These are looking promising and I can't wait for more.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Infinity November Releases
There was some speculation about the November releases and it looks like they were spot on. So here they are from Beasts of War and I can't wait to see the unit profiles when they are released. There has been a lot of speculation on what the Airborne Rangers will be like.
The Airborne Ranger looks great and this version displays an SMG so we have to look forward to some close up shooting. I haven't used an SMG on any of my units yet so I am excited to field this version. Since I was a paratrooper these guys hold a special place for me. I think I might have to field the maximum number and try a themed force. There is supposed to be some synergy with them and Van Zant which is great because I love the Van Zant model. I think he is priced right and not too powerful but he can be a beast when used effectively. This is the release I am looking forward to the most out of the November stuff.
Domaru Butai
The forums were really picking up a lot of support for these guys and they look amazing. They make me want to start a Japanese Sectorial Army. This is going to be a four pack and from my understanding they fill out the ranks quite nicely. With 23 CC and some close up weapons like chain rifles and boarding shotguns plus 2 wounds and 3 armor not to mention berserk and Martial Arts level 3 these guys are tough. Oh and they can link. Very nice addition.
Hassasin Ragick Hacker
I posted some pictures of them earlier last week and this model looks great. Being able to have an AD:Combat Jump troop plus have a hacking assault device fits nicely. There are some other options available but I think this might be the one used most often.
Rodoks
Mimetism, heavy weapons and linkable these guys bring some hurt to the table. Using them in a Morat Aggression Force is a huge plus. I think the team looks good and we have a Combined Army player that is getting them ASAP. I like the HMG and Missile Launcher versions with the Mimetism. I think they will be very survivable in some cover.
Avicenna
Another model that was featured earlier, she will be a nice new sculpt for the mercenary force. She looks like a close combat monster and I think the new sculpt really highlights this.
All in all pretty good release for November. I was really hoping for a boxed set of Marauders or Minutemen since Corvus Belli said they would get the USAriadna up to par. Hopefully soon they will get what they need.
The Airborne Ranger looks great and this version displays an SMG so we have to look forward to some close up shooting. I haven't used an SMG on any of my units yet so I am excited to field this version. Since I was a paratrooper these guys hold a special place for me. I think I might have to field the maximum number and try a themed force. There is supposed to be some synergy with them and Van Zant which is great because I love the Van Zant model. I think he is priced right and not too powerful but he can be a beast when used effectively. This is the release I am looking forward to the most out of the November stuff.
Domaru Butai
The forums were really picking up a lot of support for these guys and they look amazing. They make me want to start a Japanese Sectorial Army. This is going to be a four pack and from my understanding they fill out the ranks quite nicely. With 23 CC and some close up weapons like chain rifles and boarding shotguns plus 2 wounds and 3 armor not to mention berserk and Martial Arts level 3 these guys are tough. Oh and they can link. Very nice addition.
Hassasin Ragick Hacker
I posted some pictures of them earlier last week and this model looks great. Being able to have an AD:Combat Jump troop plus have a hacking assault device fits nicely. There are some other options available but I think this might be the one used most often.
Rodoks
Mimetism, heavy weapons and linkable these guys bring some hurt to the table. Using them in a Morat Aggression Force is a huge plus. I think the team looks good and we have a Combined Army player that is getting them ASAP. I like the HMG and Missile Launcher versions with the Mimetism. I think they will be very survivable in some cover.
Avicenna
Another model that was featured earlier, she will be a nice new sculpt for the mercenary force. She looks like a close combat monster and I think the new sculpt really highlights this.
All in all pretty good release for November. I was really hoping for a boxed set of Marauders or Minutemen since Corvus Belli said they would get the USAriadna up to par. Hopefully soon they will get what they need.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Flames of War: Team Yankee - Bannons Boys
Here is the new set for Team Yankee that is a Pre-order time due to be released December 12.
The original release date was November 27 which is delayed due to some unforeseen issues. Because of this the set will actual come with 6 M1 Abrams Tanks instead of 5. So an extra tank for anyone who pre-orders the box set.
One of the early configurations included some M113 APCs but those were removed from the item description. Miniature Market has this at around $80 which makes it a little more bearable.
I like the idea of the unit cards and including a template is always helpful especially since it is supposed to be a new type of Salvo template. I love the idea of AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters included. I really want M2 or M3 Bradleys but I think I need to keep my fingers crossed since Battlefront hasn't shown any evidence of producing these anytime soon.
I am not a fan of a supposed "Starter" set that does not include quick start rules and it has a high price point for not including the option to conduct a two player game. It is my understanding that Battlefront will have some sort of online quick start rules so that will help if they produce. The Russian set is a little more money but you get almost double the tanks. I will highlight that set a little later.
I am still on the fence but it could be promising if the rules are truly streamlined and the unit cards are effective. We will see.......
Friday, November 20, 2015
Weekly Intel : Infinity , Team Yankee and Dropfleet
This is the weekly roundup where we take a look at some exciting models for Infinity and talk about some of the cool new models that showed up this week. I am also going to do a quick spot on Team Yankee and Dropfleet. First up is Infinty, we saw some exciting new models that will be coming out and I also saw a great video from Beasts of War on TAGS.
Here is Hassassin Ragik, and once again the model looks great. I down play the Haqqislam faction but this is a really nice looking model From the article I read this guy or girl can be a hacker and I just cannot say enough about the models that Corvus Belli makes. They always satisfy.
http://www.beastsofwar.com/infinity/hassassin-ragik-jets-infinity/
And another great looking model this time its a mercenary named Avicenna and she is apparently a resculpt. She is a close combat specialist and I think the pose says it all.
http://www.beastsofwar.com/infinity/version-avicenna-spotted-infinity/
http://www.beastsofwar.com/infinity/objective-infinity-how-to-use-tags/
I did not get a chance to highlight this last week but it is a really good video on using TAGS and being new to the game it was very helpful for me. We are actually trying out our first TAGS next week but it is some Nomad's Geckos so more like Heavy Infantry but still some different stats. I plan on getting a Dragoes or Jotum soon. I think that will be a nice addition to our TAG force.
I am still hoping we get some more USAriadna stuff before Christmas besides the Airborne Rangers. I really wanted a box set of Marauders or Minutemen because I want to try these guys in a link with all their weapon options without using a proxy.
I think Beasts of War has some great reporting when it comes to Infinity and I am glad they get some exclusive information that helps the rest of us get informed. Pretty good week for Infinity news overall and I hope we get to see more upcoming releases with pictures soon.
Team Yankee by Battlefront
This is not really a new release it is on preorder but news of it has been out for a while. I am a little skeptical of Battlefront and Flames of War. I played DUST for a long time and their handling of that whole fiasco disappointed me. I am not laying all the blame on them but some it has to be. I tried getting into Flames of War with the starter set but found that there was not a huge player base and the cost was a little high. My biggest complaint was the rules. I felt that they were very complex and overwhelming. So.......
Team Yankee tries to fix some of this with the Unit card idea that was a staple of DUST, and I think that is a good route to go. I like the idea of a fictitious World War III because it allows for some deviation and the addition of some interesting campaigns and scenarios. So lets take a quick look at some of the units that will be arriving soon and see what to expect.
Models are made of plastic.
Contents:5 M1 Abrams Tanks2 AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopters1 Special Objective2 Decal Sheets7 Unit Cards1 Template
Models are made of plastic.
Contents:9 T-72 Tanks2 MI-24 Hind Assault Helicopters2 Decal Sheets8 Unit Cards1 Template
I like the idea of having some air support with the box sets and unit cards. I am curious to see what kind of template they come with, I am hoping it is for the air support. That was another drawback when I tried to start up before there was a lot of extra cost for templates and markers that were pretty much mandatory. You can search and find some of the other units that will be available and Battlefront has a whole page of just Team Yankee stuff. I like the idea of plastic kits and the unit cards but once again the price has turned me off. $90 for the U.S. and $120 for the Russians plus another $25 for the rule book. Miniature Market has them discounted of course but even then it seems like a lot for box sets that you basically need one of each to get a two player game in. I am on the fence with this one. I might get some of the stuff and perhaps start working on my own house rules or creating some. Just not %100 sold yet.
Dropfleet is on Kickstarter and it is made by Hawk Wargames. They made Dropzone Commander which is a fantastic game and one of the best starter sets on the market. Dropfleet has met a ton of its goals and it is taking off. It looks very promising and I am going to have to back it to get my hands on the set as soon as it comes out. The models look great and they are still developing the PHR fleet but there are some sketches out on the Kickstarter.
If you get a chance check out their Kickstarter and see all the models and goals that are available . I think you will be impressed.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hawkwargames/dropfleet-commander
Thanks for checking out this weeks report on some new stuff. Some of it is old but I thought I would get caught up on what interests me. I will be reviewing more of Team Yankee since I have some knowledge on modern combat units. Also expect another battle report soon because I have to fight the Nomads again in a rematch mission. Thanks again for checking us out.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
France and the Recent Attacks
I wanted to make sure that we recognize the lives lost yesterday and the wounded that are fighting to recover. The incident is clearly an event that will make people think and fill you with emotions whatever they may be. I try to stay away from politics on this blog but I feel that it is necessary to recognize the lives lost and acknowledge the attacks that will not be forgotten. As a current first responder and a military veteran I want to convey my sympathy and my heart felt sorrow for those families and friends who lost someone dear to them yesterday. I hope that some form of justice will be served to those that are responsible for this incident.
Friday, November 13, 2015
Infinity : Warsenal Spetsnaz Tower Review
Well I came home yesterday and this was in a mail package waiting from me... I took some pictures and it's still fresh in my mind so lets do a quick review.
First off, let's take a look at what we will review:
1. Price
2. Ease of Assembly
3. How Cool Does it Look
The basic description of this piece is:
via Warsenal,
Protect your Comanche Outpost in style with the Spetznazs Sniper Tower. With multiple levels and easy access this perch looks great on any table. Position with care though, standing 9 inches tall this tower can dominate most tables!
This 3mm MDF and 1.5mm acrylic piece comes unpainted and unassembled.
Dimensions: 9in x 5in x 5in
Price : 9
The price was great on this piece, coming in at $15 U.S. it was a steal and I felt that I got more than my moneys worth. The packaging was good and it is basically a flat sheet of pop out pieces with an extra sheet of a few plastic pieces that you use for the ladder and to create the uppermost portion of the tower. I think that $15 for a piece this size a good deal and I have already recommended it to other Infinity Players in the area.
Ease of Assembly: 7
The overall assembly was quite easy and it did not require glue although you can use some to make your pieces more secure. Pop out the pieces and start putting it together. With a piece this size it's not a bad idea to look up the PDF directions that are provided via a link from the Warsenal site. I wanted to make sure I did it right so I looked these up and I think that lowered the score a little because I almost felt it was mandatory. Overall the kit was pretty easy and it only took about 15 minutes from start to finish.
How Cool Does it Look : 7
I actually love the piece and I think it has a lot of cool options having multiple levels and the ladder plus a covered spot for some serious firepower. The game play use is going to be really good, but the overall look is cool but not super cool so that's why I am giving it a 7. Not really a bad score but I am really impressed with the overall design and I think the look will grow on me.
Overall : 8
I think its a solid 8, it is a very affordable piece that comes with some cool options and it was fairly easy to assemble. I plan on getting at least one more to add to my terrain and I think I will get more of the Comanche line after having good experiences with this terrain piece. I am curious to see how it will stack up with the Bandua pieces that we will be reviewing soon.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Infinity : Terrain from Warsenal and how we will grade it....
Infinity Terrain from Warsenal
http://warsen.al/
Warsenal has some pretty impressive looking terrain. I started checking out the forums on the Infinity website and started looking into their product. I looked at the Comanche line of terrain and I am liking what I am seeing.
I really liked this piece and the price is just wonderful at $15. I went ahead and ordered one to check it out and it should be arriving on Thursday. I plan on doing an unboxing and hopefully a better review of their product once I have it in hand.
I saw that Miniwargaming did some reviews on a few terrain companies. I am a simple gamer without their resources and I sure as hell didn't get a bunch of free terrain to try out like they did. I am just planning on ordering a couple pieces from each company and going from there.
This first piece will actually be the second line we have tried out. If you got a chance to check out the picture from our last game you can see a couple of Bandua's terrain pieces mixed in with the starter set pieces. The Bandua pieces need some paint before we review them but they were a lot of fun to use and easy to put together.
From now on we will use a grading system to help us rate the products. I think a ten point system should suffice for each category and then average it out.
Categories:
1. Price
2. Ease of Assembly
3. How Cool Does it Look
I think these categories will help us give a relevant grade to some of these terrain pieces.
Ok, getting back to this Comanche line from Warsenal..... wow, I think it looks great and one of the best options that Warsenal offers is some great package bundles at $100.
Both of those are $100 each and its a great start for a nice terrain package. Once I get the Spetsnazs tower I will give it a grade and see how rates. But I am looking forward to it.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Infinity : Quick Battle Report
Nomads vs. Ariadna
300 Points
Unfortunately we didn't get more pictures of the ensuring battle. We got stuck in and completely forgot to keep taking pictures. This will be a quick Battle Report and I will post our lists soon so those of you that want to look at them can. As the title says, we had the Nomads fighting Ariadna.
This was Brandon's first time using Nomads and he had the components of two starter sets and a few add on blisters to help boost his force. He had a good size force and for the most part I know the units he brought to the table. I brought my Ariadna and I decided to stay away from the sectorials because I just don't have enough USAriadna to field 300 points and I really love Tankhunters and Veteran Kazaks. We played 300 points and we both agreed on the mission with the four quarters being worth objective points. We grabbed our classified objectives and proceeded to see who would do what.
I was able to choose the deployment and Brandon took the turn order. We both did our setup and this was also our first time using TO Camo. Well, for me it was my first time fighting against it and for him it was the first time using it. Kind of sucked to be on the receiving end of a hidden deployment unit. I would find out later how much it sucks shooting at them.
Turn 1
So, the first turn was pretty eventful, and it started with me using a command token to remove two orders from his order pool. That was followed up by him discovering two of my camo markers, which were my Scout and one of my Tankhunters with Autocannon. He tried shooting up my Scout who had used infiltrated to be a little farther up with an Ojotnik. The Scout would survive all that was thrown at him. It was mainly Aguaciles that were shooting at him. My Veteran Kazak with AP HMG took out a Grenzer with Sniper Rifle but was shot up by an Intruder with a Sniper Rifle and wounded. Then he took another wound and was dead. My Line Kazak with AP HMG needed a critical of 5 to hurt his other Intruder with Sniper and he actually made that happen which made his Intruder go down unconscious. An Airborne unit either a Tomcat or Hellcat, not sure which is which, jumped into my backfield with and HMG but that same Line Kazak was able to ARO and make him unconscious. There was some moving about and reposition but for the most part that was it for him.
I did pretty well on his active turn so I was thinking about the mission and I had a Chasseur and the Scout controlling one quarter. I wanted to try to secure at least one more since at this point he had none because his units really hadn't moved out of the deployment zone. I also wanted to knock out some more of his units and I was still leery about that TO unit. I tried eliminating an Aguacile with my Scout but it reversed on me and the Scout ended up unconscious. With that in mind I decided on using a coordinated order to move some of my Line Kazaks and Grunts into better firing positions. The Line Kazak with AP HMG ended up taking out the Aguacile that wounded my Scout. I had a Tankhunter take down another Grenzer. He was down two more units and I made the error of dropping in Van Zant where I thought he was safe to control another table quarter. At this point he was safe but I would find out later that he was not alone.
Nomads: 0
Ariadna: 2
Turn 2
This was the bloody turn. His TO camo Spektr reveals that he is shooting up Van Zant and Van Zant takes a wound. I realize that he is dogged but the Spektr moved on to better things and he has no one to ARO after losing the Face to Face roll against the Spektr. So for the rest of his turn he is irrelevant. The Reverend Healer attempts to run out of cover to heal one of the wounded Intruders. But my Tankhunter gets her and kills her. The Spektr then goes on to move up the field with that -6 to hit modifier, knocking out my Tankhunter and my Line Kazak with AP HMG. He is controlling a table quarter directly in front of my deployment zone and he was very hard to shoot at and he didn't get hurt at all. At this point he has possibly two points and there is the chance now that it could be close. His Mobile Brigada claimed a quarter and that Spektr was in my face claiming another.
I misunderstood Dogged and removed Van Zant from play at the end of Brandon's active turn. It wouldn't be a huge factor but I know better for next time. I was able to kill the Spektr with a Grunt in cover and a rifle which was great. My Highlander Grey threw some smoke and moved up killing another Aguacile. His Mobile Brigada was forced to go prone and I ended up failing a medikit roll killing my Tankhunter. This was one of my classified objectives and I was hoping to revive the guy, but oh well. I had two more quarters at this point and he was running out of models.
Nomads: 1
Ariadna: 4
Turn 3
The last turn was pretty quick, his Mobile Brigada tried to do some work but was rewarded with wounding my Dogged HIghlander Grey and that was about it.
We decided to just see if the Highlander Grey would actually kill the Mobile Brigada because he was surviving quite a bit of firepower. He fell after two orders being spent. We called it at this point since there was no way that he could win. I still had two more quarters and could have spent more orders to occupy a third.
Nomads : 1
Ariadna : 6
After Action Report
We talked about the game and one thing was the limited models that my buddy had. He did not was to proxy for his first game and just decided to use what he had. He really enjoyed the Nomads and for his first game with them, he did really well considering their play style is completely different from his ALEPH. I was very surprised with how many shots his TO camo Spektyr just made irrelevant with the -6 to hit modifier. That combined with range or cover negative modifiers forced me to start dodging instead of being able to hurt him. We both had a really good time and since we are new we still have to look stuff up but it is getting a lot better. My Ariadna Tank Hunters and Line Kazak AP HMG did very well. We both agreed that holding back our Airborne troops for another turn would have been more beneficial for both of us.
Ariadna MVP: Line Kazak AP HMG
Nomads MVP: TO Spektr
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