Pre-Somerfaux 100 Soulstone Pool Thoughts.
What is a 100ss pool?
Briefly for those reading this not knowing what I am even on about quite a few tournaments are running what is called a pool system.
Due to the fact that in Malifaux you do not need to write an army list before a tournament and you get to decide before each game (using lots of factors to decide what you will take, strategy, schemes, opponent), arguably the person with the biggest collection of toys will have an advantage.
This is not necessarily true but could be a factor.
The idea with the pool system is that it restricts the models and upgrades you are allowed to field during the course of the tournament but does not take out the strategic element of crew selection.
Somerfaux a tournament I will be attending a week from today is a tournament where we will be playing games at 50ss but with the pool we are only allowed to select our crews from a predetermined 100 soulstones worth of models and upgrades.
Simply the restrictions are:
- Masters are free, you can take as many as you like.
- Upgrades need to be paid for once but if for instance are rare 3 you can still use 3 for the cost of 1 from the pool.
- Henchman do not need the additional cost to be in the pool, but still do in crew selection.
- Models that can be summoned do not need to be in the initial pool.
Some of these restrictions vary in different packs, but hopefully that explains it simply.
Master. Master.
Now going into Somerfaux after MCC (my report is WiP don't think I've forgot) I was thinking about Ten Thunders as I am wanting to get them out for a bit.
However with time creeping up on me and the realisation that even I do some 10T stuff to a basic standard it would take a while I decided to stick to my favourites. The Arcanists.
So, shock and surprise.
I wanted to play Mei Feng.
To start my pool I had to think about the typical things I take with her, but the other thing that was worth considering was what Strategies I find a little harder with her than I would like.
Reckoning is more about the crew to me, but Mei Feng her self is definitely a beatstick when she wants to be and maybe one of the better masters for this strategy.
I'm sure Ironsides would be solid but I have played two games with her only one of which was in her finalised form.
I actually love Marcus in this Strategy too, he can be a Beast, excuse the pun.
Squatter's Rights again I feel is more about the crew but Mei is fantastic in this strategy thanks to the combination of both a 3" Melee range to protect multiple markers and that if the crew is construct heavy she can run up and down the centre line with ease.
Turf War is another strategy I don't mind Mei Feng in, two models isn't a lot so spamming minions isn't necessary, you just need a good amount. Her Thunderous Smash upgrade is possibly great in this strat at least on paper but is one I tend to leave at home quite a lot. Strange I know.
I do like Cojo here with Marcus and I'm sure there are some sick strategies for this strategy.
However Mei can handle it.
Reconnoiter is where I start wanting Ramos in the crew. Mei Feng can handle this strategy but is not a speciality. Railwalker is great (as always) as Mei herself can change the tide of which corners have the most going on.
Ramos though, summoning three models into one corner is just so very powerful and not to sound cocky but if I am against an opponent of equal to or lower skill level than myself I tend to feel I can't lose recon with Ramos.
Stake a Claim I still don't have my head around this, in an ideal world I would have Marcus and Silurids.
I don't own the Swampfiends unfortunately.
The other thing is Soulstone Miner's which stupidly I don't own (but can borrow I believe) but have little experience with.
So what does it mean?
I do like Marcus and Ramos and I will be taking Mei Feng for sure.
So do I take them all?
Well...
Starting The List
First of all what do I always tend to take Mei Feng with, well model wise:
- Kang - 9 soulstones
- Railworkers, usually a pair - 10 soulstones
- The Emberling, cheap, lovely - 3 soulstones
- Metal Gamin, also a pair usually - 8 soulstones
- Arcane Effigy, my toolbox gamin - 4 soulstones
- Mechanical Rider, usually the pick over the Rail Golem now - 12 soulstones
We can't forget upgrades:
- Arcane MOFO'ing Reservoir - 2 soulstones
- Seismic Claws, doing it right - 1 soulstone
- Vapormancy, anti incorporeal tech, mixed with some blasts and a pinch of Vent Steam - 1 soulstone
- Imbued Energies, not usually for Mei herself, but for any Henchman or Enforcer - 1 soulstone
- Imbued Protection, a little costly, anti assassinate tech and super leap aside - 2 soulstones
Also "People's Challenge" is a fairly usual pick for Kang though I think I take it less than most people do.
With this all together we're over 50 stones.
Seems I can fit in another master's core crew.
Ramos becomes the first thought over Marcus.
The simple reasoning here is the construct crossover.
Also:
- Howard Langston, if I want to kill something dead he is my man - 12 soulstones
- Joss, good tech against riders, enemy Ramos' and so much more - 10 soulstones
Joss also adds some nice M&SU synergies within the crew meaning:
- Bleeding Edge Tech, has to go on an M&SU model but helps friendly minion constructs - 1 soulstone
- Powered by Flame, costs a little more but powers up almost the entire crew. Hot - 2 soulstones
Altogether now we are at around 80 soulstones now.
With two of Ramos best friends in the list I feel I want to add his core:
- Brass Arachnid, mmm reactivate - 4 soulstones
- Steam Arachnid, usually summoned, but one is nice for speed and variety - 4 soulstones
- A scrap marker, sorry, Electric Creation - 4 soulstones
- Soulstone Miner, great in certain strats and is up the board helping a slower crew - 6 soulstones
Many people have said "why not take the Electric Summoning upgrade over the model, it's cheaper?" and the reason is mostly that I want that scrap in the first turn of the game.
With only 2 soulstones left I want either Field Generator or Combat Mechanic.
Of the two I prefer the latter though it relies on generating more scrap.
No stones left for Electric Summoning, but needing that mid to high Tome in this crew I feel is actually not always the best.
I am probably wrong and really someone like @mythicFOX83 is who you should get the Arcanist advice from.
Final Thoughts
Not 100% sure about this list, writing this blog now is all down to that fact. Thoughts onto paper and all that.
Part of me thinks that Price of Progress should maybe be in the pool for Mei, but I do tend to leave it at home so how likely am I to want it in the four games I play next Saturday?
Wouldn't mind Willie in for blasts or the Large Steam Arachnid as a mini-Joss when it comes to scrap usage.
Also James Doxey did mention Myranda and the Sabertooth Cerberus. This gives the crew some more attack and speed and I do love Myranda.
My issue though, that's 17 soulstones to find and neither of the choices have and construct synergy I'm a little reliant on.
Lastly, do I drop People's Challenge or is it that good?
Well I hope you enjoyed this mini ramble and me telling everyone my pool for next week.
Best Arcanist here I come (not happening).
(edited later in the day) Had some talks with the aforementioned @MythicFOX83 and have changed my list.
What did I do?
I guess I'll have to make a post about it in the future.
-Ben (@psientologist)
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