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Malifaux box art

Malifaux

Game ID: GID0200390
Collection Status
Description

Malifaux is a skirmish miniature game in a horror/steampunk setting.
Each player builds a force of 5-7 figures from a faction to battle it out. A force is composed of minions and at least one master.

Malifaux involves elements of resource management as hands of cards are used instead of dice to resolve skill checks.
Each check involves drawing a card from a deck and adding it to a figure's statistic. Players can then use cards from
their hands to raise the value. The highest value in an opposed check wins.

The turn system is integrated, with each player alternating turns between model activations.

Year Published
2009
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 8
This page: 8
Sentiment: pos 7 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
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Showing 1–8 of 8
Video tp6pW6hTVpI Nerd Bunker Channel general_discussion at 2:09 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 11152 · mention_pk 32810
Nerd Bunker Channel - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
  • distinctive setting and mood
  • strong thematic flavor
Cons
  • limited discussion of mechanics in transcript
Thematic elements
  • pulp-infused dark fantasy with supernatural elements
  • alternate Victorian fantasy world with pulp horror tones
  • narrative-driven skirmish gameplay
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • resource/dice mechanics — dice pools or specific resources to drive actions and abilities
  • skirmish miniature battles — small-scale encounters focused on individual models and feats
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I will be controlling all of the undead all of the skeletons
  • how to play Song of Blades and Heroes
  • space marines codex
  • D&D miniatures so if they get stuff on them you can just throw them in the dishwasher
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8E85Baoncog Tabletop Minions general_discussion at 31:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10999 · mention_pk 32400
Tabletop Minions - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 31:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • strong card mechanic adds tactical variability
  • great for new players due to smaller scope and cost
Cons
  • steep learning curve for card interactions
  • less ubiquitous compared to GW games
Thematic elements
  • deck-building card-driven activations and narrative miniatures
  • Dark fantasy/steampunk-inspired skirmish battles
  • boss-rights and thematic crew builds with thematic flavor
Comparison games
  • Kill Team
  • Warhammer 40,000
  • X-Wing
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Card-driven activation — uses a unique hand of cards to activate and resolve actions
  • Crew-based miniatures with individualized abilities — each model has distinct capabilities and upgrades
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a great system to start with
  • it's a good primer for playing 40k
  • the rules are in one book
  • the board that it comes with is 22 by 30 which is a really smart thing
  • it's always a good idea for a business to try to find an easier way for people to get into into the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pBOlTKPEZeM Unknown general_discussion at 9:54 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9820 · mention_pk 28952
Unknown - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 9:54 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • highly aesthetic models
  • accessible starter pricing when combined with core components
Cons
  • deck-driven systems can have a steeper learning curve
Thematic elements
  • Gangs in a steampunk-infused city
  • Weird West/alternate reality
  • story-driven skirmish battles
Comparison games
  • Age of Sigmar
  • X-Wing
  • Song of Blades and Heroes
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Crew-based skirmish — small, diverse crews with unique abilities
  • fate deck (card-driven initiative) — cards determine activation order and outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • we are talking about relative terms because what one person might think, well, $20 is that's not a lot. That's a lot of money to another person.
  • we are making a value judgment.
  • If it's really that expensive, then maybe don't play Warhammer. Maybe play something else.
  • Song of Blades and Heroes is an $8 PDF that you buy and download.
  • for as little as $40, which is again getting us back to the X-wing price, but now it's still something you've got to like, you know, paint.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CEmO1G4ifQU Unknown Channel general_discussion at 4:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8313 · mention_pk 24466
Unknown Channel - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 4:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • high thematic depth and character variety
  • great for narrative scenarios with small model counts
Cons
  • smaller model pool may limit fluff for some players
Thematic elements
  • crews of specialists with thematic powers
  • Weird West; magic, steampunk elements
  • narrative-driven, scheme-based skirmish
Comparison games
  • Kill Team
  • Warcry
  • Kings of War
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • card-driven activation and hand-management — players use a standard deck of cards to activate abilities and resolve actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the pros and cons of quality versus quantity in wargaming
  • subjective to some people
  • not everyone can be a masterpiece
  • it's like a buffet I can do a little bit of this and a little bit of that and kind of keep moving
  • lower quantity higher quality they should have made those words maybe just slightly more different
  • do you love to see big armies or do you love to paint and spend a good amount of time per model
  • it's a personal preference
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GTBnvZxm66E Unknown Channel general_discussion at 8:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2180 · mention_pk 6384
Unknown Channel - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Dense terrain enhances narrative and tactical depth
  • Visual storytelling benefits from varied setups
Cons
  • Terrain balance may affect speed and accessibility to newer players
Thematic elements
  • Skirmish warfare with narrative-driven scenarios
  • Gothic swamps and magical victorian-era feel
  • Strong narrative focus with terrain-driven play
Comparison games
  • Infinity
  • Arena Rex
  • Kill Team
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • cover — Terrain provides concealment and tactical positioning
  • terrain_pathways — Terrain features influence movement and tactical options
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the amount of terrain that you have on a table and it also depends completely on the size of the table
  • having decent cover in a game that has big ranges to all the weapons is important
  • there's nothing wrong with just grabbing a bunch of pieces of train stewing them about the table and starting to throw dice
  • cover is important when people are sling and lead you want to not be standing out in the open
  • the trick is is that you may have a lot of terrain on the board but if you've built it so that there are a lot of just open streets you are building lanes that long-distance shooters are being really given an advantage on
  • the tables are all a lot alike because that makes it fair
  • think not only about constructing and making your terrain look cool but think about how you construct the board
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Lq6GncehuUs Mike's Miniatures general_discussion at 7:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1796 · mention_pk 5198
Mike's Miniatures - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 7:39 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Distinctive theme and dramatic miniature sculpts
  • Rich storytelling potential through factions like the Neverborn
Cons
  • Older models and paint schemes can be challenging to balance visually
Thematic elements
  • Dreams manifesting as the Nightmare world of Malifaux
  • Weird West with dream-visions and nightmares shaping reality
  • Surreal, gothic, and dreamlike storytelling
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • soulstone/resource management — Action economy and resource management drive outcomes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I love Infinity, these Miniatures are metal and the heft feels tangible
  • I have to have this transforming dog character
  • Gaslands is basically Mario Kart but in tabletop form
  • I still love Malifaux and the Neverborn—the Dreamer is so cool
  • Stanley on a park bench—terrain can be a feature, not just a backdrop
  • I was so irritated with Batman the Miniature Game because they released a new set and a whole new rule set
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wO3kThdv-sA Unknown Channel general_discussion at 6:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1576 · mention_pk 4572
Unknown Channel - Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Designed with multi-era terrain in mind, enabling reuse across genres
  • Extensive terrain and landscape options that fit varied settings
Cons
  • Theme and rules may require a learning curve for new players
  • Brand-specific components may limit cross-compatibility without adaptation
Thematic elements
  • thematically diverse architecture and multi-era terrain compatibility
  • Steampunk/Weird-West with cross-dimensional factions
  • story-driven skirmish gaming with a flexible world
Comparison games
  • Malifaux terrain, Warhammer Underworlds
  • Age of Sigmar
  • Warcry
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Poker-style resource management — Uses a unique action selection mechanic with resource cards.
  • Terrain versatility — Terrain pieces are designed with mixed-era backgrounds to support varied tables.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • can i use this for more than one game
  • the sky is the limit
  • trees are important pieces to have on your table
  • there's no reason that you can't use your ruined skull covered buildings in regular sci-fi
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0BvMMMeoios general_discussion at 32:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 488 · mention_pk 1436
Malifaux video thumbnail
Click to watch at 32:39 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Richf action-driven gameplay with strong painterly appeal
  • Interesting mix of fantasy and horror elements
Cons
  • Learning curve due to unique rules/cards
Thematic elements
  • Interwoven plots and magic within a city landscape
  • Weird West/alternate reality with a gothic-meets-spooky vibe
  • Narrative-driven, scenario-based skirmishes
Comparison games
  • The Other Side
  • Ragnarök
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Crew-based skirmish with asymmetric factions — Each faction has unique mechanics, cards, and their own play style
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Gaslands is a very cool game and it's like 20 bucks
  • it's going to be probably more accessible to more people certainly
  • I really like the kind of bidding system about how you who goes first
  • you can't take Kill Team rules for most models too which is cool
  • it's almost like X-wing Star Wars X-wing
  • Gaslands is a very cool game and it's like 20 bucks and you go to town
  • Kill Team is the way to go... it's the next logical step
  • it's not about swapping a lot of weapons as much anymore
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
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