So GENCON is coming and it's time to look at the main tournament for most of us going down. Ontos, Burns, Forgotten, Yasha, and I will be playing the Friday Infinity Tournament.
The Friday Main Event
10 am start
4 rounds of ITS, 300 points, no spec ops.
Tournament Organizer: Mark Manlapas
Missions:
Sieze the Antennas
Capture and Protect
Cold Sleep
Rescue
I will be playing base Nomads. That means no bumps to units AVA from the sectorial lists. I'll be working with lower numbers for each unit type. Secondly no Fireteams so I'll have to work with individual units to get the jobs done. I will also be lacking some of the mercenary units that become available in the sectorial lists.
I do want to take advantage and represent each of the Nomad factions. I'm really looking at a Zero, Bandit, and Spektr in one of my lists. I also want to mix and match light troops and take advantage of the various options and costs. TAG wise I will want one list with a TAG maybe two after thinking more about the scenarios I've outlined below. I want one of the big three as I've been play testing them in every Strike Zone:Wotan mission I played. Heavy Infantry will be one or two, probably a Mobile Brigada. The same with troops with Airborne Deployment, Tomcats or Hellcats specialists will be front of the list. Hackers will have a big presence and one list will probably have Guided Missiles. Medium Infantry like my much love Sin-Eaters will be more rare in one of the lists if not both.
Seize the Antennas -
This mission is pretty simple. There are only three things I need to worry about and they are all worth 3 points, and Hackers get a +3 MOD to control them. I'll have only one random Classified Objective to complete allowing me to be able to work a spare point in if it's doable and only miss out on one if it's unattainable.
Being Nomads I have Hackers and a Hacker will get you that +3 MOD to the roll to claim those antennas. I also have lots of Hackers that don't have to walk all the way up the board. Zero, Bandit, Spektr, Hellcat... this list is long.
So my plan is build a strong front and engage the enemy. Depending on the terrain will help me pick between deployment (where you pick who sets up first and on which side) and initiative (deciding on who goes first).
Going first would mean I would need to quickly claim the closest objective, and take and hold the middle objective. I'd use my off board late entry units to cripple my opponents ability to kick me off an objective and maybe claim the farthest objective. Going second would be slowly cutting up my opponents forces. Close in and guard the closest objective while challenging the second objective. I'd keep a few of my off board units for a last minute push to cover advancing specialists or sneak out a quick steal.
Cold Sleep -
This one is a first for me. I've never played it and so this will be a lot of theory. It's also a lot more complex when compared to Seize the Antenna above. It has 6 objectives, four tech coffins and two consoles. There is a lot of button pushing. With only one classified objective it can be something worth your time or used to lock out an opponent if you get a shit card.
Each of the tech coffins are worth a point. The consoles are the bigger problem. Connecting to a console which gets counted at the end of the match is action. Controlling a console is touching it with a specialist without an enemy doing the same thing. It's also worth 1 point if you tie and 3 points if you have more. If you're able to connect to 3 of 4 consoles even if you loose the unit connected the console you can get a 2 point lead even if you tie for controlling the consoles.
My plan is harder here. There is an inner area which hampers Airborne Deployment levels 3, 4, and 5. Infiltration is still very good but picking when you reveal your infiltrator will be key and getting control and connecting those consoles and tech coffins. I'm not so worried about going first or second since the objective card can be used to even the match at the end.
Due to the number of targets I'm looking at a list of cheap specialists that are supported by combat units. Specialists that can hold their own in a fight will be key. I can also see that with the number of objectives cover will be an issue. I'm thinking of a guided missile system to help take out dug in units. Normally displacing an embedded force is not worth the effort but location will determine points. If I can keep two units touching and I can drop him to one, I'm looking at a two point boost.
Capture and Protect -
Another new scenario for me. This one has a pair of consoles that are worth 1 point. Once you connect to them you lock out the other opponent. Also you cannot connect to more than once console. So pick one of the consoles, jack in, and try to keep your opponent from that free point.
Beacons are mobile. Keeping your beacon out of enemy hands is worth 3 points while getting hold of the enemy beacon is worth 7 points. I can see players locking down their beacon going for that 3 point and going for a last minute snag of the enemy beacon to double their points. Getting the beacon to your deployment area is an extra point and maybe not worth it.
This one looks interesting. It has a minimal need for specialists. With some of the Nomad options I can see myself dropping in last round to steal the enemy beacon while holding off enemy forces with the rest of my force. Going first is not a bad go, grabbing the static objective and setting up for an assault to snag the opponents Beacon. Taking second will be better for a last play to change the game.
This mission looks complex but it's very simple. I find myself going down a rabbit hole while building a list to include this mission. I need to constantly remind myself to calm down and focus on one thing at a time at this planning stage of the game.
"Selection and Maintenance of the Aim." - Military Adage
Rescue -
I know a lot of people that hate this mission because it's so difficult to get done without even adding the effect of an opponent. You have 8 extra minis, 4 per side sitting in the open (kinda - sorta, see below). You need to synch with them and then drag them back to your side of the board.
Players should focus on the effects of the Exclusion Zone. "consider the Exclusion Zone to be a Saturation Zone and a Difficult Terrain Zone." Which means limited movement and -1B to each weapon going in, going out, or going through the zone. Having a Terrain (any type) or Multiterrain special skill solves the movement issue but the burst reduction is pretty hard. Shotguns love being Burst 2, now down to one shot. Basic Burst 3 weapons are now a little less effective. Weapons with a Burst of 4 or 5 don't feel the effect. It also kills the basic advantage of Fireteams. Folks hate the zone, when building a force build against the zone as well as the objective.
Nomads have quite a few units with Multiterrain. Picking the right specialist means I can ignore the Zone and get my hands on the HVTs. I also need to be able to lock down the enemy trying to take his HVTs from me. I feel that being able to react to multiple target zones should be helpfull.
Going second would be a good go, allowing me to hopefully knock out a few problems and focus on my advance and retreat. If I do end up going first I need to quick and decisive. I need to be able to commit and complete my action and set up my HVT collectors in a place that will limit the enemy ability to counter.
- Cheers
Dozer
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