Infinity May Release Review

By: Canadian Tabletop Gamers

Every month we will be reviewing the new minis for Infinity.

This month we have a slew of new faces for our first collaborative post. We have Antonius, Burns, Dozer, and Forgotten giving us their feedback. A few re-packaged minis seeing new life alongside some brilliant looking releases that has become the hallmark of Corvus Beli.

O-Yoroi 
Pilot Faction: Yu Jing (JSA)

"Dynamic pose but a little too much fan service for my taste."
- Forgotten **** (Above the Standard)

"Good pose, but the outfit doesn't seem that practical for a pilot."
- Burns *** (Meets the Standard)

"The mini looks fantastic but it looses some of the charm with being 'skimpy' with the outfit. The pose is great, I love the action in the sculpt with the drawn sword but I want to see the Contender collapsed on her back - just something a bit more"
- Dozer **** (Above the Standard)

5th Minutemen Regiment "Ohio"
Faction: Ariadna (USAriadna)

"Amazing sculpts. It is great to aee options to add multiple minutemen to a band. I don't play USAriadna myself, but this could change that."
- Antonius **** (Above the Standard)

"These guys look fantastic.  Variety of poses, have that low tech feel of Ariadna fluff. If I played them I would buy them."
- Forgotten ***** (Challenges the Standard)

"I like 'em. Also, reminds me a little of Cadians from back in my 40k days. Memories..."
- Burns **** (Above the Standard)

Major Lunha, Ex-Aristeia! Sniper
Faction: MERCS

"The pose I would normally dislike for a 'sniper' miniature, but knowing that this pose come from her time in Aristeia! makes sense what I see the mini. Favorite of the May releases."
- Dozer ***** (Challenges the Standard)

"I love the sculpt, save for the legs. It would have been very awesome if they had added some scenery to give her pose a bit more context."
- Antonius **** (Above the Standard)

"Dynamic pose, good detail, cool weapon. She looks slick."
- Forgotten **** (Above the Standard)

Gorgos Pilot 
Faction: Tohaa

"I'm not a fan of the faction's look, but the detail and pose is awesome."
- Dozer **** (Above the Standard)

"Cool details and interesting pose."
- Forgotten **** (Above the Standard)

Gecko Pilot 
Faction: Nomads (Corregidor)

"Maybe I am biased, as I play Nomads but I like the Geckos but I think this model looks awesome. Favorite of the May releases."
- Forgotten **** (Above the Standard)

"Corregidor got a slick pilot. As another Nomads player I have to say it seems we got some major love this month."
- Dozer **** (Above the Standard)

Dactyls, Steel Phalanx Support Pack (Re-box)
Faction: ALEPH (Steel Phalanx)

"Nice looking but what I have come to expect from the latest releases out of Corvis Belli."
- Forgotten *** (Meets the Standard)

"A solid set of minis. Seems like they are meeting a need and the best of the three re-packed sets"
- Dozer **** (Above the Standard)

Orc Troops (Re-Box)
Faction: PanOceana

"It may just be the colour scheme, but what I see is a 4-eyed, buck-toothed rabbit."
- Burns ** (Below the Standard)

"Both older models, ok minis but not to current Corvus Belli quality"
- Dozer *** (Meets the Standard)

"The HMG's legs look weird like she has to pee (maybe that is the photo angle) either way I think they can do better"
- Forgotten ** (Below the Standard)

Zerat Special Missions Regiment (Re-Box)
Faction: Combined Army (Morrat)

"I’m never been a big fan of the female Morat models: the long pink hair doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the aesthetic. Looking past that, I put the new sniper well ahead of the hacker"

- Burns *** (Meets the Standard)

"The hair reminds me of the terrible wildcat sculpt otherwise it looks good."
- Forgotten *** (Meets the Standard)

"A bigger fan of the Sniper rifle. Has a nice pose without having unnecessary embellishments added. The hacker leaves something to be desired with its sculpt."
- Antonius *** (Meets the Standard)

Introduction: Antonius

Name - 
Todd aka Antonius

Where are you - 
Stratford, Ontario

Who are you - 
I am a gamer who has been playing the likes of Dungeons and Dragons for nearly 25 years now. I was first introduced to miniatures wargaming back in 2000 with specialist games like Mordheim and Blood Bowl. Since then, I have also played Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40k, as well as a variety of other games, that most recently include Infinity and Frostgrave.

I really enjoy a system that has a wonderful IP and a great community of players who can provide feedback and advice on conversions, how to get started tips and other tidbits to help gamers get into a new game, but without breaking the bank.

I am a great fan of the Horus Heresy novels that have been produced, as well as other fantasy and science fiction works by authors like Ed Greenwood, RA Salvatore, George RR Martin, Gav Thorpe, James Swallow, to name just a few.

I love to talk meta. I enjoy seeing what drew players to play certain factions within a game or even what drew them to play the game at all. Gaming has become a wonderful past time for me and I love to talk about it and share it with all different people.

What are you playing on the table - 
Infinity (Combined Armies), Frostgrave, Warhammer Fantasy (Dark Elves), Warhammer 40k (Raven Guard Space Marines), Warhammer 30k (Blood Angels), Lord of the Rings (Kingdoms of Men)

Play style - 
Prefer to be a casual gamer who loves campaign settings, can be a power gamer if a player wants to play test tournament lists for upcoming events

Top irk at the table - 
People who lose sight of the fact that no matter what we are playing, it is just a game and take it too seriously

Current gamer projects - 
Converting a Dark Elf Blood Bowl team. Painting my Raven Guard to have a fully finished 40k army. GM'ing in a Dungeons and Dragons community campaign with my own story arc and converting miniatures for Frostgrave

Last word - 
Not my words, but someones who's work has brought me to the table and inspired me to enjoy the game.

“Fantasy is escapist, and that is its glory. If a soldier is imprisioned by the enemy, don't we consider it his duty to escape?. . .If we value the freedom of mind and soul, if we're partisans of liberty, then it's our plain duty to escape, and to take as many people with us as we can!” - JRR Tolkien

Introduction: Burns

Name - 
John aka Burns

Where are you - 
Ottawa, Ontario

Who are you - 
Casual gamer, since my days of playing 40k in the late 90s who professionally solves problems for smart people.

What are you playing on the table - 
Hordes - Circle of Orboros and Legion of Everblight. Magic the Gathering but only if it has Zombies. Infinity - Combined Army. Any board game that is fun or takes reference from the Necronomicon.

Play style - 
Nothing fancy: smash the other guy. If I can pull off one cool move I consider it a victory, even if the rest of the game goes the other way.

Top irk at the table - 
People who take the game too seriously

Current gamer projects - 
Getting my Combined Army into a tournament ready state, then adding models to my Hordes lists.

Last word - 
Klatuu Veraata N’(cough)

Introduction: Forgotten

Name - 
Stephen aka Forgotten

Where are you - 
Ottawa, Ontario

Who are you - 
A mediocre player who still has fun at the table.

What are you playing on the table - 
Warmachine and Hordes - Trollsbloods, Infinity - Nomads, Game Mastering Dungeons and Dragons 5ed, Curse of Strahd

Play style - 
This will either work amazingly or I will die in a hail of gunfire

Top irk at the table - 
Douchbag players

Current gamer projects - 
So many unpainted models

Last word - 
We'll let's see how this goes

News on Legend of the Five Rings

By: Dozer

Legend of the Five Ringss was sold by AEG to Fantasy Flight Games in the fall of 2015. Last year at Gen Con, since I missed the Fantasy Flight seminar I approached the staff at the booth and asked about the future for one of my favorite fantasy RPG settings.

I got the following information:

1. The first Legend of the Five Rings product will be a card game - they would not outright confirm that it would be a Living Card Game like their other card games but the hinting was given pretty hard. Even more so since the LCG model is doing very well for Fantasy Flight Games and is a flagship series of products in multiple settings.

2. Information on the role-playing game would be given next year at Gen Con 50. They were testing a build but it was early and they couldn't go into any details. They were specific about releasing an RPG was key for the team but the focus was the LCG. They could not confirm a reboot to the setting. They would not go into any details about the roll-and-keep dice system, and if it was going to be used in the next iteration of the RPG.

3. Fantasy Flight Games was excited to get their hands on the intellectual property and the staff wished they could go into more detail.

Well the wait is over.

They finally have shown us what will be released at Gen Con 50. The box art looks brilliant. Legend of the Five Rings was always known for it's unique and gorgeous Japanese inspired fantasy art. Fantasy Flight Games has not let that tradition drop. The box art showcases a Courtier from the Crane Clan, a Shugenja casting a spell held in one hand from the Scorpion Clan, and a Lion Bushi in a combat stance. The art on the side has a classical Phoenix Shugenja casting a Fire spell.

Right away the art made me want to open up my RPG books and pour over the years of lore that AEG crafted. I would not be upset if the world was reset but I would hope Fantasy Flight Games took the setting story arcs and tried something new with the plot lines. From the Clan War, to the Hiruma retaking their keep, to the war of Souls, the Lying Darkness, the creation of the Spider Clan and the rise of the Mantis from Minor Clan to Major Clan.

The box is describe as a full set for two players to craft their decks and play as one of the Major Clans. They list each of the original seven Major Clans. Lion known for their military and proud heritage. The Phoenix masters of mystic arts and the best bodyguards in the land. Scorpion masked, devious, quick and deadly. The Crane elegant in all things from art, music, conversation, and the art of the duel. The nomadic Unicorn who's horseman are legends. The ever mysterious Dragon living in their mountain monasteries, Last but not least the Crab those who live to fight on the Kaiu wall the physical barrier between the Empire and the Shadowlands.

No Mantis or Spider but I expect the next Major Clan will be the Mantis. I also hope they do a full run of Minor Clans to showcase the archers of the Wasp, the ghost hunting Falcon, and the mystic diplomats of the Dragonfly.

There is a lot in this setting and Fantasy Flight Games has to be careful about unpacking their take on the game at a steady pace that will not flood the audience with history but also keep us wanting more. They have a good history about doing just that and that gives me confidence to see what's next.

Mechanic wise we have very little information. We do know that each player will have two decks, one will be actions, followers, and reactions while the other will be filled with heroes and holdings. Both are used to break their opponent's stronghold and protect their own. Conflict will be more than just military but also political and there are repercussions for taking an aggressive stance with some sort honor system.

The box will contain a collection of tokens and player supplies. My only gripe that is actually in the advert is the same issue I have with the Netrunner main box. Lack of full playsets, 3 copies of the card. There will be a few cards in the box that only have two or even one copy of the card. Forcing players to buy more boxsets in order to gain playsets of those cards. I hope Fantasy Flight Games, offers a small product that would complete the playsets that are short shortly after the main box gets released.

I knew this was going to be picked up at Gen Con. This news gives me the confidence to keep hoping that this new direction and team working Legend of the Five Rings will due it justice. Making something just as brilliant as the products that I've enjoyed since the 2000s.

- Cheers

Dozer

Introduction: Dozer

Name -
Olen aka Dozer

Where are you -
Ottawa, Ontario

Who are you -
I'm married and sporting two jobs while trying to keep a handle on my hobbies. When I have some time, I like to explore the world of BBQ, and I enjoy cooking. Reading and writing are regular activities for me, including my personal blog. When I'm tired I veg in front of my XBox or watch TV with the Missus.

What are you playing on the table -
Infinity, Scythe, Magic the Gathering, and Iron Kingdoms RPG

Play style -
I like creative and flexible play. I like factions with lots of options like Cygnar in Warmachine, Nomads in Infinity, and playing with Blue in Magic the Gathering. I like to creatively interact and take advantage of well designed game mechanics. I look at my games as puzzles, and I love trying out solutions. My style goes from aggressive to cautious depending on the situation. I like to try to new things in games even if it costs me the win. Above all, I like to have fun and I try to make sure my opponents have fun as well.

Top irk at the table -
Players that fail to understand that everyone needs to have fun. Games are about everyone having fun. In order for the game experience to get better you need to be a better player and facilitate other players in their own self-improvement. Being a player who is constantly negative about the game by complaining, putting it down, or who is bitter about the meta or mechanics is not someone I want to play with at the table. I dislike a player who is a poor looser or winner.

Current gamer projects -
Making more time to play, painting my minis, painting my terrain, working my IKRPG Campaign, and my upcoming Infinity Event.

Last word -
Enjoy your time at the table.

Event - Infinity 27 May

Kessel Run Games is hosting a 1 list, 4 round tournament designed for new players to the game of Infinity. Using the Infinity RECON format players will square off in quick rounds against each other with armies of 150 pts.

The tournament is to allow first time and new players the opportunity to get in some games of Infinity in a tournament setting, and to allow experienced players to meet other new people in the community. Using the Infinity RECON format players will square off in quick rounds against each other with armies of 150 pts.

Register via e-mail: olengravel@gmail.com with the subject line Kessel Run Infinity. Cost is $15 CND for the ITS pack and the swag bag contents.

Contents of the swag bag:
-1 CTG Velcro patch
-1 MDF custom crate with Kessel Run Games logo for your own scatter terrain
-1 Acrylic measuring template with 1", 2", 4", 6", and Silhouette 2
-1 Coupon 10% off for the day of the event from Meatings (not in image)

Thanks goes out to:

Our host Kessel Run Games.
Meatings and Black Sheep Industries for sponsoring with food discounts and terrain.
Top Down Terrain for making the crates and templates.

-LINKS-

Kessel Run:
http://www.kesselrungames.ca/

Meatings:
http://meatings.ca/

Black Sheep Industries:
https://black-sheep-industries.com/

Top Down Terrain:
https://topdownterrain.com/

Rules can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6xtNo5dWd61ZnNNdElEWkVEOXc/view?usp=drivesdk

Weclome

Hello folks and fellow gamers.

I am a Canadian and I am a Tabletop Gamer. 

This project will be not just me, I've enlisted help from all my fellow Canadian Tabletop Gamers who will introduce themselves as well.

This is a place where I hope we can share our experience as gamers in the great white north. Being Canadian we have unique issues and plenty of odd experiences.

Every week you'll find something new for gamers from a few Canadians.

- Cheers

Dozer