#MFXTOP March Week 3 & #ToMB update.

Let's do this

#MFXTOP Month 3 Week 3. The penultimate week of the competition.
I will admit seems to be a slump, let's hope it picks up for the final week as I know a lot of you out there have things almost finished.
We just need that final push, let's smash some records, we have the most open category so far, so let us do this.

Here are this week's entries though, let's not forget them, as they are awesome:

Week 3 Entries

Still my favourite American on Twitter,
(sorry, direct your hate towards my twitter if need be)
Dawn or @sassylady1970 

has entered this wonderful dynamic job on a guild hound.
Gives me ideas for Marcus!

Next up is a newcomer to #MFXTOP

and Malifaux as a whole, but definitely not wargaming,

it's @PanzerHarris

We can all "blame" Joel Henry for his entry into the hobby

and therefore this fantastic Nekima

To top off this week is the first #MFXTOP winner,
you should recognise his name by now, it's @markjbyrne
working on some guild right now,
love the tin like gold plating.
Can he take down a second month?

#ToMB Month 2"Prologue"

In month 1 we got "$60" which I spent as followed:

Claw and Fang - $50

Total Spent  - $50

Money remaining - $10

Everyone probably know this by now.
The issue with Month 2 plans are:

1. I want plastics
2. I want cheap minions
3. I'd prefer beasts
4. This doesn't exist right now

Also, I am admittedly quite behind with painting, but we will get to that in a minute.

$10 added to this months $25 allowance (which will be what I get for the next 4 also) gives me $35 (addition for the win).

I've decided that I want to hold out for more plastics, but I still know I need some cheaper minions.
My thought process is in a previous blog post but suffice to say, I want some of my old trusty...

Metal Gamin - $21
Total Spent - $71
Money remaining - $14

I again am under budget and this will give month 3 a lot of flexibility with almost $40 to spend.

What does this means in "real life"?

Right now $85 is roughly £51.09

So for "IRL" let's rephrase that to:

Claw and Fang from Element Games - £28.89
Metal Gamin from Element Games - £11.90

Total Spent- £40.79

Money remaining - £10.30

Why keep saving money?
Pushing back this money does give me a chance for newer models, it again forces me to get a few more games under my belt with the starting box.
I might also find that with the addition of the Metal Gamin, I actually find another obvious flaw in the Marcus plan.
Maybe I need blasts, so I go for a Rogue Necromancy or Willie as a cheaper option.
Maybe Cojo continues to be the worse and I get a better big hitter, I could get a Shikome.
Maybe, just maybe, the Cerberus is so good I need another.
$39 will be able to get me even the most expensive miniature, so yes this gives Month 3 a lot of freedom.

As a sidenote I considered during this that I may lean into another master.
My problem with this however is that I own all the plastic Arcanist masters, I haven't done much with Rasputina but I'm not sure I'd feel right running her in #ToMB, I like the "noob perspective" I can give with Masters I haven't used.
If Kaeris, Ironsides or Colette come out over the next few months, they may be tempting, but I'm not sure how good the crossover really is.

Adding only 3 metal gamin, I feel I should be able to catch up by April 17th (Month 3's start) as I have made some progress this month.
Only 2 models down (basing not included) but 2 more are half done.

I've also got a nice shiny Element Games package of paints and bits which I will probably tweet about as soon as I have it.
A thing that has also helped pay for basing material, paints, brushes etc. throughout #ToMB is Element's great "crystal" system as well as the referral codes.
For those unaware what I'm on about you earn Element Crystals when you buy things, 1 crystal which is worth 10p is earned for every £10 you spend, this adds up super quick.
My favourite part is if you enter a friends referral code into the end of your order (mine is BEN179 for example) you earn double points 20p for every £10 and they also get crystals for you spending too.
Everyone wins and thanks to everyone who has used my referral code to earn me some pennies, it means a lot!

Want to see some of my painting?

It turns out enough people wanted me to

continue my new job as a cerberus tattoo artist

Like Red I had to mirror the shoulder and leg markings,

well except the number tag.

I'm happier with this shoulder tattoo...

...but not quite as pleased with the leg one.

Can't win really.

I also decided that the Jackalope would be

the same colours as a "Raving Rabbid",

this also determined the severed head have blonde hair

just like "Rayman" 

So I made a start on the Jackalope and

the soon-to-be "R.Mika" lookalike

Myranda

here is another shot, the second (maybe third) layer of skin.

Blurry photo fail.

However as I said, bar basing, 2 models down.

I'm actually pleased with them, which for me is a rarity!

Cojo still needs a tie, I still need to fix the Rattler and I have to make a start on Marcus.

Lots to do and 3 metal gamin to add on top.

Do I theme the Metal Gamin too?

Tweet me some ideas to @psientologist

Fin

Another day, some more #MFXTOP, some more #ToMB, other peoples lovely painting, my attempts.

Please don't forget, 1 week left in the March edition of #MFXTOP.
The category is wide open with "Wave 2" covering so many models.

We're at about a dozen entries now, 27 was the record.
Week 4 has always been the biggest week for entries, always in the double figures, so can we get 16+?
I still believe we can.

So again, goodbye and LET'S DO THIS!

-Ben (@psientologist)