Malifaux Third Edition Scenario Packs: What Amphibious Assault and Abandon Ship Add

Quick answer

Malifaux Third Edition scenario packs are small, themed rules supplements that give you new ways to play using the models you already own. Amphibious Assault and Abandon Ship each add a distinct scenario with its own objectives, deployment, and special rules. If you want variety without buying a whole new faction, a scenario pack is one of the cheapest ways to change how your games feel.

Scenario packs sit in an odd spot in the Malifaux line. They are not faction books, not starter boxes, and not model releases. They are rules supplements that change the shape of a game without changing the crews on the table. That makes them easy to overlook and genuinely useful once you understand what they do.

This FAQ answers the questions players actually ask before buying: what is in a scenario pack, how Amphibious Assault and Abandon Ship differ, whether you need extra terrain or models, and how to slot them into a regular Malifaux night. Product facts below come from the Wyrd Games Official Store catalog.

What exactly is a Malifaux scenario pack?

A Malifaux Third Edition scenario pack is a compact supplement that provides one or more self-contained scenarios. Each scenario defines how you set up the table, where crews deploy, what objectives you score, and any special rules that apply for that game. They are designed to be played with your existing crews rather than requiring a specific faction or box.

The appeal is variety. A standard game of Malifaux is already tactical, but the same core schemes and strategies can start to feel familiar. A scenario pack changes the win conditions and the table layout, which forces different model choices and different decisions. It is a low-cost way to get a new experience out of models you already own.

• Scenario packs are rules-only supplements; they do not include miniatures.
• You still need a standard Malifaux crew, fate deck, and measuring tools to play.

What does Amphibious Assault add?

Amphibious Assault is built around a waterlogged, contested landing. The scenario pushes crews to fight over specific zones while dealing with rules that reward mobility and punish getting bogged down. If your regular games tend to become static shooting matches, this pack gives you a reason to keep moving.

It is a good fit for players who enjoy positional play and want a scenario that feels different from a standard encounter without adding a lot of bookkeeping. The special rules are focused enough that you can teach them in a few minutes before the game.

• Best for groups that want a faster, movement-focused scenario.
• Works with any faction; no specific models are required by the pack itself.

What does Abandon Ship add?

Abandon Ship leans into a desperate, collapsing battlefield. The scenario creates pressure to secure objectives while the table itself feels unstable, which changes how you value holding ground versus grabbing what you can and getting out. It tends to produce close, tense games where the last turn matters.

Compared with Amphibious Assault, Abandon Ship rewards players who can adapt mid-game and who are comfortable giving up a position to score elsewhere. It is less about raw speed and more about timing and risk assessment.

• Best for players who like shifting objectives and difficult choices.
• Read the scenario rules fully before setup; the special rules matter from turn one.

Do I need special terrain or models to play these scenarios?

No. Scenario packs are written to work with the models and terrain you already have. You will need a table set up according to the scenario's deployment and terrain guidance, but that guidance is meant to be flexible. If you own a standard Malifaux collection, you can play.

That said, a little terrain variety helps. Water features, walkways, or scatter that matches the scenario theme makes the game read more clearly on the table, especially for newer players. You do not need to buy anything extra to start.

• Use the terrain you own; thematic pieces are a nice-to-have, not a requirement.
• Mark scenario zones clearly with tokens or templates so both players agree on boundaries.

How do scenario packs fit with the rest of Malifaux Third Edition?

Scenario packs are optional. They sit alongside the core rules and faction books rather than replacing them. You still use the standard Malifaux Third Edition rules for activations, duels, and damage. The pack only changes the scenario layer: deployment, objectives, and any special rules for that game.

Because they are self-contained, you can rotate them in and out without disrupting a campaign or league. Many groups use a scenario pack as a change of pace night, then return to standard games the following week.

• Keep your core rulebook and faction reference on hand; the pack does not replace them.
• Announce the scenario before list building so players can prepare appropriately.

Are scenario packs worth buying if I already own faction books and expansions?

If you already have a faction book or faction pack, you have the rules for your models. A scenario pack adds something different: a new way to use those models. For players who play regularly, that variety is often worth more than another unit box, because it changes every game rather than adding one more option to a single crew.

If you only play occasionally, a scenario pack is still a reasonable pickup, but prioritize it after you have a playable crew and the core rules. The packs are not required to enjoy Malifaux; they are a deliberate change of pace.

• Buy scenario packs after you have a functional crew and core rules.
• They are especially good value for groups that meet weekly and want variety.

Scenario pack quick reference

What you get

A rules supplement with one or more self-contained scenarios, including deployment, objectives, and special rules. No miniatures or cards are included. You need a standard crew, fate deck, and core rules to play.

Amphibious Assault in one line

A waterlogged landing scenario that rewards movement and positioning over static gunlines. Good pick if your games feel too static.

Abandon Ship in one line

A collapsing-battlefield scenario about timing, risk, and knowing when to give up ground to score elsewhere. Good pick if you like shifting objectives and tense final turns.

Do you need extra purchases?

No. Scenario packs work with the models and terrain you already own. Thematic terrain is optional. Buy the pack first; add terrain later if you enjoy the scenario.

Who should buy first

Players who already have a playable crew and core rules and want more variety from the models they own. Skip if you are still building your first crew.

Catalog facts that matter for scenario play

• Malifaux Third Edition: Explorer's Society Faction Book: This complete faction reference combines rules with stories, lore, model profiles, stat cards, and upgrades, including Third Edition stat cards for the Explorer's Society, faction upgrades, stories and setting material, and background for the faction's models. If you play Explorer's Society in a scenario pack game, this book gives you the profiles and upgrades you need without hunting through separate cards.
• Malifaux Fourth Edition: Explorer’s Society Faction Pack: The official Explorer’s Society Faction Pack is the card update for the models and crews you already own, gathering the Fourth Edition rules for the Explorer’s Society in one place so you can keep playing the collection you built without replacing the miniatures on your shelf. Scenario packs are edition-agnostic in spirit, but you still need current rules for your models. This pack updates your existing Explorer's Society collection to Fourth Edition.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Bloodletting: The Leech King arrives with Giant Leeches and an appetite fit for the deep swamp; Returned and Swampfiend crews gain a particularly unpleasant way to drain the opposition. Contents: The Leech King, Giant Leeches x2. Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. A thematic swamp-themed box like this pairs naturally with water-heavy scenarios such as Amphibious Assault, giving you models that fit the table's story.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Crime and Punishment: Wardens enforce the sentence, and Executioners make appeals unnecessary. This box gives Guard crews four very different reasons to cooperate. Faction: Guild. Keyword: Guard. Contents: 2 Wardens, 2 Executioners. Miniatures are 32mm heroic scale, supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic, and require preparation and assembly. Guard crews with durable, objective-focused models tend to perform well in scenarios that demand holding ground, like Abandon Ship.

Scenario packs are one of the most efficient ways to get more out of a Malifaux collection. If you have a crew you enjoy and want games that feel different without buying a new faction, start with Amphibious Assault for movement-focused play or Abandon Ship for a tenser, shifting battlefield. Both work with the models already on your shelf.