Game report 21.04.16 50SS Jack Daw vs Jakob Lynch

Game report - 21.04.2016

50SS Jack Daw (daniello_s) vs Jakob Lynch (Gavin)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Guard the Stash
Schemes: Convict Labour, Leave Your Mark, Hunting Party, Inspection, Set Up

Gavin brought:
Jakob Lynch (1SS pool) - The Rising Sun, Wanna See a Trick, Woke Up With a Hand
Hungering Darkness - Addict
3x The Illuminated
Mr Tannen
Beckoner
2x Insidious Madness

I took:
Jack Daw (4SS pool) - Writhing  Torment, Twist and Turn, 3x Injustice
(Curse-giver and relaible hitter who also supports his Tormented crew)
Hannah 
(resilient hitter plus extra card anyone? ;))
Strongarm Suit
(resilient hitter)
Johana
(yet another hitter plus condition removal)
The Guilty
(used to Torment Hannah, Johana and Strongarm; scheme runner)
Nurse
(annoying toolbox with her Take Your Meds action)
2x Winged Plague
(scheme runners)

Gavin picked: Convict Labour and Leave Your Mark
I took: Convict Labour and Hunting Party.

Plan for a game was simple:
- turn 1: Torment Hannah, Johana and Strongarm and move them forward towards Stash markers in loose bobble with Jack in the middle.
- rest of the turns: using mobility and damaging output of the crew secure Stash markers and kill a minion a turn plus drop scheme markers with Winged Plagues and score Convict Labour. Nurse was tasked with disrupting Huggy and one other model (Illuminated of Lynch) with his job with her pesky Ca action.

Deployment: Jack deployed first (at bottom of the picture)

Turn 1
Initiative: Jakob Lynch

Key actions/moments:

- We both pressed forward. One Illuminated and Madness (then Huggy joined them nearby) run on my left flank where I had single Winged Plague only. I thought it should be OK as long as I keep enemy models distracted there and hold on as long as possible while I'll try to dominate centre and right flank fully.
- As planned I did Torment my 3 key models. Strongarm used his extra push, then walk and shot seconds Madness almost killing it.
- Beckoner lured Nurse but Jack was able to call her back a bit ;)

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Jack Daw 0 - Jakob Lynch 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key actions/moments:

- Strongarm didn't wait and charged Madness killing it which gave me first VP for Hunting Party.
- Nurse gave Huggy - flip on all duels and secured Stash Marker.
- Beckoner lured Johana, then Jakob hit her hard once and Illuminated hit her again leaving her on last wound remaining... Johana hid behind Stash marker and hit Illuminated in the face once.
- Jack moved and tried to attack opponent but my flips were lousy and Jakob burnt his hand for cheating.
- I dropped 3 scheme markers which gave me VP for Convict Labour and Gavin dropped 2.
- On the left flank Winged Plague charged Madness, hit twice but couldn't kill it (one wound left).

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Guard the Stash, +1VP Convict Labour, +1VP Hunting Party
Jakob Lynch: +VP Guard the Stash

Score after turn 2: Jack Daw 3 - Jakob Lynch 1

Turn 3
Initiative: Jakob Lynch

Key actions/moments:

- Despite re-flipping initiative unfortunately I didn't win it, so Illuminated walked once and killed Johana... very sad moment for me... :). What's worse she (Illuminated) healed up fully.
- Nurse made Huggy only walk/interact this turn and put Illuminated on - flips till the end of the turn.
- Winged Plague on the left flank died from Illuminated's charge which freed up Madness to move and drop scheme marker for Leave Your Mark.
- Beckoner lured Guilty
- Jack Daw hit Illuminated twice, giving her Firing Injustice. Strongarm followed with the charged and killed her  - another VP for Hunting Party
- Hannah pushed 3'' and hit Illuminated twice. Only one hit went through however I flipped severe damage which clipped nearby Jakob and Tanned with 4 damage blast.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Guard the Stash, +1VP Convict Labour, +1VP Hunting Party
Jakob Lynch: +1VP Guard the Stash; +1VP Convict Labour, +1VP Leave Your Mark

Score after turn 3: Jack Daw 6 - Jakob Lynch 4

Turn 4
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key actions/moments:

- Nurse forced Huggy to walk/interact only and put Illuminated on - flips again ;)
- Guilty charged Beckoner wounding her. Beckoner lured Nurse away from Stash marker and run away out of Strongarm's LOS.
- Jack attack Jakob 3 times but again my flips (and hand) was so bad he missed everything. Thankfully Strongarm charged Jakob killing him.
- I secured second Stash marked with Winged Plague and in the same time I negated one Gavin's scheme marker for Convict Labour
- Huggy and Illuminated negated my scheme markers but Gavin accidentally forgot to move second Illuminated close to Stash marker which costed him VP for strategy this turn (he decided to walk and shoot Plague in hard cover instead).
- Due to the time restriction (we started game late and shop was closing down before we had a chance to play turn 5) game ended this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Guard the Stash
Jakob Lynch: +1VP Leave Your Mark

Final score: Jack Daw 7 - Jakob Lynch 5

Just for the craic we shuffled cards, draw hand and flipped the initiative to see who would go first and which cards we would have for turn 5. Gavin won initiative but had very poor hand when I had 2x 13 and loads of above average cards so we concluded that Beckoner possibly be hunted down by Strongarm and we both would secure points for Guard the Stash and Convict Labour plus Gavin would get final point for Leave Your Mark. Eventually game would end up around 9-8 or 10-8 tin Jack's favor.

Few comments after game:
- Nurse was a star of the game. She put out Huggy and Illuminated from the action long enough to allow me deal with other models.
- Strongarm is really good alternative for Taelor. He is mobile, resilient and hits hard.
- Hannah with her severe damage and blasts is scary too.
- Winged Plagues are excellent scheme runners. Cheap, fast and protected by armor.
- One Guilty is enough in Jack's crew ;)

Till next time!

Game report 17.04.16 50SS Leveticus vs Seamus

Game report - 17.04.2016

50SS Leveticus (daniello_s) vs Seamus (Mike)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Guard the Stash
Schemes: Convict Labour, Leave Your Mark, Show of Force, Neutralize the Leader, Undercover Entourage

Mike brought:
Seamus (6SS pool) - Sinister Reputation, Red Chapel Killer, Decaying Aura
Copycat Killer
2x Rotten Belle
Carrion Emissary - Carrion Conflux
Rogue Necromancy - I think here was some upgrade attached but can't remember which
Nurse
Canine Remains

I took:
Levi (4SS pool) - Pariah of Iron, From Ash
(Abomination summoner using his 1AP action from the upgrade and hitter without Chanelling ;))
Joss - Oathkeeper
(resilient and tough hitter plus Waif anchor; scrap marker generator)
Hannah - Oathkeeper
(hitter and support model; Waif anchor which can't be Lured)
Rusty Alyce - From the Aether
(scrap and Abomination summoner;  Waif anchor)
2x Necropunk
(scheme runners)
2x Hollow Waif
(Levi's life insurance)

Mike picked: Neutralize the Leader (surprise! surprise!;)) and Undercover Entourage (Seamus).
I took: Leave Your Mark and Show of Force.

Call me crazy but I intentionally took Levi when Neutralize the Leader was in the scheme pool to check if I can run him even in such 'hostile situation'. Also I finally decided to use the upgrades which normally I don't even think exists (From Ash and From the Aether) and see if they are at least decent and if it is possible to run Abomination-factory with them.

Deployment (Levi deployed first, on the bottom of the photo):

I spread my scheme runners on sides and rest models more or less in the centre of my deployment zone.

Turn 1
Initiative: Levi

Key actions/moments:

- Both crews moved towards centre of the table
- Seamus used raised Dead Doxy (corpse marker courtesy of Canine Remains) and used Back Alley to take a shot at Necropunk (hit). Then Copycat jumped in base contact with him, focused and shot Waif who was in hard cover. Mike flipped Red Joker and I flipped low = dead Waif. Great start.
- Necromancy used Stalk on Levi.
- Carrion Emissary used his usual trick and start blocking me LOS with his markers.
- Rusty + Levi raised first Abomination.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Levi 0 - Seamus 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Seamus

Key actions/moments:

- Ressers pressed more using the fact they can out-activate me and their movement tricks (Belles and Dead Doxies). Also thanks to Carrion's marker Mike blocked me access to the Stash Marker and this way denied me VP from Strategy this turn
- Seamus raised Dead Doxy from Waif remains and together with Necromancy pressed more towards Levi.
- I took more defensive play style and focused on getting close to centre of the table (for Show of Force) and run my Necropunk on my left flan for Leave Your Mark next turn.
- Joss charged Dead Doxy but my flips were so bad (and hand wasn't much better) so he missed both hits...
- Rusty + Levi raised second Abomination.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Show of Force
Seamus: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 2: Levi 1 - Seamus 1

Turn 3
Initiative: Levi

Key actions/moments:

- Levi knowing he will be removed from table with first Resser activation this turn (Seamus and Necromancy nearby) took a gamble and killed Copycat with one hit (Channeling this time), then sacrificed his last Waif to jump in base contact with her behind the LOS blocker (house).
- We both traded loads of blows in the centre of the table but only casualty was one of my Abominations who was soon replaced by the another one summoned with Alyce. Unfortunately Joss was out of combat this turn thanks to Nurse and her meds (he could only walk and interact).
- Seamus gave a chase after Levi but thanks to be in hard cover Levi wasn't hit by Seamus' legendary gun.
- I made a mistake and used Hannah incorrectly. I should charge Emissary which would be place her near Stash marker but decided rather to lure him (borrowing Belles action) and then hit him 3 times (with very little effect of course). I should borrow Undress and put a Slow on this or other enemy model instead.
That mistake costed me another VP for Strategy as Abomiantion was lured away from Stash Marker where she was standing.
- Necropunk was able to get marker for Leave Your Mark.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Show of Force, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 3: Levi 3 - Seamus 2

Turn 4
Initiative: Seamus
I really needed to win initiative this turn but Seamus flipped Red Joker on the initiative flip... Oh well...

Key actions/moments:

- Seamus moved and hit Levi once leaving him on two wounds left. Then used Ca action from Sinister Reputation and finished Levi. Game was over in this moment but we decided to keep playing anyway.
- I hold my ground in the middle section but Joss couldn't kill Rogue Necromancy even when he was left on last wound and was reactivated... Then of course he died.
- I tried to remove Nurse but all my hits missed. At least she suffered some damage from Abomination's passive ability.
- Hannah focused and killed Dead Doxy, also almost killing nearby Necromancy with blast (last wound left of course)
- Necropunk get me last VP for Leave Your Mark
- All my efforts to get close to second Stash Marker were futile again (thanks to Belles and second Dead Doxy).

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Show of Force, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Neutralize the Leader

Score after turn 4: Levi 5 - Seamus 6

Turn 5
Initiative: Levi

Key actions/moments:

- Hannah walked and killed Necromancy but then died from massive barrage of hits from Emissary and Flesh Construct (summoned by Emissary previous turn).
- Abomination killed Nurse by flipping lucky Red Joker on damage flip.
- That was all about my luck this turn as Rusty couldn't kill Canine with Rapid Fire in the open (my cards and flips were lousy)
- Seamus secured full points for Undercover Entourage and Canine last point for Strategy.
- I was able to get final point for Leave Your Mark and first point for Strategy.
- Game finished this turn

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Strategy, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Undercover Entourage

Final score: Levi 7 - Seamus 10


Few comments after the game:

- On Levi and Neutralize the Leader
Yes, it is doable but not with those upgrades I took this game but with 'standard' upgrades (Desolate Soul, Tally Sheet, Pariah of Iron/Bone or To The Earth Return) and normal playstyle (kill, kill, kill and summon Abomination). Yes, you give away 3VPs to the opponent but Levi is so strong master that he has a chance to win the game anyway (dependent on the opponent of course).

- On From Ash and From The Aether upgrades
From Ash is not worthy of taking. If it was (0)AP action to summon Abomination then maybe, maybe although it would compete too much with other Levi's (0) actions. Otherwise forget about this upgrade which even costs insane 2SS for some reason.
From The Aether might be useful with Von Schill and his Engage at Will upgrade which would allow Rusty to summon Abomination each turn but normally I don't think I'll use it anymore especially when it costs 2SS...

- On Carrion Emissary and his base Conflux upgrade.
I don't know how to say it... Giving +1Wk to all friendly models, placing a 2x50mm LOS blocking markers which turn into Mindless Zombie at the end of the turn and having an access to Belles with + flip on Lure... Well, my first  comment was WTF???...
It is a very strong piece in Ressers arsenal and honestly saying I think is way stronger than Outcast's Hodgepodge Emissary with his trinkets. But this is my personal opinion only.

Till the next time!

Game report 08.04.16 50SS Leveticus vs Seamus

Game report - 08.04.2016

50SS Leveticus (daniello_s) vs Seamus (Owen)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Headhunter
Schemes: Convict Labour, Leave Your Mark, Hunting Party, Set Up, Catch and Release

Owen brought:
Seamus (7SS pool) - Bag O'Tools, Red Chapel Killer
Madame Sybelle - Bleeding Tongue
Copycat Killer
Bete Noire
The Hanged
Punk Zombie
2x Canine Remains

I took:
Levi (4SS pool) - Pariah of Iron, To the Earth Return, Tally Sheet
(ultimate killing machine who with Effigy's help can get a fresh sousltone after killing enemy model)
Howard Langston - Oathkeeper
(fast and deadly hitter; Waif anchor)
Teddy - Oathkeeper
(second heavy hitter in the list; Waif anchor)
Soulstone Miner
(Leave Your Mark prime scheme runner; backup Waif anchor)
Johana
(heavy hitter and condition removal; Waif anchor)
Hodgepodge Effigy
(soulstone re-supply model which combines nicely with Levi; scheme runner and Headhunter snatcher)
Winged Plague
(scheme runner and prime Headhunter snatcher which would be replaced with Necropunk if I had any for this game)
2x Hollow Waif
(Levi's life insurance)

We both picked same schemes: Leave Your Mark and Hunting Party.

Before the game we agreed (as gentleman should do) not to hire any Belles for this game. It was perfectly acceptable for Seamus to summon them along the game but we didn't want to end up running similar lists and use same models (3x Belle + Madame Sybelle).

It was Owen's second game with GG2016 schemes and, as he agreed himself, he didn't picked crew and schemes correctly. On the other hand I was more than aware that Hanged and his Whispers From Beyond can easily cripple Howard and Teddy (especially Teddy would be hurt as he wouldn't be able to use Regeneration after it) and Seamus could then easily remove them with one shot of his deadly gun (Focus + cheat for severe damage).
So my plan was to remove Hanged with Levi as fast as possible even if that leaves easy Head Marker for Owen to pick after.

Owen wrote his report as well which can be found here:
http://www.farfaraway.org/blog/2016/04/09/malifaux-seamus-puppets-vs-levi-constructs-50ss/

Deployment: Seamus deployed first (Levi's crew is on the right).
I spread my crew to have a heavy hitter in every place (Howard left flank, Johana center, Teddy right flank).
Levi was placed almost opposite to Seamus and Hanged. Soulstone Miner started game buried (like Bete).

Turn 1
Initiative: Seamus (Levi won the flip but allowed Seamus to start)

Key moments/actions:
- Owen didn't really want to get close to either Teddy nor Howard (not to mention Levi) and moved his models closer to the centre of the table not far from his deployment zone except Punk Zombie who was flanking me on left and Sybelle flanking me on my right. Copycat jumped in base contact with Seamus, Focused and shot Effigy who was sitting in hard cover but missed.
- I pushed forward making sure that Hanged won't Whisper anything to any of my models in turn 1.
- Levi double walked and killed Copycat with single shot (extra soulstone in my pocket). I knew Owen will pick this head before me but it was worthy to remove this pesky fellow. Bete took opportunity and unburied next to dead Copycat.
- Soulstone Miner unburied on my right flank and now Sybelle was facing Teddy, Miner, Winged Plague and Waif there all alone.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Levi 0 - Seamus 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Seamus

Key moments/actions:
- Seamus picked Head and jumped into small building next to Waif.
- Hodgepodge used Loyalty to the Coin on Levi and then Levi chain-activate and killed Hanged - another soulstone in my pocket.
- Owen used Canines to block my way to the Head Marker.
- Howard burnt Oathkeeper and charged Punk Zombie. I had two high Rams for Decapitate trigger. First attack went through and Owen discarded two cards. Second attack went through as well but Black Joker on damage flip ruined my day. Third attack (from Fast) hit again with flipped Ram! Owen had to use 2 soulstones to save Punk Zombie who was left on last wound (Hard to Kill). Punk Zombie flurried and damaged Howard quite a lot.
- Teddy burnt his Oathkeeper and charged Canine killing it but it took him 3 attacks to do that (I was short of cards as well). Thankfully that got me a VP for Hunting Party.
- Bete run towards my deployment zone as fast as possible.
- Soulstone Miner moved and dropped scheme marker for Leave Your Mark
- Waif run away from Seamus and Johana tarpit that gentleman.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Hunting Party, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Headhunter

Score after turn 2: Levi 2 - Seamus 1

Turn 3
Initiative: Seamus

Key moments/actions:
- Punk Zombie flurried at Howard but with small effect.
- Plague snatched Head marker.
- Sybelle picked another Head Marker
- Howard finished Punk Zombie and moved towards table centre.
- Bete and Miner moved and dropped scheme markers.
- Teddy attacked Sybelle and hurt her a bit.
- Seamus put Johana on last wound (Hard to Kill) and got smacked a bit by her in return (she had this nasty condition which gives -2 MI when targeting Seamus)
- Levi walked all the way down towards Bete to negate VP for Leave Your Mark.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Headhunter, +1VP Hunting Party, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Headhunter

Score after turn 3: Levi 5 - Seamus 2


Turn 4:
Initiative: Levi

Key moments/actions:
- Johana flurried and put Seamus in pain (damage prevention done). Seamus killed her dropping his scheme marker with the hit (trigger), walked and picked Head Marker.
- Effigy picked Head Marker.
- Sybelle hit Teddy and walked to Winged Plague.
- Teddy charged Canine and killed it.
- Levi walked and attacked Seamus leaving him on last 2 wounds.
- Howard moved to support Levi.
- Miner tried to charge Sybelle but failed Horror Duel.
- Plague wounded Sybelle
- Bete walked and dropped another scheme marker.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Headhunter, +1VP Hunting Party,
Seamus: +1VP Headhunter, +1VP Leave Your Mark

Score after turn 4: Levi 7 - Seamus 4

Turn 5:
Initiative: Levi

Key moments/actions:
- Levi attacked Seamus. First shot bounced off as Seamus used Red Joker for defense. Second shot went through as I used Red Joker for attack but I flipped Black Joker on damage... Oh man... Third shot went through as well and put Seamus down.
- Sybelle killed Plague and then died of combined effort of Teddy, Soulstone Miner and Waif. Bad flips for attack forced me to use all those 3 models to kill her and actually Waif did the job :D
- Bete dropped another marker.
- Effigy did the same.
- Howard picked Head Marker.
- Flip for turn 6 - nope. Game ended here.

Upkeep phase:
Levi: +1VP Headhunter, +1VP Leave Your Mark
Seamus: +1VP Hunting Party, +1VP Leave Your Mark

Score after turn 5: Levi 9 - Seamus 6


Few thoughts after the game:

- Howard and Teddy are great beat-sticks with Pariah of Iron Levi. Put Oathkeeper on them and they are absolutely crazy good.
- Miner is good as well. Resilient, can unbury in nice place, mobile and is an anchor as well. I used him first time and I already like him.
- Plague is good scheme runner for Jack but definitely will loose his place to Necropunk.
- Hodgepodge Effigy + Tally Sheet on Levi is a pure gold. It almost like Effigy and Tally Sheet were intentionally made for Levi ;)

Till next time!

Levi wants new toys! - part 1

Well, a bit of time has passed since I painted some stuff. And as I decided to focus on two masters only (Levi and Jack) it was a good time to grab some new models and paint them.

I decided to expand Levi's crew substantially and a first batch of models is done and ready to support his beloved master. Next batch is coming shortly including Mechanical Rider (hence some Steam Arachnids for him to summon), Necropunks and Flesh Construct. After that I'll try to grab some more fancy stuff for Levi :)

So 'ere we go with the first batch of my new models.
And as usual, game reports including new stuff will follow shortly.

Enjoy!
...and don't beat me for my puny painting skills please ;)

Quick note: those two weird models on the far left are my Winged Plague proxies. This is actually MVP Ludwig from Dreadball. I think it fits the purpose well.

Till next time!

Changes, changes, changes...

Hey all!

As you probably have noticed already (or not) some change have happened lately on my blog.
It has changed a name to Fifty Shades of Levi...and Jack

It is connected to the fact that I have decided to focus on two masters only (guess which ones ;)) and I took a drastic decision (for many) to trim my current Outcast family. I've noticed I got the most fun running those two gentleman and I have not enough time to enjoy the rest of the masters.
So in other words Viks, Von Schill, Tara and Hamelin found a new homes and I won't post any more game reports with those guys.

And if after reading the blog title you expected something like this:

then I'm sorry if I crushed your dreams ;)

Of course I wouldn't be myself if I haven't decided to get some more models to support Levi and Jack as well, so it is perfectly normal to expect some 'painting posts' along normal gaming reports in nearest future.

I hope you'll still enjoy (at least a bit) my gaming reports.

Till next time!