Gunslinger: Earl Mackaby

A known practical joker, Earl’s deputies are

on the lookout for Earl as much they are Outlaws

Illustration by Steven Lambert

Life Out West is fun, a bit silly, and has plenty of moments where you will laugh at the misfortune of others. The perfect environment for a fun-loving practical joker, like the Lawman, Earl Mackaby. Pew-pew.

We have been sharing the art of characters found in Life Out West and have seen the serious, beautiful, and bold. I love how Earl is just an unassumed and casual guy with pistol fingers. I can imagine him playing jokes around Town as he hides in strange places to startle his deputies and then gives a little pew-pew with his fingers when he gets them. You can see the twinkle in his eyes as he says, “gotcha” and everyone starts laughing. Another cool character, and another great illustration by Steven.

You may not know it by the looks of him, but Earl was a landowner and farmer before getting into the Law business. And because of this, he is pretty darn useful when working on Buildings. Since he can draw cards whenever winning a Shootout, and you have no Wheat in your hand, Earl works best in two ways; working on Wheat heavy Buildings (like a Post office or Lumber Mill), or low-cost Wheat Buildings (like the Woodinvalley Church or Calvary Outpost). For Wheat heavy Buildings, just keep playing all your Wheat Resources on your turn and then draw free Resources. This can be quickened by utilizing two Farmer Hired Hands. On the other side, if you only need one or maybe two Wheat Resources, use Earl’s special ability to draw a free Building Card and ensure you have a Town with the right Benefits (like a Funeral Parlour or Gallows). You can also stock up on Gunslingers (in case you can’t seem to get an Outlaw to save your life!) or need another Lawman on deck in a 5-player game. Either way, Earl will do right by you as long as you give the ol’ pew-pew pistol fingers whenever you defeat you opponent.

Who's laughing now!?

Card: Lawman

Ability: After a successful Shootout, draw a Resource Card if you have no Wheat Cards in your hand.