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So, after drooling all over the Infinity models, I am thinking of picking up the game. I have decided to play Ariadna. The only problem is, I don't know where to start! I am liking the look of the Force de Reponse Rapide Merovingienne box, but I am worried that I might buy something I wont use. So dose anyone have any advice for someone planning to start with Ardiana?

Are you planning on a "just plain vanilla" Ariadna list or a Merovingian Sectorial?

There's far more qualified people than I to give advice on here, but that's something important to consider.

Kanluwen wrote:Are you planning on a "just plain vanilla" Ariadna list or a Merovingian Sectorial?

There's far more qualified people than I to give advice on here, but that's something important to consider.

Uhhhh. Sorry, I don't know the difference. Probably a normal one, because I assume that is where all the toys are?

The Merovingien box has some really nice stuff in it.

Basically a standard Ariadna force can mix all the different "native" Ariadnans -- Scots, Russians, French, and Americans. The Sectorial lists, currently just Scottish or French, have more restrictions on what models you can take in general, but let you take more of those specific forces. For example, a Scots sectorial army lets you take unlimited Caledonian Volunteers, who are nice cheap troops; the French one lets you take unlimited Metros, again, good basic troops that are a little more expensive than the Volunteers, but slightly better; a regular, mixed Ariadnan list will only let you take a total of 2 Volunteers or Metros (one of each is fine). The Sectorial lists have one big advantage in the ability to form Link Teams, but that's kind of an advanced rule that's probably neither fun nore easy for your first few games. Other than that, they let you concentrate on a few strengths, at the expense of versatility.

The Merovingien box, as I mentioned, has some lovely stuff in that will find a home in either a Merovingien Sectorial army or a regular Ariadnan force. The only slight drawback in the latter case is that the box comes with three Metros, and a non-Sectorial army can only use two of those, but that's really not that big a deal, as long as you might someday use a Merovingien Sectorial army occasionally.

The other units are really nice -- the Zouave, Moblot, and Para-Commando can form the basis of a quite powerful, effective Ariadnan army. The Zouave is a superb, cheap generalist, particularly at short range (his assault pistol will devastate anything on your Active turn, and although his D.E.P. is only one shot, it should put people off stepping into his sights in your enemy's turn). The Moblot's another good generalist and an OK option for your Lieutenant. And the Para-Commando with Heavy Machinegun is gold... drop him behind enemy lines and just watch him unleash leaden hell.

The regular Ariadna starter pack is also full of good stuff though!

Happygrunt wrote:

Kanluwen wrote:Are you planning on a "just plain vanilla" Ariadna list or a Merovingian Sectorial?

There's far more qualified people than I to give advice on here, but that's something important to consider.

Uhhhh. Sorry, I don't know the difference. Probably a normal one, because I assume that is where all the toys are?

Basically, Ian explained most of what you need to know.

That said I'm going to elaborate a bit more.

A "Sectorial" army list is a specialized list, essentially which is "themed" around a specific subfaction within a faction. The Merovingian Rapid Response Force is a Sectorial Army List, which focuses primarily upon the Merovingians. As a result, you get to take a bit more of the stuff which "fits" their theme--Metros become their regular troops, they lose access to the Caledonian/Russian stuff, etc.

It's far better explained by someone who isn't feeling the aftereffects of being slapped by a hailstone the size of a golfball in the head.

Oppp...

For what models to start with I'd say start with the Merovingian starter set. Then you can add to that with more Mero or other Ariadnia units. You can always branch out into other Ariadna forces if you like but if you like the Metrovigians you can just make them the core part of the force.

So if I were to get the Metrovigians box and two blisters (Maybe some of those super armored Cossacks, I do like the helghasty looking guys), I could play with the standard list just fine? I am trying to get some interest in Infinity with my playing group (Branching from 40k), so I can hopefully balance my stuff against what others get.

Dose the Metro list play much different than a normal army?

You could play small games just fine with what's in the Merovingians box, as a standard Ariadna list, though you'd need to either leave out the 3rd Metro, or just count it as something else (Line Kazak, maybe -- Line Kazaks and Metros have quite similar statlines).

A Veteran Kazak or two would definitely make for good additions. Tankhunters are another staple of most Ariadnan lists, to the point that they might almost be a bit too powerful to use in teaching-type games, unless you let the new player have the Tankhunter.

If you do go for the Veteran Kazak, I suggest avoiding the one that comes with the Ariadna starter pack, just in case you decide to pick up said starter as well later.

If you want to stick to Mero you can get the Moblots, Zouves, which are perfectly good troops too.

And awesome looking =)
I just wished there was more than one non-sapper model. Id love to take more than 1 with a DEP but don't want the same model twice =(