Ophelia Core Box: A Bayou Starter Guide for Malifaux

What you get in the Ophelia Core Box

The Ophelia Core Box is a complete starter crew for Malifaux Third Edition. Inside, you'll find eight miniatures: Ophelia LaCroix, Francois LaCroix, three LaCroix Raiders, and three Young LaCroix. These are 32mm heroic scale models, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and they require preparation and assembly before they hit the table.

This box gives you a full Bayou Kin crew out of the gate. Ophelia leads the Kin with a focus on ranged attacks and explosive tricks, making her a strong choice if you like a crew that can shoot its way out of trouble.

Ophelia Core Box at a glance

• Malifaux Third Edition: Ophelia Core Box: Contents: Ophelia LaCroix, Francois LaCroix, LaCroix Raiders x3, Young LaCroix x3. This is a full crew in one box, so you can start playing without buying multiple expansions.

  

• Malifaux Third Edition: Ophelia Core Box: Faction: Bayou; Keyword: Kin. These keywords determine which other models can join the crew and how you build your list.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Ophelia Core Box: Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. You'll need hobby supplies like clippers, glue, and paint to get these models table-ready.

Is this a good first Malifaux crew?

If you're new to Malifaux, the Ophelia Core Box is a solid entry point. It gives you a complete, playable crew with a clear theme: the Kin are a family of gremlins who rely on custom weapons and coordinated gunfire. The playstyle is straightforward—shoot the enemy and use explosive tricks to control the battlefield—which makes it easier to learn the core rules without getting bogged down in complex synergies.

That said, the box doesn't include the Malifaux Third Edition core rulebook or stat cards. You'll need those separately to actually play. Also, because the miniatures are unpainted and unassembled, you'll spend some time building them before your first game. If you want to play immediately, consider a starter box that comes with everything you need.

Ophelia Core Box vs. other Malifaux starters

The Ophelia box is one of several core boxes available for Malifaux Third Edition. Here's how it compares to a typical starter box:

• Ophelia Core Box: Includes 8 miniatures (a full crew) but no rules or stat cards. Best if you already have the rulebook or plan to buy it separately, and if you want a complete Kin crew.
• Starter Box (e.g., Malifaux Third Edition Starter Box): Usually includes a small crew for two players, plus quick-start rules and stat cards. Better for learning the game with a friend, but the crews are smaller and less focused.

What to buy alongside the Ophelia Core Box

To play with the Ophelia Core Box, you'll need the Malifaux Third Edition core rulebook (which includes the rules and character stat cards) and a deck of Malifaux cards (a standard poker deck works). You'll also need hobby tools: clippers, plastic glue, and paints. The box does not include any of these.

If you're on a budget, the Ophelia Core Box is priced at $37.40 (compared to a catalog price of $55.00), which is a good deal for eight miniatures. But remember to factor in the cost of the rulebook and hobby supplies if you don't have them.

Building and painting the Kin

The plastic miniatures are detailed but require cleanup and assembly. You'll need to clip them from the sprue, remove mold lines, and glue them together. Since they're unpainted, you can choose any color scheme—though the Bayou gremlins are often painted in bright, clashing colors to reflect their chaotic nature.

If you're new to miniature painting, start with a simple base coat and wash to bring out the details. The Kin have plenty of character, so even a basic paint job will look good on the table.

Where the Ophelia crew shines and where it struggles

Ophelia's crew excels at ranged combat. With multiple models carrying guns and the ability to use explosive tricks, you can control lanes and punish enemies who bunch up. The Kin also have a strong family theme, with abilities that support each other.

However, like many shooty crews, they can be vulnerable to fast melee crews that close the distance quickly. And while the box gives you a complete crew, you may find yourself wanting more options as you expand—the Kin keyword has additional models available separately. The Ophelia Core Box is a great starting point, but it's not the entire Kin faction.