How to Choose Your First Malifaux Master and Crew

Quick answer

Choose the master whose keyword and playstyle you want to repeat for a dozen games, then buy the smallest box that contains that master and a playable core. If you are unsure, pick a crew with a clear, forgiving plan and models you are excited to paint. Viktoria Chambers, Twin Blades is a good first stop for aggressive Mercenary players, while Primal Fury gives Arcanist players a straightforward Chimera core.

Your first Malifaux master is a long-term commitment. You will assemble the models, paint them, learn their rules, and play them repeatedly while you learn the wider game. That makes the decision less about which master is strongest and more about which crew you will still enjoy in game ten.

This guide walks through the practical filters that matter before you buy: playstyle, keyword, box contents, and how much assembly and painting you want to take on. It uses real Wyrd Games boxes as examples so you can see how those filters work in practice.

Start with playstyle, not power rankings

Malifaux rewards crews that do one thing well and support it. Before you read a single stat card, decide what kind of turn you enjoy: rushing forward, holding ground, scheming around the edges, or controlling the board with tricks. Your first Malifaux master should match the turns you find fun, because you will repeat those turns often.

Aggressive players tend to enjoy Mercenary and Chimera crews that push forward and trade blows. Players who like layered plans often prefer Honeypot or Bandit-style crews that manipulate the board before committing. Neither approach is better; the wrong one just makes learning slower.

• Write down your last three favorite tabletop wins and what you actually did in them.
• If you like moving first and asking questions later, look at aggressive melee masters.
• If you like denying your opponent options, look at control and scheme-heavy keywords.

Understand keywords before you commit

In Malifaux, a keyword is the group of models that share a master's theme and usually get bonuses when hired together. Choosing a Malifaux keyword master means choosing a model pool you will draw from for a long time. A keyword with clear internal roles is easier to learn than one that depends on unusual synergies.

Keywords also affect your shopping list. A tight keyword lets you add one or two boxes at a time and still field a complete crew. A broad keyword tempts you into buying everything at once, which slows down painting and rules learning.

• Check whether the keyword has a clear frontline, support, and scheme-running option.
• Prefer a keyword whose models you can describe in one sentence each.
• Do not buy a second keyword until you have played your first master several times.

Read the box contents like a shopping list

A Malifaux core box is not just a master; it is a starting roster. Read the contents line carefully and ask whether the included models cover the jobs you need. A box with a master, a support piece, and several cheaper models gives you more list-building room than a box of three expensive fighters.

This is also where you decide how much assembly you want. Most Malifaux miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. If you want to play soon, choose a box with fewer, larger, or simpler models.

• Count the models, not just the price, when comparing boxes.
• Check whether the box gives you at least one scheme-running option.
• Budget time for cleanup, glue, and priming before your first game.

Match the crew to your painting appetite

Your first crew will be your practice squad for painting. Detailed characters with lots of cloth and small accessories look great but take longer. If you want painted models on the table quickly, choose a crew with readable shapes and fewer tiny parts.

There is no wrong answer here, but be honest. A crew you finish painting will get played; a crew stuck in a box will not. If you already know you dislike painting hordes, do not start with a master whose box includes five near-identical models.

• Pick a color scheme before assembly so you can paint in batches.
• Prime and paint the master last, after you have practiced on the rank-and-file.
• Keep your first crew small and add models only after a few games.

Use starter-friendly boxes as your first purchase

Some boxes are easier to learn because their models have obvious jobs. Malifaux Fourth Edition: Viktoria Chambers, Twin Blades leads an aggressive Mercenary crew of experienced fighters, combining speed and coordinated attacks to overwhelm important targets. That is a clear plan you can execute while you learn the core rules.

Malifaux Third Edition: Primal Fury brings Cojo, Paul Crockett, and two Sabertooth Cerberus, giving Arcanist players a Chimera food chain with hunters for every size of problem. If you prefer a crew that applies pressure at multiple ranges, that structure is easier to read than a box built around hidden tricks.

• Choose a box whose plan you can explain in one sentence.
• Prefer crews that reward positioning over perfect combo timing.
• Save tricky, synergy-heavy crews for your second master.

Plan your second purchase before you buy your first

A good first purchase leaves room to grow. Look at the faction and keyword, then check what one additional box would add. If a single extra box fills an obvious gap, you have a healthy starting point. If you need three boxes before the crew functions, keep looking.

This is also the moment to decide between factions. Outcasts, Arcanists, Resurrectionists, and Ten Thunders all offer beginner-friendly paths, but they reward different habits. Pick the faction whose models you want to keep painting, because you will spend more time with them than with any single master.

• Identify the one gap your next box should fill.
• Stay in one faction until you know the rules well.
• Avoid buying a second master just because it is on sale.

Decision rules for your first master

• If you want to attack every turn: Choose an aggressive melee keyword such as Mercenary and start with a box that puts two capable fighters on the table immediately. Checkpoint: can you explain your crew's plan in one sentence?
• If you want to control the board: Choose a keyword built around manipulation and denial, and accept that your first few games will be about learning timing rather than damage. Checkpoint: are you comfortable losing a few games while you learn the tricks?
• If you want to paint quickly: Pick a box with fewer, larger, or more uniform models so you can finish a playable crew before your enthusiasm fades. Checkpoint: can you paint the whole box in two or three sessions?
• If you are unsure between two masters: Buy the box whose models you most want to assemble and paint, then play it several times before buying anything else. Checkpoint: one master, one box, several games.

Crew boxes worth considering

• Malifaux Fourth Edition: Viktoria Chambers, Twin Blades: Faction: Outcasts. Keyword: Mercenary. Viktoria Chambers and her magically created twin fight with the instinct and precision of two warriors sharing the same purpose. As Twin Blades, the Viktorias lead an aggressive Mercenary crew of experienced fighters, combining speed and coordinated attacks to overwhelm important targets. A clear aggressive plan makes this a strong first Malifaux master for players who like pressure and melee.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Primal Fury: Faction: Arcanists. Keyword: Chimera. Cojo, Paul Crockett, and two Sabertooth Cerberus bring the full Chimera food chain to the table. Marcus has hunters for every size of problem. Multiple hunters give you flexible threats, which helps new players learn target selection.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Wokou Raiders: Faction: Outcasts. Keywords: Bandit, Last Blossom. Three Wokou Raiders bring saltwater speed and shifting loyalties to Bandit and Last Blossom crews. Every coastline hides another angle of attack. A useful later addition if you choose an Outcasts master and want fast, flexible board presence.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Dark Dealings: Faction: Ten Thunders. Keyword: Honeypot. Mr. Graves handles the door, Mr. Tannen handles the conversation, and the Depleted show what happens when the Honeypot collects. Shows how a control-oriented keyword splits jobs between characters and disposable models, which suits players who prefer planning over charging.

Who this approach fits

Best for

• New players choosing a first Malifaux master and crew
• Returning players who want a simpler crew to relearn the rules
• Painters who want a small, focused project before expanding

Not for

• Players looking for a tournament-tier power ranking of every master
• Collectors who only want display models and do not plan to play
• Veterans who already know their faction and keyword preferences

Pick the master whose plan you want to repeat, buy the smallest box that supports it, and play a handful of games before expanding. Your first Malifaux crew does not need to be optimal; it needs to be finished, painted, and on the table.