As twilight draws near, the billowing steam from the locomotive rises into the air, blending with the heavy, menacing clouds. The train begins to slow down. Restless passengers press against the windows, pulling me out of my drowsiness. Some clutch their suitcases as if their lives depended on it. All strain their ears as the train approaches the station… The clanking of infernal machines and the eerie green streaks cutting through the sky leave no doubt… Could we have arrived in Malifaux!? That mysterious city, the stage for an extraordinary miniatures game, where cards dictate fate instead of dice? Where strategy goes hand in hand with treachery? Indeed, you scoundrels! But who will guide us through this dark and fantastical Wild West? A trustworthy sheriff, of course. So have no fear—step off the wagon. Join me in welcoming Wahou, your Malifaux writer!

Why Malifaux?

Malifaux checks off many enticing themes: Western, Steampunk, and Fantasy. But the editor Wyrd Games didn’t stop there. Instead of relying on dice—an iconic element of miniatures games—their skirmish game dares to innovate by doing without them entirely.

In Malifaux, a deck of cards determines the outcome of battles. The entire game revolves around a key mechanism called the “Duel.” Each player—attacker and defender—reveals the top card of their deck. The revealed card’s value is added to the relevant character attribute to determine the final result. But here’s where things get interesting: the player at a disadvantage can attempt to “cheat fate” by playing a card from their hand to improve their total. However, there’s a catch—if the high-value cards have already been played in an early duel, they won’t be available for later fights.

This system, blending chance with hand management, turns every duel into a moment of tension where strategy and tactical choices are crucial to influencing the battles ahead. With such qualities, it was only natural for Malifaux to earn its place on Touche Critique!

Who is Wahou?

Wahou: Hey everyone! I’m excited to compile thoughts from the French-speaking Malifaux Discord and share them on Touche Critique. I’m in my forties, but my love for games has kept me a kid at heart. My background is mainly in role-playing games (Stormbringer, Agone, L5R, Ars Magica, and more recently Pathfinder) as well as PC strategy games (Civ, EUIV, FFXIV).

Then, one day, my friends introduced me to a miniatures game. Their pitch was convincing: the setting was cool, it wasn’t just about fighting, and you could even play as journalists and lawyers! And so, I dove into Malifaux, and I’ve been playing it for over five years now.

After hosting a podcast for a few years, attending many tournaments, and meeting tons of great people, I once again feel the urge to share my passion. While I admire the talent and patience of miniature painters, I admit it’s not my thing. Instead, my main interest lies in the narrative and tactical aspects of the game.