Infinity new releases!!! (February)

  
 

It's rapidly becoming a tradition here at Frontline Games HQ, that I cover the ever so lovely miniature releases every month from Corvus Belli's delectable Infinity range. I'm not about to break with tradition now am I? Nope, I'm not. It's also becoming tradition for Señor Angel Giraldez to release an early peek of one of the gorgeous miniatures his talented hands have painted for that months releases. This time February's early glimpse meant it was the turn of Pan-O players to get all hot under the collar first, with the terribly sexy looking Jotum. But, Angel didn't stop there this time, it seems he himself was particularly pleased with his work, and why wouldn't he be, it's a stunning paint job, so he released some detail pics of the Jotum as well. So yep, they've been given another one of their blasted TAGs those Pan-O swines! They still haven't got them all though, so those Pan-O players you know won't have quit their incessant whinging yet... just you watch!

Jotums

 Yeah, yeah they're the TAG faction blah, blah, blah... I'm tired of hearing Pan-O players grumble and whinge about how they don't have all their TAGs yet. Boo hoo for you. So the the Cutter's not good enough for you? The Dragoes didn't sate your appetites either. So Corvus Belli have released yet another stunning looking TAG for you, this time it's the lovely looking Jotum. I have to admit it though, I'm a tiny little bit jealous of all those Pan-O players when I look at this miniature *sigh* . So what is it like on the table? Well like all TAGs its statline makes for impressive reading it's MOV 6-4 is your standard TAG movement. It's CC of 18 is also pretty standard as too is it's BS 15. However, it's PH of 17 and WIP 13 does give it a slight advantage on most of the Pan-O TAGs at the very least in WIP, but where it really kicks ass is with it's ARM 10 and BTS -9. Couple it's PH, WIP, ARM and BTS together along with it's STR 3 and what you arguably have is the most survivable TAG in the game. It's a tank and many people worry about dropping  the points required on most TAGs because they're normally vulnerable to something or other, but the Jotums are built to last! It's got some tasty weapons too with the Multi-HMG and HGL, at 110 pts and 2 swc it doesn't come cheap though. Reality is Pan-O have an awesome array of TAGs available, would I take this over an Armoured Cavalry? Yeah, the extra stats for those points seems worth it. It becomes tricky though when you look at the cheaper Dragoes with their awesome weapons, and the TO camo Cutter. There's more TAGs still to be released for Pan-O too... greedy *bleep*er's.


Zouaves

Yet another stripped down military hard nut type for Ariadna. I have to admit that the 'current' tech vibe of Ariadna is starting to grow on me with every passing release. I love the back pack on this miniature and all the tools and equipment he's lugging around. As a miniature it's simply put lovely. So is it worth taking? Well I actually quite like the Zouaves, they have two skills I like, Mechanized Deployment and V: Courage. They're in your face fighters, and actually give Ariadnan players a way of getting further into their opponents face very early on in the game, they stick around to. They also have a pretty good BS of 12 for Light Infantry, a PH of 10 isn't to be sniffed at either and the WIP 13 and ARM 2 is pretty darn good as well. He starts out at 20 pts and 0.5 swc for the bog standard loadout, but give him an E/Mauler and that rises to 26 pts and 1 swc, or you could go with the Forward Observer option (my pick of the bunch) for 23 pts and 0.5 swc. I guess he'd do as the Paramedic for 24 pts, 0.5 swc and Lieutenant for 20 pts, 1 swc. I like Zouaves and think they're a pretty good option for Ariadnan players.

Yaopu Pangguling

Upon seeing this miniature there was the usual girlish squeal released by me when I see something I like. I might have even clapped my hands a bit. Now that's more to do with the options than the miniature. I'm not saying I don't like the miniature, I'm saying I don't know if I like the miniature. Simply put I need to see the miniature in the flesh because the studio pictures look weird and don't really give me an idea of the shape of the miniature. What I do know is that they're worth taking. I've been wanting these miniatures for some time for two reasons really. Firstly it's the only way as a Yu Jing player I can get an EVO Repeater into my lists, I like to have the option and at 13 pts and 0.5 swc it's actually quite a cheap EVO Repeater. The other reason I like these particular REM's is because of the Baggage rule that means each one these adds a further 20pts to the count for working out retreat... exceedingly handy for aggressive Yu Jing who tend to put their expensive toys in harms way. The repeater is just a bonus. The Total Reaction option (21 pts) is always a good option for defensive positions and Minesweeper (8 pts) option is useful for getting Oniwabans where they need to go! I'm mega excited about these.

Reverend Custodiers

Some people weren't so happy with the combi-rifle wielding Reverend Custodier. I think it was the casual stance that some didn't like. Me? I loved the miniature to bits and thought she had plenty of sass even though you couldn't see her face. This Boarding Shotgun version is anything but static though. She's full of animation and motion and I absolutely love the way she appears to be twisting round mid stride to take a shot at something that's just appeared behind her. I love it, and I hope the critic's of the other Reverend Custodier miniature like this one too, because the imagery, armour and concept of the pieces is top drawer. I'm a big fan again of this option on the tabletop, Religious Troop's are always welcome when the going gets tough and the Optical Disruptor makes her hard to hit, which is always nice. But what I really love about them is that they're a wonderfully offensive hacker with WIP 14 and those Hacking Device Plus. Sweet! The Boarding Shotgun variant should deter people from getting too close as well, because it's a brutal option at close range, especially coupled with the BS 12 she has. Her CC of 14, ARM 3 and BTS -3 are pretty solid too. For 36 pts and 0.5 swc she'll be added to my Nomad collection for sure.

Myrmidon (Spitfire)

This months last release is another variant of an already available option. I'm sure there are more than a few Aleph players who will be glad to see the Spitfire option finally released. As a miniature he keeps the theme of the Myrmidon's and doesn't do anything new. Although I quite like the pose I'm not so keen on the lump of rock he's stepping onto. It doesn't fit with the studio bases and doesn't fit with my own Dragon Forge Omega Prime bases that I myself use. But is he worth putting into your forces? That's the question. Honestly? I'm not too sure he is. I've always looked at the Spitfire option for the Myrmidons and thought 'hmm maybe if they were linkable' and maybe if Aleph get a sectorial they will be. But at 32 pts and 0.5 swc I just think currently I'd rather spend those points elsewhere in my Aleph force. Don't get me wrong I like the Myrmidons as options as their Frenzy, Martial Arts L3 and Optical Disruptor's all come in very handy. As do their nice statline. It's just I'd rather take the cheaper Combi Rifle and Chain Rifle options, and given how I play with these I'd have preferred the Boarding Shotgun variant right now. Still if in the next book Aleph do get a sectorial... well, then I reserve my right to change my opinion!

So there we have it, another spiffing month of spiffing Infinity releases, much better than January for me. I'm pleased to see both the Boarding Shotgun Reverend Custodier and even the Spitfire Mymidon IF they become linkable. I also happen to think they're all pretty awesome sculpts too. However, it's the Yu Jing player in me that's most happy this month. The Yáopú Pangguling remotes are the only way of having an EVO repeater in a Yu Jing force, and figure repping them was getting a bit tired. I also happen to think the Total Reaction variant is a great defensive option for 21 points. The new Zouave is a nice sculpt, and Ariadna have been getting more than a few of those lately, but I'm not an Ariadna player so meh. This months best looking release though is undeniably the Jotum, I'm saying that through gritted teeth. Bloody Pan-O!!! It's a bloody good little option for them too... I refuse to start collecting Pan-O as well as Haqqislam, Aleph, Nomad and Yu Jing... must resist the shiny, shiny toys. Peace out!