Malifaux Jargonbuster - The Arcanists

So, I intend to start on a rundown of each faction and some of their core themes. I will be looking at masters and the themes which run through their box sets. Once again, this is not meant for players who have been around the scene for a while and know what they're doing...or so they say! It is meant for players who have no background or knowledge of the game and want to get involved.

Today... The Arcanists.

In short, the Arcanists are the magical terrorists of Malifaux. If they practice their magic out in broad daylight they may well get a visit from the Guild Withc Hunters at night. Even if that budding Arcanist can fend off the Guild attack they will come back and in greater numbers! This means that whoever the magic user is, they have to live on the outskirts of the city in the dangerous frontier with like-minded individuals.The Arcanists are seen as the last line of defense between the Guild and the common man but behind it all, they are really no more than thieves. The Miner and Steamfitters' Union was formed as an organization to protect workers' rights, wages and benefits. Underneath, the Union have been known to smuggle Soulstones. The Guild have raided many suspected plots but each raid draws public criticism. This public relationship between the two authorities is fought in the court of public opinion.

In addition to offering unlimited soulstones, the M&SU also offer training for young Arcanists! The Union envelopes all manner of person, from the lowliest miner to the most high class showgirl. They have even been known to use creatures and mechanical devices to do their bidding when it is too dangerous of human life.

Doctor Victor Ramos.

Once in a generation, a person is born who has both pure genius and sway to change the world. Ramos is the president of the Miners and Steamfitters Union, a hero among the workers. What the common worker does not see is Ramos' abuse of the Union into a crime syndicate using the black market. He finds a way of turning Guild attacks back on the protection agency and raises himself higher in the minds of the union workers. Ramos uses small mechanical spiders which are generally used for him to escape away from combat.

In Ramos' box you get: Ramos, Joss (the white mans Mr T), Howard Langston (Yes... a spider with a man's body), 2 arachnid swarms and the very large totem; the brass arachnid!

Marcus

Once a professor, Marcus' studies brought him away from the libraries and out into the wild. After studying the manly hobby of floral things, Marcus began to understand the nature of Malifaux on a deeper level. It wasn't long before he felt safer in the wild than the city. He swapped the books for bestial magic (not that sort... wash your mouth out!). Soon the animals around him were at his beckon call. Marcus had turned primal. Using the primal energies to his own ends, Marcus found a sort of power that cannot be tapped without an impression being left. He will of course answer the call of the Arcanists but he only follows one law... the law of the wild.

In Marcus' box: Marcus, Jackalope totem, Myranda (who has a nasty habit of turning herself into a beast), Cojo (the large ape...who does look better with a top hat on by the way), a sabertooth cerberus and a razorspine rattler (Arbok from Pokemon).

Rasputina

Although many come to Malifaux to start a new life, others come under the eye of the Guild serving time for their crimes (rapping in Malifaux... brap!). Raspy arrived in this manner but quickly escaped a Guild Labour Camp and fled into the barren wilderness. After her escape she met a being known as December. No-one knows for certain who this was/is but what they do know is that she now heads the Cult of December. Her magical abilities make her an out and out spell caster with the ability to use other models on the board to cast spells from (think Arc-Node in Warmachine... those who have played) and she has the ability to conjur a snowstorm out of thin air! She is loosely associated with the M&SU but as with all renegades, she holds her own will above all others.

This box is one of the lowest soulstone boxes in the game (Kirai being less) but you do get some amazing models and Raspy more than makes up the points! You get: Rasputina, 3 Ice Gamin, Ice Golem and a Wendigo.

Mei Feng

Mei is a great pretender, working for both the Arcanists and Ten Thunders. Mei discovered she had a remarkable ability: she could heat metal and bend it to her will. This meant she could create constructs with all the traits she needs to do her bidding. She found herself working on the railroad (all the live long day...) and found herself quickly in charge of her own crew. Her abilities placed her firmly in the hearts of the M&SU but not Ramos to begin with. Mei's speed and attraction to move around constructs make her a fast paced, hard hitting master. She was brought to the city by the Ten Thunders, although her relationship with them are tenuous. If the Ten Thunders feel they no longer need her, she will be disposed of.

Mei's box set includes: Mei Feng, Kang (a beloved worker with a 'whomping shovel'), the Emberling (a totem which stokes flaming attacks and the burning condition) and 3 Rail Workers.

Ironsides

A proven fighter, Toni Ironsides is the muscle of the M&SU sent in to do Ramos' heavy duty work. She runs on adrenaline and buffs herself through this. Being the daughter of escaped slaves, the Guild executed her mother which drove Toni underground fighting her way to the attention of Ramos and her recruitment to the Arcanists was complete. Her love of learning sees her accompanied by Oxfordian Mages on the battlefield. Ironsides and her band of merry men have two tasks; keep union workers in check and deal with situations which would threaten the Arcanists/M&SU. Where Ramos is the Voice of the Arcanists, Ironsides is the Fist.

Currently, Ironsides does not have a box set as she is new to M2E! I would guess that her box would include: Ironsides, 3 Oxfordian Mages, Mouse (a dwarf totem) and The Captain (once a Guild explorer in charge of an airship...or so they say!)



Colette Du Bois

The owner of the Star Theatre, Colette is a master illusionist. She started life as a lowly pickpocket but her grace and charm quickly saw her rise through the underbelly of the world. In Malifaux, she rose to new heights - owning one of the most famous establishments Breachside. However, Colette is aware her dreams hide a cruel nightmare. She performs night after night to members of the Guild, every time dancing on a knife edge (sometimes literally) with her impressive magical ability disguised as a mere slight of hand, it would only take a suspicious officer to make her world come tumbling down. She is involved with the smuggling of Soulstones back to Earth for the Arcanists and her performers are in high demand to act as caddies. Despite all of this, Colette is thriving and managing to keep ahead of her enemies. It's a dangerous game, but she wouldn't have it any other way!

Colette's box is only available in metal form but don't panic it will be out in plastic! You can obtain a very special Black Friday performer (if you spent $300 or a shit ton on ebay). Currently, you can get in the box: Colette, Cassandra (her second in command), 2 performers and 2 mannequins.
I would suspect that the new box would include mechanical doves as her totem as well as everything included above!

Finally, Kaeris.

Earthside, Anaslea Kaeris was a business troubleshoter, a gun for hire (even if we're just dancing in the dark). When she came to Malifaux, her path took a very different track. She is devoted to Ramos and the Arcanists and has sought a new kind o power - magic. When Kaeris first passed through the Breach, she became fascinated with the ease at which people used magic. As a condition to working for Ramos she chose him as her sole teacher in arcane knowledge. She lacked the raw power required but Ramos created a soulstone harness but she still struggled. While practicing in the forges one day, Kaeris made a breakthrough. Her power came through wild fire. Fire burst from her hands with little effort and she became a master who hands out burning and fire regularly.

As with Colette, Kaeris' crew is only available in metal. In this box you get: Kaeris, 2 gunsmiths and 3 fire gamin. Again, I would suspect you will get the Eternal Flame (a fire stoking engine) and The Firestarter (twisted firestarter) on top of what you get in the original box!

 All in all, there is a huge amount of variety within the Arcanist faction. If you want an out and out magic user it's there. Likewise a combat beast - it's there. There is something for everyone in this faction. In terms of starting out, I would look at avoiding masters like Colette and Kaeris due to the nature of their crews and although they are thematic, they take a lot of work. Rasputina, Ramos or Marcus are great crews to start with and offer a wide range of play styles!

Well, that's it from me for the Arcanists!

Thanks for reading
I'll see you soon!