Playing Infinity N4: considerations of a novice

During the last months, with the advent of Infinity: Code One and the pandemic in progress, I finally found the time and dedication to complete painting my 2015's Aleph Starter Pack, assembled for me by my beloved brother.

As I finished my paintjob N4 rules came out, so we seized the opportunity and gave it a shot.

I am enthusiast about this game.
Everyone with an interest not only in wargames but in boardgames in general should try it, for its complexity gives you the opportunity to build combos both when preparing your army and while playing, a rare quality well worth to be traded for its little amount of complicated dynamics, namely fireteams and command tokens.

There are many rules, yet you don't have to remember them all at once: every action is packed with thrill, but everything is streamlined to make it easy for both players to check their options and evaluate what to do. In this perspective, using the mobile app is a must to have all stats, skills and equipments of your list at a glance.

Below are my takeouts from this match, dedicated to anyone approaching Infinity N4 for the first time:

• Don't fear AROs: players coming from "traditional" skirmishes may be scared by the opportunity given to the other team. Just remember that the active player generally shoots better. Statistics, luck apart, are on your side;
  
  
• Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you have to: most games force players to a limited number of options for the sake of clarity. Infinity works differently but remember that not all opportunities have to be exploited. Some examples? Infiltrating the enemy's side, spending too many orders on a single model just because it's performing well, leaving a good spot to take a last shot...;
  
  
• Remember what you have: this is a sort of caveat or corollary on the previous point. Always consider all your weapons when declaring an attack: some weapons are better when reacting, some are better when you're close to your enemy, all are valid depending on the boundary conditions: don't sit on your choices. 

Our match ended with a sound victory for Tunguska's Nomads against my Aleph OSS: 7-4. 

It was great fun and I can't wait to play again!