Malifaux Starter Box Contents Explained: What You Get and How to Expand

Quick answer

A Malifaux starter box is a self-contained crew: one leader, a handful of themed models, and the stat and upgrade cards needed to field them. If you want to start playing immediately, buy a Core Box for the faction you like, then add a Versatile Box only after you have played a few games and know which gaps you want to fill.

Malifaux starter boxes are not one uniform product. Wyrd Games sells several box types that can serve as a starting point, and the contents differ enough that two boxes at a similar price can give you very different first games. This guide breaks down what actually ships in a starter, how to read a box description before you buy, and the decision rules for expanding without wasting money on models your crew cannot use.

The most common confusion is between a Core Box and a Versatile Box. Both contain miniatures and cards, but they play different roles in crew building. Once you understand that split, choosing a first purchase and planning a second one becomes much simpler.

What is actually inside a Malifaux starter box

A typical Malifaux starter—usually sold as a Core Box—includes a leader model, several supporting models with a shared keyword, and the stat and upgrade cards for those models. The models are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. You will need clippers, glue, and a hobby knife before your first game. The box does not include dice, a fate deck, or terrain, so budget for those separately if you are starting from zero.

Some boxes are labeled as starters but are actually expansions or single-model releases. Check the product description for a contents list and a keyword. If the box lists a faction and a keyword, it is designed to work as a crew core. If it lists only a faction, it may be a support piece meant to slot into an existing crew rather than a standalone start.

• Look for a contents list and a keyword line in the product description before buying.
• A true starter gives you enough models to play a small game without buying anything else except a fate deck and markers.

Core Box vs Versatile Box: which one starts your crew

A Core Box is built around a leader and a keyword, so every model in the box shares a theme and can be hired together. That makes it the most efficient first purchase. A Versatile Box, by contrast, contains models that can be hired into many different crews without sharing a keyword. Versatile models are flexible but rarely provide the leader or the critical mass of themed models you need to start.

The practical rule: buy a Core Box first, play three to five games, then buy a Versatile Box if you find yourself wishing you had a specific tool—more ranged damage, a scheme runner, or a support piece. Buying a Versatile Box first often leaves you without a legal leader and without enough models to fill out a crew.

• Core Box = leader plus keyword crew. Start here.
• Versatile Box = adaptable support. Add after you know your crew's weak spot.

How to read a starter box description before you buy

Product pages for Malifaux boxes usually state the faction, the keyword, and a contents list. Use those three fields to judge whether a box fits your plans. Faction tells you which broader range the models belong to. Keyword tells you which leader and themed crew they support. Contents tells you exactly how many models you get and whether any are multi-part or multi-kit builds.

If a listing does not state a keyword, treat it as a support or specialty box rather than a starter. If it explicitly says there is no retail box and the models ship in a protective bag, that is a packaging note, not a contents problem—the models and cards are still new and complete. Read the contents list carefully so you know what you are assembling.

• Faction, keyword, and contents list are the three fields that matter most.
• A missing keyword is a signal to check whether the box is meant to start a crew or support one.

When and how to expand your starter crew

Expansion in Malifaux is keyword-driven. The most efficient second purchase is another box that shares your leader's keyword, because those models can be hired into the same crew without penalty. A second Core Box from the same faction but a different keyword gives you a second leader and a separate crew, which is useful if you want variety or want to demo the game for a friend.

Versatile boxes sit between those two options. They do not share your keyword, but they can be hired into many crews, so they are a good long-term buy if you plan to play several factions. The trade-off is that a Versatile model rarely fixes a specific weakness as precisely as a keyword model does. Decide based on whether you want depth in one crew or breadth across several.

• Same keyword = most efficient expansion for your current crew.
• Second Core Box = a new leader and a new crew for variety or demos.
• Versatile Box = flexible hire across many crews, less specialized.

Decision rules for buying and expanding a Malifaux starter

• If you have never played Malifaux: Buy one Core Box for the faction whose models you like most. Do not buy a Versatile Box or a second faction yet. Play at least three games with the models in the box. One Core Box plus a fate deck and markers is enough for your first month.
• If you already own a Core Box and want more of the same crew: Buy another box that shares your leader's keyword. This is the most efficient way to add models that can be hired into your existing crew without penalty. Same keyword first, Versatile second.
• If you want to play multiple factions or demo the game: Buy a second Core Box from a different faction. You get a new leader and a full themed crew, which is more useful for variety than a single Versatile box. A second Core Box gives you a complete second crew, not just a support piece.
• If you are unsure whether a box is a starter: Check the product description for a keyword. A box with a faction and a keyword can anchor a crew. A box with only a faction is likely support. No keyword listed means treat it as an expansion, not a start.

Boxes that show how starter contents differ

• Malifaux Fourth Edition: Viktoria Chambers, Twin Blades: Faction: Outcasts. Keyword: Mercenary. Contents: Viktoria Chambers, Twin Blades. The Viktorias lead an aggressive Mercenary crew of experienced fighters, combining speed and coordinated attacks to overwhelm important targets. This is a Core Box built around a named leader and a Mercenary keyword, so it can serve as a complete starting crew for an aggressive player.
• Malifaux Fourth Edition: Intrepid Fate: Faction: Explorer's Society. Keyword: Versatile. Contents: Intrepid Fate, Effigy and Intrepid Fate, Emissary. Both models are Versatile and provide adaptable support for Explorer's Society crews without requiring a shared keyword. This is a Versatile Box, not a starter. It adds flexible support to an existing Explorer's Society crew rather than providing a leader.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Lucas Core Box: Important: no retail box. Supplied in a protective bag instead of a standard retail box. Lucas McCabe treats every ruin as a vault and every relic as something temporarily owned by someone else. His Wastrels race across the table, pass valuable gear between allies, and turn stolen artifacts into an advantage. This Core Box can start a crew, but the packaging differs from a standard retail box. If you care about shelf presentation, factor that in; the models and cards are still new and complete.

Who this approach fits

Best for

• New players who want one clear first purchase and a simple expansion path
• Players who prefer to play a few games before committing to a second faction
• Shoppers who want to understand box labels before spending money

Not for

• Veterans who already know their keyword and are looking for a specific single model
• Collectors buying limited-edition or display models rather than playable crews
• Players who want a complete two-player starter with dice, deck, and terrain in one purchase

Start with one Core Box that matches the faction you find most interesting, assemble it, and play a few games before expanding. When you do expand, choose the same keyword first for efficiency, or a second Core Box if you want variety. Versatile boxes are best saved for after you know exactly what your crew is missing.