Decaying Ghosts

 A 3rd edition game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Corner Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Protected Territory, Ensnare, Hold Up Their Forces, Information Overload, In Your Face

My list:

Kirai, Envoy of the Court & Ikiryo
Kari Zotiko
Jaakuna Ubume
Lost Love
Goryo with Grave Spirit Touch
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Gwisin
Seishin

Pool: 3
Schemes: Hold Up Their Forces, Protected Territory

Opponent had:

Kastore, Fervebt & Marathine
Barbaros
Gwyll
Leech King
Cavern Nephilim with Grave Spirit Touch
Urnbearer
Blood Vessel

Pool: 3
Schemes: Protected Territory, In Your Face

Turn 1:

There was little engagement between forces. Cavern Nephilim and Kastore went top-left, so I was hesitant to commit there. So I didn't. 

Barbaros was flying near right table edge, and the remainder of Returned were in between these two flanks.

Urami had Ikiryo nearest to Kastore, with non-GST Gwisin and intel picking Lost Love close by... too close!

Near the center point there was also a juicy gathering for Kastore - Jaakuna, Kari and Goryo all within blast ranges. 

GST Gwisin and Kirai were going bottom-right, although Kirai was still near enough the center to cover it with her auras.

Turn 2:

Kastore walked and charged Ikiryo, and blasted both Lost Love and Gwisin... with a red joker on damage. Whoopsie. Second attack killed Ikiryo easily enough.

Cavern Nephilim picked up intel and walked forward, past centerline.

In the center Kari made a gambit, walking and charging to engage Gwyll and Urnbearer, almost catching Blood Vessel. The trio beat Kari down to three health remaining.

Goryo ran away with intel, and Lost Love teleported to Kirai and went to pick up bottom-right intel, far from most  threats. He was now at two health remaining, and it looked like Barbaros might be within shenanigans+walk+charge range, so grave touched Gwisin went to engage him. And engage for Hold Up Their Forces.

Seishin took a double walk to heal the other Gwisin pitifully. Gwisin then walked to take a swing at Kastore. He did a surprise moderate with negatives, but his purpose was to Hold Up Their Forces.

Kirai went to place a marker for Protected Territory, Jaakuna did the at the center. Goryo had accidentally spawned an Enslaved Spirit, whose defensive flips were through the roof. Leech King and Blood Vessel dealt just a single point of damage in.

Both crews got strategy, while Returned got In Your Face from Ikiryo. Urami got both of their schemes for a 3-2 lead.

Turn 3:

Cavern Nephilim started dropping scheme markers past center line. Kastore removed a Gwisin, and came to threaten center. Goryo charged him and dealt four points in, and Seishin ran nearby to offer its weak heal in case Goryo survived Kastore.

Kirai was able to summon Ikiryo out of Barbaros. She also picked up intels.

Barbaros and Leech King were attempting to murder the Enslaved Spirit, and oh my god were those defensive absurd again. It still continued to survive, albeit down to one health remaining. 

Urnbearer lured Gwyll away from Kari's melee, who was then able to pick up intel after Jaakuna had picked up one too. Jaakuna was trying to go top-left, where there were no longer heavy hitting dangers around. 

Grave touched Gwisin walked to guard Kirai, and Ikiryo just took a double walk to perhaps blast Leech King, Barbaros and Blood Vessel with a projected voice.

Both crews got strategy, so Resurrectionists continued with 4-3 lead.

Turn 4:

Kastore rampaged through Goryo and Seishin, killed Seishin and charged Kirai. Gwisin took the attack, although that didn't stop her from being damaged with blasts.

Finally Enslaved Spirit is killed, but another one was summoned in its place, along with a Gaki. 

Ikiryo walked and charged into the bunch instead, but managed to die to Gwyll's decays.

Kirai continued swirling and picking up intel, also trying to save half-wounded Gaki in the process. It could have been used for Protected Territory end condition had it survived.

Goryo and Kari finally kill the Urnbearer. Kari floats aimlessly, not quite deciding if she should push for intel or Protected Territory end condition. Jaakuna does kind of same.

However, Blood Vessel leaps to Kastore, walks and uses bonus action to plant a scheme for protected territory.

Lost Love survives, and that's it.

However, thanks to Kirai's weird summons Urami was able to contest strategy markers so that Returned failed to pick three intel for this turn. They did, however, reveal their Protected Territory.

Scores continued in 5-4 favor of Resurrectionists.

Turn 5:

Kastore kills my extra summons, freeing Leech King and Barbaros to pick up intel - which they did. So much in fact that a single steal wouldn't  rob Returned of their strategy points this turn.

Gwyll managed to shoot Kari down to one health remaining. Didn't know ghosts decayed this effectively. 

Lost Love had managed to teleport away to safety to Jaakuna, who was holding the marker for Protected Territory.

However, having lost both Gaki and Enslaved Spirit before they were able to activate, I wasn't able to make enough scheme markers to counter Marathine's removals.

Cavern Nephilim easily got to my deployment and to drop a scheme there. 

Kirai tried to summon a new Ikiryo to Blood Vessel in an attempt to deny a point from Protected Territory, but failed to score masks on Thirst for Vengeance. I did have a twelve of masks in hand, though, but I had to save that one.

GST Gwisin got to engage Leech King, and Goryo disengaged from Gwyll, walked and used bonus action with the aforementioned twelve of masks to teleport to Barbaros for Hold Up Their Forces.

Counting scores, Urami got fourth strategy point plus Hold Up Their Forces. However, Returned scored their third strategy point as well as both schemes, so we were looking at a tough 7-7 draw.

Let Them Weep

 A 50ss game of Malifaux on Vassal.

Strategy: Flank Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Outflank, Take Prisoner, Protected Territory, Deliver a Message

My list:

Kirai2 & Ikiryo
Datsue Ba
Kari Zotiko
Lost Love
Shikome
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Drowned
Seishin

Pool: 5
Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Protected Territory

Opponent had:

Misaki Katanaka & Shang
Ototo
Banying
Yamaziko
Minako Rei
2x Torakage

Pool: 5
Schemes: Deliver a Message (Torakage), Protected Territory

Turn 1:

Early on Ototo took position over a strategy marker that had been placed next to a lake. And that pretty much set the course for the first half of turn one, except for a tiny Seishin activation that gave a walk for Datsue Ba and Ikiryo.

Kari gave a walk for Gwisin and rushed closer to Ototo. 

I don't actually remember what Torakage did up there, because that looks like a one move. It probably moved and charged Kari, who had swirled past Ototo during Kirai's activation. This summoned up an Enslaved Spirit, which chain ganged Kari over Torakage. 

Shikome had also been pushed right next to a strategy marker, so she was able to interact with it and fly towards top-left corner to protect precious intel. 

Yamaziko took a double walk with bonus action and interacted an intel, too. Strategy marker was picked up by Lost Love, who teleported in to heal Kari after Misaki had jumped out of the shadows to beat Kari with a stick.

Gwisin charged Ototo to soften him up for Let Them Bleed next turn.

Below, Minako Rei went to pick up intel. Datsue Ba robbed her right after, and Drowned was able to claim a strategy marker that had been placed after Minako did her thing. 

Unfortunately, wicked granny wasn't the only one able to play that game. Banying leaped to a shadow marker, was able to deal a bunch of damage to Datsue Ba and steal the intel she had stolen. The insolence!

Ikiryo and Torakage were glancing each other menacingly nearby. Ikiryo had walked, and then tried to yell at a shadow, which went just about as effectively as you might expect. 

Turn 2:

Torakage ninja'd itself to a shadow marker, gave a message for Kirai and walked to my deployment zone. 

Kirai activated early to push people around, herself included. While Yamaziko kept passing summon checks, Ototo did much less so. Gaki appeared. Ototo did smack dead the Enslaved Spirit he had spawned last turn, and took half of Gaki's health away.

The end result of Ototo's attacks, Enslaved Spirit's useless claws and Gaki's feeble attacks was that Ototo was now down to four health remaining, unable to heal thanks to Kari.

Misaki continued to torment the top-left quarter, robbing Lost Love of intel and killing the love enforcer before he had the chance to activate. 

Shikome and Kari were able to plant scheme markers for Protected Territory.

Datsue Ba nearly killed off Banying, and I was happy that Let Them Bleed was also secured.

Until Shang healed Banying with Red Joker straight top of deck. 

Then I did what was most likely my greatest mistake throughout this game. I thought that Ikiryo could risk taking Karmic Fate. My brain somehow completely skipped about the Karmic Ties ability on Minako Rei.

So, she charged Minako and certainly did some damage in - but also dealing that damage to herself. Oh well.

At least Drowned was a champ with his projectile vomit. Both attacks hit Banying and scored blasts on both attempts. With the ensuing Poison this meant that both Minako and Banying would fall to 50% of their health remaining 

Minako summoned a Katashiro that nearly killed Ikiryo. Fortunately Minako didn't manage nearly as much, and Ikiryo was left with one health remaining.

Torakage below went to place a scheme marker near strategy marker.

Both players scored strategy point and both schemes for a 3-3 tie.

Turn 3:

What weird mess of a turn that was. Hot sport that was top-left quarter somehow got even more crowded than it already was. Nobody seemed to die there, but certainly they were within last 30% or less of their health remaining.

First of all, Ototo just took a step outside of Kari's no-heal range, healed itself with a severe and smacked the Gaki dead. 

Gwisin, Kari, a new Gaki and whatnot ganged up on Ototo, but managed to bring him only down to three health remaining, while Misaki did the same to Kari. 

An Enslaved Spirit dealt a couple points of damage to Yamaziko, while the opposing grandmother wasn't able to deal with the summoned spirit. 

Shikome dived far behind the train column to protect intel she had picked up on turn one. 

Shang came to heal Minako after she had killed Ikiryo. Resulting Wanyudo rolled over Datsue Ba for Burning +4.

Drowned tried to charge Banying, who managed to get his defensive trigger to leap off to threaten Kari who was at such low amount of health. This called for drastic granny measures. Datsue Ba disengage from the melee below and charged Banying, not doing much but at least engaging him.

There was a real possibility of Banying killing Datsue Ba, but that didn't come into being. Instead, during end phase, Datsue Ba went down to two health remaining. 

Both players scored strategy for a 4-4 tie.

Turn 4:

This turn the game fell apart for Resurrectionists. Ten Thunders got the initiative, and Ototo activated. He was rolling moderate wounds left and right, which was a little problematic with unactivated, incorporeal models with three health remaining. Gaki died, Kari died, and Ototo healed again. 

Kirai was able to activate, and did a bunch of swirly shenanigans. She also healed Darsue Ba for a little. Unfortunately Misaki was more than able to kill Datsue Ba right next, so Urami chances of victory were rapidly dwindling.

However, it's wonderful in Malifaux how absolutely weird stuff can happen that just might turn the tide around. Drowned activated and started vomiting. Both attacks scored at least moderates. I did place an incorrect amount of Riptide Markers, but fortunately that didn't actually affect anything. Only Banying and Misaki took damage from those. But still that was, like, nine points of damage from a couple of 1/1/1 attacks. Impressive.

Unfortunately, those were just about the only results I made this turn. Shikome tried to walk, challenge-teleport to Yamaziko and extort the ancient law of granny-for-a-granny, but the challenge failed. Instead, Shikome had to meekly walk right next to Yamaziko and nudge her menacingly.

Kirai also wasn't able to land an Ikiryo summon on Ototo, although she did get masks for the first Thirst for Vengeance. I just didn't have a high enough card in my hand. 

Ten Thunders were able to get the lead at 5-4 by scoring strategy.

Turn 5:

We did not play last turn, as in the best of cases Resurrectionists would gain five points, and at their absolute worst Ten Thunders would get six, with seven being most likely outcome.

I don't tend to blame RNG too much in this game, but I must say that it did start to feel a bit excessive handicap when the only severe card I got to my starting hand was on turn 5 - which we didn't play. But what can you do - sometimes that just happens. 

Lost Lost Love

 A 50ss game of Malifaux on Vassal.

Strategy: Standard Raid the Vaults

Schemes: Hold Up Their Forces, Sweating Bullets, Power Ritual, Information Overload, Take Prisoner

My list:

Kirai2 & Ikiryo
Datsue Ba
Kari Zotiko
Lost Love
Shikome
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Onryo
Seishin

Pool: 6
Schemes: Power Ritual, Hold Up Their Forces

Opponent had:

Youko Hamasaki & Chiyo
Bill Algren
Hinamatsu
KOTO
2x Bunraku
Tanuki
Geisha

Pool: 5
Schemes: Power Ritual, Information Overload

Turn 1:

Kirai was forced to start the turn, so, Lost Love and Shikome just schemed in the corners while concentrating. Eventually Seishin gave a couple of walks for the Shikome after most Qi and Gong threats had activated. 

A few other models just walked and concentrated, namely Ikiryo and Onryo. 

Qi and Gong had Bunrakus to the flank, mirroring the schemes of Shikome and Lost Love. Plenty of others were dropping schemes, too. After Tanuki, Geisha and Chiyo were done with their activations, Ten Thunders had five scheme markers on board. That was a dedicated Information Overload -bluff, or perhaps they were trying to deny that scheme from me? 

After KOTO and Youko had activated and were near each other, and after Kari had whistled the granny a little closed, I unleashed my grandiose plan extraordinnaire. Datsue Ba gave double walk for already activated Gwisin. Unfortunately Kirai wasn't feeling that vindictive just yet, and failed to land Thirst for Vengeance on KOTO. But I had already committed, so I carried on with The Plan. Gwisin stomped over KOTO, but the jukebox passed Wp check.

Gwisin did not pass three Df -checks caused by Hinamatsu. I mean, he would have - if it hadn't been for severe damage, twice. 

Bill, Geisha and Tanuki looked like they were going to center-left strategy marker, while Hinamatsu, KOTO and Youko were near enough center-right.

Turn 2:

I have a saying that goes: "If you don't succeed at first, throw enough grannies at it until you do!" ... okay, I just made that one up. But Datsue Ba did attempt to skin KOTO, but there was only so much she could do with a skinning knife against a wooden automaton.

KOTO's nervous energy shuffled itself away from Datsue Ba, and Hinamatsu into melee with the skinner-to-be. 

Kirai activated, and now that she had a real reason to, she successfully thirsted for vengeance on Hinamatsu. But, considering what happened with Gwisin just a moment ago, Kirai decided to swirl the grandmother around for a bit, away from the potential six attacks. 

Hinamatsu failed Wp duel, so an Enslaved Spirit appeared. KOTO passed. Sundering managed to deal in a point to Hinamatsu, And that was it. The entire activation. One damage point, one three point minion.

Hinamatsu botched her first attempt at removing Enslaved Spirit, so she had to spend her flurry ability to get to charge Datsue Ba. Attack scored Onslaught, but this time around damage was done in 2:2 ratio to both combatants. 

I wasn't that eager to lose Datsue Ba just yet, so Kari activated to heal her a little. This gave time for Tanuki to heal Hinamatsu a little. So, Onryo missed the opportunity to shoot Mark of Vengeance to the puppet in time. But I guess that doesn't matter much, as the mark missed anyway. Projected voice, however, did not - and scored severe damage. 

This maneuver exposed Onryo, and Geisha lured it closer to Bill. Bill's fierce challenge reached Shikome's ears, but his Naginata reached Onryo only partially. It was left alive with three health remaining.

I was waiting for either Chiyo or Bunraku to activate from the left, and Bunraku was the first one to do that. The bugger was able to score moderate wound with critical strike, and Onryo exploded into adversarial mist. 

Since there was no contesting center-left marker any more, Shikome went to engage Chiyo. The kid's insults went unnoticed. I mean, Shikome had already been challenged by Bill Algren. Bill! Algren. What a duel it could have been.

Near center-right marker I decided to bring Ikiryo to act as a third shareholder at the vault. I figured it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility for Bunraku and Youko to go and contest a point away from me.

But, that did no happen. Instead, Bunraku and Youko both attacked the innocent old lady who was holding a skinning knife. No damage. 

However, there were no reveals, either. Both players did score the strategy for a 1-1 tie, though.

Turn 3:

So, I had a 13 in my hand and a pass token. Initiative was guaranteed. Hinamatsu was at three health remaining. Do the math.

WHAT?!? Black Joker?!?!?

So, instead of getting rid of Hinamatsu easily, Tanuki complicated things by healing Tanuki for two.

I still carried out with my grand plan of swirling the heck out of my crew. Kari was brought in to deny any further heals and Ikiryo was moved closer to bottom-right corner. Gaki popped out of adversaried KOTO. 

Hinamatsu wanted to go down in a blaze of glory, and started mauling Datsue Ba. And it sure was close, as the megapuppet carved through my entire stockpile of soulstones and left the granny with just two health remaining. Well, she also left herself with just one health remaining, or so. 

Kari was concerned for the elderly, and walked to get LoS to Datsue Ba. She healed her for two. 

KOTO brought the Gaki down to one health remaining, but I don't actually remember what killed that particular Gaki? Was it Youko herself? Oh well, who cares. There were so many to choose from anyway, when another came into being from Youko. 

I was somewhat alarmed after Bunraku managed to deal two points in to Datsue Ba. Now the minipuppet required only a moderate, or a weak with critical strike to make her go away. But what were the chances of that? It needed to pass Terrifying 12 with Wp4, and then hit with the actual sword.

Yeah. Bye bye, Granny.

Because I lost her stat 7 melee attack before Datsue Ba even activated, Ikiryo had to redirect from going to score Power Ritual. She tried to kill both Hinamatsu and KOTO with Projected Voice, but the attack missed. To at least take down one enemy model this turn, Ikiryo then charged to KOTO, and killed it.

Geisha went to control center-left marker, while riskily maneuvering Bunraku went to top-left strategy. 

Despite using her focus, Shikome was not able to kill Chiyo with just one action. The deed required two actions, and my last card from hand. This was a little problematic, as this was now third turn Lost Love would have to just... do nothing, I guess. Well, at least he was spamming some scheme markers, as it certainly looked like Ten Thunders was overloading Resurrectionists with information.

Bill stopped challenging random Shikomes and entered the bottom-right melee. He did cleave half of Ikiryo's health away with naginata.

Both crews scored strategy but no schemes for a 2-2 tie.

Turn 4:

Kirai started Resurrectionist activations again, and brought Ikiryo to safety from Bill's horrible naginata, and pushed Gaki to engage Bill instead. Ikiryo was able to kill Hinamatsu with rams trigger.

Bill Algren targets an Enslaved Spirit that had just happened to happen with Heroic Intervention. This was a good move, as it flinged Youko away from recently big melee of bottom-right. The spirit was heroically freed from its slavery, and Ikiryo was back in Bill's reach. Bill got a plus on his damage flip, so he took last card from my control hand. He smacked Ikiryo for a couple more damage only, which she healed by killing Bunraku.

Lost Love did not approve, though, as this was his fourth turn spamming useless scheme markers.

The other Bunraku went to power up a ritual on top-left corner, while Geisha went to control top-left strategy marker. Tanuki ran to center-left strategy marker, but was in no shape to interact. 

Youko also went to control center-right strategy marker, and placed a scheme marker there. Gaki couldn't believe that Youko would bluff Information Overload that hard, and came to check the scheme marker, engaging Youko in the process. The Gaki was summoned last turn, so it was eligible to be used in schemes.

Shikome was finally able to go and place a scheme marker for Power Ritual.

I didn't get a strategy point this turn, but scores continued in a 4-4 tie, as Resurrectionists got both schemes, and Ten Thunders only one plus the strategy.

Turn 5:

Kirai activated first, and tried to save Ikiryo by removing her from Bill's clutches. Unfortunately, though, there is only so much survivability you can expect from a Df 3 model versus stat 6 attacks. Anyway, Kirai swirled around with mask triggers, and eventually placed a scheme marker to bottom-right corner. Shikome did that in bottom-left, and flew to control bottom-left strategy marker. 

However, after Bill removed Ikiryo, I ditched any attempts at scoring third strategy point. Kari went to act as a homing beacon for Lost Love, who finally - for the first turn in this game - actually did anything. He teleported to Kari, tried to remove a scheme marker with Soothe Spirit (failed) and charged Youko (failing at that). But at least he was engaging.

Tanuki wobbled to help Youko in controlling the center-right strategy marker. 

Resurrectionists were able to score both schemes, while Ten Thunders got strategy and Information Overload for a 6-6 draw.

You've Changed, Lucas. I don't feel like I know you any more.

 A 50ss game of Malifaux on Vassal.

Strategy: Flank Stuff the Ballots

Schemes: Take Prisoner, Espionage, Outflank, Ensnare, Protected Territory

My list:

Kirai2 & Ikiryo
Kari Zotiko
Jaakuna Ubume
The Ferryman
Lost Love
Goryo
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Seishin

Pool: 4
Schemes: Espionage, Protected Territory

Opponent had:

Lucas McCabe & Luna
Sidir Alchibal
Desper LaRaux
Jessie Halliday
Rough Rider
Tanuki
2x Ruffian

Pool: 4
Schemes: Take Prisoner (Goryo), Outflank

Turn 1:

Vengeful ghosts were indeed a little afraid of Sidir's machine gun.

Seishin walked Goryo behind a tall building, Goryo then went to bottom-right corner, Lost Love dropped a scheme marker to my left corner, all easily out of range of Sidir. 

But Sidir wasn't in a hurry to activate. Desper went to top-left corner, Ruffian chain ganged Jessie a little forward, swaggered around and concentrated on the meaning of life. Tanuki swore like a sailor, Luna dug up a Phantasmal Mask for Lucas, and I found out I had to commit to... something, I guess. 

Ikiryo carefully walked towards center-left strategy marker and concentrated, somehow thinking she was safe there. No. Jessie took two harpoon shots at the ghost and dragged Ikiryo next to Jessie and an already activated Ruffian.

Kari took only a little walk into a forest clipping through my deployment zone and swirled mists around Jaakuna Ubume. My plan was that if I had to bring someone to be shot at by Sidir's machinations, a concealed Serene Countenance model in cover might be one for the job.

Especially, when Lucas activated and took a double walk, tossed Phantasmal Mask for Sidir and shot Ikiryo down to one health remaining. 

Gwisin walked to offer some hit-taking for Jaakuna and Ferryman, so killing Jaakuna would be impossible this turn. 

Kirai waited so she'd be able to heal whatever damage Sidir would do, but the henchman would just sit there. Ferryman had also activated just to walk behind cover and concentrate, all in fear of The Gun. But activations were traded in such a manner that it looked like Sidir would be the last to activate. Another Ruffian and Rough Rider moved Sidir a bit and closed in on center-right strategy marker.

Kirai had to activate. So she did. She slapped come concealment on Gwisin and The Ferryman, swirled Kari, Seishin and Ferryman around, buyng Masks for herself. Ferryman and Kirai both moved to defy Sidir.

And then, Sidir activated. He looked at the robust defenses I had built and thought, "screw that" and shot Ikiryo dead instead. Uh oh. 

Turn 2:

Ruffian going center-right activated and continued his journey, missed his shots and generally acted like the swaggering fool he was. 

I decided to risk it all, and Kari walked, gave a charge for The Ferryman with silver whistle, and charged Sidir for that no-heal aura. Ferryman clawed Ruffian for four points of damage, Kari tickled Sidir for three. Machine gun was locked away, now. Kind of, at least. 

Luna tried to dig up an artefact for Lucas, but failed at that. 

I decided to walk Goryo to bottom-right strategy marker to place a vote before Rough Rider would get any funny ideas. Lucas dropped Phantasmal Mask for Sidir and charged Kari, but failed to connect hits. 

Sidir tried to whack Kari for a bit, and did so with a fair severe + critical strike. Stone blocked three of those damage away, though, and Sidir who was now at four health reflected on his life choices. So, he disengaged twice to get away from the range of no-healing aura to Juggernaut a couple points back. 

Jaakuna went to place a hazardous aura to center ballots box, getting Sidir inside of it. She also placed a vote.

Tanuki sweared Sidir back to full. Gwisin walked and charged Sidir, but took only a parry to the face. 

Ferryman killed Ruffian and placed a scheme on the centerline. Rough Rider disengaged with Ride With Me and got a funny idea to run and hug Goryo. And since Desper had failed to jump, but used his activation to get to top-left corner and placed a scheme there, it looked awful lot like Outflank.

What escaped me was that it also looked like taking prisoners. 

Lucas had beaten Kari down to four health remaining. There were no immediate threats to the henchman, so Seishin had time to walk Kirai forward. And hoo boy, what an activation Kirai did!

First she healed Kari for a bit, and swirled Gwisin and through Lucas and Sidir. Both of them failed their checks, so an Enslaved Spirit and a Seishin popped up. With her last action she swirled Ferryman to center-right ballot box, and used bonus action to give Lucas adversary. She received Masks off the deck, and was able to try and summon Ikiryo. Despite needing 8+ card, I decided to spend a stone for Crows. And, an Ikiryo it was. Ouch.

Ruffian woke up from his contemplations, chain-ganged Jessie closer to center-left ballot box and charged the now exposed Gwisin. And flipped Red Joker for damage on the first hit, also slowing it. Greedy as he was, he took another focused swing at Gwisin, but scored only a single point of damage and drowned in Jaakuna's aura.

Jessie scored center-left ballots, while Ikiryo reduced Lucas down to four health remaining.

Finally, Lost Love teleported to repositioned Kari and placed a scheme marker for Espionage.

Both players scored strategy, and Resurrectionists got their Espionage. Ten Thunders, though, received both of their schemes for a lead of 3-2.

Turn 3:

Lucas won the initiative, and started warning everybody of the threat of Phantasmal Mask with "Careful, it's cursed!" on Sidir. All three action points went into it, and result was only Enslaved Spirit ended up dead. However, Jaakuna was at three health with four points of injured, Gwisin was still at one health and Ikiryo had two left with Injured +4. 

McCabe also rode away from melee and outside of Kari's aura. So, Kari activated right away and tried to heal  Ikiryo. She failed the check, though, and had to do attempt again, this time with better results. Silver Whistle commanded Ferryman to interact a vote. However, Lucas was left outside of her no-heal aura... for now.

But instead of Tanuki, Sidir activated. With one big strike he killed Ikiryo nonetheless, and also cleaved Gwisin dead. 

Before Def 1 Jaakuna would die to whatever, Kirai activated and healed her for a bit. Only a bit, though, as she had failed the first try. She also pushed Kari to melee with Lucas and swirled off to center line with mask trigger.

Next problem was Luna walking and charging Lost Love, scoring moderate wound. Summoned Seishin charged that-who-was-not-a-good-boy, trying to free Lost Love from the clutches of an overenthusiastic dog. Luna survived, albeit with just a single hit point remaining until Tanuki activated to ruin it all, healing Luna back to two.

That was too much of a threshold to deal with frantic flailing, so Lost Love teleported to Kari, walked and placed a scheme marker for Protected Territory.

Despite Jaakuna having both concealment aand Serene Countenance and even cover to boot, Jessie was able to sink two points of damage in through incorporeal. Red Joker helped in that.

Jaakuna attempted to punish Jessie for that, and indeed brought her down to one health. 

Rough Rider took off from melee with Goryo by kicking some dust. He tried to shoot the ghost and, after Goryo had activated, kicked the dust.

Desper placed a vote and a scheme in top-left corner and leaped off.

Ferryman dropped a scheme and walked closer to action next turn, and a Seishin had gone to engage Sidir to block him from participating in voting process.

Resurrectionists got their territory protected, and both players scored strategy for a 4-4 tie. 

Turn 4:

Turn started with Luna delivering Phantasmal Mask for Lucas, and charging Lost Love again - killing my premium support schemer. My first activation was to remove Jessie with Jaakuna Ubume, put up Drowning Aura and walk into position to cover Lucas, Tanuki and Sidir with hazardous terrain.

For whatever reason this infuriated Tanuki, who charged Jaakuna. That miserable drunkard managed to deal one point of damage in to Jaakuna and four to itself. Well, Jaakuna was now at one health remaining.

Lucas made a gambit to ride away from melee but into the hazardous terrain. He concentrated and struck Jaakuna, but failed to kill. Depressed, Lucas was about to commit suicide in hazardous terrain by taking another melee attack without a plus to his flip against Serene Countenance - and, look at that. Masks and high enough flip to kill Jaakuna. Mask trigger brought Lucas to fulfill his civil duty and put a vote in the ballots.

Kirai walked up, and swirled Kari to kill Tanuki with rams trigger. Idea was that then Kari would be free to walk and place a vote to Ten Thunders deployment ballots. But... Kari Missed. 

Kirai landed adversary on Tanuki, which is proper indeed, but still failed to kill the filthy beast with Sundering. Problem? Perhaps, as Sidir killed Seishin in the middle and placed a vote in the center box, gaining majority there. 

Kari activated an used silver whistle to have Ferryman charge and kill Tanuki, and then she went on to place a vote. 

Ferryman tried to kill Lucas, failing like a champ, but at least it engaged Sidir and Lucas now. 

Meager Seishin killed Luna, and Goryo walked within 1" of a scheme marker... and only later I realized Goryo was prisoner for Ten Thunders' scheme, so he would not be able to score Protected Territory without also giving a point to Lucas. Or that's what I still thought by that time. Turned out the friendly model distance was 3", not 1"... oh well.

Desper took a long run towards ballots box on my side of table. 

Game went 5-5 as both players got strategy.

Turn 5:

Lucas went to remove my scheme marker from centerline and came back to engage both Kirai and Ferryman. Sidir also went to engage Kirai. Line of Sight to Ferryman was also blocked, so it was a tricky situation for Kirai. She had wo walk in Sidir's melee range, then not Black Joker Swirling Spirits for Ferryman and also score Masks... and black joker it was not. And I had masks in hand. 

That enabled both scheme end conditions for me, while wastrels got fourth point in strategy for a 7-6 victory for Kirai.

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.

Unchained Spirit

 A 50ss game of Malifaux on Vassal.

Strategy: Standard Raid the Vaults

Schemes: In Your Face, Let Them Bleed, Outflank, Protected Territory, Power Ritual

My list:

Kirai, Envoy of the Court & Ikiryo
Datsue Ba
Lost Love
Goryo
Shikome
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Onryo
Enslaved Spirit
Seishin

Pool: 3
Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Protected Territory

Opponent had:

Youko, Unseen & Chiyo
Bill Algren
Hinamatsu
Kunoichi
2x Bunraku
Tanuki
Geisha

Pool: 5
Schemes: Let Them Bleed, Outflank

Turn 1:

It was a map with a lot of choke points, so much so that it was rough even for incorporeal Urami! Crews were essentially split into top and bottom parts, with smaller contingents on top and the rest below. 

Top was Chiyo, Bunraku and Kunoichi against Shikome, Seishin, Enslaved Spirit and later joined by Onryo. Shikome placed a scheme marker to top-right corner to bluff Power Ritual, and was launched to center line by Seishin.

And below... huh. There was this cluster thing going on. 

Youko rushed to center-bottom strategy marker. I attempted to apply som pressure to her, and managed to land Adversary on Youko with Goryo. Datsue Ba came to weigh her sins, but didn't succeed. Hinamatsu, on the other hand, lured the granny forward, which startled me. Sure she'd be just fine this turn, but next turn there would be Hinamatsu, Bill and Youko left to activate. Datsue is a supergranny for sure, but still I thought it better to double-walk Kirai on top of a platform and swirl Datsue Ba to safety, maybe even summoning a model in the process via adversaried Youko.

Black Joker. 

Ah well. At least Bill failed his attackon Datsue Ba.

Gwisin went to guard Kirai, because, well, there was only incorporeal grandmother in between Hinamatsu and Kirai, or Bill and Kirai for that matter, Ikiryo was just concentrating hard because she was not able to get past Youko's stealth. Tanuki and Geisha were hugging Hinamatsu.

Turn 2:

Fortunately Urami got the initiative. Kirai went first, walked past Gwisin and swirled Datsue Ba past Bill, and then past Bill and Youko. Opponent had to cheat one summon check, the rest were passed au naturel. For the rest of the game, in fact. Kirai backed away into safety with masks trigger, having accomplished pretty much nothing.

Bill challenged Gwisin and charged Datsue Ba, dealing a total of four points of damage. Lost Love, who had put a scheme marker to bottom-right corner last turn, teleported to Datsue Ba and healed three out of those four damage. 

Hinamatsu charged Gwisin, but botched her activation, dealing only a total of two points. Since most of the movers and shakers of Qi and Gong had now activated, I turned my attention to top before Shikome would get engaged. She flew to left-top strategy marker. 

And that was when the damnable Tanuki activated and went to heal Bill Algren! Damn you! It was time to punish that abominable furball. Goryo charged through Youko and Tanuki, both of whom passed their summon tests. But you already knew that. Balanced sword slapped the drunkard little furry hard, leaving it at one health remaining. Violent Spirits, sorry, I mean Ghosts, finished Tanuki and even flipped a Red Joker on Youko's failure. Ouch.

Bunraku was able to lure Shikome away from a strategy marker and even stun her with a melee attack. Chiyo just ran past the centerline.

Seishin gave Onryo a walk to contest center-top strategy marker and get Kunoichi within its melee range. Kunoichi waited for a bit too long, and Onryo managed to kill her in one activation. I guess that happens now and then. Enslaved Spirit was then able to walk, chain gang Onryo forward and plant a scheme for perhaps protecting territory one day in the future.

Youko attempted to kill Datsue, and managed to do a few damage points in. Gwisin gave its regeneration for Datsue to bring he up to six health remaining and walked past Hinamatsu, who passed summon test. Threatening Bill Algren didn't do anything. 

Datsue Ba walked through Bill and Youko, prompting a check only on Youko as Bill was a little too far away. Youko passed. Bill didn't. The skinning knife, that is. 

So it almost was a pathetic turn all around, except for the couple of activations that had major implications for turns to come - death of Tanuki and Kunoichi were harsh blows for Qi and Gong.

However, scores went 1-1. One strategy point for Resurrectionists, and Outflank for Ten Thunders.

Turn 3:

Shikome was torn apart by a furious puppet, while Chiyo kept on outflanking. Enslaved Spirit moved scheme marker a little and tried to launch Onryo as far a possible with chain gang, but that was not far enough to get a scheme marker for Protected Territory. Instead, Onryo ran to hold left-top strategy marker.

Melee in the middle was a mess with nobody really accomplishing anything. Datsue Ba and Bill kept hitting each other until Geisha lured Bill away from Datsue, and charged in herself to slow the grandmother with her sharp wits. 

Ikiryo, who had been challenged by Bill Algren, took a walk and a charge at the henchman, bringing him down to two health remaining.

Goryo failed every single check it made. At least Lost Love was able to heal Datsue Ba back to full after Youko had failed most of her attacks against Urami henchman.

But there was also Hinamatsu. I kind of feel sorry for her. She landed four hits on Gwisin that had five health remaining, but failed to kill. Outflanking Bunraku tried to come and deal the last point of damage to no avail.

Kirai activated, healed Gwisin for a bit and swirled it past Hinamatsu, who passed her check. 

Gwisin was not able to get a hit on Hinamatsu, but luckily she had brought herself down to half of her health remaining. 

Scores went to 2-1 for Resurrectionists, as I opted to not reveal Let Them Bleed just yet. 

Turn 4:

Although situation seemed harsh for Qi and Gong, we decided to continue until definitive results.

And good thing we did! There was a chance of a comeback for Ten Thunders when they got the initiative, and Bill wrecked Ikiryo with two strikes. Sure, he was now at one health remaining...

I went to tie Chiyo with Seishin so that she would not be able to go and claim my side strategy marker at top. 

And then Hinamatsu copied what Bill did against Gwisin.

However, Goryo went all kinds of crazy next. First he did Violent Ghosts, that Bill and Hinamatsu passed. But Geisha didn't, and neither did Youko. Geisha took the minimum, but Youko got trashed by Red Joker on Violent Ghosts... again! Goryo was able to cut Geisha down and then charge Bunraku, scoring a severe damage which brought Bunraku down to one health remaining. 

Another Bunraku at top was able to dislodge Chiyo from melee with Seishin, so now Ten Thunders at least had a path to score strategy point.

But Kirai managed to shoot down Bill Algren. Youko was at three health remaining. Hinamatsu at two. Bunraku that was engaging Goryo at one. That was too hopeless of a situation for Qi and Gong, so we ended game. And as opponent had Let Them Bleed as her other scheme, it was indeed game over. Outflank end and any form of Let Them Bleed seemed far fetched. And this turn Resurrectionists would have gotten their both schemes.

While I got the one nasty Black Joker on turn one, opponent had received plenty of Black Jokers on damage flips. Most of the crucial attacks by Qi and Gong seemed to fail all the way until fourth turn, and by then it proved to be too late after all.

Likely scores at the end of fourth turn were about 5-2 for Resurrectionists.

A Spoiled Gaki in Every Adult

A 50ss game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Wedge Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Death Beds, Sweating Bullets, Espionage,  Power Ritual, Hold Up Their Forces

My list:

Kirai, Envoy of the Court & Ikiryo
Datsue Ba
Lost Love
Goryo with Grave Spirit Touch
Goryo
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Gwisin
Seishin

Pool: 2
Schemes: Power Ritual, Espionage

Opponent had:

Nekima, Broodmother & Blood Hunter
Hayreddin
Mature Nephilim
2x Young Nephilim
Lilitu
Black Blood Shaman

Pool: 4
Schemes: Espionage, Death Beds (corpse)

Turn 1:

A scary bunch of Nephilim discouraged Urami to fly across the board. Fortunately there were corners to secure for both Espionage and Power Ritual. Ikiryo placed one scheme marker in the bottom-right corner and Lost Love in another. Seishin walked Ikiryo a bit forward, within interact distance to rightmost strategy marker. Goryo with Grave Spirit Touch received the same treatment towards center-right marker.

Goryo went and picked up intel. By now Nephilim had summoned a Terror Tot a bit past the centerline, spammed some Focused with Black Blood Shaman, shot off a part off Mature Nephilim with Hayreddin, and eventually grew a Lilitu into another Mature. Former Lilitu proceeded to charge my intel claiming Goryo.

There were still fast Nephilim models left to activate, so Kirai activated and walked into front of wedge, and started swirling some spirits, a non-touched Gwisin closer to Terror Tot and Goryo away from melee. Gwisin charged past Terror Tot and managed to pop Enslaved Spirit out of it and Mature Nephilim. In the picture, tough, the spirits are the scheme markers. Kirai2's summons are not ideal when dealing with Black Blood models for sure.

Hired Mature went to pick up intel and screen Nekima, and my other Goryo went to pick up intel from the same marker. Datsue Ba startled the Mature by shouting things only grandmother knows.

A Young Nephilim went to stalk the same strategy marker Ikiryo was going for, and another Young took center.

Turn 2:

Oh my, looks like I forgot to take picture from the most important and eventful turn of all. Last turn picture everyone is still on board, next turn picture everyone's gone. Ah well.

What I do remember is that Seishin gave a walk for Ikiryo, who went to stand on strategy marker. 

Hired Mature Nephilim charged towards Datsue Ba and Goryo, pushing ghosts here and there with Shove Aside. Gwisin and Kirai were able to kill former Lilitu with great trouble. After that, killing a baby was too much of a task and Terror Tot was able to grow into a fully fledged Lilitu that kept trying to lure grave spirit touched Gwisin. In the end Gwisin was forced into melee with Mature Nephilim that later charged the granny. Gwisin's activation was wasted with missing a Threaten and disengaging to guard Kirai. 

Before Mature Lilitu had died, Nekima had darkly bargained it to place a scheme marker on the centerline. Gwisin engaged by the Mature Lilitu scraped off the scheme marker, feeling proud of himself thus ruining Espionage for Neverborn. With the free walk went to engage the new and improved Lilitu. 

Well, he was just about to die, though. Young Nephilim in the middle was able to just slap a scheme marker next to Gwisin, and models around the Urami bodygoard failed so hard that Gwisin died and scored Death Beds for the opponent.

Goryo with Grave Spirit Touch went to place a scheme marker on centerline, and as last activation for the round Young Nephilim charged it and nearly killed the ghost, bringing it down to one health remaining.

Ikiryo had ran to top-right corner to bring Lost Love there to drop scheme markers for both of my schemes.

Datsue Ba started tickling hired Mature with skinning knife, steadily making weak progress that in total damaged my models equally much. 

Both players scored strategy, Neverborn got Death Beds and Resurrectionists took Espionage for a 2-2 tie.

Turn 3:

Nephilim got the initiative, and Mature Nephilim banished Goryo that still had an intel on it, invoking a blast of Adversary condition. This at least gave an activation for the touched Goryo, regenerating back to three health. It brought itself back down to one. It was likely Young Nephilim that killed my fragile ten point investment.

Someone managed to summon an Enslaved Spirit out of Lilitu, who was then able to chain gang Datsue Ba out of melee. The grandmother charged through Mature Nephilim, managing to get two summons out of the beast first by getting a Gaki from moving through, and then Onryo from  scoring a kill with Weigh Sins. 

Hayreddin had used Life From Blood, and Blood Hunter charged Gaki. Gaki would have proven to actually be a Terror Tot if it wasn't for moderates on damage with negative modifiers.

Onryo and Seishin tried to deal with Blood Hunter, but weren't up to the job. Seishin even managed to die somehow, although I forget how. 

Ikiryo and Lost Love played their own game next to Neverborn board edge.

Black Blood Shaman had been sneakily collecting intel last round and this, thus giving a point for Neverborn. They also got their own Espionage, while Resurrectionists revealed Power Ritual for a 4-3 lead for Neverborn.

Turn 4:

Both players started to run low on significant, non-summoned models. I was thinking of trying to go for a strategy point until Young Nephilim managed to kill remaining Gwisin. That was a marking point where granny chose violence, again. Unfortunately Young Nephilim endured grandmother's wrath. 

Kirai was able to pull off another Gaki from Blood Hunter with Onryo, and Gaki even killed the puppy. Onryo was free to go and place a scheme on centerline so that there was no realistic way to deny me at least that line of Espionage. 

Ikiryo went to pick up Neverborn scheme marker from their deployment zone. Young Nephilim went to place one on mine, though.

No additional points were scored this turn.

Turn 5:

ome excitement left for the last turn. Onryo was able to engage Black Blood Shaman, but the bugger was able to disengage and place a scheme with Nekima's Dark Bargain. 

Ikiryo placed a scheme to enemy deployment and went to act as a Lost Love homing beacon for last corner of Power Ritual. 

Datsue Ba and Kirai were swirled by the spirits on top of two strategy markers, and both were able to pick intel. Nekima, however, ruined that plan by stealing Kirai's intel. 

So, it looked like both players were going to get both scheme ends and nothing else. But Resurrectionists still had a chance for a draw - Gaki would have to disengage and get at least 3" of movement to gobble up one corpse from Death Beds end condition, and come back to engage Young Nephilim so that it would not be able to go and scheme with the respectable numbers of corpses around, considering that one of the teams weren't dropping any markers on death...

So, a 6-5 victory for Neverborn.

We Have Been Trying to Contact You About Your Horses Extended Warranty

Second Gaining Grounds 4 game of Malifaux.

Strategy: Wedge Cloak and Dagger

Schemes: Outflank, Power Ritual, Sweating Bullets, In Your Face, Deliver a Message

My list:

Kirai, Envoy of the Court & Ikiryo
Datsue Ba
Lost Love
Goryo with Grave Spirit Touch
Gwisin with Grave Spirit Touch
Shikome
Enslaved Spirit
Seishin

Pool: 6
Schemes: Deliver a Message (Datsue Ba), Power Ritual

Opponent had:

Lucas McCabe, Relic Hunter & Luna
Sidir Alchibal
Desper LaRaux
Mr. Ngaatoro
2x Rough Rider
Ruffian

Pool: 5
Schemes: In Your Face, Ouflank

Turn 1:

Sidir in such a central position was scary to me, so I started by laying schemes to both of my deployment corners, activating Shikome, Ikiryo, Enslaved Spirit, Seishin and even Datsue Ba before even starting to consider my wedge front of Gwisin, Goryo, Kirai and Lost Love. 

Opponent, however, was equally waiting to activate Sidir. Rough Riders at both table edges placed a scheme marker to top-left corner and center-right outflank area. Ruffian was holding left flank. Luna dug up a scrap marker for McCabe to dig up a Timeworn Blade for himself. To my relief Lucas didn't go and toss it to Sidir and held a strategy marker instead. 

This gave me confidence to activate Kirai, put a concealment on her and swirl Gwisin, herself and Goryo up a little. She managed to land Adversary on Sidir and Mr. Ngaatoro before walking outside of Sidir's machine gun range. 

Ngaatoro had taken a double walk to get almost to the centerpoint. Desper was desperately trying to pull Datsue Ba with hooks and chains, not doing much.

I had Gwisin, Goryo and Lost Love left to activate, opponent had Sidir. So I had to bring either Goryo or Gwisin to killing range if I wanted to have access to healing. Goryo went to pick an intel token, and was blasted with a severe damage from Sidir. Yeaaaah. So close.

Lost Love teleported to Datsue Ba and managed to heal Goryo back to full, but this took a 13 from my hand. Gwisin charged Mr. Ngaatoro, but didn't do even a single point of damage. 

Turn 2:

Explorer Society won the initiative, and Lucas charged Goryo who had my only intel token. Fortunately he wasn't able to do much damage. Concerned about the fate of my intel, Kirai activated and climbed on top of a boulder. She tried to shoot adversary to Lucas, but failed. Then she did Swirling Spirits twice, moving Goryo to safety and triggering four TN 12 Wp duels on Explorers. Kirai didn't manage to summon any models, but at least opponent had to burn all but one card from his hand. 

Lucas had tossed Timeworn Blade to Sidir, who now began to shoot all around the board. Five machine gun attacks could have been a lot worse - only two points to Lost Love and two points to Datsue Ba. But this also left me with only one card in hand. Three models activated in total, and both players had one card. Remaining round had the potential to become what I have heard termed as: crapshoot.

Datsue Ba went to deliver a message to Lucas McCabe, tried to carve it in his flesh with a skinning knife, but missed.

Luna started trekking through a forest to center of the board. Since most threats in the middle had activated, Lost Love started to leisurely heal Goryo, and healed it for two. Still it remained at two, because of a burn-out. 

Mr. Ngaatoro was beating Gwisin with his paddle sort of thing but scored only minimal damage. Gwisin took a double walk through Mr. Ngaatoro and Lucas, and then Lucas and Mr. Ngaatoro. Still no fails. 

Ruffian pushed Rough Rider a bit forward and took a double walk to a strategy marker. Seishin gave Shikome two walks, and she went to the same strategy marker with Ruffian.

Rough Rider rode to shoot Shikome, but missed. To deter enemy from chasing Shikome, I decided not to interact with the marker and instead take a full 14" move towards top-left corner. 

Another Rough Rider tried to shoot Lost Love, who miraculously survived. Goryo had concentrated and took double walk away from the middle and behind rocks. 

Desper LaRaux interacted a scheme marker and went to secure Outflank. Ikiryo, however, charged Desper and took away its intel. Enslaved Spirit just shuffled Lost Love around a little.

Scores went 2-1 for Resurrectionists thanks to Ikiryo who denied victory point from strategy.

Turn 3:

Opponent started by engaging Shikome with a Rough Rider. Kirai healed Datsue Ba and Lost Love, gave Adversary to Sidir and Lucas, plus triggered Chained Spirit tests for Mr. Ngaatoro and Lucas with Gwisin. No fails. 

Luna dug up a scrap marker, while Shikome spent all of my high cards from my hand and killed Rough Rider with one activation.

Lucas dug up a Phantasmal Mask from scrap marker and tossed it to Sidir. Then he started whipping the living hell out of an innocent grandmother. It took just about all of my cards and most soulstones to keep her at four health remaining. But still the onslaught was so concerning, that Lost Love came to heal her at least to six.

Next Sidir charged, and I had to spend all of my remaining resources to give Datsue Ba a chance to survive. Unfortunately she was left with one health remaining, and Sidir had the Phantasmal Mask. 

I did figure out an escape plan - Gwisin took two walks, past Ngaatoro and Lucas. Both failed once, and Kirai summoned... Seishins. This way Datsue Ba would heal first and then take a damage point from Phantasmal Mask. Otherwise a solid plan, but Desper activated and went to deal the remaining damage to the grandmother. And no wonder he did - opponent revealed In Your Face. So that was why killing a granny had been so important - to rub it in Kirai's face. 

This opened up right flank somewhat, and Ikiryo charged Rough Rider. First attack dealt severe damage, but second attack missed. Rough Rider then escaped and started practicing shooting against innocent Seishins who had already lost their function.

Ruffian took an intel token, and Goryo took its second intel aided by Seishin.

I had eleven cards in my deck and Black Joker hadn't come up. Rough Rider was at two health remaining. I just didn't dare to walk and charge Rough Rider with Enslaved Spirit and declare Doomed trigger to kill it. So instead it walked to Ikiryo, chain ganged her forward and picked up intel.

Losing Datsue Ba was a serious blow, and now I pretty much had only Gwisin and Kirai in the middle, while opponent had their master plus three henchmen.

Also, scores went 3-3 when opponent got their scheme and first point from strategy. 

Turn 4:

Situation looked grim for Urami, but when Kirai won initiative there was a glimmer of hope. Finally she managed to summon some ghostly meat shield! Surely enough that took the entirety of her action points. First Gwisin passed through Luna and Mr. Ngaatoro, then through Mr. Ngaatoro and Luna, and then through Sidir, Lucas and Desper LaRaux. Luna was passing the tests like a champ, and so did Ngaatoro although he had to cheat to pass them. But Sidir and Lucas who had Adversary failed, and so did Desper. Two Gakis and an Enslaved Spirit eased my position in the middle a lot. But still... if we discount the fact (we shouldn't, but still let's do it) that Chained Spirit tests made a heavy toll with opponent's hand, it had taken me at least twelve action points (and double the amount of Wp tests!) to summon two cost 4 models, one cost 3 and two cost 2. My impression of Kirai2 certainly wasn't powerful, but annoying for opponent for sure. 

Luna bit Seishin engaging Mr. Ngaatoro to pieces and dug up a scrap marker. Enslaved Spirit on the left chain ganged Ikiryo forward as much as possible and then walked to interact an intel token.

Rough Rider didn't approve, and rode to a better position to start shooting Enslaved Spirit that had two intels. It took me high cards from hand, but the Spirit was left alive with one health remaining. 

Ikiryo charged Rough Rider, but missed first attack. Second attack was enough, but she would have needed an additional walk to go closer to top-right Power Ritual corner.

Desper interacted an intel, leaped away from melee and charged Enslaved Spirit dead. Good bye, strategy point for this round.

At least Lose Love was able to deny a point from Wastrels, too, by teleporting to Ikiryo, stealing Desper's intel and even frantically flailing a point of damage. 

Mr. Ngaatoro, who had been released from melee engagement, ran to my deployment zone to secure In Your Face.

Shikome schemed Power Ritual, and McCabe dug up a Faded Mirror for Sidir. He started whipping Enslaved Spirit, but scored only a single hit which dealt one point of damage. Thus, Enslaved Spirit was able to chain gang a Gaki into contact with Sidir and go there itself, too. 

Sidir killed Enslaved Spirit and scratched Gaki a little, while tossing Phantasmal Mask to McCabe. Gaki tried to eat McCabe's horse, but managed only to heal it thanks to the mask.

Gwisin was a little more successful when it slapped McCabe for a severe damage, but second attack failed to dismount.

Seishin gave a walk for Goryo, who walked next to strategy marker that had a Ruffian standing nearby. Opponent kept using his pass tokens, so Goryo had no other options than curse Ruffian with Adversary and charge him dead. However... no matter how little options there seems to be, you must always remember that it's impossible to see the grand picture and the strands of fate that fork into unseen paths. There are always options. This time it was Goryo missing with two plus modifiers for attack. At least second attack missed, but scored only moderate damage which was not enough to kill the Ruffian.

Ruffian disengaged and swaggered off, nearer an as of yet untouched strategy marker and outflank end condition.

No strategy points were scored by either player, but Resurrectionists finally got Power Ritual for a lead of 4-3. 

Turn 5:

Desper tries to attack Lost Love, but he transfers the attack to Ikiryo. Good then he did, because opponent scored double rams with critical strike. He did not continue attacks and instead placed a scheme marker and leaped almost wholly on top of it. 

Ikiryo runs to top-right corner before anyone engages her. 

Ruffian walks to outflank position on left and picks up intel. 

Lost Love teleports to Ikiryo and secures Power Ritual end condition with Shikome. 

After whipping grandmothers and sad, enslaved spirits, Lucas ditches his entire crew and rides away into sunset, far away from any messages Urami might want to deliver to him.

Goryo picks an intel and tries to kill Ruffian with Violent Spirits, but Ruffian is unimpressed by their display. He has seen worse. He had been worse.

Seishin gave a walk to Gwisin, who went into contact with strategy marker. After Gaki went to engage Sidir, game was finished. Sidir wound not be able to score a point alone and neither player had any more options to deny a point from the other. Gwisin picked up intel, and game ended in 6-5 victory for Resurrectionists when they got Power Ritual end and third strategy, and Wastrels got Mr. Ngaatoro In My Face and Outflank. 

A tough game, and a fresh experience. This strategy plays so unlike any other from any of the earlier Gaining Grounds.