Lost Post Armies

Here are the army lists from the Lost Post battle report on A Light in the Grimdark.

 LOGAN CLAN RAIDING PARTY

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 GROUP 1 (Regs: 6/Irrs: 2):

  VOLUNTEER Lieutenant Rifle / Pistol, Knife (8)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Lieutenant

  VOLUNTEER Rifle / Pistol, Knife (8)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain,

  VOLUNTEER Chain Rifle, Light Shotgun / Pistol, Knife (6)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain,

  2x VOLUNTEER HMG / Pistol, Knife (20 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain,

  HIGHLANDER Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW (6)
    MOV:4-4  CC:18  BS:10  PH:14  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Berserk, V: Dogged

  S.A.S. Chain Rifle, Grenades / Assault Pistol, AP CCW (23)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:11  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Martial Arts L2, CH: Camouflage, Infiltration

  CAMERONIAN 2 Chain Rifles, Grenades, Smoke Grenades / AP CCW (22)
    MOV:6-4  CC:18  BS:10  PH:16  WIP:12  ARM:3  BTS:0  W:2
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    V: Courage, Total Immunity, Super-Jump

 GROUP 2 (Regs: 5/Irrs: 1):

  VOLUNTEER  Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (11)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, CH: Limited Camouflage, Inferior Infiltration

  WULVER Mk12, Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW (38)
    MOV:4-4  CC:18  BS:12  PH:14  WIP:13  ARM:3  BTS:0  W:2
    Regular, Frenzy, No Cube, Linkable
    Berserk, Natural Born Warrior, Climbing Plus

  CATERAN T2 Sniper Rifle / Pistol, AP CCW (29 | 1)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:12  PH:13  WIP:12  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Irregular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Limited Camouflage, CH: Mimetism, Climbing Plus

  112 Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (12)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:12  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Doctor, V: Courage

  DOZER Rifle, Akrylat-Kanone / Pistol, Knife (19)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:11  WIP:13  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    V: Courage, Engineer


  VALERYA GROMOZ Hacker  Combi Rifle + Marker / Pistol, Knife (26 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:10  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    Hacking Device


 248 Points | SWC: 2


 MIRAGE TEAM 5 SECURITY PATROL
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 GROUP 1 (Regs: 9/Irrs: 0):

  MÉTRO Lieutenant Rifle / Pistol, Knife (8)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:10  PH:11  WIP:12  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Lieutenant

  MARGOT AP Rifle + Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife (75 | 2)
    MOV:4-4  CC:14  BS:14  PH:12  WIP:13  ARM:3  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    AD: Airborne Infiltration, Shock Immunity, Multiterrain

      DUROC 2 Chain Rifles, Grenades, Smoke Grenades / AP CCW
        MOV:6-4  CC:19  BS:10  PH:16  WIP:13  ARM:3  BTS:0  W:2
        Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
        Martial Arts L2, AD: Airborne Infiltration, Total Immunity, Super-Jump

  PARA-COMMANDO  Rifle / Pistol, Knife (23)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Mimetism, AD: Parachutist, Forward Observer

  PARA-COMMANDO HMG / Pistol, Knife (32 | 1)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Mimetism, AD: Parachutist

  CHASSEUR AP Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife (31 | 1)
    MOV:4-4  CC:14  BS:11  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Camouflage, Infiltration, Sixth Sense L1

  ZOUAVE  Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife (28 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:10  WIP:13  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Mechanized Deployment, V: Courage, Sapper

  ALGUACIL Hacker  Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife (22 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:10  WIP:13  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Hacking Device

  DOZER Rifle, Akrylat-Kanone / Pistol, Knife (19)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:11  WIP:13  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    V: Courage, Engineer

  112 Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (12)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:12  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Doctor, V: Courage


 250 Points | SWC: 5



 CELSTIAL CROW LANDING PARTY
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 GROUP 1 (Regs: 7/Irrs: 2):

  HAFZA Lieutenant Spitfire / Pistol, Knife (23 | 1)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:10  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Holoprojector L1, Lieutenant

  DJANBAZAN Doctor Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (32)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2, Doctor

  DJANBAZAN Hacker  Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (40 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2, Hacking Device

  DJANBAZAN Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CCW (33 | 1)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2

  DJANBAZAN HMG / Pistol, CCW (36 | 1.5)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2

  NASMAT Electric Pulse (3)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:8  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Servant
    CH: Mimetism

  HAWWA' Hacker  Boarding Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (33 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Camouflage, Infiltration, Hacking Device

  YUAN YUAN Boarding Shotgun, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, Shock CCW (19)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:9  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    Booty, AD: Combat Jump

  YUAN YUAN Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW (11)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:9  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    Booty, AD: Combat Jump

  NAJJARUN Engineer Rifle + Light Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (17)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:10  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    Engineer


 247 Points | SWC: 4.5

Infinity Battle Report Supplemental

I just finished filing a battle report on A Light in the Grimdark for our latest battle, and for our prequel to the upcoming campaign. For anyone who's interested these are the army lists we used for the battle, as well as some more information for the upcoming campaign.

First of all, before I get to the army lists, here is the current campaign roster:

Me, Jon, playing my Gapu Kalqi pirates
Scotty, Ariadnans of Merovingia
Earl, Nomads of Corregidor
Zac, Shasvastii of the Combined
David, Japanese of Yu-Jing
Seth, Aleph (or maybe the Hassassin Bahram of Haqqislam)
Joel, Ariadnans of Caledonia
Matt, Aleph
David, Undecided

First of all for the campaign I'd like everyone to make an army badge that can be posted on our leader board and at the start of any battle reports. If you want a generic badge I recommend heading over to the Corvus Belli Store and snatching one of their jpegs from the army pins. On the other hand, feel free to make your own army pin, and if you need help just let me know, I'm a fair hand with photoshop.

Without further ado, the army lists from the Prisoner P-09:

 ALEPH- Station Security Team
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 GROUP 1 (Regs: 10/Irrs: 0):
  Sara (ASURA Lieutenant) MULTI Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, AP CCW (73)
    MOV:4-4  CC:16  BS:14  PH:14  WIP:15  ARM:5  BTS:-6  W:2 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    V: No Wound Incapacitation, Multispectral Visor L3, Lieutenant
  Tara (ASURA) Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, AP CCW (72 | 2)
    MOV:4-4  CC:16  BS:14  PH:14  WIP:15  ARM:5  BTS:-6  W:2 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    V: No Wound Incapacitation, Multispectral Visor L3
  April (NAGA) MULTI Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife (39 | 1.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:12  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    CH: Camouflage, Infiltration, V: Dogged
  Ysa (DASYU Hacker ) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife (46 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:12  PH:13  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    CH: TO Camouflage, Infiltration, V: No Wound Incapacitation, Hacking Device
  0547-1 (DAKINI Tacbot) Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse (13)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:11  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Remote Presence
    CH: Mimetism
  0547-2 (DAKINI Tacbot) Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse (13)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:11  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Remote Presence
    CH: Mimetism
  0547-3 (DAKINI Tacbot) Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse (13)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:11  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Remote Presence
    CH: Mimetism
  2x NETROD Electric Pulse (4)
    MOV:-  CC:-  BS:-  PH:12  WIP:-  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous
    AD: Combat Jump, AI Beacon
  Lisa (DEVA) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife (23)
    MOV:4-4  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:15  ARM:2  BTS:-3  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube
    V: No Wound Incapacitation

 GROUP 2 (Regs: 1/Irrs: 0):
  0546-1 (DAKINI Tacbot) Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse (13)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:11  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Remote Presence
    CH: Mimetism

 313 Points | SWC: 4


 QAPU KHALQI- Celestial Crow Boarding Party
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 GROUP 1 (Regs: 6/Irrs: 0):
  Fahad (DJANBAZAN Lieutenant) Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (28 | 1)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2, Lieutenant
  Rashid (DJANBAZAN Doctor) Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (32)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2, Doctor
  Sabayah (DJANBAZAN Hacker ) Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW (40 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2, Hacking Device
  Aban (DJANBAZAN) Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CCW (33 | 1)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2
  Imad (DJANBAZAN) HMG / Pistol, CCW (36 | 1.5)
    MOV:4-2  CC:14  BS:12  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:2  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, Cube, Linkable
    Multiterrain, Regeneration, Multispectral Visor L2
  NASMAT Electric Pulse (3)
    MOV:6-4  CC:8  BS:8  PH:8  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:-3  STR:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, G: Servant
    CH: Mimetism
  Tiala (ALGUACIL ) Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife (14)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:10  WIP:13  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    Forward Observer, Deployable Repeater

 GROUP 2 (Regs: 2/Irrs: 3):
  Fatina (HAWWA') Sniper Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife (29 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Camouflage, Infiltration
  Abdullah (HAWWA' Hacker ) Boarding Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife (33 | 0.5)
    MOV:4-4  CC:13  BS:11  PH:11  WIP:14  ARM:1  BTS:0  W:1 
    Regular, Not Impetuous, No Cube
    CH: Camouflage, Infiltration, Hacking Device
  Ashur (YUAN YUAN) Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, Shock CCW (17)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:9  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1 
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    Booty, AD: Combat Jump
  Sabeen (YUAN YUAN) Boarding Shotgun, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, Shock CCW (19)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:9  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1 
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    Booty, AD: Combat Jump
  Iraina (YUAN YUAN) Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW (11)
    MOV:4-4  CC:17  BS:9  PH:13  WIP:13  ARM:0  BTS:0  W:1 
    Irregular, Impetuous, No Cube
    Booty, AD: Combat Jump

 295 Points | SWC: 5

Boarding Action Scenario- Battle Report

Tonight at Matrix Cards and Games Joel and Seth got a chance to playtest the last scenario for Norcon. Every scenario has been tested at least once now, and all of the terrain has been constructed. All that's left is an intense week of nonstop painting to get all the terrain looking pretty for the event.

The battle between Joel and Seth was fantastic, I was worried about this scenario because it takes place on such a small table, but it ended up being one of the best games I've seen in a while. In honor of my recent invitation to be an author on a Light in the Grimdark I've decided to write a battle report about tonight as an introduction for new players.

First, a little background for the uninitiated: The game of Infinity takes place 175 years in the future, during a period of rapid technological development and insterstellar colonization by the human race. The universe that Infinity takes place in is much brighter than that of 40k, and is filled with the hope and ambition of a human race that is just beginning to realize its potential. However, age old disputes between rival human cultures have led to the human race breaking into numerous warring factions. At the same time, humanity has just made contact with the Combined, an immensely powerful alien empire made up of several different species who seek to conquer and subjugate the human race.

Tonight's battle took place between two human factions, the Caledonians of Ariadna and Japanese of the Yu-Jing Empire. These two groups are vastly different from each other culturally, but they are both among the most downtrodden and disrespected peoples of the Human Sphere.

The Caledonians are the descendants of a failed colonization mission that crash landed a century ago on the planet Dawn. Cut off from the rest of humanity, the people of Dawn had to start over from nothing and are now far behind other nations in the race for technology. Stranded on Dawn, the colonists created a new nation called Ariadna, and broke Ariadna down into several states that were made up exclusively of one of the 4 different ethnic groups that made up the original colonization mission. The nation-state of Caledonia was made up entirely of Scottish colonists, as well as a small handful of English and Irish colonists. The Caledonians are considered backwards even by other Ariadnans, and have resorted to a Clan system of government based on semi-nomadic extended families. As the people of Ariadna have been reunited with the rest of humanity, the Caledonians have made their mark as mercenaries working for the newly formed Ariadnan trade missions travelling to other human worlds.

On the other end of the battlefield are the brave warriors of the Japanese Sectorial Army. In the first half of the 21st century the nation of China rapidly expanded, quickly conquering most of Asia and forming a new nation: The Yu-Jing Empire. Japan was one of the last nations to fall, and the Japanese people were forced to the bottom of the Imperial food chain. Even though the Japanese still possess some of the most advanced computer and robotic technology in the Human Sphere, old ethnic rivalries led to the Chinese crushing the proud people of Japan into the dirt. Japanese people were forced to live in ghettos and concentration camps throughout Yu-Jing territory. Within the Yu-Jing military the Japanese are used as cannon fodder or sent to achieve impossible objectives.

The scenario for this battle is Boarding Action, one of the scenarios for the upcoming tournament at Norcon. In this scenario the two opposing armies are on board starships owned by the factions they serve, and are involved in a desperate boarding action trying to capture the enemy's ship. Joel's army is a clan of Caledonian mercenaries working for an Ariadnan trade mission, while Seth's army is a team of Japanese soldiers sent on a suicide mission to try to capture the Ariadnan trade vessel.

In the first rounds of the battle the Japanese deployed aggressively, sneaking a team of Ninja operatives into the airlocks connecting the ships. This team of expert assassins was led by the renegade Ninja Saito Togan, as well as a Ninja with a sniper rifle, and a Ninja Hacker whose goal was to override the security systems on the Ariadnan ship. Ignorant of the help they were getting from the Ninjas, the rest of the Japanese force was made up of low ranking soldiers whose lives were being thrown away by their Yu-Jing commanders. The force consisted of 5 Keisotsu Butai, including a Keisotsu Lieutenant and two heavy weapons specialists with a Missile Launcher and Heavy Machine Gun. A Kempeitai accompanied them into battle; these troops belong to a secret faction within the Japanese army who seek to rebel against Yu-Jing, and also act as valuable seconds in command to Japanese leaders. Finally, Seth's army was rounded out by a Tokusetsu Doctor, his army's combat medic.

Joel responded with an army made up of two seperate combat groups. His first group was made up entirely of Caledonian volunteer militia, the lowest ranking members of the Caledonian army, and the most inexperienced fighters in his Clan. This group was deployed to defend the ship's security systems, while Joel's veteran fighters rushed to meet the Japanese head on. The veteran group was made of 3 'Grey Rifle' Highlanders equipped with a variety of heavy weapons; these expert warriors are among the toughest and most experienced warriors in Joel's Clan. Accompanying them was a Cateran, a Wulver, and a expert inflitrator from Caledonia's SAS military school. Caterans are exiled criminals from Caledonian Clans who either end up as mercenaries working for another Clan, or as bandits in the wilderness. Wulvers are genetic anomallys unique to the Ariadnan homeworld who take on wolf-like features, and are famed for both their ferocity and tenacity. Finally, the SAS are specially trained soldiers who leave Caledonia to serve in the Ariadnan military, but often return later to join Caledonian mercenary companies.

The fight began when Joel's SAS attempted to infiltrate into the Japanese ship, but was ambushed by Saito Togan and another Ninja inside of the central airlock. The Ninja made short work of the poor SAS, but in the process they revealed their presence to Joel.

Joel immediately reacted by sending his Wulver to secure the airlock door, while his Cateran and Grey Rifles set up a defensive perimeter around the door. However, Seth had more Ninja tricks up his sleeve, and he sent his Ninja sniper around to one of the other airlock doors to flank the Wulver and take it out at long range.

Joel tried to stop the sniper with fire from his Grey Rifles' heavy weapons, but the Ninja's camouflage and expertise made it untouchable. One of Joel's Grey Rifles fell to the Ninja sniper as well, and Joel was forced to pull his defensive line back to avoid any more casualties from the flanking fire.

Seizing the advantage, Seth pushed forward with all of his Keisotsu, leaving only his Kempeitai behind to defend his own ship. With the Cateran and the remaining Grey Rifles pushed back, the Keisotsu were free to come pouring through the airlock. Unaware of the help they were receiving from the Ninjas, the Keisotsu were surprised to find that the enemy forces had already been badly bloodied and were in no position to stop them!

Seth pushed forward with his Ninja Hacker, hoping to take control of Joel's security terminal and claim an early victory, but the Caledonians got their first stroke of luck and managed to take the Ninja down before she got to far.

Joel reacted to his good fortune by taking the opportunity to counter attack, sending his Cateran and Grey Rifles against Seth's Keisotsu in a carefully coordinated strike.

What followed was one of the most bloody and tragic slaughters I have ever witnessed in a game of Infinity. The Grey Rifles poured shotgun shells and machinegun rounds into the Keisotsu, while the Keisotsu responded with storm of heavy ordnance from their own machine gun and missile launcher. At the same time Joel's Cateran fired some quick shots into the Keisotsu from a flanking position, while weathering multiple machine gun and rifle shots. In the end almost all of the Keisotsu lay on the deck of the ship bleeding to death, while both Grey Rifles had been blown away by well placed missiles. Only the Cateran and the Keisotsu with the missile launcher remained, miraculously untouched by the hail of hot lead.

With half his force wounded and on the ground, Seth's medic rushed into action, sending his remote-controlled Yaozao to the front of the battle to administer some desperately needed healing. The little robot managed to get the Ninja hacker back on her feet, but before he could rush to the aid of injured Keisotsu Joel launched another counter attack.

In a desperate gamble, Joel rushed all of his volunteer militia away from the terminal they were defending, and finished off the Ninja hacker for good before she could get back into the fight. As an added bonus, Joel managed to knock out the medic's Yaozao, meaning that Seth could not get any more healing unless the Doctor came to front line himself.

Despite the success of Joel's counter attacks, Seth still had the clear advantage. Joel had lost his army's lieutenant, and was also now in retreat condition. Other than his Cateran, all of Joel's remaining troops were green and poorly equipped, while Seth still had Saito Togan and his Ninja sniper.

Hoping to reclaim the numerical advantage, as well as the strategic advantage, Seth sent his Doctor forward to try and recover some of the fallen members of the Keisotsu unit. Joel was waiting for him though, and as soon as the Doctor stuck his head through the airlock Joel's Cateran took it off with a well placed sniper round.

Things were truly in the endgame now. Seth's Ninjas had dominated the game, and even though most of his force was now out of action, he had a clear path to get to Joel's security terminal. All of Joel's volunteers fled from the table, and he was left with just his lone Cateran.

The Cateran managed to take out the one remaining Keisotsu on the next turn, but this appeared to be cold comfort as Saito Togan himself strode towards Joel's security terminal. In one last desperate effort, Joel ran his Cateran towards the terminal in the hopes of stalling Saito until the time ran out on the scenario.

Seth was faced with an interesting choice. If he sent Saito to kill the Cateran he would secure a minor victory: Joel's entire army would be dead, but Seth would have failed to hack into the security system of the Ariadnan ship. On the other hand, Seth could send Saito to hack the terminal and claim a major victory, but if Saito failed and Joel got a lucky shot then Seth would be forced into a draw.

Seth chose the conservative route, killing the Cateran and claiming an easy victory. All Seth had to do was roll an 18 or lower on a 20-sided die and Saito would easily dispatch the Cateran and end the game. However, this was when fate decided to put a stop to Seth's unstoppable Ninja assault force. The close combat attack result came up 19, and Joel followed up with a nearly impossible point-blank sniper rifle shot. Saito Togan fell to the ground, putting Seth into retreat condition with no other models anywhere near Joel's security terminal.

With both forces in retreat, and neither force in any position to attempt to assault the enemy ship, the game ended in a sudden and stunning draw.

For a game with no clear winner this ended up being one of the best games I've ever seen, and it was the perfect final playtest before Norcon! Thank you Joel and Seth for such a great game, I can't wait to see this scenario played out next weekend!

First Battle Report

Tonight at Matrix, David and I did another playtest of the Norcon Tournament scenarios. Even though the terrain and our models were not painted, we decided to do a battle report since we had plenty of time to play and the cameras on our iPhones. It turns out that this was the right choice, since our game ended up being an awesome confrontation that came down to the last few rolls of the last turn, and a narrow, but decisive, victory.

The battlefield, pictured here, is laid out close to the way it will be for the actual tournament. In the empty spaces next to the apartments there will be a pool and a parking lot on the final table, but all the important bits are here for the play test.

David won the Initiative roll, and opted to take the first active phase. His army, the Japanese Sectorial Army, was a hard hitting force, built around a solid core of a heavily armed 5-man Keisotsu link team. The team consisted of a Keisotsu with a Missile Launcher, one with a Heavy Machine Gun, one with the Forward Observer skill, and two normal troops with rifles. The troops with rifles deployed as a rear guard to provide security to the team, while the Missile Launcher and HMG went on the attack. As a nasty little bonus, the forward observer was able to call shots for a Remote with a Guided Missile Launcher hidden behind one of the apartment buildings. On overwatch, David deployed a Ninja sniper to cover the Keisotsu advance, while hidden in the background his Lieutenant, Ninja Hacker, and Remote provided support.

On my side I deployed an army that I've been experimenting with, unsuccessfully, for my last few games. The Qapu Khalqi were led into battle by a four man link team of Djanbazan, concealing a disguised Hafza Lieutenant. The intention was for the Djanbazan to tear apart the enemy by firing through a cloud of smoke using their Multispectral Visors. The tragic flaw in the army is that I depended on 3 Yuan Yuan to lay down the critical smoke screen that would cover my Djanbazan assault. To go for the objective I deployed a Hawwa sniper and Jannisary with an HMG, while I rounded out my force with a Ghulam Doctor and Nasmat to keep everyone in fighting condition.

Early in the battle David's Ninja sniper got the drop on my Djanbazan, knocking 3 members unconcious, and breaking the link team. The Ninja also managed to strike a crippling blow to my army, by stumbling across my disguised Hafza Lieutenant, and knocking him out of the game early. Going into my first active phase I was already in Loss of Lieutenant, and back on the defensive. Things were looking grim for the Qapu Khalqi, and I began to fear that I was on the way to an early end to the game.

Things suddenly turned around for me with the arrival of my Yuan Yuan. Sadly, they were just as tragically ineffective this time as they have been for my last few battles, yet for once they surprised me with a lucky attack that robbed David of some of this initiative.

One of my Yuan Yuan, armed with a light flamethrower gained from her Booty skill, got the drop on David's Ninja sniper. Although she valiantly lost her life in the effort, she managed to set the Ninja on fire and knock her out of the game.

Things didn't end so well for the other two Yuan Yuan. The first landed way off target as she dropped onto the table, landing square in the sights of the Ninja Sniper, and getting blown away before her flame throwing sister could swoop in to save her. The other Yuan Yuan tried to get the drop on David's Keisotsu Butai, by managed to land right in front of his two rear guard troops.

Taking out the Ninja Sniper proved to be crucial, however, and even though every Yuan Yuan died without throwing a single smoke grenade, my Djanbazan were free turn their weapons on David's exposed Keisotsu.

At this point David hit me with his army's nastiest surprise. His forward observer Keisotsu slipped around the back of one of the apartment buildings, and managed to lock onto my Jannisary. Here's a before and after picture I took with my iPhone of the actual battle:

I'm proud to say that David had to fire his Remote's Guided Missile Launcher four times before knocking out my Jannisary, but no matter how tough this warrior might be, no one could survive being hit by this many missiles...

With David's Ninja Sniper gone, however, there was no one to protect the Keisotsu from my Djanbazan, who managed to take out the Keisotsu Missile Launcher and forward observer as they approached the target building. My Hawwa also managed to beat David to the door of the Hacker's Apartment and ambush the approaching Keisotsu, taking out the Keisotsu HMG, and breaking their link team for good. One of the two remaining Keisotsu brought honor to his fallen brothers and sisters by taking out my Hawwa before she could do any more damage. Suddenly the tides had turned yet again, and I was back on the defensive. With only two Djanbazan left, my army had lost it's Lieutenant, and was now also in Retreat Condition. My one redeeming grace was that my Djanbazan sniper was in a perfect position to cover the Hacker's apartment, which would hopefully be enough to lock David into a stalemate.

David was forced into an unenviable position, wait out the stalemate and avoid my sniper, earning him a minor victory, or gamble everything on sending his Ninja Hacker after the objective. If David managed to apprehend the civilian hacker he would earn a major victory, but if his Ninja and one other model died in the effort he would be pushed into retreat, giving me a draw.

David chose glory, and his heroic Ninja was sent out into the line of fire to dance between my Sniper's shots and secure the civilian. The Ninja stormed across the open courtyard between the apartments, then flew up the stairs to the civilian's room. She kicked open the door, and nimbly darted to the criminal hacker's side, as window panes blew out behind her from sniper fire. The civilian, clearly overwhelmed by the graceful ballet of ninjitsu art and shattered glass, surrendered to the Ninja without question.

On 5 consecutive ARO's, my Sniper missed the charging Ninja again and again. Finally, on the sixth ARO, and my Sniper's final chance before the Ninja's escape, I managed to hit and knock out my nemesis. On the final roll of the game, with only 3 Orders left in his final Active phase, David managed to get his Yaozao to the Ninja and get her back on her feet. My sniper missed the Ninja a final time, as she managed to take the civilian prisoner again (even though he tried to attack her!), and with his final order David managed to lead the civilian off the edge of the table.

It's rare that a battle comes down to the last order of the second-to-last active phase. Even though I had no chance at victory after the 4th round, the game was still a real nail biter with an uncertain outcome. Every game should be as close as this one!

I can also say for certain that we both learned some valuable lessons from this battle. Even though I still love Yuan Yuan, this was the last straw for my current tactic. I'll be going back to the drawing board to come up with a new offensive tactic, and in the meantime I'll be going back to my nasty defensive line-up. I'll also be bringing my Hawwa Hacker back into the list, now that David's discovered Guided Missiles!

As for David, I'm certain I'll be seeing more of his Guided Missile Launcher and Ninja Hacker in the future!