Malifaux
WYRD MINIATURES' UNIQUE CHARACTER-DRIVEN SKIRMISH WARGAME (2009, 3rd Edition M3E 2019). Set in the STEAMPUNK-VICTORIAN-HORROR world of MALIFAUX. Unique CARD-BASED mechanic — uses STANDARD PLAYING CARDS (Fate Deck) INSTEAD OF DICE. 2 players each field a CREW led by a MASTER (Ramos, Perdita, Lady Justice, Rasputina, McMourning, Colette, etc.) — 5-8 models per side. Themed factions: GUILD (order), ARCANISTS (rebels), RESURRECTIONISTS (undead), NEVERBORN (native fey), OUTCASTS (mercenaries), TEN THUNDERS (Asian criminals), BAYOU (Gremlins), EXPLORERS SOCIETY. Considered THE MOST UNIQUE MINIATURE WARGAME — cards eliminate dice luck; deep character-mechanics.
What is Malifaux?
MALIFAUX is a CHARACTER-DRIVEN SKIRMISH MINIATURE WARGAME published by WYRD MINIATURES (USA, Atlanta). First released 2009; CURRENT 3RD EDITION (M3E) 2019. Set in the STEAMPUNK-VICTORIAN-HORROR world of MALIFAUX — an alternate reality where a magical breach opened between Earth + a mysterious other-world; Guild explorers (Earth's colonial law-enforcement) come to exploit magical resources but face NEVERBORN natives, RESURRECTIONISTS raising dead, ARCANIST rebels + more. Considered THE MOST UNIQUE MINIATURE WARGAME — Malifaux replaces DICE with STANDARD PLAYING CARDS (a 'Fate Deck' = a normal 54-card deck including jokers) for all rolls, adding CARD MANAGEMENT + CHEATING FATE (spending cards from hand to influence rolls) as key mechanics. GAMEPLAY: 2 players each field a CREW of 5-8 models led by a MASTER (uber-powerful named character like Ramos, Perdita, Lady Justice, McMourning, Rasputina, Colette, Von Schill, Marcus, Yan Lo, Pandora, Zoraida, Lucius). FACTIONS: (a) GUILD — colonial law-enforcement + gunslingers; (b) ARCANISTS — rebel wizards + labor union; (c) RESURRECTIONISTS — undead necromancers; (d) NEVERBORN — native fey creatures; (e) OUTCASTS — mercenaries + orphans; (f) TEN THUNDERS — Asian-inspired triad + samurai; (g) BAYOU — gremlin swamp faction; (h) EXPLORERS SOCIETY — academic adventurers. GAMEPLAY MECHANICS: (1) Each player has a FATE DECK (52 cards + 2 Jokers); (2) When resolving action, FLIP TOP CARD, add to relevant stat, compare to target; (3) Player has HAND OF CARDS + can CHEAT FATE (replace flip with hand card) to guarantee outcomes; (4) Card management critical — spend big cards for critical moments. STRATEGY + SCHEMES: Each game uses one STRATEGY (main scoring — Reckoning, Turf War, Recover Evidence, etc.) + each player chooses 2 SCHEMES (secret side objectives) from a rotating pool. Score VP each turn for STRATEGY (up to 4) + SCHEMES (up to 3 each = 6 total). Maximum 10 VP per game. GAME LENGTH: 90-120 min competitive; 60-90 min casual. STARTER: (a) MALIFAUX 3RD EDITION CORE RULEBOOK (2019, free PDF); (b) Faction rulebooks $25 each (paperback); (c) Crew boxes $35-50 for starter Master + Totem + 3-4 minion models. COMPETITIVE: (a) GENCON Malifaux World Championship; (b) UK Nationals, US Nationals, EU Nationals; (c) Local FLGS + Wyrd events; (d) Longshanks tournament tracker. Considered a NICHE but DEDICATED community — smaller than GW/Star Wars games but intense per-player engagement.
Quick facts
Category
Miniature Wargames
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~100 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
3×3 foot table (91×91 cm)
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Founded 2005 Wyrd Miniatures; Malifaux 1st Edition 2009; 2nd Edition 2013; 3rd Edition (M3E) 2019
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score most VP from Strategy (main mission) + 2 Schemes (secret side objectives) chosen at deployment. Maximum 10 VP per game (4 Strategy + 3 + 3 Schemes).
Rules
Basic rules
Fate Deck replaces dice
Flip top card of 54-card deck to resolve actions; add stat + compare to target.
Hand of Cards + Cheating Fate
Hold 6 cards in hand; can spend to replace bad flips with better cards.
Crew: 1 Master + Totem + 4-6 models = 50 Soulstones
Standard crew building.
5 turns; alternating model activation
Each model activates once per turn.
Actions: General AP (2 per model) + Master AP (1 extra)
Simple action economy.
Strategy + 2 Schemes = up to 10 VP
Score after each turn based on conditions.
Soulstones for master boosts
Extra card flips, prevent damage — limited resource.
Scoring
Score VP each turn for Strategy (main mission, up to 4 VP) + 2 Schemes (secret side objectives, up to 3 VP each = 6 VP). Maximum 10 VP per game.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Strategy scoring (turn condition) | 1 VP per turn (max 4) |
| Scheme 1 achieved | Up to 3 VP |
| Scheme 2 achieved | Up to 3 VP |
| Total maximum | 10 VP per game |
Win condition · Highest VP after turn 5 or time cap; ties broken by remaining models / soulstones.
Playing area
Called
3×3 foot table (91×91 cm)
Dimensions
3 feet × 3 feet — small skirmish scale
Dense LOS-blocking + thematic terrain: Victorian streets, breach ruins, swamps, industrial districts, magical zones.
Equipment
Malifaux 3rd Edition Core Rulebook (free PDF)
Downloadable free from Wyrd
Faction rulebook (paperback)
$25 each; Guild, Arcanists, Neverborn, etc.
Fate Deck (standard 54-card deck)
$10 official Wyrd or use any regular deck
Crew boxes ($35-50 each)
Master + Totem + 3-4 minions per box
32mm miniatures (plastic + resin)
Included in crew boxes; premium unpainted
Tokens: soulstones, wound markers, scheme markers
Included in starters or $10 tokens sets
Range rulers + tape measure
Standard tools
Terrain (Victorian-steampunk themed)
$40-100 per set
Strategies
Hold high cards for master activations
Cheat with 13s + Jokers on critical master attacks/spells.
Scheme selection = win condition
Choose schemes that fit crew composition; avoid unachievable schemes.
Soulstone economy for master survival
Spend stones to prevent damage on master; master death = huge point swing.
Count opponent cards
After ~5 flips, you can estimate opponent's remaining high cards.
Position for scheme scoring, not just kills
Kills don't win Malifaux; schemes do.
M3E balance updates quarterly
Play current meta via Wyrd's Errata + Balance.
Terminology
- Fate Deck
- 54-card standard deck (52 + 2 Jokers) used instead of dice.
- Cheating Fate
- Spending a card from hand to replace a random flip.
- Master
- Player's central character; leads crew; often 15+ SS.
- Totem
- Master's support model (mini-Master); cheap ally.
- Soulstone
- Currency for boosting master actions + preventing damage.
- Strategy
- Main game-defining scoring mission (Reckoning, Turf War, etc.).
- Scheme
- Secret side objective chosen per player from rotating pool.
- Henchman
- Wyrd's designation for local community organizer running events.
Major competitions
Gen Con Malifaux World Championship
annual · USA · since 2010
US Nationals + UK Nationals + EU Nationals
annual · worldwide · since 2011
AdeptiCon Malifaux tournament
annual · USA · since 2010
Local Wyrd Henchman events
monthly · worldwide · since 2009
Longshanks tournament tracker
ongoing · worldwide · since 2016
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Wyrd Miniatures (publisher)
Founded 2005 · Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Nathan Caroland (Wyrd founder + Malifaux creator)
Founded 2005 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Nathan Caroland (USA) — Wyrd Miniatures founder + Malifaux creator
- Aaron Darland (USA) — Malifaux M3E lead designer
- Justin Gibbs — M3E designer
- Multiple World Champions rotating annually
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Download free M3E rules PDF
Wyrd offers rules free.
- 2
Buy Core Box for chosen Master
$35-50 for complete starter crew.
- 3
Play 25-SS games first
Smaller crews learn card mechanics faster.
intermediate
- 1
Build 50-SS tournament crew
Standard M3E competitive size.
- 2
Attend local Henchman event
Wyrd's community organizer program.
advanced
- 1
Compete in Nationals / Gen Con
Path to World Championship.
- 2
Track M3E Errata + Balance
Quarterly updates from Wyrd.
Frequently asked
What is Malifaux?+
CHARACTER-DRIVEN SKIRMISH WARGAME by WYRD MINIATURES (USA, 2009; 3rd Edition M3E 2019). Set in STEAMPUNK-VICTORIAN-HORROR MALIFAUX world. UNIQUE MECHANIC: uses STANDARD PLAYING CARDS (Fate Deck) INSTEAD OF DICE — replaces randomness with CARD MANAGEMENT + Cheating Fate. 2 players each field crew of 5-8 models led by a Master. 8 factions (Guild, Arcanists, Resurrectionists, Neverborn, Outcasts, Ten Thunders, Bayou, Explorers Society). Considered THE MOST UNIQUE MINIATURE WARGAME.
Why does Malifaux use cards instead of dice?+
TWO REASONS: (1) REDUCES LUCK — dice give pure random results; cards give CONTROLLABLE randomness via hand management. Players can 'cheat fate' by spending cards from hand to replace bad flips. (2) STRATEGIC DEPTH — knowing what cards you've drawn / discarded gives probability awareness; managing hand + deck adds a WHOLE STRATEGY LAYER absent from dice games. Also thematic: Malifaux setting is about GAMBLING + FATE + destiny. Considered the DEFINING mechanic that separates Malifaux from all other minis games.
Which Malifaux faction is best for beginners?+
RECOMMENDED BEGINNER FACTIONS: (1) GUILD — straightforward gunfighters + straightforward Masters (Lady Justice, Perdita); most 'normal' faction. (2) OUTCASTS — mercenaries with mix of ranges styles + Master Von Schill is beginner-friendly. AVOID complex factions initially: NEVERBORN (fey trickery), RESURRECTIONISTS (undead summoning), TEN THUNDERS (dual-faction crossovers). Pick a Master whose theme + playstyle appeals; each has 1-2 easy starter crews.
Sources & provenance
- Wyrd Miniatures — Malifaux— Wyrd Miniatures
- BoardGameGeek — Malifaux— BGG
- Wikipedia — Malifaux— Wikipedia