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Hi there everyone,

I was just hoping for some basic info on Infinity!!

A friend and I are looking into starting up playing thy game. We're both long time 40k players, and have expanded in to a few other games (Fantasy, LotR, X-Wing, Imperial Assault) over the years.

How does Inifinity compare to the other systems - I understand there is a reaction sequence which sounds interesting!!

Is the Operation Ice Storm box set enough for us to play the game, and how long will it be before we need to buy more?

And lastly - is it worth the money!!

Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend.

Welcome to infinity.

How does it compare to other systems?

It's a smaller focussed game. 40k is all about platoon level stuff, where units are often 5+ models. Infinity is a skirmish where EACH model is an individual. About the only thing it has in common with 40k is that it uses dice and models.

Yes, there's a reaction phase of sorts. Each player turn is divided into the ACTIVE player (AP) and the REACTIVE player's (RP) turns.

The AP gets a number of orders equal to the number of models he has (there are limits to this. Order groups and stuff come into it. Essentially, no single model can have more than 11 orders spent on it). Each order can be used to activate a single model (you can use multiple orders to activate the SAME MODEL again and again, too). EACH and EVERY time the AP spends an order on one of his models, if the RP's models can see it, they get a free automatic reaction order (or ARO). They can shoot back, dodge incoming fire, dodge into b2b for close combat, etc). It's a lot more interactive than 40k - you do more than just remove models in your opponent's turn.

When the active player finishes his orders, play switches over to the RP who starts THEIR ACTIVE turn - and the former Active player goes into THEIR REACTIVE turn and gets to do everything their opponent did in their turn. Once both players have been active/reactive, the next player turn starts, following the same order.

You can play games with just icestorm. It's good for about 160 or so points a side (NOT all of the rules are used in icestorm - but the FULL rules ARE available as a download from corvus belli for FREE). To fully utilise the units, you will need those (Hacking or Close combat rules aren't fully used, for example )

**THERE ARE multiple files to download. You will need the N3 rules, the FAQ for N3, the human sphere rules/lists and the campaign paradiso lists/rules. 3rd edition (N3) DOES NOT include all that preceded it.**

You will probably buy more models as you go on - you're a gamer - this is inevitable. They are ALL METAL models (there ARE no plastic playing models), so if you have issues or dislikes of the medium, rethink your choice now before you get too deep. I started with 6 models, I now have about 110 8 or so years later.

Is it worth the money? This is a personal choice thing. I think it is. I played 40k for 25ish years - but I've also played a lot of other games in that time, too. Infinity put the joy back in my gaming after 40k sucked the life out of it.

Terrain is of fundamental importance, I've won and lost games simply because of its layout. You have few boxes of terrain to start playing on, but I find it likely that you'll tire of playing on their paper mat and boxes. Fortunately there are a lot of small firms that are producing more interesting terrain. I recommend getting a decent table of it before going further. Also ignore the recommendation of sniper towers that you'll find in the big rulebook. Asymmetric layout with decent LoF breaking terrain makes far more enjoyable and interesting games.

As for purchases. I tend to play with variety of lists, however I did play with one or two lists for extended period of time. Maybe I'll do the same once ITS starts anew. Although you can play with what you have, you'll probably grow tired of playing Icestorm mission or annihilation after a month or so. It's enough content to get your toes wet. I think it's worth the price for newcomers, but, if you're not keen on the content you can easily go with one of the recent starter sets and get paper terrain from one of the retailers or perhaps find paper plans on-line.

The game plays faster, action sequence is more like in D&D. The difference is in unlimited activation of model. It can result into incredible easy snowball situation. The system has its ups and down, best way would be to try it and see, if it's up to your liking.

Icestorm is a good start, IF you both want one of the factions.

Other way to start (if you have enough terrain) is to purchase one of the faction starters you each like best and maybe 1 or 2 additional guys based on looks.

There's 22! different starters, one for each army and their sub-factions.

Rules are free and can be downloaded from the official page. http://www.infinitythegame.com/archive.php

Not to go off topic but I have also been looking at Infinity and it does seem pretty cool and I love what I have seen with the big mechs (tags are what they are called correct?). My question just has to deal with being in the U.S., is it difficult to get started over here with the £-$ conversion plus shipping?

 GreenWarMachine wrote:
Not to go off topic but I have also been looking at Infinity and it does seem pretty cool and I love what I have seen with the big mechs (tags are what they are called correct?). My question just has to deal with being in the U.S., is it difficult to get started over here with the £-$ conversion plus shipping?

Not at all there are dozens of US sellers for Infinity, check any one of your favorite online sellers or your flgs.

Thanks

 adhuin wrote:
Icestorm is a good start, IF you both want one of the factions.

Other way to start (if you have enough terrain) is to purchase one of the faction starters you each like best and maybe 1 or 2 additional guys based on looks.

There's 22! different starters, one for each army and their sub-factions.

Rules are free and can be downloaded from the official page. http://www.infinitythegame.com/archive.php

You can also find just the terrain from Icestorm available for sale from CB. It's called the "Infinity: Moto.tronica Scenery Pack" and contains all the terrain you need for a 150 point battle for about $12. (other than putting the rules online for free this is probably the best business move CB ever did, if you ask me.)