11/11/2014

Coming up...

Public Apologies


Heart felt messages will contain swearing, so apologies ahead of time.

Well I haven't been able to finish the post I had for today, simply need to get photos ready and I hope to post the last hurrah to #ToMB the venture which I'm not sure anyone really continued to it's end.

Also as you hopefully know the Biggest Event in Malifaux Ever #M2GT the Malifaux UK GT 2014 has just been and gone and there are many things to talk about from this historical event for the game.

I just want to thank everyone here, as I am sure I will do in my #M2GT tournament report(s) and write ups.

Mike, Lee, Spooner, Chris Holloway and the York Garrison as a whole for putting on the event itself.
Great hall, decent food and a bar. Just a shame it's so far up North...

My team, #SMP, Aaron, Austin, Ben, Jan, Mike and the latest addition of Jake.
Aaron and Jan for being top travel buddies and congrats to Aaron on an impressive final placing.
Double thanks to Jan as the getting that far North would not be affordable for me without him driving us.
Oz, Mike, Ben and Jake for all being great company throughout.
Jake for impressing me with his results and just being a great kid.
Mike for being a laugh and still holding it together after two heavy nights.
Oz for being Oz, just one of my most favourite people on the planet and finally Benjamin.
Spoilers, but he won the whole thing bringing more "legitimacy" to the team and putting on a cracking fucking show.
Just please, don't let it get to your head you cunt.

My opponents.
Mark Elwood for putting up another great game against me and actually seemingly having confidence in my ability, it means a lot and also I have huge respect for him and his forming of another Southern team in the "Black Joker Society" I just hope to see some shirts soon.
Nathan Chenery for being as nice in real life as on Skype and Twitter and generally just being a really chilled fun yet competitive person to play.
Josh Fletcher, for not being dead after seemingly trying to do so with alcohol, still a monster, actually more a robot with Colette and one of my favourite Northerners.
Jakab, nice kid and opened my eyes to a very different take (that I've seen) to Ressers in Reckoning.
John Wharton for being an excellent laugh, giving me stick and having a good fun game, shame he rigged our decks (or at least it just felt that way)
and Maria, great to finally meet the real life Lady Hammerstrike and it was another great lesson on the table, also nice to chat Saturday night.

Fuck, I thought I could get through everyone, but with 66 attendees it's almost impossible.

Mark and Bob, super glad to finally meet some of the Irish contingent of Malifaux players and you two were even nicer than expected. Definitely makes me want to save for Paddyfaux, guess I'll see if I can get airfair for Christmas?

Joe Taylor, as nice as on twitter if not more so, so glad to finally meet you and it was great getting to chat over the weekend.

Josh Leak, Gary Burgess the two other members (along with Mark and Maria) of the Black Joker Society, or is there more, either way two top chaps, a proper laugh Saturday night and more power to the South!

Joel Henry, I obviously can't forget you and it was nice to catch up briefly, look forward to recording the next Malifools.

The Chosen One. Greg is such a gent, good laugh and also another Northerner I actually like, what is going on?
You're still all Northern cunts as I said though.

Dom Westerland, was great to finally meet you, still not sure if you are an adult, especially with your height and that nine year olds hair cut. Still you're a good kid if so. Good laugh.

Aidain Kirk, pretty happy you didn't stab for giving Dom shit and was also nice to meet you. Loved your 10Ts when I got to glance and keeps me looking back at mine.

Conner Barker, the true Lenny and a top bloke. Shame we didn't get the best chance to chat but even a handshake is appreciated and we will have to catch up in the future. Especially now we know we've crossed paths in the past.

Chris Hay, such a friendly smiley nice guy, didn't realise you'd be so fucking tall though!

The rest of the Squigs.
Ben Halford, finally we got to meet and you gave me so little shit in comparison to twitter. Hopefully we get a longer chat in the future.
Not sure I even spoke properly to Hutch and Brooks but glad to at least see you and find you are real.

Panzer Harris, huge respect for how you dealt with different situations over the weekend.
I'll be honest, still think you're a nobhead sometimes but I'm glad you are about. I feel we will have a strange relationship (not like that) during our time in Malifaux as I think you'll always be a nobhead to me, but I nobhead I like and a nobhead that respect.

Graham, Blutack, legend. I have such a high level of respect for you now, regardless if you are first of third.
You and Crowe both proved what I said, it wouldn't be previous masters or GT podium placers that would be clearing out all the prizes but the people who have started to prove themselves, the "new wave" as such.
Joel will hate me for saying, but I still have a big part of me which believes you're really the best Squig.
I guess time will tell.
Congratulations on the weekend and to think in the past I thought I could pip you for best Arcanist at an event.
I need to have a bit more self reflection.

The true gamers of the Tractor Massive,
Pete and Scott, if you weren't yellow shirt wearing wankers I would say you were two of my favourite people in the malifaux scene (well I'd actually say it anyway but that isn't as funny).
Pete, love you, you're still not as good as me though.
Scott impressed with the results you got considering I think you at least seemed the worst for wear on Saturday.

I am so sure I am missing so many people.

Ed Sheeran, it was nice to hang about with such singing talent...
Jokes, great to meet you Pete and it was nice (if brief) to hang about. Loved the Hogan look on Sunday!

Clouseau, always a pleasure.

Little Timmy Brown, a small highlight for me was you seeming happy that I said I like you now. Genuinely makes me smirk. Glad to see you about and Happy Birthday, you finally a teenager now?

The Wintons, Cathy, Andy and James. Always nice to see you three, some good costumes too. Cathy you are always a delight!

FUCK, James Reeves, how have I taken so long to mention the SMP's biggest fan and the absolute painting legend. Looked dapper all weekend (if hungover) and is always a good laugh, always glad to have you about.

Dave Hill, only got to chat briefly, but nice to see you smiling and I appreciate you always making the effort to catch up.

Matt Ledgerwood. Was good to see you Saturday, sad you weren't about Sunday, genuinely. Hope we just get to meet at Gunsmiths or something.

Martin, MARTIN. I don't know how it's taken so long to write your name but I suppose it's because you were so hungover Sunday I avoided using my "radio voice" so near you.
In all seriousness, glad to see you again mate.

James Doxey, don't think I forgot you. Glad we finally met, it's just a shame we didn't play in round 4 after your row of SMP. 5/6 Games against us if we now include Mr Barlow.

If I haven't mentioned you here, then apologies.
It's probably I just forgot but if not, maybe you should've come and spoke to me yeah? Maybe be a little bit more memorable alright?

Joking, but seriously thanks to everyone at the GT.

Plugs and that

If you want a tournament report to read now try here for Malifolk 3 or you can try this for Octoberfaux.

If you want to come to a tournament myself and Aaron are running the 2nd SMP ran event of next year then buy a ticket to MAY FENG now. Information via this link.

Keep buying toys from Element Games because they are excellent.

Get some new terrain from Bendy Boards because Lee deserves your money and they are genuinely the best product out there for their price. They don't even fucking sponsor me, it's just true.

Listen to Malifools as I'm sure I'll say something no one agrees with and you can all send hate mail and nasty tweets to me.

Yeah and basically, come back on Friday when I hope to have a new post up.
Get painting those Movember MFXTOP entries which I'll start showing next week.
And look out for my M2GT coverage.

See you later.

-Ben (@psientologist)

06/11/2014

Octoberfaux

Octoberfaux: Civil War

Previously in Tournament Reports. The day before.

"Where was I?
Well I got 11th Place putting me above that entire team. Which honestly surprised me, I knew I could finish above Pete and that it would be close but Scott, I was happy to take that."

...



"What about #SMP member Benjamin Crowe himself?
Well he just went and Won the Tournament."

...


"Spooner and I went home, both very tired and in one of those moods where pretty much anything is funny we spent too much time shooting lazers around the room and being far too easily amused.

It was time for bed as tomorrow, there was more tournament gaming to be done..."


Leaving Norfolk

Spooner and I were continuing the tournament gaming this weekend, originally meant to be with Pete and Lee unfortunately Pete had to drop out which was a shame, but life does have a few things in it more important than toy soldiers.

The trip up with the boys in Spoon's new car was a laugh and very enjoyable.
It was especially nice being able to get a longer chat with Lee as I hadn't had quite the chance during my time in Norfolk.

A nice drive and we didn't even have to get up too early as registration wasn't until about 10.


TTN or Wayland Games Centre

Not a big fan of Wayland Games as an Internet retailer myself and quite funny I said on Fools Daily "doesn't look like they stand by their own name" in reference to Tabletop Nation.

Well it is Wayland Games Centre now, it's still the same place in Essex that I know many of you may have gone to for an abundance of different events, I though had never before, so this was my first experience.

In the past I had heard very mixed things about the events there, especially for Malifaux.
To be fair Malifaux is quite different to Warhammer so running events with people not experienced in the game which is getting ever increasingly popular isn't going to always be simple.

The pack itself was interesting, 3 rounds, fixed faction, two hours each which felt infinity longer than Malifolk, the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
Three isn't enough for a clear result, however after only just playing four the day before a more relaxed event was fine by me.

The event was nice and cheap £10 including a lunch is a top price and made it all the more easy for me to justify buying stuff while I was there.
So many temptations between hobby materials, Malifaux and board games. They even had Relic Knights stuff in stock.

TTN (sorry still calling it that) being closer to home meant that although I was coming from Norfolk I would going home from here.
How?
Well the full half dozen of us (only officially five at that point in time) were all in attendance.
Who?
The Southern Malipros.

The Team




  • Name : Ben Sime
  • Nickname(s) : SimeTime
  • Age : 28 and a half years old
  • Favourite Faction : Arcanists
  • Faction for the event: Arcanists
  • Previous Tournament Achievements: Bugger all, beat Mike Marshall and Joel?


  • Name : Benjamin Crowe
  • Nickname(s) : Jamin
  • Age : 31
  • Favourite Faction : Arcanists
  • Faction for the event: Outcasts
  • Previous Tournament Achievements: Hardcore Champion, winner of #Malifolk3



  • Name : Jan Proudley
  • Nickname : Jam
  • Age : 28 and a half years old (little older than Ben)
  • Favourite Faction : Gremlins
  • Faction for the event: Gremlins
  • Previous Tournament Achievement: Winner of Canterfaux




  • Name : Austin Capewell
  • Nickname : Oz
  • Age : 27
  • Favourite Faction : Gremlins
  • Faction for the event: Gremlins
  • Previous Tournament Achievement: Beat Martin Wodehouse not long after he became Master.



  • Name : Aaron Bailey
  • Nickname : nothing I would like to repeat on this blog
  • Age : 23
  • Favourite Faction : Outcasts
  • Faction for the event: Outcasts
  • Previous Tournament Achievement: 2nd Best Outcast at Somerfaux




  • Name : Mike Hutchinson
  • Nickname : CrikeyMiles
  • Age : 32
  • Favourite Faction : Neverborn
  • Faction for the event: Neverborn
  • Previous Tournament Achievement: Mid-table mediocrity





Round 1

After some minor delays pairings were made.
I must add before I move on that although usually TTN Malifaux events have usually got a lower turnout around the dozen mark, this event pulled in 30 players.

Amongst the #SMP members, Spooner and Lee, we had Joel and Panzer of the Squigs, Matt Ledgerwood, James Reeves, Martin Wodehouse, Stuart Snares, Elessarion's first event!
Many more names but I am not listing all thirty here.

My Game

Who was I against, a field of thirty, twenty-nine other players I could go against.

"Ben Sime versus Matt Spooner" was announced. I laughed and jumped into Spoons with an over enthusiastic hug, it was funny and although maybe it would be more exciting to play someone I hadn't it just felt poetic being the end of my Norfolk visit.

Strategy was Reckoning with Standard deployment and the schemes:
  • A Line in the Sand
  • Frame for Murder
  • Assassinate
  • Breakthrough
Not being fixed master by fixed faction I decided to get Mei Feng out for this, I'd already played with Marcus against Matt in the week and I'm know as the "Mei Feng guy" so it seemed appropriate.





Obviously I have been accused of picking Mei for anti-construct shenanigans, Kang is the only real addition there but it's not like I wouldn't bring the Ml7 beat-stick to a fight otherwise.


  • Mei Feng - Arcane Reservoir, Seismic Claws and Imbued Protection
  • Kang - Imbued Energies
  • Howard Langston - Imbued Energies
  • Joss - Imbued Energies
  • Rail Worker
  • Metal Gamin
  • 5 SS cache
If I was aiming to be really anti-construct I would've taken more Metal Gamin for magnetism maybe, or keeping Workers taken Hard Worker somewhere to ignore armour.

This crew though is all about beating on people with the Metal Gamin being the best way to fill out 4ss in my opinion. I could take more upgrades and a bigger cache but even in Reckoning I like some activation advantage, especially with scheme markers still flying about.

Matt still rocking Hoffman took a crew roughly consisting of:

  • Hoffman
  • Ryle
  • Peacekeeper
  • Watcher
  • Hunter
  • Warden
  • Soulstone Miner
Can't remember the upgrades bar obviously Hoffman took Arcanist Assets.
Peacekeeper and Ryle are pretty nasty. The Watcher was in for scheme running as I suspected the miner was too.
Hunter's are lethal for their points cost and the Warden I assumed rounded out the crew and was decent way of dragging the Guild Master about and keeping some watch over him.

I decided to take Breakthrough announced, intending to just drop markers after the fight.
Assassinate was my other choice, I have realised Hoffman isn't quite the hardest to beat up and Mei Feng herself could push him away from the fight.
Kang, well he could smash his Construct face in. Joss, Langston, these two could do it too. Heck even a Rail Worker has a reasonable chance.

Matt announced Breakthrough too, as suspected with the Watcher. He also had a hidden objective, possibly going for the "kill Mei and wind up Ben" plan. I could get that.
Frame for Murder was always a possibility, it is great in Reckoning as they want to kill things for Strategy points and although I could give him 2 or 3 points if he had taken it I still aimed to equal or beat that with Reckoning.
Almost a catch 22.

Matt deployed Hoff and the bots in a close circle with the Miner buried as it does.
I deployed in a opposite refused flank style position and proceeded to head towards the bundle of robots making multiple Railwalker routes as I went.

Matt headed forwards too, the Watcher slinking off to the side as Hoffman handed out some upgrades and kept about with Warden closer to the back.

The Hunter, the robotic feline was the closest to my crew and immediately started to get a bit of a kicking from Mei Feng.

Matt did not burrow up with the miner, I guessed to keep it out of harms way and place markers later than earlier.
Even then, maybe turn up to charge in later, all of these were decent options.

As turn 2 rolled in. Kang used his energies to charge on in and finish the Hunter off.
"Kang is a Henchman right?" asked Matt as I now knew it was Frame for Murder he had taken and a nice early points lead getting the full three.

I couldn't let this matter, I was still half way to a point for Strategy here and he was a model down.
Kang had charged up so his The Worker's Champion aura was in play and Mei Feng would take advantage of this diving right into combat knowing Assassinate was out of the question.

Langston made a line for Ryle, who aimed to cut through and get to the core of this mechanical apple and rip out the pip named Hoffman.

As the game moved on the Warden had been pulled apart by Mei.
Howard had been taken down by Ryle escaping and shooting but an extremely bad turn for Hoffman meant that Ryle had been made Slow for next to no reason.

The Miner stayed buried for a long while and emerged away from the fighting, the Watcher, he took advantage of his speed and the terrain, flying past the ruckus and on top of a tower to later drop a marker.

I had made a mistake, I had a point where there was no marker and Joss and Kang were not fighting. A lapse of memory meant I forgot they could both do a shooting attack.
Kang's being especially poor and Joss was interested in heading for the Miner who had just appeared.

Kang did eventually take down the Watcher but he had succeeded in his role in dropping a marker as did the Miner.

The Rail Worker was just too slow in this game, the Metal Gamin had used Magnestism to finish of the Warden and keep up but Mei took pushing Hoffman about to the extreme.
In the end she had pinned him into his table edge and finished him off.

This is why Joss and Kang were no longer fighting, not for a lack of want but Mei Feng is just too fast.

As game started to close I placed markers to secure my schemes as Matt had also done.
In turn 2 I had killed 3 models and unfortunately this meant due to hidden constructs I missed a point of Strategy. Damn that passive Soulstone Miner.

Joss tried with all his might, using his Imbued Energies to get to the Miner as fast as possible but he could not both kill the Miner and/or remove the two markers he had placed.

In the end, Matt had secured his schemes but no strategy point making the game a victory for Mei Feng.

Win 9-6 

For all the stick Spoons gets he played well against a crew that was favoured against his.
He did something that I would recommend for a few crews and that is, in Reckoning, push hard for the full six scheme points and get the Strategy points if and when they come.
It's not fool proof but if you don't have the killing potential playing the game as if there is only six VP up for grabs for either of you, you may stop them on a scheme and/or them ever getting Strategy points.

My crew kills his though and the fact he stopped me getting the full ten was pretty good.





The Team

Our tables were all within pretty close proximity, I was stood behind Aaron, Ben and Oz.

Aaron got to battle the ever dapper fellow Southerner "Sir" James Reeves who was running his new and beautiful Gremlins out.
I remember looking at this game after I finished mine. They were very much in the thick of it and looked quite even if not in favour of Aaron.

Turns out I was wrong as Aaron was bested by James.

Still Benjamin Crowe was against Stuart "Snezzley" Snares. 
Ben sporting his tournament winning master Leveticus against McMourning fighting in the green corner.
Ben carried on his good streak over the weekend getting a 7-3 win over Snezzley.

Also Austin rocking his Gremlins was up against...
Jan, also rocking his Gremlins. We had an SMP face off where Austin again showed Jan that although he may've won an event with Gremlins there were some new up starts who were just as good as him.
Prior to the game they had actually been discussing Strategy, the problem here, Jan had essentially told Austin his list and Jan's only idea about Oz's strategy was Frame for Murder on Pere.
Oz put Frame on Burt Jebsen instead.
Jan lost to Oz in the end by a single victory point.

Overall bar a little bit of in fighting and Aaron picking up a loss the team was doing pretty well.

Lunch time

Yeah, one round and lunch. Kind of crazy but I guess starting later with only 3 rounds meant this would be the case.

It was good to chat to everyone see how they were doing and speculate who we would be facing.
Turns out I had the same VP differential as Martin Wodehouse, we had been on tables near each other all weekend and I had been dodging him.
It's not that I wouldn't want to play Martin because I dislike him, in fact quite the opposite as he's a top bloke someone have I enjoyed chatting to at events, however Mr Wodehouse is a skilled player and although I enjoy the test I would prefer an earlier round 2 opponent.

The lunch ticket we got allowed us the choice of hotdog, burger or nachos, with a proper herby sausage available for Hotdog I went for that, but lunch also included a drink, chocolate bar and packet of crisps.
Pretty good.

Lunch was I think supposed to be about 45 minutes but it felt a lot longer being that Spoons and I had not use the full two hours, in fact I think we had around half an hour to go.

It was nice to get to look around though, the gaming hall at TTN itself is huge as it's essentially a repurposed Warehouse.
Each table had decent terrain and all had underneath space to put our stuff, very useful during the day.
I got have a little nose at some Warhammer but used most of my time to look at other Malifaux stuff and the store.

Also a highlight was to meet Elessarion, she is twitter regular who I have chatted too that almost has entered every #MFXTOP I have ran.
She was kicking back with the Gremlins and although she got a first round lost she seemed to be pretty chill and enjoying the company.
Not only was meeting and getting to speak to her voices and in real life sweet, but she also had cookies.
Winner!
They were lovely.

Back to the actual lunch I sat about with Oz, Ben and Jan, Aaron joined eventually as he was the last of us to finish.

During the end of lunch round 2 draws were announced.
Once again I had dodged Martin

Round 2

I would be sat on table 3 just one table above Martin for reference, one above me, in fact stood next to me was Mr Crowe.

This round was Corner Deployment Squatter's Rights with:

  • A Line in the Sand
  • Bodyguard
  • Protect Territory
  • Cursed Object
  • Deliver a Message

My Game

My opponent this round was a really nice bloke named Vaughn running Guild.
With Protect Territory, Cursed Object and Deliver a Message in Squatter's Rights I knew it was time for Marcus to come back out as I wanted my Silurids.

My crew was practically the same as the day before against Joel with one upgrade change:

  • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the gods and Feral Instincts
  • Mechanical Rider, Imbued Energies
  • Myranda, Imbued Energies
  • 2 Molemen
  • 2 Silurids  
  • 6 SS cache
Mechanical Rider is always a top Bodyguard, quick and can drop Metal Gamin to guard the Squatter's markers.
This and they could Protect Territory quite well too.
Marcus is fast but unlike Mei Feng can be a better support master from a distance due to Alpha if I was avoiding messages.

Myranda is good people and the Molemen and Silurid combination is still a favourite for this Strategy.





Vaugh's crew ended up being something along the lines of:
  • Perdita, Trick Shooting, Badge of Office and Vengeance Bullet
  • Enslaved Nephilm
  • 2 Witchlings
  • 2 Death Marshalls
  • The Lone Marshall
  • Francisco, Wade in
I was reasonably familiar with most of these models though Guild is something I don't have the most experience against. The Lone Marshall was something I had never played against.

I declared Breakthrough and kept Bodyguard hidden.
I could see Perdita staying away and I didn't want to throw things at her to Deliver the Message, which would be a fine choice with the pair of Silurids but I felt the other two were easier for me to secure.
The table was a multi-tiered craggy table which meant that my unimpeded Mechanical Rider would be easily be able to go hide on allowing it's "poop" to essentially let it secure both schemes while the Mole-urid combo got the Strategy.

Vaughn had both schemes hidden, I kept my eye on Francisco imagining he could be the Bodyguard.
I worried a little about Deliver a Message but wasn't sure if he would only want the two from it.
Also with the two Witchlings and their style of running at the enemy I expected to see Cursed Object.

As we got into the game we both started making our early dashes to grab markers.

Mechanical Rider and Marcus ran off down my left while the Mole-urid combos went centre and right.
Myranda used her speed to keep close to the Moleman and Silurid in the centre.

For Vaughn he had sent his Death Marshalls down his left to both of those markers.
Perdi being pushed about a bit headed down the centre with her fellow Ortega and the small cadre of Witchlings.
The Lone Marshall went down the same flank as my rider. I knew though my horse was better than his.

Into turn 2 and I was already scoring and securing strategy points, Silurids had used Leap to go where his Death Marshalls wanted to.
A Moleman had been shot down early by Perdita and Francsico had waded in to the other burrowing beast.

Myranda headed towards the centre to protect and possibly give them a giant cuddly cat shaped surprise.

Marcus used Alpha on Mechanical Rider before moving onto the marker the left of the centre.

Mechanical Rider reveled in creation and moved twice, however the robotic horse must've had a full stomach as with it's own activation moved and did it again, getting into range to fire upon Vaughn's own horsey model.

Conveniently for Vaughn The Lone Marshall may not be as good as Rider (hence it is cheaper) but with Hard to Wound and Bulletproof +2 it was quite likely that all I would do, and did, was pip off a single wound.
At least I got to draw a card.

The Lone Marshall's Trick Shooting took aim at Mechanical Rider and was a little more successful, the pushes towards Marcus though made me feel that I was quite possibly seeing Deliver a Message at some point.

A Death Marshall sealed a Silurid away only for his Blood Frenized partner leaping and charging in to tear the lawman apart to recover his fishy friend.

Into the centre part of the game Perdita had gunned down a Silurid while the other simply always activated last and just went Defensive +2.
This did leave the furthest marker for the second Death Marshall to get and start scoring Vaughn Strategy points thanks to Francisco tearing apart a Moleman and allowing the guild to get the centre.

The Mechanical Rider's first Metal Gamin was never moving always staying Defensive +2 and that end was always mine.

Eventually Vaughn's horse riding lawman gunned for Marcus so much I decided to move away and also help the centre. Why?
Well as well as avoiding the marshall trying to deliver a message Myranda had decided to unzip her human suit and show the three-headed monster inside.
The cat leapt into action and a couple of high Tomes saved from the previous turn were enough for a good Mauling. See you later Francisco.

Marcus using his power's to Alpha the cat meant it had a good smell for blood and also tore apart a Witchling.

Hear though I had made a small mistake.
Perdita didn't have a good line to fire on the Cerberus anymore but now a gap had emerged for the Witchling to run into.

As we got into the later turns Perdita had to also dive into the fight and a Witchling was finally able to deliver the message Vaughn was aiming for.

Our horses were avoiding combat as they were both our Bodyguards but with the Forged in Steel trigger at such high power now, the robotic horse turned and ran down the one of flesh but without enough AP left to flip back the Squatter's Marker.

In the end, I had never let go of more than three markers so I was on my full ten victory points.
Vaughn could no longer score his last two for Bodyguard and he had gotten his two for Deliver a message.

At this event, something I did not really think should be at tournaments was random game length.
Vaughn was prepared to wrap up the game as we shook hands and take the six VPs he had.

I did point out that I couldn't score more, but he could. With Marcus locked down Vaughn could still get a final Strategy point and...

Win 10-7

...an 11 was flipped. 
A second handshake was had and a little talk about the game. Vaughn was a good guy and the game was nice an up beat. Hopefully I will see him again at another event. 

The Team

Our champion Benjamin Crowe took on Joel Henry. Joel was not taking the Gremlin "handicap" today, he was running his old favourite and although he hadn't used him in M2E Joel is always a top opponent.
Joel however took his second loss to SMP of the weekend as Ben also got 6-4 victory (these VP differentials are worth noting).

SMP slayer Sir James Reeves had his eyes on another SMP scalp and another Gremlin one in the shape of Oz this time.
A hilarious game where Oz had taken a Pere/Killjoy combo with James summoning and summoning and refusing to kill anything.
However, Austin put up a tougher fight and they ended in a 7-7 draw.

Speaking of Jan he got to play against Outcasts this round in the form of...
Aaron?
Yeah, Jan was the SMP whipping boy, or at least we thought as Jan just grasped victory from Aaron much to my surprise personally.
Their game the night before must've given Jan enough experience to get the win unlike the previous night of "Hotelfaux".

Between Rounds


Normally I wouldn't add this bit, but those who noticed I got +3VP and +3VP will know I was on +6VP and Benjamin he was on +4VP and +2VP. Yes we were destined to play.

It turned out that round 2 produced a lot of draws.
Joe Wood was on +14VP so he was set for table one, so could we be coin flipping for him.

Well Matt Ledgerwood not entirely sure of his VP difference ended up being on +7 (or maybe 8)VP so they would be on table one, Benjamin would stay still and I would shift up.

As pairing were meant to be announced the system failed however with 30 players, there were a few TOs and enough of them jumped in to organise pairings.
Eventually it was called, what we knew was happening the final part of the SMP in fighting was going to happen as not only were it the Bens on table 2 but Austin was playing future addition Mike Hutchinson also.

Jan was facing off against Joel. Would SMP do the Joel Henry hat-trick, continuing to hand him his only losses of the weekend?

Aaron was against Stuart Snares. Aaron had beaten him at Canterfaux, could he repeat this and give Snezzley his second SMP loss of the day?

Could I beat yesterday's tournament winner?
Would either of us be taking the first place trophy?

Round 3

Walking to the table Ben and I both said "you should give me a 10-0", "nah you should give me a 10-0".
Clearly a joke but we knew that if table 1 ended in a draw or a close victory (around +2VP difference either way) the player in our game with the 10-0 would take home the gold.

Jamin though seemed a little off put about playing me, not sure if he was being serious but he seemed a little afraid.
Funny being the amount of insults we throw at each other and his previous records versus mine I was surprised I would even faze him.

I reminded Jamin that he had said the week prior that he wanted to play me, but now he proclaimed "yeah, but not in a tournament" and I laughed as I looked at my scheme sheet after flipping for table edge.

It was Standard Turf War with:
  • A Line in the Sand
  • Breakthrough
  • Assassinate
  • Murder Protege
  • Plant Evidence
The round had started badly, as I think in retrospect that I had picked the wrong master.
Ben was continuing to take Leveticus as he had done for the other six games he had won this weekend.

I looked at the schemes, I saw Assassinate and knew that was a no go as I couldn't get the full 3VP due to the silly bury shenanigans that Leveticus has.
I felt that Mei Feng had to be in combat and I had heard that Leve could just "kill stuff dead" as it were, people saying "that's what he does". Like last round, I went for Marcus as he can if need be hang back and still be great.

I say "had heard" because I came in with a huge disadvantage, I had never faced Leveticus ever, it was much more likely that Ben would know what all the models, mine and his, did than me.

Breakthrough and Plant Evidence also opened the door wide open for my two favourite fish-men to Leap right through so the decision had been made.
Also, I suspected that Ben may play it safe taking some anti-armour stuff as I declared Arcanists and Beasts aren't usually armoured.

My list was as follows:
  • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the Gods and Feral Instincts
  • Myranda, Imbued Energies
  • Cojo
  • 2 Silurids
  • Joss, Imbued Energies
Marcus could use Feral on Joss and this allowed Alpha any of my side and potentially Ben's.
Joss would wreck the sort of monstrosities Ben could bring, including Riders, also, being Hard to Kill he can hold the centre quite well.
Myranda could protect Cojo and become Cojo to save the centre and the Silurids were off to do some scheme marking.

Benjamin's crew was:
  • Leveticus 
  • Hollow Waifs
  • Johanna
  • Mechanical Rider
  • Lazarus 
  • Sue
  • Upgrades
  • Soulstones
This game was an interesting one and genuinely my favourite of the day.
I could go on to explain the game play by play but it wasn't quite a game like that.

With Ben revealing Murder Protege and Plant Evidence I was free to chuck Marcus in a little more offensively.
Marcus, Cojo and Myranda headed towards the Turf as did Joss but out of sight.
Silurids did their thing and hopped off to the flanks to go plant some evidence.

Sue and Johanna headed towards the turf with Lazarus as a gun platform in tow as Mechanical Rider dashed down the flank towards a Silurid.
Then, it was time to learn how Leveticus worked.

Having anchors and Hollow Waifs about meant Leve got to exactly where he wanted to be a had LoS to my left Silurid (Mech Rider on the right) that I didn't see.
A dead Silurid later with a summoned Abomination who next turn would undo his work meant I was already down.

Turn 1 I had actually Alpha'd Joss to turn him around and in turn 2 he used his upgrade to dive straight into combat with Mechanical Rider and killing it off fast, at the time saving the Silurid.

However Leve popped up here, with triggers ignoring the use of Soulstones Joss was slayed as easy by Leveticus as Joss had slayed Mech Rider.
The issue was, that was 3VP for Ben and nothing for me.

With my lone Silurid not particularly safe and having to put in double time and Ben being on as many models as he started with it was downhill from there.

I got myself a point for Turf War on turn 2 and turn three a hilarious yet horrible turn of events had happened.
First of all Myranda was wasting her potential healing Cojo out of Hard to Kill which was a waste on two levels, her investment for a 1/2/3 healing isn't worth while and one of the major reasons she was even about was to be Cojo 2 if needed.

Much like my game with  Mark Elwood the day before Cojo's big base and terrain had bottle necked Marcus.
However he got into position and went to pull of some tricks.
First of all he targeted Johanna due to her low Willpower to turn her into a beast.
Done.
Next (this was a mistake) Marcus used Darzee's Chaunt to give her positive attack and damage flips but double negative to defense.
Lastly. Alpha time.

Black Joker.





All Marcus had done was power up the female Johan, which he should have done after Alpha.
The Alpha would have however been a huge play and the Black Joker was he exclamation point of the sentence "you've lost!".
The plan was that Johanna could charge Lazarus, with her double positive flips to damage and her high damage profile she already has added to the additional positive to attack (and damage too) meant chaos and pain for the Guild hating robot.

Even without a dead Lazarus, this would weaken him and have her be very easy to slap about with her double negative defense.

Instead she charged in smashed face and started to kill my crew.

A desperate Myranda became a Cerberus to avail and yeah, it was pretty much over.
With the embarrassment of a Hollow Waif getting a Red Joker on damage to kill it, with a huge barrel of laughs that was a definitive end to the tournament.

Loss 2-10

Looking to my left at table 1 I may have been a little bothered by not putting up the fight I would've liked against Ben however I was happy to not be there.
It's not a very nice thing but neither player seemed to be enjoying themselves at all.
Whether or not it was the same both sides one player seemed to be a little more serious yet clumsy than the other.

One instance I witnessed leaning over to see how the game was going (at a stage I was "still in" mine) I could see what was an incredibly awkward conversation.
Somebody had drawn their hand before discarding cards, having three extra cards in their hand and was caught before discarding.

This could be an honest "brain fart" maybe they were so sure about discarding certain cards they thought they had and went too fast for themselves.
However, discarding afterwards is giving you essentially the power of an enhanced free soulstone.

A suggestion by them of "well you pick three cards at random" seemed like a fair way to do it but also could be advantageous if all three cards drawn were in fact worse, going back to the soulstone like feel.

Overall it looked a mess, it didn't look fun and mistakes like that really should not be happening on the top table late into a tournament.

I only bring this up because where I do think Malifaux Tournaments are one of the most fun ways to spend a weekend there is still some bad points hidden deep within.

I don't want to say this to put people off, I barely see anything like this, in fact barely even hear a whisper and hey I was on  table 2 almost crying with laughter as a Black Joker had just came up at literally the worst point against the previous day's tournament winner a man who could play with a "game face" but is always interacting and will give banter if you're up for it (I have watched plenty on games with Ben and know this to be true).

The Team

As I had my civil conflict with Benjamin, Austin was having another with now SMP member Mike Hutchinson.
Oz's little green men had some trouble versus the barrage of Willpower duels that Mike's Pandora was kicking out.
Oz went for placing lots of markers, Planting Evidence and Protecting Territory with them as Som'er could hopefully summon a dirty bayou wave to wash over the table.
Unfortunately for the little guys Mike's hardcore face smashing bunch of Juju, Teddy, Pandora and Candy kept the Turf clear for his points.
Mike using the Strategy to push a gap in VP meant that he was the winner. Rightfully earning his space.

Jan had got to play against Joel in what I hear was a close game with Jan unfortunately being a little too slow and making a huge game losing brain fart. Listen to @malifools to hear more from Joel's own perspective but unfortunately the no.1 finally took out an SMP member putting Jan on a 1-2 record for the day.

Aaron in his Canterfaux rematch against Stuart kept the score to him and finally picked up a big win for the day.
What sounded like an entertaining bout it seems Mr Bailey has Mr Snare's number.

Results

The Team

I finished on 2 wins and a Loss,
Benjamin finished on 3 wins,
Jan finished on 1 win and 2 losses as did Aaron,
Austin finished on a single win, loss and draw.
Mike for those keeping score at home, also finished on 2 wins and a Loss like I did.

Where did this put us.

The Awards

Starting from the bottom the spoon winner was Peter Shepherd with Resurrectionists.

None of SMP were quite that low.

Jan finished in 19th where as Aaron although he took a loss to Jan did better elsewhere getting 18th.

Austin with that draw got into 17th so half of our crew were in a nice little row.

The podium would could consist of someone on 2-1 but with all the draws it seemed unlikely.
I got 12th, again only just behind Joel Henry like at Malifolk who was 10th.

Mike must've had a far greater VP differential due to Benjamin smashing me pretty badly and he got 6th

Podium wise.
In third was Adam Markham with Guid
Second was taken by our man Ben Crowe, if he had 10-0'd me he would've taken his second gold in two days but a 1st and 2nd would have to do.

The overall winner, like Ben the day before finally smashing through that glass ceiling was a well deserved winner in the shape of Matt Ledgerwood.
Matt is a top bloke and it was great to get a chance to chat to him at this event, as I shamefully have to say I didn't even realise he was at Somerfaux with me, so evidently we did not chat.
Good laugh, very polite and again deserving winner of the first place prize.

This would mean for best in faction:

Nathan Burman took best Ten Thunders by default,
Attempted SMP slayer, James Reeves took best Gremlins,
Matt Ledgerwood took best Resurrectionist with his first place,
Adam Markham took best Guild with his third place,
Martin Wodehouse took best Arcanist for the second time that weekend,
Mike Hutchinson took best Neverborn,
Benjamin Crowe took best Outcasts!

Final Thoughts

Well that is it for now, I was pleased with myself carefully climbing up the tables at Octoberfaux.
I was greatly disappointed that I did so poorly versus Ben's Leveticus crew but it goes to show how useful knowledge can be.
I lost two major models in the first couple of turns very quickly due to how Leve works and that I didn't quite realise how far his threat range really did spread and that it could still cut through brick walls like Joss with as much ease as candyfloss (like the Silurid is), the game like I said was great but with even one game against Leve before I honestly believe Ben would not have trashed me quite as much. Not to say I would win.

Where the jokes came at me after the weekend that I only took Mei Feng once where I could have used her more, the irony really is that actually in the last round I may have been better off with her.

I am still not sure as Marcus and friends do have some good tools for that strategy, one day I will try and see who is better.

SMP took a mixed bag of placings, but arguably we knocked ourselves out of a chance for more titles.
Still, the shirts looked awesome and a good few people really wanted some which does give myself and SMP as tournament organisers some idea's for our future events.

It was great to chat to some people I hadn't spoke to properly Eless and Matt L are on top of that list, as well a catch up with people I hadn't seen for a while like Sir Reeves and Stuart Snares.

TTN was a great place to play at and I do hope to go to Clouseau's event later in the year.

Finally thanks to my bros the SMP and Matt Spooner again for that day and week prior.

Thanks again for reading if you got this far, well done to you.

-Ben (@psientologist) 

            05/11/2014

            Malifolk 3

            Malifolk 3: The Rise of #SMP


            Malifolk 3 was an event held Norwich (Norfolk) the stomping ground of Mr Lee Battrick and Malifool's own Mr Mike Marshall, the owners of Bendy Boards

            Malifolk 3 was four rounds of 50ss Fixed master Malifaux action.
            Strategies and Scheme pools were not revealed until all 30 players who had signed up submitted who they would be taking.

            For me Mei Feng would chill out and I would be taking my finished* Tale of Malifaux Bloggers project Marcus.

            Geek Manor

            Prior to Malifolk I had already headed up to the very flat county of Norfolk.
            Mr Matt Spooner had always said that I was welcome and with his new place to show off the offer was still wide open (why do I feel the need to make a dirty joke now).
            Sometimes in life it is just good to get away, Norfolk may not be the Caribbean but it's far from home for me and with good company and people I don't get to see that often.

            I will not talk too much about the half week prior (I came up on the Wednesday by trains, gross) but I would like to take another opportunity to thank Spoons for being a fucking fantastic host and a great friend.

            I may write a blog about the Geek Manor week, but basically it involved lots of films, a bit of gaming, bumming , having some more of the Tractor Massive (Mike and Pete) over, meeting the lovely Claire properly (she's not imaginary and is very nice), more films, more bumming and some tasty food.

            Normally at this stage in a tournament report I briefly chat about what Aaron and Jan were bringing to the event, this time I was without my Poole cadre though they would join me later**.

            Spoons is the one who I rode with, he was taking C.Hoffman and the "Hoffbots" which he hadn't quite got finished to the standard we know he can do but still had a sweet looking crew with the base colours showing through. Police style blues and whites.

            Matt and I even had a tournament practice game the revealed scheme pool and although, honestly it was a bit of a trashing from my Beasts to those bots I think we both learned a lot, in fact my crew I had taken was what I ended up quickly selecting for that Strategy on the day.
            To be fair to Matt he did put up a decent fight and was still learning the crew (it may've been his first game with Hoff) where as I have played Marcus a decent amount.

            Our personal goals were set for the next day. Matt wanted an honest 2-2 record, without the most fantastic tournament record I think it was fair and honest, maybe I had too much faith but I was sure he could do it.

            Myself, I have done terrible at the tournaments I played in. Canterfaux my first was a 2-2 record and Somerfaux in my head is a muddle, I went 1-3 but the last two rounds I had beaten myself up about for so long knowing that I definitely easily could have won and were both games I felt I was ahead and in control of.

            SMP?







            I said that my "homeboys" Jan and Aaron weren't about, while this is true, technically I never stood alone.

            Prior to this event a small group of myself, Aaron and Jan had joined up with the "Isle of Faux" boys, Benjamin Crowe and Austin Capewell to start getting the south coast a little bit more organised when it comes to having events***.
            However, we're all mates, all play too, and through a simple name in a "Whatsapp" chat we became a team.
            Southern MaliPros.

            As a side note I originally was going to title the chat as Southern Malifaux Alliance or something of that ilk, I couldn't fit all the characters and just put in pro for a laugh. Honestly. I don't even think I'm that good.

            After the weekend, we added a sixth member to the group, former Team SimeTime member and fellow southerner Mike Hutchinson.

            Malifolk wise Ben had come up with some of the Thanet lot, Jake Barlow, Paul Flory and Zak Foote.
            They were delayed thanks to road works so the SMP shirts weren't on display this day, but the weekend would be the start of SMP being a team on the scene.

            Ben was running Leveticus, more on him later.

            Round 1

            28 players made it to the event, the magic number which means the winner would earn the maximum 100 rankings points.

            First of all I was paired up against newcomer Kelvin Last, he and some of his club mates came up to play in Malifolk as their first event. I hoped I would give him a nice enjoyable game and a pleasant welcome into the scene. 

            As well as get a win obviously... come on.



            Cutting decks? Say what?



            Kelvin was running Ten Thunders Misaki, to the regular reader; don't worry I didn't start telling him how bad I thought Misaki was, or explain that Mei Feng was the "correct choice".

            We would be playing Reckoning with a quite opposite scheme pool:
            • A Line in the Sand
            • Distract (D)
            • Protect Territory (T)
            • Spring the trap (10)
            • Power ritual (13)
            I already knew what I would take before I saw Kelvin's crew.
            Getting points in Reckoning is sometimes hard but I know I have the killing power.
            Protect Territory (revealed) would be an easy choice, hoping to outnumber the opponent and simply drop markers late.
            Distract and Spring the Trap were too against the Strategy for me and although I would say just pushing hard for the 6 is not a bad tactic I wanted to score well.
            Line in the Sand is simply a lot more involving than Power Ritual so that was my last choice.
            It was also revealed.

            The crew for me was roughly:
            • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the gods and Feral Instincts
            • Howard Langston, Imbued Energies
            • Myranda, Imbued Energies
            • Dawn Serpent
            • Sabertooth Cerberus 
            • Hoarcat Pride
            • Cache of 4 Stones
            Howard and Sabertooth are killers, simple, they brutalise the enemy.
            Myranda is essentially a Cerberus with a Ml6 attack of her own if she doesn't want to transform outright.
            The Dawn Serpent is something I'm growing to love in Reckoning.
            Ml7 with min2 damage and 2 poison adds up. Wk6 Flight means it gets about fast and using Alpha on it is occasionally just unfair.

            The Hoarcat is pretty brutal at 5ss. If Kelvin was Arcanists this may be a Metal Gamin for Magnetism or if he had said Resurrectionists I may've gone with the Arcane Effigy for the condition removal.
            The kitten though is hard to shoot at and is generally thankful for not being activated early, this works well in the crew and good against Kelvin who may have some range.

            Kelvin took:
            • Misaki, upgrades and minimum cache
            • Fuhatsu and the new Blot the Sky upgrade
            • 2 Thunder Archers
            • 2 Torakage
            • Dawn Serpent
            I had seen this new Archer upgrade work well before, I knew that Fuhatsu would be a prime target.
            Torakage were fine but I knew I could outmatch them and Misaki well... I'm not even going to say.

            It was cool to see Kelvin with the Dawny S too, but mine was better (kind of).

            The Game

            I revealed my schemes, I believe Kelvin had both his hidden.
            He was either going for Distract and Spring or maybe just wanted the power to bluff. It was a brave play but instantly I wasn't sure if he was making a great decision.

            I will not go with a play by play but a quick overview.

            My Dawn Serpent, however tempted I was to fight Kelvin's, actually just placed my corner's Power Ritual and flew up the edge of the board with an eye on the possible fights.

            As suspected Kelvin had a firebase of Fuhatsu and the Archers. Moving forward to get the range meant I just went full aggressive. "Use Nimble to walk three times" I say shoving Langston down Fuhatsu's throat first turn.

            Cat leaping forward with Myranda keeping by for the positive defense.
            Marcus kept close, Alpha'd Langston, engaged Fuhatsu and an Archer, battered the big guy.

            Misaki and her ninjas headed forwards with Dawn Serpent who would be meeting the big cat, the cat lady and the kitten who was last to follow.

            The second turn saw the big cat and Kelvin's Dawn Serpent exchanging blows. The Thunders beast bested the Cerberus thanks to initiative and the power of chi.
            Myranda changed into a large kitty herself finishing the Serpent and off to slay some ninjas aided by the kitten which the Torakage could simply not beat.

            Howard not only killed Fuhatsu but along with the Master Marcus started to take out Archers.

            My Dawn Serpent seeing no need to join in the fighting just flew down the side further to get the schemes.

            As the game rolled on, I continued to score Reckoning points.
            At one stage a Torakage placed a scheme marker, as did Misaki early on, this made me believe that Kelvin must be going for Line in the Sand or Protect Territory.
            I assumed Spring the Trap was out of the books simply because of placement.

            Moving into the last turns had not failed to get any Strategy points and although I lost my second big cat (Myranda) that was it for losses on my side.
            Howard had easily killed the archers with single attacks and Misaki who had tried to take out Marcus got executed by the rampaging steamborg and a Shillelagh to the face.

            With the ninjas eaten by cats, the Dawn Serpent placing the Power Ritual and setting up for the Protect Territory markers too, the last turn simply involved me cleaning up Kelvin's markers and placing my own.

            It was a clean sweep.

            Win 10-0

            Admittedly luck of the draw would have me face a fairly new person to the game round 1, I find Reckoning to be one the strategies I am actually good at, which is odd because scoring can prove difficult.
            Kelvin did have the combat master but Misaki just isn't good enough. Sorry, there I said it.

            Howard essentially eliminated half of Kelvin's crew turn 1 and it was only down hill for him from there.

            A top bloke who I hope to see at more events, hopefully Kelvin now realises that hidden schemes aren't always the best idea in tournaments.




            One of many brilliant tables at Malifolk 3.



            Round 2

            Well after being the only person to 10-0 round 1 I was not in a great position to submarine.
            I was actually (randomly) on bottom table round 1 so I went all the way up the hall to table 1.

            My opponent, none other than my round 1 opponent for #M2GT Mark Elwood with Dreamer.

            This time it was Corner deployment Turf War. The schemes were as follows:
            • A Line in the Sand
            • Protect Territory (T)
            • Bodyguard (R)
            • Cursed Object (1)
            • Vendetta (5)
            I like Cursed Object (or Distract) in Turf War, you tend to have people in the middle in Turf War, shocker I know, so you know models will be about to interact with, that and a lot of people will try to take extra models to easily get two in the centre.
            Bodyguard made me think that as Mechanical Rider would be coming out to play I could be taking that.
            Vendetta is always dependent on the opponents crew and finally Protect tends to be easier than Line and is always a possibility.

            My Crew was:
            • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the gods and The Hunger Cry
            • Mechanical Rider, Imbued Energies
            • Myranda, Imbued Energies
            • Cojo, Imbued Protection
            • 2 Silurids  
            • Cache of 4 Stones
            Still not sure this was the greatest crew and Marcus in Turf War is something I need to look at again.
            For one I avoided my blasting options of the Dawn Serpent and Rogue Necromancy, this may have helped.

            Mechanical Rider could be a Bodyguard and would be an extra source of tough models, pooping metal gamin on the turf.

            Cojo currently is my go to as his best ability in my opinion is Rude Sign Language as the unconditional push timed right can deny the strategy quite easily.
            Myranda would also be able to become Cojo if I lost him, but he was protected to hopefully stop that.

            The issue with my crew here is that although the Silurids were in for scheme markers or Cursed object it meant my crew was too small and therefor Cojo's "power" was weakened and I've gone on record before to say I don't think he's that great.
            3 Molemen or even Metal Gamin and a Jackalope would probably have been better, not sure, but it needs some thought.

            Mark's crew is hard for me to remember, especially due to summoning, highlights were:

            • Dreamer with Summoning
            • Teddy with the new Ignore Armour (discard to ignore Df triggers) upgrade
            • Widow Weaver
            • Insidious Madness
            • Silurid of his own.
            My problem in this match was two fold (well three including poor crew selection on my half), Matt is very good, although I would not let that phase me I could not expect too many mistakes from the gentlemen who won September's Curse.
            Secondly my inexperience against Dreamer. Jan has played him but is very much in the learning stage.
            Although I had a good idea of what most things did, this game would almost feel like playing against a totally different master.

            The Game

            Again no play by play but I will go over some big points.
            First of all, Mark seemed to solely summon Stitched and Insidious Madness, no twins, no Alps.
            Stitched here are great as doing their kamikaze style attacks are fine when they are "free" also it just gives them two chances with their reactivate.
            Madness are easy to kill if you have taken the right tools, their movement though is crazy good.

            Mr Elwood's initial Madness and Silurid ran up to a far corner placing markers for his announced Protect Territory.
            He had a hidden scheme, I assumed Cursed Object (as did I) but his models outnumbering mine meant that it was never really safe for me to go for as at best we would both get 3 VP and that didn't really help.

            Although the summoner will usually out-activate their opponent my lack of models didn't help, Cursed Object was cagey to go for and I had no real spare pieces to try and stop Mark's Protect Territory.

            Cojo sat in the center taking a lot of heat, Myranda healing him on occasion and Marcus using Alpha to allow Cojo the extra movement and timing he needed.
            A big problem for me was that Mark had chosen a Corner that left me in one which would have two huge structures that funneled me into the Turf.
            With all the big bases I had bottle necked myself. My Bodyguard Mechanical Rider loomed on the outside, making Gamin and avoiding conflict thanks to the Teddy, never ever really getting a good shot at anyone or an awesome charge lane.

            The game carried on with Marcus at the back having to play support and really being under utilised, Cojo being a tarpit but eventually dying and me getting so desperate that Myranda didn't even become the King of Kong and opted to tear things up as a Cerberus (this is where I would prefer having a Blessed of December).

            Silurids didn't get to curse much and somethings they did were just killed by Mark himself.
            The game was going to be a loss, I just needed to leave with as many VP as I could.

            Mechanical Rider scored a point for Bodyguard and I had been racking up the Turf VP along with Mark.
            I knew Teddy was gunning for the Rider and in our last turn as I lost initiative I could see how Teddy could be pushed to get the attack but I thought I would have the gap for Mech Rider to just flee as fast as possible.

            Accomplice.

            Not even taking the chance to steal initiative was the rotten cherry on my disgusting cake of mistakes this game.
            Day Dreams have Accomplice and I'd forgot, Teddy was pushed, removed his upgrade actually pulled off the (0) on negatives and tore the rider into pieces, stopping me getting the final 2 Bodyguard points.

            With the game clear where it would finish, we shook hands and called it.

            Loss 9-4

            I was still on +5VP diff which was fine for 1-1. I had severely been put back in my place. The top table was not somewhere I belong just yet.
            Although I was quite smashed by Mark it did give me some confidence and I'm hopeful that our GT rematch will be closer.
            Hey, hopefully the result will flip.




            Mr Zac Evans smiles for the camera.



            Lunch

            During lunch other than eating a few other things went down.

            Best Crew (painting/hobby award) would be judged on what was fielded the round prior.
            I put my crew out, although Marcus is unexciting and needs work and my Mechanical Rider is horrid I am happy with the rest and simply thought, "why not?".

            Pairing were also announced. I would be down to table 4 (still top 8) against none other than.
            At the time UK no.1 and the only fellow 'fool I haven't faced.
            Joel Henry

            More on that after lunch.

            Food wise there was a local fish and chip shop, it was definitely better than the one during MCC but then again I just got some classic Battered Sausage and chips.
            I took the chance to chat with Conrad and his Taelorn clubmates.
            He was congratulating me on doing well, but I was honest, I had 1-1 record a win against a new player and loss to someone who was very clued up.
            Joel was next so it was time to prove whether or not I was a player who belonged closer the top or bottom.

            Chatting with Ben Crowe he was on two wins and would be facing Martin Wodehouse next round on the top table. Martin is an awesome bloke who I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting to at events and a top player, obviously though I wanted #SMP for the win.




            It's him... Conrad.



            Round 3


            Now I must start that I wasn't playing against the "full might" of Mr Henry you see Joel has been raising money for charity specifically for #WAAC and Macmillan Cancer Support.
            If you check this link you can see about "Gremlins for Joel".
            Where he is being forced to play Gremlins once certain stretch goals are hit.
            It get's worse though, he's wore a Pig Onesie, has to play Gremlins at #M2GT and much more.

            At this event his lists were being picked for him.
            Joel had:

            • Som'er Teeth Jones, Guardian Stone, Family Tree, Quality Mash Liquor
            • Whiskey Golem, Drinking Problem
            • Lenny, Stilits
            • 2 Skeeters
            • 2 Warpigs
            Basically Som'er has a decent healing upgrade but the stone that does... and Family Tree with no one to summon from.
            Whiskey Golem with an upgrade other Tri Chi can use. There isn't any.
            Ht4 Lenny which to be fair using Stilts is actually good.
            Skeeters which I actually rate and War Pigs which are decent but underused.

            Knowing Joel's crew I did think about taking a Shikome to attack the Wp1 Lenny but I ignored that, took a crew good for the Strategy and Schemes which were:


            • Squatters Rights (T) (Flank Deployment)
            • A Line in the Sand
            • Protect Territory (T)
            • Breakthrough (M)
            • Plant Evidence (3)
            • Frame for Murder (12)
            I decided to field:
            • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the gods and The Hunger Cry
            • Mechanical Rider, Imbued Energies
            • Myranda, Imbued Energies
            • 2 Molemen
            • 2 Silurids  
            • Cache of 6 Stones
            I like the tag team of Silurids dragging Molemen, they can get to the centre fast and the Silurids would be putting the work in Planting Evidence and getting Breakthrough.

            Mechanical Rider is not only quick too, but dropping Metal Gamin to hold the markers is great.
            Myranda is pretty much a Cerberus, however early turns she's additional protection from shooting and speed that isn't relying on a mask for leap.

            Hunger Cry hear is mostly for Domesticate where trying to Alpha Joel's pigs would be funny, sticking them on negative flips felt good to me.



            Pete Wright and Clouseau play on the Dreamer board.


            The Game

            Joel may be handicapped without choosing his own list, but had yet to lose (he'd won and drew) and had started to learn his list.
            His Warpigs used Truffles to drag Lenny and Som'er about. The Whiskey Golem headed up one edge of the table while the irritating Skeeter buzzed about ready to tie me up.

            We both took Breakthrough and Plant Evidence all revealed.

            I'd used leaping silurids placing scheme markers to jet Molemen up the table while skirting up the side with Mech Rider and heading straight into the thick of it Marcus.
            Myranda kept near some beasts but also went towards the Squat markers early.

            Having flipped some markers in the first turn I was ready to gain strategy points and attempt to deny Joel. For the most part by just killing his relevant models.
            His Whiskey Golem was currently too far for me, flipping a Squat marker near a board corner and keeping away from the fight.

            However much I was tempted to go take the Golem down I believed concentrating on dealing with the Pigs and big gremlins would serve me better.
            After all, if I was unable to stop the big bundle of barrels getting some schemes Joel definitely was up against it stopping my bouncy beast alliance.

            Early doors a Skeeter tied up the opposite Squat marker (to the Whiskey) that a Moleman had taken position to obtain.
            Realising the futility of having a Moleman try to kill or even walk away from a Skeeter I decided to teleport back and head off somewhere else.
            Having a Moleman taken out of action by a Skeeter all game would not be good for me, but I knew with the other Mole and Swampbeast dropping markers I'd get an escape route in the end.

            I had still flipped two markers. One Marcus stood upon fighting a Warpig and Som'er the other in a Myranda & Silurid vs Lenny and Pig fight.

            Marcus went full "beast mode" making the Warpig next to useless and smashing his porky face in.
            My main mistake here though was not using Accomplice, leaving Joel the chance to heal the Warpig back up where the Mechanical Rider could've finished the job.

            The second Warpig was harder for me to control, Joel almost having it ruin my scheme laying plans.
            A now Sabertooth shaped Myranda helped me out a lot here grinding away the enemies.

            As the game moved on Som'er who had been shooting up the show and using Bigger Hat than you to scarper my plans (an early one making me discard 2 Twelves and 2 Thirteens) and carry on cheating with Bayou Two Card.
            However his big gun was not enough to take down Marcus who finished off Lenny and had a friendly Metal Gamin steal one of Joel's markers.

            I had attempted to Magnetise and irritate Joel's Golem to no avail.
            Towards the end Joel surveyed the field and had deduced that the game would end in a draw.
            I didn't take it as I could see otherwise.
            With a final turn sprint full of Imbued Energies from the Mechanical Rider I got to the marker the Golem originally flipped and stole it.

            This left me with 3 points for Strategy and only 2 for Joel.
            We only got to turn 4 (which to note was the same as last game) so combined with the scheme points, the final result was.

            Win 9-8

            The silruid, moleman engine meant that I had locked up scheme points and the Metal Gamin actually failed to magnetise the Golem so often I didn't actually get the chance to destroy any of Joel's markers.

            I was pleased to have beaten Joel, in fact this made Conrad the only Malifool I couldn't beat.
            In a way I feel I could've still done better denying Strategy, maybe played faster (still not sure if it's me or was the event times) and I could've maybe taken advantage of knowing Joel's crew.
            Joss for example wrecks the Whiskey Golem****.

            Still was a good tight game and in fact I was Joel's only loss of the day. So, so much for a handicap.




            A high view of the hall.


            Round 4

            I would still be sat on table 4.
            A note I did not say from the round before was that it was a "Dreamer Table" which was toys, wooden soldiers and the like.
            I'll cover the terrain a bit more later but the table was confusing, I hoped being stuck on it though could maybe be an advantage being used to the way it played.

            My opponent for this round was friend of Mark Elwood and all around top guy Josh Leak.

            Schemes and Strategy this time were:
            • Stake A Claim (J) (Standard Deployment)
            • A Line in the Sand
            • Bodyguard (R)
            • Assassinate (C)
            • Out Flank (2)
            • Murder Protege (11)




            Josh Leak smiles as he prepares to face me.



            This was the game I had played against Spooner in the week, even against Nicodem over Hoffman I thought my crew would be good.
            It was:
            • Marcus, Arcane Reservoir, Trail of the gods and Feral Instincts
            • Mechanical Rider, Imbued Energies
            • Myranda, Imbued Energies
            • Molemen
            • Soulstone Miner
            • 2 Silurids  
            • Cache of 4 Stones
            The crew is aiming to maximise Strategy points while still keeping the schemes in mind.
            Mechanical Rider could be Bodyguard again and is also Wk6 with a push from Turn 2 onwards, meaning easy Stake a Claim marking and extra models to do the same later on.

            Myranda is Wk6 too plus can change into a model with leap which is amazing in this Strategy.

            Speaking of leap, the kings of it Silurids come in, tagging one Moleman for the last few points as bar arguably a Steam Arachnid there isn't really a better 4ss model to have in the Strategy.

            Lastly the Soulstone Miner can place one Turn 2 and Marcus, well he can be Wk8.

            Josh took something roughly like:
            • Nicodem ,Maniacal Laugh, Necrotic King and something else
            • Canine Remains
            • Madame Sybelle, with an upgrade
            • Mortimer with an upgrade
            • 2 Necropunks
            • 2 Rotten Belles
            I took Murder Protege on Mortimer as I believed he'd be easier to take down than Nicodem and Bodyguard (unrevealed obviously).
            Josh had neither of his schemes revealed.
            With his lack of Crooligans and only 2 Necropunks I was pretty positive I could tip the Strategy towards me.
            I knew Josh would put up a good fight but I knew I could win this one.

            Early doors saw me wipe the canine remains out with one strike from Marcus as Myranda, quickly turning into a Cerberus and fueling my hand delve deep into tearing all Josh's Rotten Belles apart.

            Josh had deployed in a refused flank before me, in response my offensive pieces mirrored him but the Mechanical rider was "miles" away, literal feet.

            Both our leaping units headed off towards the middle avoiding each other with my moleman tagging along.
            Marcus would Alpha the cat in turn 1 or 2 also to continue it's rampage towards Mortimer who hid at the back with his master.

            Eventually Nicodem would do his summoning tricks, getting some more Belles back from Zombies after his maniacal laugh along with a Punk Zombie who with Fast quickly tore apart the Cerberus.

            My biggest mistake here was thinking the coast was clear. If Josh had been playing anyone without the summoning capabilities of Nicodem I would hasten to say that I had the game won in the very first turn.
            Marcus dived in to clear up and help the big cat fight on.
            However with a smaller cache and no beasts to defend him, Marcus was eventually torn down by the undead ladies of the night and a katana wielding punk.

            Three scheme points were earned very early for Josh as Assassinate was revealed to be one of his two hidden schemes.
            I was still unsure of his second. A hidden Murder Protege was what I hoped for as he hadn't even tried to bluff A Line in the Sand.
            Outflank may have been the choice, but again I would be surprised if had hidden it.
            At this point I guessed Bodyguard.

            I surveyed the field as the game went on, his Necropunks could simply not keep up with the newly arrived Miner, Silurids, Mole friend and robot horse. In fact by the end of the game I had 8-9 markers down "just in case" where as he had 1-2.

            The Mechanical Rider was never in danger of dying and I suspected I could predict the game. Even if he could surprise me with his scheme I would win 7-6.
            Getting to Mortimer was impossible now, he was wounded from some self harm and I had my Miner beat on Sybelle, if he had Bodyguard I was aiming to only let him get 2VP.

            Turn 4 came.
            We discussed the game but Josh looked over the field and decided he thought he could still win.
            In a last ditch effort Nicodem just got the right cards to summon a Necropunk who made a line for what was evidently Outflank.
            I wasn't going to be able to stop it this turn as it was the last activation, but with Bodyguard and Stake a Claim in the bank it wouldn't matter to me...

            "15 minutes left. Do not start another turn!" announced Mike as Josh finished his after Leap walk.

            That call out, was my defeat.
            Without the firth turn I had only got 3VP for Stake a Claim, 2VP for Bodyguard and without being able to engage the Necropunk Josh had gotten the full 6VP for his schemes.

            Loss 5-6

            Inside I was devastated, the game was mine, I had played quick as from even turn 2 onwards it was all just moving and marker placing for me.
            I was in control of the game. I'd slipped up with Assassinate, maybe I could have left more Gamin by the flank, even then it would only be a draw.

            Time, time was my enemy.
            Sometimes people lose and say "Well I would have won if you didn't flip this" or "if I had taken this".
            I would've won, with no card flips. In fact no movement would five me the 7-6.

            I had failed in my personal goal. Malifolk was another average 2-2 and I was so gutted.
            Inside I was fuming but Josh being such a top guy I couldn't get angry.

            We chatted briefly and I got some fresh air. It is only a game but I was invested and irritated that I lost, not by some victory points but by two minutes.

            Catching up with Uberspoons




            This photo must be after the 2 wins.



            Well I failed my personal goal, how did Matt do?
            Well he won round one as did I so spirits were high, however as I was being smashed by Mark Elwood, Matt had won.
            He already had those two wins he wanted and still had two games to go, doing this well Matt also got to a lofty height, table 2 against Martin Wodehouse.

            That was it for winning, Matt lost against Martin and his final opponent but 2-2 with a brand new master was great and he got his goal.

            Results

            Full results can be found here at Malifaux Rankings.

            I sat at 2-2 at the end of the day, with +1 then -1 VP differential in the last two rounds I was still at the +5 I was dropped to by Mark.

            The Tractor Massive, the yellow shirt wearing Norfolk lot that Matt Spooner is a part of all ended on 2-2 also.
            Two things were interesting here, who would earn The Rusty Tractor the "prize" given to the lowest placing member and would I be higher than them.

            Bragging rights were up for grabs especially as during my week at Geek Manor Pete Wright of the Tractor Massive claimed "what could he teach me about Marcus?" as we were both taking the Beast Master to this event.

            Well then, where did they end up?
            The Rusty Tractor was awarded to Matt Spooner in 16th place (of 28).
            Chris King of Chasing Bacon narrowly missed taking the tractor in 14th.
            Pete Wright was one above at 13th and
            Scott Porter who had smashed me in my first event got 12th.

            Where was I?
            Well I got 11th Place putting me above that entire team. Which honestly surprised me, I knew I could finish above Pete and that it would be close but Scott, I was happy to take that.

            Thanks to another draw Joel Henry got a single place higher than me with his team mate Graham "Bluetac" Burnsell not losing a game (2 win 2 draw) getting 9th.

            Their 3rd man got 6th which was nice and impressive. A last round victory shot him right above me.

            Mark who smashed me the hardest got 8th where Josh with that tight victory against me last round got to 5th. A bugger to think that I could have maybe been that high.

            The Thanet guys who came up with Ben Crowe?
            They cleared up, Paul Flory in 7th, Zak Foote in 4th and Jake Barlow in 2nd.

            What about #SMP member Benjamin Crowe himself?

            Well he just went and Won the Tournament.
            Ben earned his second tournament win and first 100 rankings pointer by winning all of his games.

            Shame we didn't have the shirts but a good shout of S M P came from me as he raised his trophy and got his photo taken.

            Best in Faction for those who are interested was as follows:
            • Best Outcast - Ben Crowe
            • Best Ten Thunder - Jake Barlow
            • Best Arcanist - Martin Wodehouse
            • Best Resurrectionist - Josh Leak
            • Best Gremlin - Joel Henry
            • Best Neverborn - Zak Foote
            • Best Guild - Paul Flory
            All four of the guys from the South East Thanet area took home Best in Factions. Ridiculous.
            I couldn't be too much more happy with that without me being the one doing the honours. Next time maybe.




            The fantastic prize pool.

            Round up and Final thoughts

            Malifolk 3 was an excellent event.
            To elaborate Lee and Mike were always on top of things, giving clear times and everything (from what I could see) ran smoothly.

            My only issue with the running is felt each round could have done with at least an extra ten minutes.
            It would come across bias as I'd have been 3-1 rather than 2-2 if that were the case but all my games only got to turn 4 and although I am not the fastest I'm pretty sure I play at a quick enough pace.
            Malifaux has some things that will slow the game without helping, Summoners are a big one, the person playing them isn't going to skip an activation to save time, but it does mean that their turns will be longer than usual.

            The tables were all great bar the Dreamer table I played on had either too much terrain or it was too spread about. If either of them read this, I would suggest basing some bits as you would trees in some game as all the terrain was blocking pretty much, no dense.
            It still looked awesome though and with the scene coming together as usual there were enough tables filled with fantastic terrain so quickly that there wasn't need for everything that had been bought along.

            It was excellent to see a Demo table which doubled as a beautiful display of the latest Bendy Board terrain.
            Makes me want the stuff even more now, just have to save the pennies.

            Lastly swag and prizes.
            Everyone got a very handy bendy board counter set which had five squatter's rights markers and a turf token, perfect for the day and always handy.
            Spot prizes for funny things were handed out during the day which I am notably a fan of (we did the same at September's Curse).
            Also literally everyone who played got a prize and people got to come up and pick from bottom to top.

            In theory this idea is amazing. It does what the spoon does and evens out how happy people will be leaving.
            The only issue was the time, waiting for twenty eight people one by one grab their prize became a bit of a slog, so much so that when I went to get mine I wasn't even sure where I had actually placed.

            Trophies were great, I especially loved the Best in Faction laser cut wooden shields with the faction logos.
            It's a shame I was not good enough to get one for myself but it is definitely something I'll be reaching for in the future as they were so pretty.

            Prize wise, I got myself a laser line marker. A very handy bit of kit.

            Malifolk 3 was overall fantastic with the only things I can say were "wrong" were simply tiny and easily changed.
            I will definitely try and travel up again for Malifolk 4 and I would like to thank Lee and Mike again for such a cracking fun and welcoming event.




            Another awesome Malifolk 3 table.


            My experience wasn't quite over...

            The added awesome for me was I was staying at Geek Manor for one last night and being in the home county of a fair few people a decent half dozen came out for a meal.

            Cheers to Mike again for organising and Pete, Joel, Clouseau, Spooner and Becks for a fun meal. 

            Spooner and I went home, both very tired and in one of those moods where pretty much anything is funny we spent too much time shooting lazers around the room and being far too easily amused.

            It was time for bed as tomorrow, there was more tournament gaming to be done...


            *Crews are never finished, not really.
            **Octoberfaux was the next day, blog coming soon.
            ***Isle of Faux 2 and May Feng are both on the forums to sign up to.
            ****Consistent damage ignoring most of his defenses.

            Thanks again for reading
            -Ben (@psientologist)