Hi folks, I'm looking to jump back into Infinity N5 after an edition out. Given that my beloved SAA haven't made the N5 cut, I was thinking about starting out with Steel Phalanx instead. I'm looking at picking up both the action and sectorial packs, as well as possibly Atalanta. Would this give me a solid base of useful models to pick a list from, or is there something I would be better advised to spend my money on? Look forward to your advice!
It's difficult to tell because the Thorakiti box (box 10) is probably better than the Aleph and it integrates with box 11 nicely. Atalanta is a very fine piece. SP has MSVs 1 and 2 so subjected to white noise, Phoenix has no visor so Agema/Atalanta + Phoenix is a good pair for sniping. A box of REMs (Rebots and Probots) is always useful too because one should not fall for the double Enomotarcos temptation (SP has 4-men teams only for core, but you can have more than one... question is: should you?). Reason I'm saying this is because SP has costly units in terms of points and facing factions that max out orders (15 with maybe double Lt with Strategos and some tactical) is a tough hill to climb... so remember your low points units (Thorakiti, Lamedh and Daleth). SP doesn't have much of an infowar so keep an eye out for Thireoforoi or Thorakiti (both cost less than Myrmidon)
I think Thorakitai got a big boost in N5. For 12pts you get a good basic troop with an E/Mitter. Then SMG and Pulzar for short range. But for 14pts you can upgrade to the FO. Also, don't ever look down on a light rocket launcher. The template can make a big difference. I wish they would finally come out with more then the few they have. Edit: The Thyreos also got good. Now has camo, 1 use but that's ok. He's a great TAG and HI assassin. CC21 with monofilament and CC -6. Not bad. Also all profiles have D-Charges. Also now a BSG for some shooting the low ARM troops.
Thanks for the replies chaps! Sounds like the Thorakitai will provide a solid base and Atalanta is a good addition. I'll take a look at some of the REMs and the Thyreos/Lamedh/Daleth as well as possible additions.
Pleasure Castiel Consider also Hector: you're gonna need characters because they are your Lt options (except for the Hoplite). Hector has the advantage of the Strategos 1 and +1Lt order. This is flatout 2 reg. orders more. Additionally the Plasma Rifle (bit longer reaching that the Carbine) is template as well. The spitfire version is not bad at all, but it's not AP spitfire... when put on the scale the rifle comes out on top for chance of damaging and the Spitfire only helps on range bands, but with the X-visor and the fact that Plasma is 0 SWC doesn't take a degree in maths... Hector also comes with MAlevel 4 and CC 24, Exp CC weapon PS=4... a lorry in your face, if he had some kind of Immunity (on top of Shock) he'd be better than Achilles and more efficient at bringing down nanoscreens. K2 Auxiliaries: they have no model so you can proxy, Remotes dirt cheap (2x a netrod almost on average) Penny the amazon I think may have a comeback: it is impetuous, but got smoke launcher and monofilament ccw, immunity ARM which is super sweet and highly mobile spec op for 28 points (considering the joke we received with Dart, I'd say this is a fantastic option)
The action pack is not a bad set. Some don't like the Hoplite and Makhai but I don't think they are bad. This is not a bad haris I think. H&M have same keyword so you get the bonus. MAKHE (Forward Observer) K1 Combi Rifle, Zapper, Flash Pulse, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol(+1B), CC Weapon. (0 | 31) HOPLITE Heavy Machine Gun, Pulzar / AP Heavy Pistol, E/M CC Weapon(PS=5). (1.5 | 40) K2 AUXILIAR FTO Flash Pulse(+1B), Mine Dispenser(PARA) / Breaker Pistol(+1B), PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 12) 1.5 SWC | 83 Points Open in Infinity Army
Of course it isn't, especially combined with the Sectorial pack that has all the rest of the goodies. That, plus both REM bots boxes and you have pretty much all you need with Hector (see the Lt comment) and any between Atalanta and Penny
Do not underestimate a list like this: ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 10 1 HECTOR (Lieutenant [+1 Order]) Plasma Rifle, Nanopulser, E/M Grenades ( | TinBot: Firewall [-3]) / Heavy Pistol, EXP CC Weapon(PS=4). (0 | 65) MYRMIDON OFFICER (Chain of Command) Boarding Shotgun, Nanopulser, Eclipse Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (0.5 | 31) PHOENIX Heavy Rocket Launcher, Nanopulser / Heavy Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (1.5 | 32) MACHAON Combi Rifle, Nanopulser, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (0.5 | 37) THORAKITES (Forward Observer) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar, Flash Pulse / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13) THORAKITES (Paramedic) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 14) THORAKITES (Hacker, Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 19) THORAKITES Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12) AGÊMA Marksman (Surprise Attack [-3], Hidden Deployment) MULTI Sniper Rifle / Breaker Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 27) DALETH Rebot (Tactical Awareness) Combi Rifle, Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 18) GROUP 2 4 LAMEDH Rebot Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7) NETROD . (0 | 6) NETROD . (0 | 6) THORAKITES (Forward Observer) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar, Flash Pulse / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13) 4.5 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army Or an alternative that covers all missions: ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 10 1 HECTOR (Lieutenant [+1 Order]) Plasma Rifle, Nanopulser, E/M Grenades ( | TinBot: Firewall [-3]) / Heavy Pistol, EXP CC Weapon(PS=4). (0 | 65) MYRMIDON OFFICER (Chain of Command) Boarding Shotgun, Nanopulser, Eclipse Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (0.5 | 31) PHOENIX Heavy Rocket Launcher, Nanopulser / Heavy Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (1.5 | 32) MACHAON Combi Rifle, Nanopulser, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=5). (0.5 | 37) THORAKITES (Forward Observer) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar, Flash Pulse / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13) THORAKITES (Paramedic) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 14) THORAKITES Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12) AGÊMA Marksman (Surprise Attack [-3], Hidden Deployment) MULTI Sniper Rifle / Breaker Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 27) DALETH Rebot (Tactical Awareness) Combi Rifle, Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 18) DACTYL (Engineer, Deactivator) Combi Rifle, Flammenspeer, D-Charges ( | GizmoKit) / Breaker Pistol(+1B), CC Weapon. (0 | 19) GROUP 2 4 LAMEDH Rebot Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7) NETROD . (0 | 6) NETROD . (0 | 6) THORAKITES (Forward Observer) Submachine Gun, E/Mitter, Pulzar, Flash Pulse / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13) 4 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
These two lists have the advantage to cover long distances with AND without MSV, plenty of orders and firepower. Myrmidon officer's got Eclypse grenades. There is a full linkteam and replacement in case of casualties and Hector can link Myrmidons as well if you need to push for damage. In case you can move the Agema in group 2 and bring the Thorakiti up so you have 2 4-men links
Agamemnon is also a great Lt. choice (for weirdly similar points...), bringing a similar number of orders to the table (regular, Lt., Tac aware) Duo him with a Dactyl engineer to keep him going and either use Deployable Cover to give Aggie AV12 w/cover or a marksman rifle turret to protect him in ARO Just resist the urge to leave Aggie up in ARO, as your opponent will spend their entire turn murdering him off the board (and Unconscious TAGs don't drop prone, so he will just stand there and keep taking fire until gone)
Thanks for all the replies folks! I'll have a good read through and might be back with a few more questions!