Hello friends, I am a former Guild Ball and Warmachine / Hordes player and my good friend just told me i should look into Infinity. After browsing the wiki and the store site over the last 2 days i decided that i want to try it out! Sadly i havnt had the chance to play a game, but i watched a few batreps and i am already hyped to play. But before i get into my new found love the big question is always at hand: - What should i play ? This time the question was far more difficult. All the models looks great so i reduced them to 3 Factions that i most liked because of there looks. - Yu Jing - PanOceania - Nomads What my main question is, what are the main differents between those 3 factions ? How do they feel to play ? What i enjoyed most about the infinity models are the Heavy Infantery, Rems and especially the Tags, is there any Faction that focuses alot on those 3 ? I would love to read some of your comments :)
PanO have the most TAGs, all are very elite, and each with their own special twist. They also have a good selection of top-end HI. Yu Jing aren't really a TAG faction (they have one but it's painfully generic) but make up for it in number and variety of HI, with everything from cheap power armoured scrubs to super powerful transforming battlecats. Nomads also have a good variety of TAGs, ranging from cheap and cheerful to good, but not quite as good as PanO. They have a smaller selection of HI but it includes some very powerful choices like the Riot Grrls and Kriza Boracs. Nomads tend to have better light/medium units than PanO or Yu Jing backing them up though. Most lists can only support a single TAG with the rest of the Army providing protection and support, much like a tank in modern urban warfare. Nomads can more easily field a pair of their Gecko light TAGs, and Yu Jing can put the highest amount of Power Armour into a viable list. All Infinity factions play to a degree of combined arms where you'll be mixing light, medium, and heavy units along with a smattering of more specialist troopers like skirmishers, TAGs, remotes, or warbands. With regards to remotes, all the have their own unique "combat" remotes and each shine in their own way. Any of the three will let you have fun with remotes.
So I'll give you my quick breakdown based on your preference list: Yu Jing Pros -Yu Jing are 'the HI faction' they have a whole bunch of varying use and quality levels. -The Rui Shi and Lu Duan are both stellar REM -Monks and Kuang Shi help to give Vanilla cheap supporting pieces. Cons -The Gujia TAG is pretty plain. -You pay some points for CC/equipment on a lot of units that probably don't need those skills. PanO Pros -Has the most TAGs of Any army in the game -Has good HI -Peacekeeper and Bulleteer are both stellar REM Cons -Some of the support pieces for Pan O are weaker -They have access to less of the 'tricks' low tech factions use Nomads Pros -Plenty of good TAG options -The Lunokod is Stellar and many of the Nomad REMs also get Climbing Plus -Excellent REM/HI/TAG support Cons -HI Selection more limited (But still good) -Lack some of the big hitters that PanO and Yu Jing can rely on With that in mind I'd suggest that you try and get a learning game in with someone and see what mechanics you like before decided where you want to go. All 3 sound like good options for you. Edit: Whoops beaten by Colbrook
One thing you could do is get Operation Icestorm. It would get you a starting force for both Nomads and PanOceania. Then you will have a small force of each to test out and decide. Add the Beyond Icestorm box and you will have two 300 point armies for not a lot of money compared to other games. That leaves you with the one you decide you like and a spare army if you have a friend you want to try to also get addicted to Infinity.
Thanks alot! It looks like i tend more to play PanO :) I think getting Operation Icestorm ist the best idea right now. Then i can try out Nomads too!
A good friend of mine, just told me he would share the Operation: Red Veil with me, so i guess i will first do with Yu Jing. Are the options on Red Veil usable ? And how are the Operation Boxes anyway, is it worth the price ?
The Operation boxes are an excellent way to start an army. Add the Beyond box which they do have for Red Veil and you got yourself a 300 point army. Splitting the cost between you and a friend makes it an extremely cost effective way to get into the game. Also you can still get Icestorm at a later date and own three armies. Trust me the addiction will make it happen.
One thing to be aware of when starting is that Red Veil missions are a good way to learn but if your friend picks up on it the Haqq's side has an advantage on the smaller map with all the shotguns he gets to bring. So you'll need to work on your kiting early on. Once you get to a full size game/table the armies will feel much more balanced. You'll likely end up wanting a few more troops just to vary up your lists but the Operation Boxes are a solid starting choice.
The Operation boxes have a booklet that teaches you the basics of the game on a series of short, linked scenarios using the contents of the box. The Beyond boxes have a free to download PDF that bridges the gap to the "full" rules. Red Veil is pretty solid for Yu Jing, Zhanshi might not be the best cheerleaders but they're your only real option outside of Kuang Shi, who have their own issues. The Hsien and Ninja are fantastic and staples in many Vanilla or Imperial Service lists. Tiger Soldiers are one of the best drop troopers and make it into a lot of vanilla lists. The Zhuyong is mostly seen in the Invincible Army but he's very cheap for his durability. Beyond has cool units with less favored weapon loadouts. Guilang are amazing but most people favour the versions with combi rifle. The Daofei is a top tier HI, but the HMG is overshadowed by the Spitfire as an attack piece due to the fact the ranges work better with infiltrating halfway up the board. The Zhanying is a bit of an odd duck, lots of utility but not much cop in a stand up fight. They're mostly overlooked but some people get good use out of them. Fortunately Infinity has extremely generous proxy rules, so you can use the miniatures to find the profiles and troop types you like. Don't be afraid to use the Daofei as a Hac Tao, or the Zhanying as a Celestial Guard, or anything else you like.
