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So big day for me with plenty of questions as I try to get players at my store more hyped about Infinity. One question has come up in regards to the height of a model. Is there a preset height to a model? For example the rules are very specific about the height of a prone model being the height of its base but on figures they are vague.

My friend is concerned because as a modeller and painter he builds up some gorgeous bases that may elevate his figures making gaining cover difficult. On the flip side he thinks others may model to gain the advantage of cover when the usually wouldn't get any.

I don't think the modelling for cover is a big deal. If you make a model too low it will likely not see over most items that give cover. In addition the being in base contact helps to prevent most issues. However for those that like to model the base and elevate the figure there may definately be an issue.

So after saying all that is there anything about a standardized height to a figure/base? Beside the cover diagrams on the wiki?

Thanks!

The standard mnis are 30mm tall, and as battles are decided by LOF and other scenery related things always count your model as 30mm even if it is elevated, maybe have a small marker beside it that is the correct height

Great! thanks this will help a ton!

Unfortunately, that's not quite correct. To waffle a bit about LoF in Infinity:

To have LoF, a model must be able to see at least a single (or contiguous) "head sized" area of the target model. Any model that you have LoF to is assumed to have it back. (With the exception of when you're in their rear arc.) Normally, the base doesn't count for this - but if they're prone, only the base counts.

Models that do not have LoF to each other are considered to be in Total Cover. A model has Partial Cover if it is in base contact with a piece of cover that obscures more than 20-25% of itself from its attacker. The ground the model is stood on only counts for this if the model is prone.

In the circumstances of a model with an unusual pose that complicates the matter, it is acceptable to substitute an equivalent. (Which is, however, 30mm tall. The important difference is that you have to see part of the model, not just part of a 30mm cylinder above the base the model sits in).

~~~~~

So yes, a spectacular base that raises a model up isn't ideal, as it will either make it a lot harder for a model to get cover and give it LoF over things that normally would block sight - so may regularly demand the model is regularly swapped out with an substitute to check LoF.
But, while it might make things a bit tedious under tournament settings, with casual players it's probably not a big deal. Infinity isn't populated with a mass of people gratuitously trying to bend the rules to their advantage.

Partly because, as you say, modelling for cover is pretty hard to exploit. Because of the reciprocal LoF, a model that's built to get more cover will often be unable to actually see its target!

No problems, nice to see people advertising this great game

EDIT: spelling mistake

Do people find using some of the big scenic based Ariadna models a struggle then?
Some of those look like they're barely 15mm from the top of the base. It seems like you'd have to create terrain specifically for them otherwise they'd always either be in total cover or completely out in the open.

MarcoSkoll wrote:~~~~
So yes, a spectacular base that raises a model up isn't ideal, as it will either make it a lot harder for a model to get cover and give it LoF over things that normally would block sight - so may regularly demand the model is regularly swapped out with an substitute to check LoF.
But, while it might make things a bit tedious under tournament settings, with casual players it's probably not a big deal. Infinity isn't populated with a mass of people gratuitously trying to bend the rules to their advantage.
!

What MarcoSkoll said, but I would like to re-emphasize this bit.

For the more 'out there' poses, big scenery bases (such as the MaS ones, that are taller than a standard base) my friends and I normally just make it clear what the miniature is doing when we place it somewhere. You get down to view LOS with the models height, and then see if you can draw LOS fairly to the target - and, obviously, if you can shoot at someone then they can shoot back at you!

You have to think that the models are dynamic on their bases, making use of every cover, and not in a permanent floating vault like that Ariadna Wulver mini

I agree exactly with what Pacific said.
Announce your intentions to your opponent and everything works smoothly. I say "I'm moving my Tactbot over to the corner of the building just enough that I still have cover." If my opponent has an objection to how far I moved it, they'll tell me.

There are also some models within the same unit block that have dynamically different poses.
You have the crouching Daysu:
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/dasyus/
And you have the I'm standing on top of something Daysu:
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/dasyus-2/

And the worst culprit:
You have the standing upright Zouave:
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2012/miniatures/zouaves-3/
And you have the ducking enlarged-base Zouave:
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity/en/2011/miniatures/zouaves/

When the game producers themselves give you strange variances such as this, your dynamic bases should work just fine.

Things become complicated with these dynamic poses. Personally, the I-see-you-you-see-me system just sorts itself out. You can also agree with your opponent by the 'invisible cylinder' model concept.

The best solution, if you really have an issue with odd poses, is to have a model you believe is "ideal" height on hand. Swap and see whenever an issue comes up.