Des Soul Latte… Or how I learned to love abom(s)

How does Leveticus take his coffee?

Hello again from the desolate wasteland  of winter in central Illinois. 

Feeling inspired by finally launching this blog site, 2015 resolutions, Adepticon 2015, and a whole bunch of Wyrd Black Friday purchases, here's my contributions to ToMB 2.  Month 1 will be at the equivalent of $60 USD for initial purchase and future months will be at set at $22.50 USD so I don't have to worry about currency conversion each month.

Disclaimer: I'm going to have to adjust a little because I had to assemble and paint a bunch of models to table-top standard in order to attend a tournament last weekend and be ready for Adepticon.  I'll still be capturing the progress and writing articles to follow along with ToMB month to month.  I'll also be adding more models as we go and increasing the quality of painting on the existing ones. Hope you in enjoy the ride.

My Initial Purchase:

             $37.50 - Salvage and Logistics Crew Box

             $22.50 - Desolation Engine

          = $60.00 USD, $0 carryover for next month

(Note: Retail price can vary between $60 - $90 USD depending on where you purchase from.  You can also still get the older metal Desolation Engine for almost a third of the price if you prefer that sculpt or want to save the cash.  I went with the new one since I like the model and know that it will be available for those referencing this in the future.)

(Where does he get all of those wonderful toys)

For those readying this still looking to get into Malifaux here is the additional 'getting started' purchases that I recommend at this point based on this crew:

                                                            Malifaux 2E Rules Manual 

    

Arcane Fate Deck Fate Deck
(any fate deck will work but I like this one as its easy to read and looks cool)

      Wave1 Arsenal deck to get the common faction upgrades

    

    Other nice to have is the strategy and scheme deck but you can wait on that if you want.

What's in the box?!? Is that a head?

Here's what I determined for a starting crew build based on what I had access to which is all very in theme and synergizes with Leveticus as a crew box should:

            Outcasts 45ss - Scrap

             Leveticus (6ss Pool)

             +Desolate Soul 2ss

             +From Ash 2ss

             +Oath Keeper 1ss

             Hollow Waif X 2 0ss

             Abomination 4ss

             Abomination 4ss

             Desolation Engine 13ss

             +Oath Keeper 1ss

             Rusty Alyce 10ss

             +Desolate Soul 2ss

             +From the Aether 2ss

This crew could easily be played at lower or higher SS games by adding or removing upgrades/abominations.  Additionally it is could be very valid to run in theme with Alyce leading the crew with something like...

            Outcasts 20ss - Shoot Out

             Rusty Alyce (7ss Pool)

                          +Desolate Soul 2ss

                          +From the Aether 2ss

             Abomination 4ss

             Abomination 4ss

             Abomination 4ss

With that build you could get plenty of activations and pretty much guarantee the summoning of another abomination or two with then forming a Desolation Engine.  Pretty scary for only a 20ss game... and yes, I'm evil like that.

How does it play?

Main consideration with Levi is that he has to operate with what are commonly referred to as anchor models.  These are models with a base cost of 6ss or greater that are required to be within 6" of a Hollow Waif for Levi to rebirth from it.  That was the main consideration for including the desolation engine along with Alyce when hiring the crew rather than trying to summon him from other abominations later.

I will admit there are most likely better models to act as anchors but for round 1 and still in theme with the Outcast faction, I feel a Desolation Engine is a critical first purchase.  (He also happens to be a great model with tons of hobby potential!). With hard to wound, built-in trigger to heal for the amount they damage in melee, and (0) action to sacrifice a friendly model to heal, he's good for staying around while causing havoc.  His biggest weakness you have to be aware of is his def 3 which means he can go down easy if another heavy hitter or lots of shooters can target him so go with the best defense is full on offense here. 

Alyce is the other anchor and core component which you can get lots of use out of in the long run of playing Levi or other Outcast masters.  All around I think she's one of the better henchmen with decent wounds, bulletproof +1, high willpower, a good melee, great shooting, and abilities to summon abominations through upgrades.  The last unique ability she has is to grant reactivate to a construct which reduces its wounds to 1.  To me that can be just enough to get another activation for a abomination to complete a scheme or a desolation engine to finish off an opponents' crew and heal while doing it!

The rest of the crew is obviously filled out with abominations as needed and you can pretty much assume you will have opportunities to summon some during the course of a game.  I've assembled all of mine in the standard posses which are all creepy and awesome but the potential is near limitless for reposing, adding extra bits, doing cuts and swaps between the new plastic abominations.  I have the original 4 metal ones, but also 4 additional metal ones which I think at some point I'll convert with another set of plastic abominations.  Why? Cause what kind of soulless mad scientist wouldn't want an army of unique abominations! :)

Obviously one of the biggest draws to playing Leveticus are his Pariah upgrades and ability to hire either any non-gremlin construct (Iron) OR any undead model in the game (Bone).  The variety of crew options with him are almost endless with access to bar none some of the best models in the game.  For now though we'll pass on those as we start with his in faction/theme models and the synergies there.

What's to worry?

I'm trying to come into Leveticus with eyes wide open and acknowledge straight off the bat that his obvious strengthens of being able to spend wounds, kill stuff,  and comeback from death also leads to his biggest weakness.  The waifs are anything but resilient and survivable.  Def6 is okay but most of the better models in the game won't care about it and their Unmade Def trigger has such a small impact that it won't deter a good opponent.   They'll die to one one or two duels that didn't go your way.  Also if you aren't careful with your movement and model placement within 6" and Line of Sight to your anchors Levi won't be able to rebirth.  Savvy opponents will even try to block LoS with other models or obey/lure/push/place your anchors or waifs about.  With Levi, it really is going to be like a game of Chess with your opponent.

Where do we go from here?

I'm planning the next few articles in the series will be hobby updates and maybe a tactics discussion based on our regular weekly games.  I wonder how good Levi and crew can do against a Pigapult and shooty Gremlims... You can always follow the fun on Twitter @JSKrush.

* All characters, artwork, and other trademarks/copyrighted materials are property of their rightful owners.  Keep up the great work you creative devils.