Unboxing Malifaux - Colette's 'Smoke and Mirrors' Starter Box

"Welcome to the Show..."

COLETTE

Colette Du Bois is the owner of the Star Theater and a master illusionist. She started as a lowly pickpocket, relying on grace and charm to make her way through the underbelly of the world. In Malifaux, she has risen to heights she never could have dreamed. She owns one of the most famous establishments this side of the Breach, has become rich beyond imagining, and has a troupe of girls she takes care of that she loves. However, Colette is well aware that her new dreams hide within them a cruel nightmare.

Night after night, Colette performs in front of crowds that contain the poor and the rich, including senior members of the Guild. Every performance she dances a razor's edge, astounding the audience with true magic disguised as mere sleight of hand. All it would take is one suspicious officer and her world would come crashing down.

With her fortune tied to the Arcanists and smuggling for them, her girls are constantly under threat of detection, or worse. The hidden paths back to Earth have become more dangerous as the sewers become filled with new terrors. No matter the danger, the Arcanists demand more from the girls of the Star Theater.

Despite this, Colette is thriving and managing to keep ahead of her enemies. It's stressful to keep the world paying attention to the wrong hand, but the magician in her loves the trick. So long as she can continue dazzling everyone, she can keep the freedoms she's earned for herself and her girls. It's a dangerous game that she plays, but she'd have it no other way.

The 'Smoke and Mirrors' box contains enough parts for nine miniatures...namely Colette, her three Totems the Mechanical Doves (2SS each), Cassandra (8SS), two Performers (5SS each) and two Mannequins (4SS Each). It also contains stat cards for each one and six upgrade cards four of which are for Colette, one for Cassandra and one that's for any model with the 'Showgirl' type.

This makes the Soulsstone value of the box...

Colette (0), Cassandra (8), Mechanical Doves (2, 2, 2), Performers (5, 5), Mannequins (4, 4) Total (32) or (37) with a maximum Soulstone cache and (44) with maximum 'out of the box' upgrades.

Sprues

The box has one sprue in it as well as the aforementioned cards. Here's pictures of both sides of it...

Stat Cards

Wyrd Games didn't like my publishing pictures of both sides of the stat cards so you'll have to make do with this...

Lets have a look at each of these models in turn. Should there be any assembly issues with any of the models then they will be listed in the appropriate section and you can view larger versions of the smaller pictures or instruction pictures by clicking on them.

Instructions

Some General Notes on Assembly.

Many of these models contain quite small parts so depending on how dexterous you are you might consider getting yourself some tweezers. Dry-fitting is also always a good idea in case a part needs a tiny bit of extra filing or filling as some of the fits are quite tight. Where the parts on the sprue are quite thin (chains, weapon shafts, cables and the like) then it might be better to remove parts with a sharp scalpel rather than cutters.

The models are based on bases from this company here. I usually use Fenris Games floorboard bases but they were out of stock and I'm not very patient, lol.

Colette

The Sprue

Assembled
This model consists of only five parts and has no issues other than the tiny feathers on her hat (no they're not separate, lol) that are somewhat delicate.

Comparison

Here's a comparison picture between the new plastic and original metal version.

Cassandra

The Sprue

Assembled
Another fairly simple model to assemble though the parts making up the left arm are as thin as they look and so need to be carefully handled. I'd also be careful when removing the sword from the sprue as I creased mine slightly when clipping it away.

Comparison Picture

Here's a comparison picture between the new plastic and original metal version.

Performers

The Sprue

Performer 1 - Assembled
There are a number of small parts including arms, and hair pieces which will require both dry-fitting and careful handling. There's also supposedly a cigarette in her right hand according to the render on the box but apparently it didn't make it into the final model due to certain practical issues of design which is why it's not in the box or in the instructions. 

 Performer 2 - Assembled
The cane/crop in her hands is thin so the usual advice about care in removal applies here and I also found it difficult to align with the appropriate points on the body.

Comparison Picture

Here's a comparison picture between the new plastic and original metal versions as well as another group picture including the limited edition Performer model.

Mannequins

Sprue

You'll notice if you look carefully that there's a piece missing from the sprue and in this case it was a tiny claw/finger piece...luckily it had fallen onto my tray...

Mannequin 1 - Assembled
The main points to look out for are the tiny spiked fingers and a very small flower that goes on the neck section. Just follow the instructions and be systematic and you should be okay...it'll be the next one that you'll need to save some patience for...

Mannequin 2 - Assembled
The basic model is simple enough though as with the other model there's a tiny separate flower that attaches to the neck. The real issue is that one finger on each hand is separate...and incredibly small...and has a microscopic attachment point. Those fingers are also quite delicate so may be an issue when painting and/or transporting the model. The end result is very pleasing though so it's worth the effort in the end...

Comparison

Here's a comparison picture between the new plastic and original metal versions.

Mechanical Doves

The Sprue

The doves also come with a clear plastic flight stand each...

Mechanical Doves - Assembled
These models are all fairly simple models with two or three piece bodies though they do have separate feet that are quite small. They also come with clear plastic flight stands which are seemingly designed to be attached to the doves feet. I do quite like the idea of the flight stands though I'm not sure how well they'll transport the model what with the small contact point.

Comparison

Here's a comparison picture between the new plastic and original metal versions.

Thoughts and comments are (as usual) most welcome.