McMourning and ...?

[Hatchethead]

I've decided to start my Malifaux career with McMourning and his Body Thieves. How does the box set perform on it's own? I realize the majority of starter kits require some outside help to perform against certain crews; Mindless Dead, Canine Remains, Outcast Mercenaries and the like. How does the McMourning box stack up? Are there individual blisters I should consider to help balance the force? I ultimately hope to assemble a 30ss-ish crew, for starters.

Pearls of wisdom are appreciated! Thanks.

Also, so far as Nicodem is concerned, would the three Mindless Dead be all that is required to balance the box set? Or would a Convict Gunslinger be a wise addition, as well? I may end up ordering both kits after all is said and done.

:decision:

[Zephir]

His box set isn't so great. Mostly in my opinion because He needs better hitters then his box offers. I would get it, since everything in the box is great. But I find its great to Add Punk Zombies, Canines, and a Convict Gunslinger.

[Chucklemonkey]

Yes, canine remains are a must. After playing a fair few games I am also ready to purchase some Punk Zombies as, as has been said, a couple of bigger hitters wouldn't go a miss.

[Hatchethead]

Quick, Zephir! Thanks. I edited my post to include Nicodem's crew as a possible purchase. I dig both Nico and McM equally, I could see swapping between them on a regular basis.

I don't know who I'm kidding ... I'll eventually end up with 95% of the Ressurectionist line. I'm a completionist at heart w/ absolutely no willpower when it comes to this sort of thing. Only the sculpts I really dislike will miss the boat, and even then there's only one or two.

I'll likely grab Canines regardless of which set I end up with first. They appear to be extremely useful and cost effective, based solely on the batreps and threads I've read recently. I see the Convict Gunslinger more often than not, mixed in with random Res crews. How does Hans stack up? Or Ronin? Rusty Alyce?

[gru6y]

The starter is not that good at all, but it has potential ;)
First off, I don't think two nurses are all that neccessary in 30ss game.
I'd go with one.
Secondly, you will not want to pay ss for the flesh construct. They are much better constructed from body parts (couple nice tricks with Canine Remains here).
Sebastian on the other hand, is actually pretty good. He is a very nice support character and has more than decent combat skills.
He tends to get underestimated and then chops up to pieces an 8-9ss model.

So, out of the entire box, its only 6-11 points you will want to use.

What to buy? Anything, really. You can't go wrong with almost anything that's available atm. I'd suggest a blister of punk zombies, one or two blisters of canine remians (these, you will use and need a lot) and another construct. Zombie chihuahua is obligatory- for 1ss too good not to take.
Later on, you might want to give Bete a try. She likes nurses and dead dogs.
People will also advise you to get rotten hookers.
Seriously, there aren't really many things that won't work.
Necropunks are probably the hardest to use, but most of things will require some thought to show thier full capabilities.

So to sum up, I'd go:

Body Thieves box
- nurse
+ punk zombies/rotten belles/necropunks/mix of them
+ canine remains (!!!)
+ chihuahua
+ one more construct

This should give you more or less 30 points and a decent start all around. Also, you will have plenty spare models, so you will be prepared for different scenarios.

[Ropetus]

Don't get the Mindless Dead unless playing Nicodem. They're summonable mooks only Nicodem can make at the moment.

As said the McMourning is about the only one of the starters that doesn't work too well by itself. The Nurses are support models and with nobody to support they feel a bit left out. Adding two blisters of Canines or one of Necropunks should fix the starter's problems very nicely (the Nurses like cheap, fast and expendable models on which to apply their spells).

Also, Rotten Belles and Punk Zombies work very nicely with any Resurrectionist Crew.

-Ropetus

[Hatchethead]

So yeah, Canines are 100% definite. I figured as much. I'll likely grab both blisters. I really dig the Necropunk minis but they're not highly regarded, at least compared to other options (especially Canines). I'll decide that for myself, eventually. They'll end up in my collection at some point, if only because I like the looks of 'em.

I was hoping someone would recommend the Chihuahua!:dance:

One more construct, gru6y? Another Flesh Construct? Or something from the Outcast line?

[Hatchethead]

Punk Zombies are coming highly recommended. I'd likely save myself coin in the long term if I pick up both the Nico and McM box sets + Canines, at the very least. Nicodem and Mortimer are brilliant minis, definitely something I'll eventually buy. Seems silly to purchase them separately when a more cost effective option exists. It'll save me on future shipping, as well.

See how I talked myself into that?

[gru6y]

Yeah, flesh construct.
One more construct is imo as needed as canine remains.
There will be moments when you will be able tu summon it and not being able to do so because of lack of model... well- sucks.

As for the outcasts- I have seriously no idea. No experience with them at all. Convict Gunslinger is probably a safe bet. Every crew seems to have one.

[Hatchethead]

Hmm. I might have to find a proxy. While I don't mind the Flesh Construct mini, I don't like it enough to want a pair bombing around the table. If it weren't already part of the McM starter, I likely wouldn't purchase it solo.