Customization vs. prefab?

[SpiralngCadavr]

So, I'm getting the sense that Malifaux, because you choose your crews after finding out the scenario, has a lot of list customization. I'm curious how people customize their lists. Is it…

1) have a given list for a master, pick masters based on scenario
2) have 50-75% of your force picked out for a master, flavor to taste (i.e. enemy faction, scenario)
3) have a core of your force picked out for a master (i.e. master, totem, a couple minions that work well with them)
4) start from scratch most of the time
5)something else?

[nilus]

I usually have a preferred master and set of a couple miniatures I use for specific Strategies. I then generally fill out my minions based on my opponents faction(which is one of the few pieces of info you know at the beginning). Although sometimes I pick my masters based on the faction I am going against as well.

I do a lot of my picking on the fly

[Alex]

I would say first that there is no one way to do it, and secondly that many masters want differing amounts of list customization. Marcus, for example, has a huge array of minions from all factions available to him, and success in a given strategy or scheme or vs a given crew can hinge heavily on what list you choose. On the other hand, some masters/henchmen either have a very limited crew selection or have a list that is flexible or powerful enough to work in nearly any situation, at least to the extent that the player is comfortable in playing that list most of the time. Similarly, summoning masters like Nicodem probably have a bit more wiggle room because they can effectively customize their lists during the game via summoning.

A large portion also comes from the preferences and playstyle of the player. Some try to anticipate and counter whatever threats they feel their opponent is likely to field. Some focus solely on their particular gameplan and/or generate such a threat that the opponent tends to get put into reactive mode. And hey, some only have 35ss worth of models.

One way I've seen suggested to allow both flexibility and the ability to decide on a list in a timely manner is to create a core team for your master and several "modules", ie groups of models that work well together for a particular purpose. For example, playing Marcus I might have a core of Marcus and Jackalope (1ss), one module made up of Kaeris and Student of Conflict (12ss), one made up of three Silurids (15ss), one that's just Mechanical Rider (8ss), and so on and so forth, and mix and match as appropriate to the situation. I've found this works fairly well for me but as with all things, YMMV.

Whatever way you go about it, have lots of fun and don't sweat your losses. This is Malifaux, amd Bad Things Happen.

[SpiralngCadavr]

Cool, thanks for the info. I've come from WM, and while not a tournament-goer, even casual games of WM are pretty competitive. I'm very much enjoying Malifaux' more flexible/casual system, but wasn't sure about picking crews, so, thanks!