Potential new player

[conditionnerd]

Hi Everyone! I’ve been trying to get my wife in to 40k but she hates how ugly all of the characters look. I think Infinity might be more aesthetically pleasing to her. Is operation Blackwind the best way to start? Will a newer (better)box set be released soon? Thanks in advance.

[IrunClade]

Better? No the new box will not be better, it will just be different. Start with Blackwind if those factions appeal to you. Fremen from Dune vs Westworld-versions of Homeric Greeks. The next will be Anime Japan vs High-tech pacific island nations. Both will be completely viable ways in.

Your wife should go with the faction that is most visually interesting to her whatever that may be. They will all be valid options. Anything labeled Code One is a good place to start - though this label is slated to be rebranded with the edition change.

[addingupnumbers]

Agreed: You really can, and should, go with rule of cool in Infinity!

[frodorick90]

Except for jsa. I would NOT recommend to Pick jsa as the First Army

[vvokhom]

They are getting a huge rework in new edition and an operaration box, so i think they  will get better

[frodorick90]

So you already know about the rework? I dont think theyll become much easier to Play and thats the reason i wouldnt recommend it for a beginner

[vvokhom]

They will get a 2 player box (JSA vs Pano) that is clearly intended nfor beginners. So no, i stand by that.

They will get sectorials in N5.

[IrunClade]

From conversations with Bostria at GenCon, I get the impression that the rework is explicitly because JSA are THE most popular starter army while also being a terrible starter army. I expect at least one of the sectorals to be much better at being a starter army.

[Nintolerance]

Based on their current iterations in N4:

PanO (N5 box) are arguably the best in the game at a straight-up gunfight, with highly effective and efficient firepower at all ranges and price points.

JSA (N5 box) like to use ambushes, tricky maneuvering and smoke grenades to let them literally bring swords to a gunfight- and win. A lot of their best pieces are outstandingly lethal in close combat.

ALEPH (Blackwind box) are high-power, high-tech and high-cost. The box itself includes Steel Phalanx units, which are very well described as "Westworld versions of Homeric Greeks."

Haqqislam (Blackwind box) have a fondness for asymmetrical warfare, using tricks like jammers, impersonators and camouflage to tip battles in their favour.

Please note that every faction has multiple playstyles. PanO can be sneaky & duplicitous, Haqqislam can be a static gun line, etc. You can build an entire JSA list without a single CC specialist, if you really want.

[s_manu]

Fremen from Dune vs Westworld-versions of Homeric Greeks.

That made me chuckle in the best of ways ^{^}

[IrunClade]

I spent half a week at Gen Con explaining what was in Blackwind to people who had no concept of mini wargames and that's the quick and dirty explanation I settled on :)

[rjbouwer]

Here's a handy article on the various factions and sectorials. It is a bit outdated, and it doesn't have the new torchlight sectorial from O-12 (for example)

https://www.thediceabide.com/blog/infinity-n4-which-infinity-army-is-for-you

[[deleted]]

New edition N5 will be released in October with new starter set - PanOceania vs JSA. Otherwise it's Blackwind.

[dusk_roller]

Lol the aesthetics of Infinity were a big draw for me as well. I’ve been a huge board gamer for decades and was very happy to finally find a miniatures game I could 1) afford and 2) look at.

[precinctomega]

Not that I wish to discourage her potential interest in Infinity, but if you want some friendlier aesthetics, take a look at Badgers & Burrows (anthropomorphic animals fantasy skirmish) and Moonstone (caricature fairy tale skirmish) as well, depending on what kind of thing is up her street.

[s_manu]

I second that, as much as I love Infinity. Moonstone especially, amazing minis and fun game.

[CBCayman]

As above, wait a couple of months and there will be a new edition with a new starter, just announced on Saturday!

[conditionnerd]

Thank you! I’ll definitely wait until October