire was not able to burn down enough of Amalgam models to stop them contesting Scout the Rooftops. 

Arcanists were able to block Outcasts from getting a point from scenario, but Alyce was able to plant two scheme markers next to Fire Golem as just about the last activation. Game ended in 8-7 for Alyce.

Abandoned Showgirl

 A 50ss game of Malifaux 4th edition.

Strategy: Standard Boundary Dispute

Schemes: Public Demonstration, Ensnare, Reshape the Land

My list:

Molly, Harbinger & Necrotic Construct
Archie
Philip & The Nanny
Forgotten Marshal
Night Terror
2x Rabble Riser
Crooligan

Pool: 3

Opponent had:

Colette du Bois, Star of the Show & 3x Mechanical Doves
Cassandra Felton
Shadowlark
Irena Keene
Altus Keene
Blackbird
2x Showgirl

Pool: 2

Turn 1: Forgotten picks Public Demonstration on Irena, Performers performed Ensnare.

Showgirls were delivering strategy markers as effectively as you'd expect. On the left, Archie went and charged one of the showgirls, which didn't amount to much. My initial reasoning was to stall one of the enemy strategy markers, but charging and engaging models that can interact in melee is not cost-effective. Especially when Archie went to engage a cost five model that had already placed one scheme marker. Yeah, I was offering Ensnare almost on a silver plate. Altus went to place the second required marker, but Molly forced him to interact it away right next.

However, Cassanda took a Shadowlark leap and charged Archie, punching him down to four or five health remaining. When her activation ended, she copied a scheme marker. I didn't try to deny Ensnare any longer. 

Instead, I was a little worried that opponent was delaying Irena's activation. Forgotten Marshal had been my first activation, and it interacted strategy forward, copied Night Terror's leap and went in contact with the strategy. Peacekeeper failed to keep peace. 

Eventually Colette activated and Presto-delivered Forgotten Marshal way past centerline for Irena to charge. Which she did, and savagely injured the marshal. However, that way at least I was able to get a point from Public Demonstration, and even soften up the sister a little with pattycakes. Crooligan and Night Terror went near her.

Both crews got two strategy markers past centerline. Performers got two points from Ensnare, Forgotten got one from Public Demonstration, so Arcanists took the lead with 3-2.

Turn 2: Forgotten takes Assassinate on Irena, Performers took Frame Job with Shadowlark

Archie leaped and rush-charged Irena with that insane 3" melee tentacle. Damage was decent, and first point was scored. Unfortunately Molly was unable to finish Irena, so she mutilated Forgotten Marshal down to one health, and killed Crooligan with just one hit. Necrotic Machine came to heal him and Archie, before finally Night Terror was able to secure the second scheme point with two subsonic screeches.

I forgot who dealt the damage and Abandoned token, but Showgirl to the right went to move a strategy marker past centerline. Rabble Riser had thrown that marker back so far that the Showgirl was forgotten and died to abandonment.

Other Showgirl, a Mechanical Dove and Shadowlark tried to kill the second Rabble Riser while delivering strategy markers, and nearly did so. The Riser was down to one health remaining. Ten of masks was my last card in hand, though, so he was able to dislodge from Mechanical Dove and Shadowlark to go and even out the strategy marker count.

Philip and Nanny did shenanigans. They charged Shadowlark and scored a lucky masks, pushing through the trio of performers with prams. They were then able to interact one Performer strategy back to their side, and Rambling Man right to it. I just wonder... why didn't I walk?

Unfortunately opponent had Frame Job with Shadowlark, so Arcanists secured a point.

Cassanda just sliced and diced Philip & Nanny to a forgotten level of success.

Against all odds Forgotten Marshal survived with one health remaining, and even Archie was still standing. Scores even tied at 5-5.

Turn 3: Forgotten takes Scout the Rooftops, Performers went avant garde with Public Demonstration

I did a pretty good job at delivering one of my strategy markers and one Arcanist strategy marker to enemy deployment, with one more Resurrectionists strategy within one interact. This did take Molly, Nighterror and the Rabble Riser who had one health. Molly found a clue from top of terrain. That meddling Altus went to investigate, blocking one scheme marker from Scout the Rooftops. 

Still alive Showgirl beautifully killed Rabble Riser by beckoning Philip & Nanny to rush those prams to backstage. Blackbird finished Forgotten Marshal.

Archie that had been yeeted almost to my deployment zone went to place a scheme marker for Scout the Rooftops, and so did Philip & Nanny. 

This was opponent second game of fourth edition, so he goofed up Public Demonstration. He had picked Night Terror, which is already illegal, and tried to score with Mechanical Dove and Blackbird. Whoops, happens. 

This was my... what? Twenty-sixth game of fourth edition? During end phase I was somehow thinking that I had already secured two points from Scout the Rooftops, so I was free to spend soulstone with Necrotic Construct to rob myself a point by running off the building, and taking a walk to guard enemy strategy marker.

Resurrectionists had been able to claw out strategy for this turn, and... one (1) point from Scout the Rooftops as well. A 7-5 lead for Resurrectionists.

Turn 4: Dispute over, everyone just detonates charges

In the end, I got two of my strategy markers to enemy deployment, while Arcanists got only one strategy to my deployment. However, thanks to interacting while ignoring my models standing next to their strategy markers, Performers managed to get their other two markers past the centerline. At least Philip & Nanny had been able to body block Cassandra from getting to a position to push a second marker to my deployment.

However, that left Resurrectionists only getting two scheme markers for Detonate Charges, while Performers had, like, all five. 

It was a narrow 10-9 victory for Molly.

Coughing in the audience

 Strategy: Wedge Recover Evidence

Schemes: Ensnare, Take the Highground, Harness the Leyline

My list:

Hamelin, Piper & Benny
Nix
Fumigator
Tunnel Rats
Ratcatcher
2x Stolen
2x Prospector

Pool: 3

Opponent had:

Colette, Star of the Show & 3x Mechanical Doves
Shadowlark
Cassandra Felton
Blackbird
2x Showgirl
Altus Keene
Irena Keene

Pool: 2

Turn 1: Plague picked Take the Highground, Performers attempted Ensnare

Plague started and got strategy point with Tunnel Rats. 

Colette walked, Sleighed a decoy marker near Tunnel Rats and bedazzled them twice, drawing up secrets with both.

Hamelin walked, gave a walk for Tunnel Rats to get out of likely Ensnare, summoned rats and moved rats and Nix with Piper's Dance.

Irena walked, charged a Malifaux Rat and blasted away one of the earlier scheme markers.

Benny summoned rats and resupplied.

A Mechanical Dove walked and charged and killed Tunnel Rats with crow trigger.

Fumigator took a double walk to stand next to deployed enemy strategy marker. Caustic Mist summoned a new Tunnel Rats and did damage to Colette, and we erroneously (I think?) delivered Shadowlark to Fumigator. Wordening could use some clarification. I would've considered "attack" to refer to attack action, but opponent intuitively associated damage to attacks. 

Showgirl walked to beckon Shadowlark closer, but quickly regretted that because of hazardous. 

Rat Catcher double-walked on top of terrain and summoned a couple of rats.

I tried to stall with Malifaux Rats, but opponent just activated Mechanical Doves 

And then Shadowlark went to town with Fumigator, leaving it to one or two health remaining. 

Stolen took a double walk to enemy strategy marker and summoned a couple of Malifaux Rats. 

Altus zapped a couple of Malifaux Rats with arced Shatter Illusions.

Last Stolen and a Prospector didn't do very meaningful activations, but another Prospector went to control the Highground.

A Showgirl and Cassandra go to Keene siblings. 

Nix ran on top of terrain inside enemy deployment for scheme.

Performers failed to score points. Plague got two.

Turn 2: Plague picked Search the Area, Performers took Reshape the Land on Decoy markers.

Shadowlark, Colette and Blackbird kills a Stolen, played whack-a-rat and seriously damaged Tunnel Rats, as well as picked up strategy. After Irena picked up another strategy, I didn't even bother for this round.

Hamelin and Benny summoned quite a few rats that were eventually cleared out by Altus and Mechanical Doves. Hamelin managed to black joker Haunting Melody on Nix, which was especially bad for Search the Area. 

Tunnel Rats moved and escaped the venue by walking and using Secret Passage to drop a scheme marker for Search the Area now that 

Cassandra and Showgirl were beating Benny, who summoned more rats. Benny was able to damage Showgirl down to one remaining, but Altus was able to heal her back to full.

Shadowlark and Colette put down the required decoy markers for Reshape the Land one pointer.

Nix placed two schemes for Search the Area, which Plague scored with one point thanks to Hamelin's black joker.

Plague got a point from scheme, while Performers got a point from strategy as well as one from their scheme for a 3-2 lead for Plague.

Turn 3: Plague picks Breakthrough, Performers took Public Demonstration.

For strategy extra point, Tunnel Rats dropped a scheme with trigger before being killed by Mechanical Dove... again. 

It shouldn't have been that hard, but it took Prospector, Benny, Stolen AND Hamelin to kill one Showgirl. And it happened at a good point too, because opponent could have revealed  Public Demonstration. Benny got tome trigger from his rat summons, and planted it on the centerline. With the marker that Prospector dropped last turn, Plague was able to score two points from Breakthrough.

Fortunately opponent wasn't that effective with attacks, either. I lost only Rat Catcher, second Stolen and the Tunnel Rats, plus every rat my crew was able to summon. 

In three turns I had managed to kill a Showgirl. Strategy was not looking good.

But, Plague did manage to get the extra points for Recover Evidence, and two for Breakthrough. Performers also got the extra evidence point as well as regular point, but Public Demonstration failed. Scores went 6-4, so chances were it wouldn't matter that much that I was so far behind on attrition.

Turn 4: Plague picks Frame Job, Performer picks Detonate Charges

Plague managed to kill the other Showgirl, too, and Hamelin picked up both strategy markers. 

I also had the opportunity to bluff each possible scheme with my first move - moving with Prospector's bonus, dropping a scheme and charging Cassandra Felton. This could be Frame Job, build up for Assassinate as Cassandra was barely above half of her health, or even Public Demonstration since Prospector was a minion.

Irena came to butcher up the Prospector, netting Plague two Frame Job points.

Arcanists managed to get just two scheme markers to Benny Wolcomb, but they also picked up two strategy markers.

Game ended in a 9-6 victory for Plague.

Farewell to third

 A 50ss game of Malifaux...third edition, maybe I need to specify.

Strategy: Corner Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Protected Territory, Power Ritual, Outflank, Take Prisoner, Deliver a Message

My list:

Seamus & Copycat Killer
Strange Lady
Batsch & Amalie
Oskar
Gravedigger
Dapperling
Rotten Belle
Dead Dandy

Pool: 5
Schemes: Take Prisoner (A Showgirl), Protected Territory

Opponent had:

Colette DuBois & 3x Mechanical Doves
Carlos Vasquez
Altus Keene
Irena Keene
Angelica Durand
Blackbird
2x Showgirl

Pool: 3
Schemes: Power Ritual, Protected Territory

Turn 1:

Corner deployment saw only limited engagement between the crews. Although there was one cannon shot. Rotten Belle lured Copycat Killer forward for a bit, and Strange Lady obeyed the totem even further. Eventually this led to Seamus teleporting to top-right quarter, walking, picking up intel and shooting Irena, before walking into safer pastures. The attack hit fine, buuut there was this Black Joker that came up on the damage flip. 

Other than Seamus, only Dead Dandy was walking towards top-right quarter, where two strategy markers were. His arrogance was outmatched only by his overconfidence. Irena, Altus, Mechanical Dove and even a Showgirl were going in the same direction. Even Carlos Vasquez was relatively close, although he was closer to center point, where he put a pyre marker next to Seamus.

Prisoner Showgirl, Colette and another Mechanical Dover were hiding behind tall wall sections in a real close proximity. Blackbird and Angelica were with them, too, but not inside blast radius.

Rotten Belle was barely outside of deployment zone - Copycat Killer was inside deployment zone - and Gravedigger was just as clueless as what he should do.

Fungal gang had fully committed to going to bottom-left quarter, with Strange Lady slowly following them.

Turn 2:

Oh, second turn picture is out of focus. But from what I can gather, going from top to bottom, Seamus was transported back to center. Altus and Irena secured an intel point, and Dead Dandy ran to perhaps scheme and pick up strategy markers next turn. 

Altus and Irena had teased Seamus with Pyre markers before he got teleported, so there was two markers scorching Copycat Killer now. Tried as he might, Copycat Killer just could find the right cord to cut from Mechanical Dove that he was engaging.

Seamus tried to utilize his hand cannon to remove models near prisoner-to-be Showgirl, but for the second time in a row Seamus messed up his attack. Carlos, on the other hand, continued to spew pyres at Seamus this time at the center of the board.

Strange Lady, Gravedigger and Rotten Belle figured out how to pick up intel from an informant inside pyre marker, while Colette kept threatening fungal gang with stuns and whatnot. I think it was Seamus' gun that scared off Colette from the board this turn, so in that way there was at least a degree of success to his attack.

Anyway, before that, Colette had sword-tricked Oskar off the board. Batsch & Amalie were slowly dancing through a forest to pick up intel, and succeeded at that. Dapperling went to place a scheme marker for Protected Territory, but I couldn't figure out a way to put another marker.

Scores went 1-1, as both teams got strategy.

Turn 3:

Again from top to bottom, Dead Dandy planted a scheme for Protected Territory and charged to cane Mechanical Dove. Showgirl and Altus removed that marker as well as the Dandy.

Miraculously Copycat Killer survived the onslaught by Irena - although the totem got enough burning going on that he'd die during end phase. But still not quite willing to leave the entire top-right quarter for Performers free to roam, Copycat yeeted Seamus back there to contest. Before getting teleported Seamus had shot Blackbird off the board. My first recorded kill for the match. Yay.

Colette took position quite annoyingly within 2" of my prisoner target. 

I certainly tried to unpack that situation, but Colette was impervious to Rotten Belle's lures, and only a Mechanical Dove failed cordyceps check from Batsch & Amalie, who attempted to impress performers with their power of dance. Maybe anyone else would have been impressed, but after all these were professional performers. 

For the odd chance I'd score Take Prisoner, Gravedigger ran to engage Showgirl, but Colette just would not stop stepdancing. 

Angelica Durand went to remove Dapperling's scheme marker, and Oskar also had been laughed off the stage by Durand. 

Both players scored strategy for a 2-2 tie.

Turn 4:

Seamus finally got his cannon rolling, but that might have came a tad too late. But it certainly gave me some hope when Irena died to just one shot from Seamus' flintlock

But, there were still Showgirl and Altus scheming to no end. However, at least I managed to get Seamus standing on two strategy markers for the next turn.

Center was a mess thanks to Colette's stun shenanigans. 

I tried to launch Strange Lady at Colette in attempt to make her fade away, but that just didn't happen. 

Oskar and Batch & Amalie were busy collecting intel, so they couldn't contribute to trapping the center Showgirl. Dapperling also had to use his actions to push Oskar forward. 

Angelica and Carlos take positions at or near board corners, and there was little I could do to that. 

So, Arcanists scored both of their schemes, while Resurrectionists still got none. Both got their strategy points, however, for a 5-3 lead for Arcanists.

Turn 5:

Seamus picked up two intel and teleported off to place a scheme required for Protected Territory. Dapperling robber prisoner Showgirl of intel, and it was probably Oskar who picked the fourth point for the turn.

Gravedigger had placed a scheme under itself a few turns ago, so that was a check for Protected Territory end condition.

Prisoner showgirl also didn't take any steps away from the centerline, so that was also Take Prisoner for Resurrectionists. 

However, after all this I had ran completely out of activations to deny any points for Arcanists, so the - possibly last game of Malifaux third edition for me - ended with a 8-6 victory for Colette.

Prisoner Steak, Rare+

 A 50ss game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Flank Raid the Vaults

Schemes: Take Prisoner, Ensnare, Outflank, Deliver a Message, Sweating Bullets

My list:

Ensouled Jack Daw & Lady Ligeia
Montresor
Yannic Waller
Midnight Stalker
The Ferryman
Crooked Man
Dead Outlaw

Pool: 6
Schemes: Ensnare, Deliver a Message (Midnight Stalker)

Opponent had:

Rasputina & Wendigo
Snow Storm
Blessed of December
Ceddra
December Acolyte
Silent One with Magical Training
Silent One

Pool: 4
Schemes: Ensnare, Take Prisoner (Dead Outlaw)

Turn 1:

Well, what's the most sensible thing to do with your master on turn one? Well... maybe charge enemy henchman, master, totem and a bunch of minions? Right, we'll go with that.

Jack Daw absolutely failed each of his attacks, though, so there was some degree of worry about his well-being. At least there was more than a decent set-up for Draw Them In next turn.

Montresor and Jack Daw were relatively early activations - which only meant that they were slowed and staggered the next turn. Joining in on the slow/staggered team were Crooked Man and Dead Outlaw, plus Lady Ligeia was cheering them up by just being slow. 

Most of that was Rasputina's doing, although models such as Snow Storm and Silent Ones certainly helped. 

Staggered was annoying especially on Crooked Man, as I kept trying to figure out how to move the guy outside of his activation - only to realize that yeah, not going to happen because of Staggered. So Crooked Man just wobbled forward with its mighty Mv of 2, doing nothing else. 

Eventually Blessed of December leaped from its deployment position to the right to herd Dead Outlaw to a nice little blast zone with Lady Ligeia and Montresor. 

Yannic Waller had smashed one ice pillar and went behind the hull of a ship to hide from Acolyte of December. 

Midnight Stalker started to climb up on a building to perhaps contest center-right marker next turn. 

Ferryman went to contest the strategy marker on bottom-right quarter, and those were the most meaningful parts of the turn from my perspective.

Turn 2:

Arcanists won initiative. Rasputina did horrible things on her turn. Some of which were already hinted in the description of turn one. Slow and staggered, everywhere!

I must have forgotten to take a picture on turn two, though, because sure as hell I didn't take down Snow Storm on turn two. 

Instead, Jack Daw did Draw Them In twice. Damage done wasn't all that impressive for a full master activation, but it did have a heavy toll on opponent's hand that, I heard later, had five severes.

Early on Blessed of December leaped to put a dent on Dead Outlaw. And after a blast from Rasputina and a couple of damage from Blessed of December last turn, moderate damage (with negative modifiers) was all that it took to take down Dead Outlaw before it had the time to activate. 

Bummer? Sure. However, I did not know Dead Outlaw was opponent's Take Prisoner target. Whoops. 

Montresor spent his entire activation to get as many models within his stagger aura, and Crooked Man interacted a scheme within 3" of Blessed of December. He also put up his Mining Law aura, getting two markers required for Ensnare next turn. Shame, that Blessed of December had Deadly Pursuit.

Since I had such secure position on the center-left marker, Ferryman felt confident enough to miss its attacks against Silent One that had Magical Training upgrade. 

Likely there was some more nuance to this turn, but I got not picture. My memory ain't what it used to be.

However, Midnight Stalker leaped, walked and delivered a message to Rasputina.

Both players scored strategy, with Midnight Stalker giving Outcasts 2-1 lead.

Turn 3:

Arcanists got the initiative again, and Rasputina did a bad, bad thing. This time around I think it was Montresor, Midnight Stalker and Jack Daw that got the cold shoulder - and most Jack's damage with Draw Them In was negated with Freeze Over. Oh well.

At least Jack Daw was able to land hazardous terrain on Snow Storm before bursting away with speed and pushing Montresor a little closer with bonus action. Snow Storm wouldn't have any of that aura, and walked a tad away to blast with Ice Tornado. Talk about Anger Issues. The upgrade, I mean. That didn't go away because models were damaged. However, staggered expired.

Montresor was able to toss a noose around Snowstorm's head and pull it back within Hanging Ropes aura. 

I had not realized how much I had damaged Snow Storm already. When Midnight Stalker leaped to it and half-heartedly poked it with a knife, the thing just died, though opponent tried to save it by spending a soulstone. Go figure? Stalker was then able to charge Wendigo that had two health remaining, but botched that attack.

Throughout this entire winter storm laced with tormented vengeance spirit, Yannic Waller tried to come and arrange a little democratic elections, and yeah, that went just about as you might expect, given the circumstances. Acolyte even kept shooting harpoons at her before repositioning to control strategy marker in top-left quarter.

Yannic had consolidated power of Crooked Man now that it was no longer staggered. Idea was to place a scheme marker with trigger, which succeeded. However, Blessed of December activated right next and deleted Crooked Man from the board with a Red Joker on damage flip. That... that guy just spent two turns to advance a total of 2" and place two scheme markers. Three, if you count Yannic's contribution.

Anyway, Blessed was now free to go and claim the vault that was worth two points for Arcanists.

Sightless Snow and Ceddra removed Lady Ligeia after she had tried to yell for a bit. 

Ferryman had managed to land no-heal on Snow Storm, before it failed an attack against Silent One. Ashamed, Ferryman backed to control strategy marker on bottom-right quarter.

Both players scored strategy for a 3-2 lead for Outcasts.

Turn 4:

Everybody died. GG.

Okay, well, more specifically  Wendigo died to three attacks from Midnight Stalker before the enforcer leaped to strategy marker worth two points for Outcasts.

Jack Daw, no longer slowed, was able to go and place scheme markers to ensnare Ceddra or Sightless Snow or whoever it was at the time. The beast attacked Montresor, who ticked down to zero health remaining. I pondered if I should just leave the henchman for dead, as there were scheme markers close enough to score Ensnare. In the ended I decided not to, and that was when opponent revealed Ensnare. 

At least Montresor succeeded in killing the Silent One without upgrade.

Rasputina and perhaps even Acolyte - I forget the details - had killed Yannic Waller after she finally managed to arrange democratic elections. I hope that's not, like, foreshadowing whatever the hell is happening in the world right now. But I royally digress.

Ferryman charged Silent One with the upgrade, missing again. This time it backed down to strategy marker. 

So, both players scored strategy and Ensnare for a 5-4 lead for Outcasts.

Turn 5:

Last turn had enough variables to warrant for a play. Montresor managed to toss noose over Sightless Ceddra before dying without triggering Eternal. Idea was to deny Ensnare end condition from the Arcanists after they had spammed scheme markers all over the center area.

Rasputina moved away from Outcast scheme markers so as not to be within 2" of a marker at least. 

Leaping, Fast Midnight Stalker rectified that.

In the end, Jack Daw was able to place a scheme marker so that Sightless Ceddra would trigger  Ensnare end condition for Outcasts, but that just meant that he himself was Ensnared. 

Rasputina had enough models to score strategy. Both players scored Ensnare, but Outcasts got to deliver their message for a 7-6 victory.

Blessed Audition

 A 50ss game of Malifaux

Strategy: Standard Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Deliver a Message, Outflank, Espionage, Power Ritual, Take Prisoner

My list:

Seamus Baker with The Whisper & Copycat Killer
Strange Lady with Grave Spirit Touch
Bete Noire
White Rabbit Co.
Dead Doxy
Bone Pile
Dead Dandy

Pool: 5
Schemes: Outflank, Espionage

Opponent had:

Rasputina & Wendigo
Snow Storm
Blessed of December with Soulstone Cache
December Acolyte
2x Silent One
Ice Dancer
Hoarcat

Pool: 1
Schemes: Outflank, Deliver a Message (Blessed of December)

Turn 1:

Let's go from left to right. 

Dead Dandy places a scheme marker for Espionage, also bluffing Power Ritual. Since there was only a tiny bottleneck for Bone Pile and Dead Dandy to get through to strategy marker, Silent One blocked that passage with an ice pillar. Bone Pile had to use its second action to remove the thing.

Silent One was accompanied by a Hoarcat, but both were still far away from strategy markers. 

Acolyte of December was deployed on top of a building, where it took a shot at Strange Lady, damaging it a little. Strange Lady did not approve, and Obeyed the thing off the building, dealing a couple of damage points from the fall. Which was somewhat impressive, as Strange Lady was still distracted from Seamus amputating a Mourner off of her. 

Blessed of December walked and leaped to strike at Strange Lady, not doing much.

Rasputina and Wendigo blasts Bete Noire off the board before White Rabbit had the time to craft a hat. Off the board obviously meaning Fade Away in this context. Ice Dancer was there with Rasputina and her totem, dominating center. However, Mourner took up the challenge - or at least peeked in their general direction from behind some barrels. 

As my last activation Bete Noire popped up in my deployment zone and ran just past centerline, inside the building on right.

Snow Storm was feeling confident enough to take on Dead Doxy (with a hat), Copycat Killer and White Rabbit Company, which were slowly creeping towards outflank zone and a strategy marker there. Top right quadrant also hides a Silent One, somewhere, somehow.

Four ice pillars had risen up already, although one of them had been removed. 

Turn 2:

Again from left to right, Bone Pile and Hoarcat toss an informant between them, both gaining an intel point. Dead Dandy positions right behind the strategy marker after Hoarcat had tossed it back. Dandy placed a scheme marker in outflank zone.

Blessed of December is mauled pretty badly by Strange Lady and Seamus, but Silent One patches up the beast a little. Acolyte, Rasputina and Blessed of December all get fixated with attacking Strange Lady, and surely enough it takes three stones to keep her going. Not a single damage block was below two, though, so I had some luck in there. 

Mourner tries to go to interact with a strategy marker until she realizes she was a summoned model. Instead, she dropped a scheme marker touching the centerline. 

Either Rasputina or Silent One blocked Bete Noire's advance with an Ice Pillar, and after White Rabbit gave her a nice hat, she was forced to spend one action point to take a walk towards enemy deployment zone for Espionage. Then either Rasputina or Silent One blocked her advance again with an ice pillar. 

Ice Dancer, however, was able to get perfect line to get past Bete Noire and White Rabbit Company... three times, no less. This drained my hand, but I was able to keep Bete Noire fairly intact. 

Snow Storm got frustrated over my Disguised models, and went to charge White Rabbit Company instead. Future sales of haberdashery plummeted, as the duo was left with two health remaining. 

Dead Doxy went to outflank zone on right, and Copycat Killer came to wreck an ice pillar that had risen right next to Dead Doxy after she had activated. 

Both players scored strategy, but Resurrectionists got a 2-1 lead thanks to claiming Outflank.

Resurrectionists managed to maintain a healthy population of only four ice pillars with a cost of two action points.

Turn 3:

Hoarcat and Bone Pile start a duel in the outflank zone, while Dead Dandy claims an intel and goes into hiding behind a building. 

Ice Dancer provided Hoarcat with an emotional support ice pillar, and perhaps it was this turn when she healed Blessing of December instead? I forget. Anyway, Blessed of December leaps to Seamus and delivers a message to him. 

Seamus spends his entire activation delivering a heart-warming message to Blessed of December, too, and Seamus compliments Blessed's uncanny ability to play dead after he greeted the aspiring talent with bladed bouquet. He even had time to compliment an ice pillar's majestic stature with a slam action.

Bete Noire had faded away again, and popped up from Blessed of December's corpse. She and Strange Lady charged the already damaged Acolyte of December and killed him. 

Wendigo went to pick up an intel, and summoned Mourner went to take it from its cold, living hands. She even took half of the totem's health away. 

I think it was Rasputina who made Bete Noire fade away after Ice Dancer had tormented her with endless pirouettes. 

I wanted to keep the option to move Seamus right to get outflank on turn five, so White Rabbit Company took a grim, determined expression and crafted a hat for themselves. They walked within 0" of Snow Storm and poked it with needle and thread. Their bravery shall be remembered. 

Unfortunately, though, that's all that will be remembered as Snow Storm slapped them dead even through the hat. However, Copycat Killer survived at two health remaining.

My first activation had been to run Dead Doxy to enemy deployment zone. Thus, Espionage was complete. Resurrectionists also got a strategy point, while Arcanists got Deliver a Message for a 4-2 lead for Resurrectionists.

Turn 4:

Duel between Bone Pile and Hoarcat continued without much of a progress for either side. I don't actually remember what Dead Dandy did, but looks like he was busy setting up new scheme markers for Outflank end condition. 

Silent One got an intel I think, and so did Bete Noire. Noire dropped a scheme marker for Espionage end condition as well. Strange Lady that had suffered from Slow starting from turn two had attempted to Obey Bete Noire to interact, but Bete Noire takes orders from no-one. 

Seamus walks and charges Wendigo that had moved below bell tower. He strikes the totem down and walks into contact with strategy marker. 

I'm not sure what Mourner did, probably just mourned how she couldn't land a hit against Wendigo. 

Rasputina was shooting Winter Strikes against Bete Noire and Strange Lady, securing Slow for Strange Lady four turns in a row. 

After getting intel, Ice Dancer and Silent One on the right tease Dead Doxy, and she is a little bummed by their harsh words. She is slowed, so she couldn't reposition to a better place to drop a scheme marker. 

Snow Storm makes Copycat Killer go splat, thus robbing me outflank end condition. The bestial henchman still had an action point left to interact a scheme for Arcanists' own flanking maneuvers. 

Resurrectionists scored no points this turn. Arcanists finally got their Outflank, as well as second strategy point. Scores tied at 4-4. 

Turn 5:

We did not play the last turn to the very end. Silent One to the left went to place an Outflank scheme marker, and Snow Storm did the same on right, so that was Outflank end condition for Arcanists.

Ice Dancer skated nearer to remove Dead Doxy's scheme marker with Don't Mind Me, but Doxy was able to lead Ice Dancer away fir Take by the Hand. She was then able to drop a scheme marker for Espionage end condition.

Arcanists missed on Deliver a Message, while Resurrectionists didn't get their Outflank.

After collecting intel points for two turns, Resurrectionists were able to carve a 6-5 victory with a third strategy point.

Sword Hat Trick

 A 50ss game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Corner Stuff the Ballots

Schemes: Sweating Bullets, Espionage, In Your Face, Hold Up Their Forces, Take Prisoner

My list:

Ensouled Jack Daw & Lady Ligeia
Montresor
Hans
The Ferryman
Auguste Hart
Crooked Man
Drowned

Pool: 6
Schemes: Sweating Bullets (Montresor), In Your Face

Opponent had:

Colette Du Bois & 3x Mechanical Doves
Cassandra Felton
Shadowlark
Coryphee Duet
Angelica Durand
Blackbird
2x Showgirl

Pool: 0
Schemes: Espionage, Sweating Bullets (Cassandra Felton)

Turn 1:

Performers started performing right off the bat - Coryphee Duet was delivered some 28" inches from one corner of the board to another. While that could have been a relief, there were now two ballot boxes guarded by Coryphee Duet. Not gonna challenge those, yeah.

Shadowlark and a Showgirl were going towards the bottom two strategy markers, while remaining performer troupe were tromping towards marker in the center. 

Blackbird, another Showgirl and Cassandra Felton were out there in the open, however, not quite close enough to Hans' clockwork rifle. Hans just took a little walk to the edge of a cargo container to start shooting next turn.

Jack Daw, however had taken a double walk to inaudibly whisper to a Mechanical Dove. Dove was not impressed, but showgirls beckoned poor Jack's ensouled mind and walked him right next to Cassandra Felton. So, Coryphee Duet was not the only model that was flinged over 24 inches this turn by performers. 

So, at the end of first turn, remaining Tormented models were lagging dangerously far behind. Ferryman had managed to Black Joker its Lost In the Fog against Montresor. This had repercussion for the next turn, so let's go there.

Turn 2:

Cassandra started by nimbling past Jack Daw, suspiciously engaging Tormented master within 6" of center point.

As I did not know opponent had Sweating Bullets on Cassandra, I tried to figure out a way to deliver Montresor to Cassandra. But, if Ferryman used Lost in the Fog to move Montresor close enough to get to Cassandra, I most certainly would not get strategy points this turn. So thanks, Black Joker on turn one. 

In the end, I chose strategy points that Ferryman went to pick. 

Jack Daw, though, managed to land some Anger Issues on Cassandra, and then walz past Blackbird and Showgirl with Burst of Speed. Draw Them In also dealt a point of damage to Showgirl. I had been saving a one of rams from first turn in my hand just for Hans, and he was able to snipe off Showgirl from the board. Let's call that the sniper rifle trick.

However, next Colette did a sword trick on Jack Daw. Well, that only buried Tormented master, but I did groan inside a little when I looked at my Espionage bluff scheme marker - my only scheme marker - on my deployment zone. 

Unfortunately that was not the only trick this turn saw - Shadow Lark Red Jokered a surprise shot trick against Drowned, killing it in two shots. Shadowlark's backup dancer was then able to go and place a vote on center-left box. 

Coryphee Duet was able to place three votes, one to top-right and one to center-right strategy marker. 

Montresor was able to slow and stagger Cassandra with a tossed noose. A Mechanical Dove had flown to block Montresor, but Lady Ligeia, the melee monster we all know and love, was able to remove that blockage. 

Both players scored strategy.

Turn 3:

Montresor started turn by charging Cassandra. She had only three health remaining after that. 

After what had happened to Jack Daw I wasn't exactly feeling secure that Montresor would still stand there, engaging Cassandra in the end phase, so I decided to unbury Jack Daw, take a double walk and charge Cassandra. The only killable cost 8 model died, so I had to take In Your Face as soon as possible.

And, sure enough, soon Montresor was standing next to Colette, and where one Montresor stood was now Angelica Durand. And Auguste Hart was sword tricked off the board before he had activated. This, at least, gave him a chance to remove that failed bluff scheme marker from my deployment zone. 

A Mechanical Dove flew next to Hans and started being Annoying. I was impressed. That was actually effective use of Annoying rule. It just takes an insignificant model with Puny to meaningfully pull off. If Hans wanted +10" range, he needed to concentrate - which would only give him Distracted from Annoying. So, no +10" range. Also, his field guide referencing would be next to useless, too. 

Coryphee Duet walked and charged The Ferryman, and hilariously enough Red Jokered it down to one health remaining. Then the thing just split up into two. Ferryman, who was distracted, had one chance to kill the un-activated Coryphee, and obviously it just failed that. Coryphee killed the enforcer. 

Hans was able to demote one of the Coryphees into a mannequin.

Crooked Man crooked hard against odds against charging Shadowlark and voting Showgirl. It survived, although he did fail every single one of his own actions, though.

Blackbird was speeding towards my deployment corner, so, and Espionage it was. As if that wasn't clear enough from five or so scheme markers in a pool where only one scheme required markers. 

Outcasts had not placed even a single vote this turn, but Arcanists got their second strategy point. Points were still 2-2, though, thanks to killing Cassandra In Your Face.

Turn 4:

If game had not been ridiculous enough as of yet, things were about to change. 

Colette sword-tricks Montresor back to my deployment zone, as Angelica had been able to remove the scheme I had placed in the center to be a homing beacon for Montresor. 

Montresor walked and charged Blackbird, but only managed to drop another scheme marker thanks to Set the Scene. 

I had been carefully waiting for opponent to burn through his control hand so that Hans would have his best shot at injuring Blackbird seriously enough.

So, he took a shot. Attack dealt a point of damage through Shielded +1, but opponent drew Get Off the Stage straight from the deck. So, Hans was teleported near center. He still had LoS to Blackbird, though, so he took another shot. Two points in, and again Get Off the Stage from top of deck. So Hans was taking snap shots at Blackbird while getting teleported from scheme marker to scheme marker. 

Jack Daw couldn't figure out a way to meaningfully contribute to scoring, so he went to kill a Coryphee. At least he managed to do just that. 

Crooked Man crooked even harder than last turn, as neither Showgirl nor Shadowlark were able to kill that Df 4 model who was at three health remaining. Yay! Go, Crooked Man!

However, Outcasts were not able to score any points that turn. Arcanists got a strategy point, as well as Espionage reveal. Points went 4-2 for Arcanists.

Turn 5:

So... Montresor had one turn to run about 38" for In Your Face. I might have a shot at Sweating Bullets, but not at scenario. Arcanists had potential for all three points. We ended the game, as even if I somehow denied all three points from Arcanists and scored my maximum of one, I'd still lose.

Revenge Bombings

 A 50ss game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Flank Plant Explosives

Schemes: Outflank, Power Ritual, Let Them Bleed, Information Overload, Deliver a Message

My list:

Kirai, Envoy of the Court & Ikiryo
Kari Zotiko
Ferryman
Goryo
Shikome
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Drowned
Seishin

Pool: 4
Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Power Ritual

Opponent had:

Kaeris & Eternal Flame
Elijah Borgmann
Carlos Vasquez
The Firestarter
Fire Golem
2x Firebranded
Fire Gamin

Pool: 0
Schemes: Deliver a Message, Outflank

Turn 1:

Since it's been a while when this game was played, I'm not going in to usual detail. 

Kirai had to watch in horror how pretty much every Wildfire model gathered in top-right quarter, trying to beat Kari, Ikiryo and Goryo. Fire Golem took some astonishing damage from Goryo, with a severe or a moderate from charge attack, and a Red Joker from Violent Ghosts. 

There were also Fire Gamin, Carlos and Eternal Flame. One Firebranded was going towards top-right corner, and Firestarter was flying towards bottom-left. Ferryman was going there too to offer some company for the twisted firestarter.

Shikome had placed a scheme marker for Power Ritual, and was aided by Seishin a little forward towards top-right corner. 

Kaeris and another Firebranded were about there in the middle, while Elijah Borgmann alone was challenging Gwisin and Kirai.

Turn 2:

Ikiryo scrapped Eternal Flame, and punched a hole in Carlos. The firebreather, Fire Golem and Fire Gamin all were attacking Kari hard, and were joined even by Kaeris herself. Kari had had to heal herself for quite a bit, but can't heal them flames, no.

Goryo made quite of an activation. It flew past Fire Golem to get in better position and killed the Golem and Gamin with Violent Ghosts. In total it did take a little more than that, though, when Drowned had been projectile vomiting on the blob for two turns now, plus all the vengeance procs. 

After Firebranded ran to top-right corner, Shikome walked, planted a scheme and teleported to Firebranded. I had somehow mixed up in my mind between Outflank and Power Ritual, d'oh... Shikome's scheme was too far from Power Ritual, but close enough to block my future interacts in top-right!

Firebranded in the middle placed an explosive. Firestarter had done the same bottom-left after Ferryman. And since I was still thinking about Outflank, Ferryman tried to go and curse Firestarter instead of putting a proper marker for Power Ritual.

Oh well. At least Elijah didn't butcher Gwisin, although it had to be healed with Kirai on top of its regeneration. Trampling over Elijah did not score any summons. 

Both players scored strategy, but Arcanists also got Outflank for a 2-1 lead.

Turn 3:

Kaeris tried to remove Kari, and managed to toss the troublemaker away with her last action. Well, the captain just healed herself and charged back to deny heals for Carlos, who had pinged himself below half of his health remaining.

Carlos placed a third explosive on my side, and Goryo went to place my second one, slowly creeping towards top-right corner where Firebranded was able to kill Shikome,

Ikiryo was able to scrape about six points of damage to Elijah, who had killed Gwisin with a single strike, charging Drowned next. Let Them Bleed was secured now. 

Kirai swirled Ikiryo past Firebranded, and finally we saw the first and only summon of this entire game - a Gaki, that swallowed Firebranded with its only action.

Firestarter started speeding towards Kirai in such a fashion which almost made me think he might have a message to deliver. Ferryman went to place required marker for Power Ritual.

Both players scored strategy, but Resurrectionists scored both of their schemes for a 4-3 lead for Kirai.

Turn 4:

By the end of the turn, Kari had managed to rake up eleven points of burning. And after the end phase, she was at one health. Kaeris and Carlos had tried to attack Seishin and Kari, but were doing terrible job with both - but Kari's disengages were also dreadful to watch. First, one inch. Second, one inch. Kirai had to swirl the captain away from melee. 

Ikiryo killed Firestarter before he could activate, and Drowned managed to down Elijah. 

Goryo had planted my third explosive and charged Firebranded, managing to get itself only killed. Power Ritual end condition was doomed now. 

Both players scored strategy, so Kirai held the lead at 5-4. 

Turn 5:

We did not play fifth round, as it was apparent that Resurrectionists would get a bare minimum of six points, and with absurd luck Arcanists would get a maximum of five. So, a 6-4, 6-5, 7-4 or 7-5 victory for Kirai.

Last Fractures

I played two 50ss games of Malifaux on subsequent days, so they're both in this post. Both games took part in Fractured Futures global campaign. Likely the last campaign games I will be able to play.

Strategy: Wedge Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Take Prisoner, Power Ritual, In Your Face, Death Beds, Hold Up Their Forces

My list:

Seamus with The Whisper & Copycat Killer
Madame Sybelle
Bete Noire
Corpse Curator
Gravedigger
Mourner
Dead Doxy
Mindless Zombie

Pool: 4
Schemes: Death Beds (Corpse), In Your Face
Wicked Whisper: two corpse markers

Opponent had:

Kaeris & Eternal Flame
Elijah Borgmann
Carlos Vasquez
Firestarter
Fire Golem
2x Firebrander
Fire Gamin

Pool: 0
Schemes: Death Beds (Pyre), In Your Face
Moonshine Madness: Condition on enemy model within 3" of Nia during friendly activation

Turn 1:

My grand plan for Nia was to activate Gravedigger first, go drop a corpse and then get pulled back to safety by Madame Sybelle. However! The plan was more efficient than I had planned by a factor of infinity. I didn't have to spend Madame Sybelle's action points at all, when Kaeris was able to kill Gravedigger in just two shots. Boom! Two corpses right next to Nia. 

Seamus was interrupted by Fire Golem, and I had to spend two soulstones to protect him. Copycat Killer still had not activated, and teleported him to centerline near strategy marker closest to bottom. From there he managed to claim intel and even shoot one of the Firebranded dead,

Mourner and Bete Noire were trying to approach from top, while center was held by superior tanks such as Copycat Killer and Mindless Zombie. Well, Madame Sybelle or Dead Doxy were not that far from action, and Corpse Curator was dangerously close to Fire Golem. 

However, the entirety of Wildifre were standing within about 6" of the center point, with three pyre markers to boot. 

Turn 2:

Three pyre markers, you say? Nah, make that seven!

It was a distressing turn for sure. Fire Golem dropped a scheme marker and charged Corpse Curator. One attack was not enough to kill the thing, so it made haste to drag a corpse marker along next to Nia while it still was able to do so. It also dropped a scheme marker for maybe some Death Beds one day.

And true enough, opponent poured everything they could at Corpse Curator. Kudos for it for surviving the torrent of attacks throughout the turn, until Carlos blew the out-of-keyword enforcer out of the board. 

However, Corpse Curator was not the only model to get beaten up. Seamus tried to shoot a Firebranded, but missed. He also picked up intel, and charged Firebranded, managing some random points of damage. But Kaeris and the minion himself kept attacking Seamus. They didn't even fail their Terrifying checks, so Seamus didn't heal. 

Copycat Killer had to bail Seamus out of there, and Mindless Zombie - who I had hired just for this purpose - was able to assist six points of burning off of Seamus. And yet, Redchapel master was still burning...

Seamus also had about five health remaining, so I decided to reposition Mourner and even Bete Noire closer to middle. Bete Noire tried to soften up Carlos, and did well enough. Mourner's role was to get rid of Elijah's Ruthless if he attempted to attack Seamus. In the picture he's behind Fire Golem. 

Both players scored Nia and strategy this turn, but Arcanists also received Death Beds from Corpse Curator for a lead of 3-2.

Turn 3:

Turn three things got a wee bit intense. 

Seamus was able to heal himself a bit with Terrorize. A moderate shot injured Fire Golem somewhat, but Seamus didn't dare to show his face any longer, escaping behind a house. 

Firebranded healed Fire Golem enough for me not to have any hope of killing it. 

Bete Noire tickled Carlos for a bit and charged Fire Gamin dead. Kaeris and Elijah charged Bete, managing to fade her away with enough burning to kill her while buried. Uh oh. 

Dead Doxy was able to remove Madame Sybelle from melee and pick up intel, but she had also received enough burning to die from it during end phase. 

Mourner and Mindless Zombie both tried to attack Carlos without much of an effect, but finally Madame Sybelle dealt the killing blow, thus scoring In Your Face. 

Eventually Copycat Killer repositioned Seamus back at strategy markers for upcoming turns.

Both players scored strategy, and Resurrectionists got In Your Face for a tie of 4-4.

Turn 4:

Except, uh, three of my models just burned dead. At least Wildfire had been losing models, too, but situation was grim nonetheless. I decided to go all-in. 

Seamus went to take two shots at Fire Golem, connecting both but scoring only a moderate and a weak damage. 

Firebranded healed the Golem again, and - well, I had made up my mind about going all in. Copycat Killer switched places with Seamus and started shooting the Golem. And finally it went down after it ran out of burning to block damage. 

Hooray! Death Beds!

However, before Kaeris went to pick up some intel, Elijah, Firebranded or whoever had killed Madame Sybelle, scoring In Your Face for Arcanists. 

It looked kind of a game over, until an unlikely hero appeared. Mourner shot unactivated Firestarter dead with a Feed on Grief by flipping Red Joker on damage. 

Unfortunately Eternal Flame extinguished Mourner's flame, and Copycat Killer just burned into crisp from conditions gathered throughout the game.

So, although points went to 5-5 tie, a lone Seamus would not be able to turn the tables around... or would he?

Turn 5:

Elijah was able to charge Seamus, but he flipped Red Joker on damage block. Seamus, however, was not in a position to teleport twice to place scheme markers next to corpse markers. Instead, he teleported to top-left corner to flee the scene with two health and three burning.

Kaeris was able to pick enough intel for third strategy point, and there were still enough models to place a couple of schemes next to pyre markers. So, it was a damn bloody 7-5 victory for Arcanists.

Game 2:

Strategy: Corner Plant Explosives

Schemes: Protected Territory, Hold Up Their Forces, Power Ritual, Espionage, Death Beds

My list:

Molly Squidpiddge & Necrotic Machine
Carrion Emissary
Noxious Nephilim
Forgotten Marshal with The Whisper
Rabble Riser
Night Terror
2x Crooligan

Pool: 3
Schemes: Espionage, Power Ritual
Wicked Whisper: Summon a model while within 3" of Nia

Opponent had:

Nekima, Broodmother & Blood Hunter
Hayreddin
Serena Bowman
Mature Nephilim
Young Nephilim
Black Blood Shaman
Terror Tot

Pool: 6
Schemes: Hold Up Their Forces, Death Beds (Corpse)
Parasitic Protection: Heal within 3" of Nia

Turn 1:

Both Crooligans were deployed with an explosive token to the farthest corners of the map and for the first turn, they only concentrated. While it certainly looked a bit like Power Ritual, it was still possible I had chosen Protected Territory or Espionage. 

However, after first turn had passed, a Young Nephilim was threatening both of them, despite opponent only having one of them in his list. Kids sure grow up so fast these days. 

Forgotten Marshal summoned a Night Terror that he launched to my deployment corner - I had messed up the deployment to easily place a scheme marker for Power Ritual. Noo, you wouldn't know, it might still be for Espionage! That's a perfectly reasonable investment in a bluff! Well, at least it served double duty.

Rabble Riser goes running towards top-right corner, with Noxious Nephilim flying about in a forest nearby. Both had explosive tokens, so they were a bit hesitant to enter middle melee that was bound to be saturated with Mature Nephilims and whatnot. 

Speaking of which, Mature took a double walk which prompted damage from Lethe's Caress. Serena later threw some bottles of painkillers down Mature's throat, claiming first fracture token that way. Thanks, Molly. 

Carrion Emissary went to summon zombies within 3" of Nia marker, thus also scoring fracture token for Resurrectionists. 

I had Molly, Emissary, hired Night Terror, Forgotten Marshal and Necrotic Machine contesting the middle along with two Mindless Zombies now. It felt awfully little against Hayreddin, Serena and Mature Nephilim, with Black Blood Shaman and Nekima not too far away. 

Turn 2:

Neverborn got the initiative, and started mauling Crooligans. The one at top-right corner died to three attacks by Young Nephilim. The other one at bottom-left corner was a little too far for another Young Nephilim to fly and charge, so he just needed to dodge one attack. But, he was engaged now, so bye bye Power Ritual for this turn at least.

Hayreddin went to place a strategy marker into outskirts of center forest. Forgotten Marshal disapproved and went to put the henchman in pine box. Later he also acted as a teleport beacon for surviving Crooligan, who jumped to him to pick up Hayreddin's bomb and to toss it to Neverborn side of table right away. 

Molly had activated to try to draw crows for Forgotten Marshal, but no such luck. She went closer to centerline and managed to slow Mature Nephilim as well as damaging it heavily. But then Serena activated, healed the Mature for a bit and removed slow with bottle of painkillers. Ah well, it was fun while it lasted. 

Mature killed a Mindless Zombie and charged Molly, dealing four damage back, which was reduced to two with a soulstone.

I wanted that Nia point this turn, so instead of Aura of Decay Carrion Emissary summoned even more zombies. It also killed a Terror Tot that Nekima had summoned. The Neverborn master charged in and killed a Mindless Zombie while Dark Bargaining a scheme marker nearby.  Black Blood Shaman took interest in Carrion Emissary and charged it. 

Rabble Riser was able to reach Young Nephilim with a charge & flurry attack, not even missing all of his attacks.

Necrotic Machine tried to heal a Night Terror that was hiding in ruins, but failed the target number. As opponent had no cards in control hand, Necrotic Machine took a 3" move in end phase and attacked Mature Nephilim, most importantly scoring two points of poison. 

So, the Crooligan had managed to rob Neverborn of their first strategy point. They did, however, reaveal Hold Up Their Forces. Resurrectionists got strategy and Nia point for a 2-1 lead.

Turn 3:

Carrion Emissary started the turn by slapping on Aura of Decay. It also pecked Black Blood Shaman for a bit. 

Next to activate had to be Rabble Riser. It took all of his actions and a flurry, but fortunately Young Nephilim went down. But he would not be able to power a ritual this turn.

I was indeed worrying about my Power Ritual and Espionage, so after Emissary and Rabble Riser I made it an imperative to deliver Crooligan to where it mattered. Noxious Nephilim dropped a scheme to centerline and walked forward for Crooligan to teleport. He did, and placed his explosive. Good, I guess, but no schemes. 

In the center, Nekima charged Carrion Emissary to block line of sight to Mature Nephilim, and kept healing it while I was busy hurrying up Crooligan. 

Serena had removed Poison from Mature Nephilim, so Necrotic Machine had to re-apply it. But attacking those Black Blood models is stressful with a health pool of four. The machine healed itself for a bit, but still succumbed to Mature's attacks. While it didn't seems such a big deal then, I sorely missed a healer when Black Blood Shaman somehow kept hitting Carrion Emissary, sometimes with moderate damage. After the turn Emissary had just three or so health points remaining. 

A stampeding Blood Hunter was able to wreck both Mindless Zombies, who until then had been quite resilient to Black Blood thanks to Nia's shieldings. Hired Night Terror committed to killing the Blood Hunter with one health remaining, but just couldn't do it. Forgotten Marshal had to summon a Rabble Riser that did a little better job, although only with flurry attack that had me discard black joker from my hand. 

By now summoned Night Terror had spawned two scheme markers on my deployment, and the Young Nephilim from bottom-left corner had dropped an explosive and flew closer to center melee. 

Molly managed to disturb Mature Nephilim dead with her story, walked and placed a scheme marker for Espionage. 

Both players scored strategy but nothing else, for a 3-2 lead for Resurrectionists.

Turn 4:

Nekima activated first, and got a bit greedy. She dropped a scheme marker with Dark Bargain, brought Carrion Emissary down to one health remaining and tried to finish it off with Blood Has Been Spilled. Emissary passed, and was able to disengage for a bit and shoot Nekima with Rot and Rend. It scored moderate damage, which also clipped Black Blood Shaman. As a last act of defiance it summoned two zombies more, as I doubted Aura of Decay would do anything.

But being at one health is... a bit of a hazard against Nekima2. What ultimately fell my ten point enforcer was the Terror Tot that had just been summoned. And it did so by failing terrifying check. It scored Death Beds, gained a grow token and ate the Emissary's corpse token. And 'lo, Young Nephilim. What did I say about kids growing fast, again? 

Young Nephilim from bottom-left picked up the strategy marker Crooligan had stolen on turn 2 and flew away from action. Forgotten Marshal pine boxed Hayreddin again, this time after it had activated. 

Hired Night Terror in the middle was able to kill Black Blood Shaman, and summoned Rabble Riser tried to do the same for terror tot Young Nephilim, but did a whole lot of worse than the hired counterpart top-right. Summoned Night Terror just tried to position itself so it might do something of consequence during last turn of game. 

Serena ran next to the forest in middle, carrying an explosive token. 

Rabble Riser top-right walked to corner and schemed, while Noxious Nephilim walked and schemed in enemy deployment. Crooligan took a double walk towards top-left corner. Molly had no time to search for lost knowledge, and had to do a double walk to place my third strategy marker.

Resurrectionists scored both schemes and strategy, and Neverborn got their Death Beds, strategy and Nia for a 6-5 lead for Resurrectionists.

Turn 5:

Rabble Riser, Noxious Nephilim and Crooligan were able to secure both schemes and fourth strategy point without much of a chance for Neverborns to react. 

They, however, were able to build three pairs of corpse + scheme marker, so it was impossible for Molly to go and discreetly remove a critical piece. 

Serena was able to drop her bomb, and summoned Night Terror just went to die to Young Nephilim left of the forest. 

There wasn't enough high cost models nearby for opponent to engage, so Hold Up Their Forces failed. Game ended in 9-7  victory for Resurrectionists.