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I'm just looking at getting into the game and have painted a handful of models. I picked up the Japanese Sectoral starter box, in addition to a ninja, two Invincibles and a Dàofěi. I've read the rules. Now, I'd like to get an idea of what to expect.

What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of Yu Jing? Do they suit a specific playstyle? Should melee be a last resort?

I'm not worried about min/maxing, and understand the game encourages the use of pretty much any model, rather than relying on a select few effective army lists. I would like to have an understanding of what makes them unique, so I'm not trying to play against their strengths.

Thanks!

I would recommend heading here:

http://infinitythegame.com/forum/index.php?/forum/16-yu-jing/

for more info. They have a couple of stickies up at the top regarding JSA that are pretty handy.

That's perfect, looks like a lot of great info there. Thanks for the help!

Are you looking at JSA specifically? Because the Invincibles and Dao Fei are only available in the generic Yu Jing list at the moment. But there is nothing to stop you using the models from the JSA starter and blisters as generic Yu Jing until you get the hang of things and then you could branch out with more specific JSA units.

At this point I'm just using what I have. I need to see if I like the game before I worry about legitimate army lists. If I do continue it would be JSA though, I picked up the other models a few years ago just for painting.

I just know that if I play them "wrong", and lose miserably, I'm going to have a less favorable opinion of the game, or at least less enthusiasm for it, than if it's a close game.

No offense, but your first few games you'll probably lose miserably anyway.

Essentially Infinity is a very tactical game - I would differentiate it from stuff such as 40k/WFB, or even Warmachine, which tend to put more of an emphasis on strategy or specifically choice of what you put in your army and creating combos with those units.

There is the potential at the beginning for your guys to get grilled (although of course you may have a very astute and observant tactical mind - and will fall right into things intuitively) - especially after playing 40k, the biggest mistake will be leaving your guys out in the open or trying to charge down people (which will stop after your first few guys get turned to swiss cheese ). Although it might seem an obvious thing, try and imagine your Infinity force is made up of real little guys, and think how you would protect them in real life; if you have to run over open ground, throwing down some smoke, giving covering fire, or making a 'cautious move' might save them. Trying to flank one unit while another occupies them etc.

Having said that if you are playing someone experienced then the onus is on them to try and give you an enjoyable experience - I've done a fair few introductory games and always play conservatively, letting people know what they should do etc. Of course you might play someone who delights in destroying you for zero casualties, but if that happens they probably shouldn't be the one giving demo games as it will hardly serve as a good advert for the game!

Well, hopefully I'll be one of his first opponents, so he has a good chance of getting an early win.

The JSA, and any sectoral I guess, does seem really restrictive. Probably the most consistently awesome and relatively up to date models of any sectoral though, aside from the Merovingiens.

Yeah, Sectorials are restrictive to make up for higher AVA on specialist troops and fire teams.

When I was looking at the Shock Army list, every time I saw a cool model, I looked at the list, and was sad.

Though I think Qapu Kalki gets the better end of the stick. A lot of cool unit types and the cool mercs.

 -Loki- wrote:

Though I think Qapu Kalki gets the better end of the stick. A lot of cool unit types and the cool mercs.

They seem pretty flexible, just less tricky than regular Haqq and Hassassins.
He says having never played a game.

 Pacific wrote:


There is the potential at the beginning for your guys to get grilled (although of course you may have a very astute and observant tactical mind - and will fall right into things intuitively)...!

Sorry, couldn't read past that line, I keep doubling over in spasms of laughter. I'm the guy who has to be reminded that ALL of my guys can move during my turn if I'd really like.

plastictrees wrote:Well, hopefully I'll be one of his first opponents, so he has a good chance of getting an early win.

The JSA, and any sectoral I guess, does seem really restrictive. Probably the most consistently awesome and relatively up to date models of any sectoral though, aside from the Merovingiens.

I was actually thinking of our first game of Malifaux when I wrote this post; the one where you kicked my ass so hard I had to loosen my collar to take a p#ss.

I remembered how your guys could swoop across the table on the first turn by sharing their movement values, then combine into one big abomination to clobber one of my guys, and you would resurrect more little dudes as replacements if I took any parts down. I think I had one decent guy with a one-shot pistol, backed up by a bunch of decrepit, shuffling corpses armed with umbrellas.

I don't doubt that my boxed set could win if played right, but I knew I was missing something as far as tactics go, and it definitely soured me on the game. I think in part it was playing a list that wasn't very forgiving, and required tactical maneuvering to get that one perfect, devastating shot each turn. But in my head, I just kept seeing undead grannies struggling to take down a space marine with bent umbrellas.

This time I figured I'll try and get some advice ahead of time. I still plan on throwing my minis across the room when I lose. It helps instill a little fear in the others.

Just make sure you aim at a conveniently placed pillow if you do decide to throw them Mastiff....

He says "my" minis, but he tends to be less discriminating during actual game play

Right, I had forgotten about those good Malifaux times. I think that was the last time any of us played. It definitely wasn't much more enjoyable from the other end. I just pointed my angry zombie machines in the right direction and then did what it said on the card until everyone was dead. Luckily it only took three games to work out that that wasn't the game for me.

Infinity looks to be a lot more promising, although it seems to have the same potential for horrible murder, it's probably not going to be because your opponent unleashed his master plan of cascading abilities, it's because you started all your models in a tight circle in the middle of a field.

Oh crap, you were there when I broke the arm off Justin's big-ass wulfen, weren't you? Thought I'd killed all the witnesses.

I had a couple of games against Jay too, but with similar results. It wasn't the lopsided fights that bothered me (I realize better tactics were needed to get the most out of my warband), it was realizing I should have bought a different set of models. If I just had some "fun" mechanics I probably would have had more interest in continuing despite the losses.

Anyways, I've learned that melee is not the way to go in Infinity, despite the fact that most of my guys have swords of some type or other it's generally used as a last resort, and if I commit an assassin I'd better make sure his first target is worthy, 'cause he ain't likely to get a second. Sounds like my troops don't have the limitations some other forces do, though I need to read more to fully understand that. I like the rocket launcher troop model, and it seems like a good addition, as well as a the bikers... I'm not feeling too limited to be honest. I really want to paint a large robot, then the whole experience will be worthwhile.

 plastictrees wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

Though I think Qapu Kalki gets the better end of the stick. A lot of cool unit types and the cool mercs.

They seem pretty flexible, just less tricky than regular Haqq and Hassassins.
He says having never played a game.

Paradiso gave them some great options. Kaplan Tactical Services are a blessing for campaigns, with both engineers and doctors in the link.

 Mastiff wrote:
Oh crap, you were there when I broke the arm off Justin's big-ass wulfen, weren't you? Thought I'd killed all the witnesses.

I had a couple of games against Jay too, but with similar results. It wasn't the lopsided fights that bothered me (I realize better tactics were needed to get the most out of my warband), it was realizing I should have bought a different set of models. If I just had some "fun" mechanics I probably would have had more interest in continuing despite the losses.

Anyways, I've learned that melee is not the way to go in Infinity, despite the fact that most of my guys have swords of some type or other it's generally used as a last resort, and if I commit an assassin I'd better make sure his first target is worthy, 'cause he ain't likely to get a second. Sounds like my troops don't have the limitations some other forces do, though I need to read more to fully understand that. I like the rocket launcher troop model, and it seems like a good addition, as well as a the bikers... I'm not feeling too limited to be honest. I really want to paint a large robot, then the whole experience will be worthwhile.

I think the "synergy" of some of the units in Malifaux felt very restrictive to me. You either do this thing or you are pretty useless. I don't know, I've never been a great analyst of game mechanics beyond BS table talk.

The capacity for support in Infinity seems much more natural.

It looks like you have some really solid troops in the JSA, just some order stuff that you have to deal with through impetuous and you have more limited heavy weapon options?

Is your 40k escalation league still running?

Escalation League? Maybe?

Unfortunately, I missed the last two weeks. Family obligations, dead pets and other excuses. Which is a shame, I've really been enjoying the games.

I almost ordered the missile launcher troop and motorcycles, but realized it was just the metal monkey on my back chittering away. Think I'll complete what I have before adding to the pile of unpainted metal.

sigh. "Metal" just sounds so lame. I want to say "lead". In my mind, it'll always be "lead". Seems vaguely "PC" not to be able to equate my little army men to little pieces of toxic material. :(

 Mastiff wrote:
I almost ordered the missile launcher troop and motorcycles, but realized it was just the metal monkey on my back chittering away. Think I'll complete what I have before adding to the pile of unpainted metal.

I said that. I had a plan - buy a 200pt army. Paint it. Figure out what I wanted to do to expand it. Then I saw some other cool minis, so I bought them. And some more. Now I have I think 7 additional models, with plans to grab the Druze and Odalisque boxes. I've only painted 6 of my original 11 model 200pt army.

Hehe, that's the way it works.