new rule book - initial thoughts.

In amongst a post listing new releases over the next few months for Wyrd, Malifaux and Terraclips was an entry reading Malifaux 1.5 Core Rulebook.

New Malifaux 1.5 book (c) Wyrd Miniatrues

Given the recent errata and clarifications I would expect Malifaux 1.5 to be an amalgamation of the original book (for the fluff), the rules manual with errata and clarifications and all the latest stat cards.

This is good news, once again we'll have a single place to go for the rules.
It's interesting that Wyrd have  called it Malifaux 1.5. Enough of a change to warrant a new number but not a full version number change. i.e. We've moved it on but not changed it completely.

Unfortunately this will be the 3rd time I'd have bought these rules, assuming I do.

And, it's going to be a full sized rule book, not a rules manual sized cheap job.  So full sized price to match.

But it will mean that all you people out there that don't have a copy of the original Malifaux book will be able to get one at last.

So it's a mixed blessing really.  Applaud Wyrd all you like for attempting to standardise it's rule book and iron out inconsistencies and problems, but if I have to buy a new copy of the rules every year I've a feeling I may struggle to stay enthusiastic for much longer, my money spread thin enough as it is.

I wonder if they'll produce a Rules manual format version as well?

New Fate deck (c) Wyrd Miniatures

The other major implication of the release schedule is that there's no 'New' book, no book 4.  Certainly not before September at the earliest.  This will be a disappointment for many, but perhaps it's a good idea that there's a consolidation period, especially with a minor re-boot.  There are still Avatars to release and maybe they'll squeeze a few new figures into Malifaux 1,5?  Had heard rumour of a new faction, no idea if this is true or not, perhaps Malifaux 1.5 is a perfect excuse to introduce one?  However I feel this is unlikely, a new faction would need to be caught up through all 3 books and would unbalance book 1 if it had Avatars and such like in it.

Anyway, that's it for now, here's a link to the original post of Wyrds forums - Release schedule June 2012 - August 2012

p.s. New Fate Deck, in plastic.  See picture above :-)

errata & clarifications

Couple of weeks late with this, apologies, been away (effectively).
A while back, year, 18 months, can't rightly remember.  Wyrd published a new book.  The Rules Manual.  A compact, relatively cheap (indeed downloadable for free), version of the rules of Malifaux taken from Book 1, Rising Powers and the fairly extensive FAQ and Errata that existed.

The gaming world was a happy place, now we had a single location.  A place we could go for the definitive answer to rules questions.  No longer would we suffer as someone we gamed against claimed a rule as invalid because they hadn't read the FAQ, or it wasn't in the book.

Then, slowly, as is inevitable, it became obvious that valiant thought he attempt had been, a few things were still subject to interpretation.  A few rules still seemed overly powerful.

So, here again, once more we have Errata's and clarifications.
Not too many, and more Clarifications than changes, but never-the-less once more we're subject to a on-line, not in print rules scenario.
What a pity.
I guess it was unavoidable, it was a valiant attempt on Wyrd's part.

I do not know if these changes will find their way into a future release of the Rules manual.
For now, go here New Rules
 print them off and take them with you.
You'll find 3 pages of stuff.  Model specific Errata and clarifications, Core rules errata and clarifications and a FAQ.

The model changes are perhaps the most disappointing.  Some models have extensive changes which are not available on stat cards, or for which you'll have to arrange to purchase new stat cards, now or when they become available.  If you and your opponent are aware of this and have a print out of the changes then OK, it's a bit messy but at least you both know.  But what if your opponent isn't aware that Alps have had 5 errata against them and are now harmless?  They'll be well pleased when you tell them.
I suggest you check with any new opponents before you start a game so you're both singing from the same hymn sheet.  Might save some agro.

printing your own figures - a follow up

When I wrote of the possiblity of using 3d printers for printing your own figures I didn't realise how close we may be to this.  It seems some people are doing so already and sharing their designs.  Guess who doesn't like this?  Not that I blame them one bit.  It seems 3d printing may be a threat to the companies that make the games and figures we love.
Don't do this at home folks..

3D Printing, copyright violations.