Aron Britchford Archives

What is Infinity?

Infinity is a skirmish game with between 7-10 models (although dependant on faction you can have between 4-20 models). Each player activates their models with order tokens, and uses all these tokens before the opponents turn. A model may activate more than once as long as you have orders available.

Are there any Unique Mechanics?

Infinity has “Private” and “Public” information. Some models have abilities such as camouflage, which is represented by a token, or just a note stating where it is. Some figures can pretend to be other models. Both of these examples demonstrate information termed private. Revealed models are public and your opponent can see their stats if they request it. Therefore you may not know everything about an opponents force until they have fully revealed it. While this is powerful, you can also do the same.

Infinity also has Automatic Reaction Order (ARO), where your models can react in your opponents turn. As everything happens simultaneously, you can choose the most opportune moment to strike. Do you risk running out to the objective and in doing so, risk take fire from your opponents force?

How easy is it to get into?

Veteran players can sign up to be a “Warcos”, these players will demo games and help new players into the game. Infinity also has two versions currently, Code One and 4th Edition. 4th Edition is the full ruleset, whereas Code One is a slimmed down ruleset which can be used to get into the game.

Rules can be downloaded directly from the Infinity Website. Like a lot of current games, there is also an app for army building, which also links rules to the wiki.

Individual figures retail at around £11 each, with six figure starter sets at around £45. Yearly starter sets containing two forces plus some scenery cost around £100, and there are more complete army sets being released at around the £70 mark. These are usually 300 points of models which makes up a typical force.

Summary

Infinity is a fun game which will keep you thinking. Can you see your opponent? should I shoot or dodge? and why didn’t I take a Doctor!?

There is a healthy tournament scene, and Corvus Belli make effort to keep older models relevant with refreshed rules. Regular model updates and a wide range of different styled factions and sub-factions means there is something for everyone.

There are a wide array of games, both large battle and skirmish available on the market and while many are familiar with Games Workshops offerings, there are many other colourful games to play.

The aim of these articles is as a taster and guide to help get you into a game that interests you and where better to start than a trip through the breach to Malifaux, Where bad things happen.

What is Malifaux?

Malifaux is a small scale skirmish game played with around 7-10 themed figures. Each figure is individual and has it’s own stat card (no duplicates here!). Players alternate taking actions while trying to score off there schemes and strategies. These can be as simple as “hold this point” or make sure “model 1 is killed by model 2”

Are there any Unique Mechanics?

Rather than roll dice, Malifaux uses a fate deck (fancy name for a standard deck of cards), Players flip cards instead of rolling dice. You also have a control hand of cards which allow you to “cheat fate” for when you really need an action to happen.

Certain characters can also use Soul stones, another resource to boost actions or reduce damage.

How easy is it to get into?

There are many local Henchman (Wyrds demo players) in many countries and can usually be found via the Wyrd forums or running local events and Demo days.

The Rules are available from free from the Wyrd website (listed below) and stat cards can be found there for all factions as well as available on the free M3E app. A standard deck of cards can be used as a fate deck (provided it has a Red and Black Joker) but there are many other variants available with custom artwork.

Crew boxes give you a starting crew and you can usual pick up 1 or 2 more boxes to pad your crew out allowing you to start playing from between £50-£100. Some Masters (Crew Leaders) are classed as Dual Faction, allowing you to easily dip into other factions.

There are also regular updates to competitive play and stat cards to maintain balance.

Pro’s and Cons

Pros

Under £100 to get into
Every Model Unique
Great support from the Community and Wyrd

Cons

Helpful to have a lot of scenery
Lots of rules interactions which may take a while to master.
Some miniatures have very small parts making assemble tricky

Summary

Malifaux is a great skirmish game to get into. The factions and crews are all very different with interesting themes and no two are exactly alike. There is a healthy community, with lots of support from Wyrd. The miniatures are well sculpted and characterful with my only complaints being small parts and occasional thin parts supporting a model.

If you are able to get a demo with a friend or Henchman I highly recommend giving Malifaux a try.