Guest Batrep – There was A-chill-es in the Air

2018-11-23 WiseKensai

Had some time this past Saturday Morning to get some Infinity in with my good buddy Gus and his USAriadna team of awesome paint jobs and sweet conversions (his desperado’s are riding wolves!). I was excited since I hadn’t played this mission yet and Season 10 has been underway for months now. It was time to get comfortable with the cold and attempt to turn on some heaters. I won the roll off and elected to go first, while Gus picked tableside and had me deploy first.

Overview

Mission: Frostbyte
Forces: ALEPH vs USAriadna Ranger Force (300)
Deploy First: ALEPH
First Turn: ALEPH

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/logo_701.png[/img][b] Painted List 1[/b]

[b]GROUP 1 | [/b][img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]10

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_45.png[/img] [b]ACHILLES Lieutenant[/b] Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, EXP CC Weapon. (2.5 | [b]75[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_21.png[/img] [b]MYRMIDON OFFICER (Chain of Command)[/b] Combi Rifle, Nanopulser, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, AP CCW. (1 | [b]36[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_9.png[/img] [b]SOPHOTECT[/b] Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]31[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_14.png[/img] [b]YUDBOT[/b] Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]3[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_14.png[/img] [b]YUDBOT[/b] Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]3[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_1.png[/img] [b]DAKINI Tacbot[/b] Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]13[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_1.png[/img] [b]DAKINI Tacbot[/b] Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]13[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_13.png[/img] [b]LAMEDH Rebot[/b] Flash Pulse, Sniffer / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]8[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_13.png[/img] [b]LAMEDH Rebot[/b] Flash Pulse, Sniffer / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]8[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_15.png[/img] [b]NETROD[/b] . (0 | [b]4[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_15.png[/img] [b]NETROD[/b] . (0 | [b]4[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_15.png[/img] [b]NETROD[/b] . (0 | [b]4[/b])

[b]GROUP 2 | [/b][img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]4

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_57.png[/img] [b]DANAVAS Hacker (Hacking Device Plus. UPGRADE: Maestro)[/b] Combi Rifle + Pitcher / Breaker Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | [b]25[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_11.png[/img] [b]ZAYIN Rebot[/b] HMG / Electric Pulse. (1 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_11.png[/img] [b]ZAYIN Rebot[/b] HMG / Electric Pulse. (1 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/701/logo_2.png[/img] [b]GARUDA Tacbot[/b] Boarding Shotgun / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]21[/b])

[b] 6 SWC | 300 Points |[/b] Open in Infinity Army

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/logo_304.png[/img][b] USAriadna Ranger Force[/b]

[b]GROUP 1 | [/b][img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]6 [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_irregular.png[/img]4 [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_impetuosa.png[/img]2

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_10.png[/img] [b]MAVERICK[/b] Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]21[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_14.png[/img] [b]DESPERADO[/b] Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / 2 Assault Pistols, CC Weapon. (0 | [b]13[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_4.png[/img] [b]HARDCASE FRONTIERSMAN[/b] Tactical Bow, Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]14[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_4.png[/img] [b]HARDCASE FRONTIERSMAN[/b] Tactical Bow, Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]14[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_3.png[/img] [b]FOXTROT (Forward Observer)[/b] Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]18[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_3.png[/img] [b]FOXTROT (Forward Observer)[/b] Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]18[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_11.png[/img] [b]MARAUDER (Multispectral Visor L1)[/b] Heavy Rocket Launcher / Assault Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_11.png[/img] [b]MARAUDER (Multispectral Visor L1)[/b] Heavy Rocket Launcher / Assault Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_11.png[/img] [b]MARAUDER (Fireteam: Haris)[/b] Rifle, Heavy Flamethrower / Heavy Pistol, Knife. (1 | [b]22[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_9.png[/img] [b]WARCOR (Aerocam)[/b] Flash Pulse / Stun Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]3[/b])

[b]GROUP 2 | [/b][img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]7 [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_irregular.png[/img]1 [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_impetuosa.png[/img]2

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_10.png[/img] [b]MAVERICK[/b] Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]21[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_14.png[/img] [b]DESPERADO[/b] Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / 2 Assault Pistols, CC Weapon. (0 | [b]13[/b])

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_23.png[/img] [b]ROSIE[/b] Light Rocket Launcher, Light Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]22[/b])

[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_1.png[/img] [b]GRUNT Paramedic (MediKit)[/b] Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]12[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_1.png[/img] [b]GRUNT[/b] Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]10[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_1.png[/img] [b]GRUNT Lieutenant[/b] Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1 | [b]10[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_1.png[/img] [b]GRUNT (Marksmanship LX)[/b] Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | [b]18[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/304/logo_1.png[/img] [b]GRUNT (Marksmanship LX)[/b] Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | [b]18[/b])

[b] 6 SWC | 299 Points |[/b] Open in Infinity Army

Deployment

ALEPH

Left side was a Yudbot and TR bot on a building with a Danavas and Lamedh below them, and a Dakini behind them. Middle area at the edge of the DZ was the Myrm Officer and Achilles (who was my reserve) out at his FD lvl 1 range. Sophotect in the back middle (who was the Datatracker). Right middle-ish was the 2nd TR bot with Yudbot, Lamedh to their left, and a 2nd Dakini in the back behind a building. Netrods were flung all over the board with 1 landing about 2 inches outside of Gus’ DZ.

USARF

Left side was a CAMO’d Foxtrot on a building sharing it with the 5-man Grunt Link team and a desperado at the base of the building. Left Middle had Rosie prone (who was both the reserve and the Datatracker) on a building with a Warcor and CAMO’d Hardcase at the back of the building. On the right was the Haris team with both HRL’s prone on top with harris leader on the next level down. A Desperado behind them, and both Mavericks in front, with a CAMO’d Foxtrot off to the right. There was also a successfully infiltrated CAMO’d Hardcase at the edge of my DZ on my left board edge.

Turn 1

Top of 1 – ALEPH

Gus docked me two orders from the main pool and we were off. My Danvas did it’s usual thing and buffed the TR bot with Marksmanship. TR bot moved up leaving cover and moving into cover. I should have just peaked around the corner, there was literally no reason to move up to shoot the HRL. I think I was trying to “strut my stuff” and draw his Hardcase into revealing so I could shoot it. This did in fact, not work and the HRL blasted my TR bot into double unconsciousness. (I needed 14’s for my shots and rolled 16+ on all 4 dice, weee!!!) The Yudbot behind him was also caught in the blast and just turned into a pile of ash. (Remember kids, Templates against you in active turn are bad).

I had my Myrmidon Officer move up and throw smoke to cover Achilles’ advance. There was a ton of stuff watching the middle of the board and the 1 template wasn’t blocking enough of it. I threw a coordinated order in for the Myrm, Achilles to get into smoke, while my Left Dakini, and right Lamedh moved up to see incoming targets. The officer spec fired a 2nd smoke to cover the remaining gap for him to move up and get into base wit the left console. Then Achilles started his run!

Achilles ate some orders to move up and slice the pie to see the CAMOed Foxtrot and one of the Mavericks. The Foxtrot revealed dropping a mine and the Maverick got blasted by Achilles. I only had a couple orders but wanted to try and hurt his pool some more. So Achilles poked around and tucked back into a corner getting into FtF with a 2nd Maverick, Foxtrot, and a prone rooftop HRL, with a mine going off in his face and the Foxtrot declaring dodge. I don’t remember who won what FtF, but everyone passed ARM and no one took damage.

I was about out of orders, so I started up the “Suppressive Fire Train” with another coordinated, with Achilles, Myrm Officer, and the Left Dakini. Danvas went into Suppressive fire from the 2nd combat groups pool, and the Sophotect used her Datatracker order to also drop into SP. With that I passed turn.

Bottom of 1 – USARF

It was Impetuous biker time! The Maverick came around the corner and got blasted by Achilles, falling unconscious. Meanwhile the 2x Desperado’s decided to copy each other entirely. It was the strangest double take I’ve seen in awhile. Watching 1 go through all these actions, then seeing the other do the exact same thing. They both moved up, both crit a Netrod off the table, both attempted to throw smoke and both got flash pulsed by Lamedh’s.

(This is just after Maverick order, right before Desperado’s made their move)

Meanwhile the Foxtrot over by Achilles ran around, dropped it’s remaining 2 mines and CAMOed right back up. The 5-man Grunt team then went to work and made their way towards the right console (left for Gus). The short version is the Paramedic climbed down, blasted my Lamedh, then the Yudbot, then moved away and broke the link, (since everyone was still on the building) flipped the console turning on his DZ heater. Then moves back to within range of the link and reforms it.

The CAMO’d Hardcase in my DZ wanted to get some action and went for the Dakini. It was a 3 or 4 order shootout between the two units until the hardcase finally knocked the Dakini to double unconsciousness. Gus then put the hardcase into suppressive fire to lock down that corner. He used Rosie’s Data tracker order to stay prone, but scoot up the board a bit. With that he was out of orders and passed turn.

(Angle from Gus’ DZ at the end of Round 1)

Turn 2

Top of 2 – ALEPH

Part of me is a reserved player, that wants to make sound tactical decisions. Not rush in “guns a blazin”, but utilizing cover, range bands, and weapon options to the best of my ability. But, whenever I play Achilles I always feel as though I’m doing a disservice to the blonde warrior if I don’t play a little over-aggressive with him, and so, I wanted to put his armor to the test and spent his impetuous order! Achilles runs around the building setting off 2 mines, an ARO from a prone HRL and a long range shot from the Grunt teams Paramedic. Meanwhile the Foxtrot decided to stay in CAMO and will be doing so for about 90% of this turn. Achilles splits burst with the Paramedic and HRL and wins against both but does suffer 1 wound from both mines going off.

(Right before Achilles spent his Impetuous order)

I figure “at this point I’ll just keep going till he’s dead” and continue towards the ladder. Foxtrot stays in CAMO. I get to and climb the ladder with a double move, but don’t want to peak over yet as many things will begin to start shooting me. Foxtrot stays in CAMO. The Harris leader has a heavy flamer, so I have Achilles just run and base him. There’s a long range Grunt shot and the Haris leader drops a flamer template. The Foxtrot stays in CAMO. Grust misses and Achilles passes flamer ARM then proceeds to MA4 the poor Marauder into pink mist.

Well “might as well keep going till he’s dead” as Achilles climbs up and pops his head up on the highest ladder seeing most the board, and most the board seeing him. The incoming ARO’s are: HRL Marauder, Warcor with FP, Hardcase reveals with rifle, long range Grunt (who dodges), and Foxtrot reveals to dodge as well. I throw 1 at the Hardcase and HRL, and my other 2 at the back of a prone Rosie. Once again the blonde-murder-machine wins all his Ftf rolls, knocking down all targets and passing a BTS save. I think Gus and I are blinking at the sheer madness of it all at this point.

“Uhh I guess I’ll head back down the ladder” and I throw 2 at the long range Grunt, 1 at the Warcor and 1 at the Foxtrot. Warcor is fine, Grunt goes down and I crit the Foxtrot, who Crit shoots back in response. I attempt a full burst 4 at the Foxtrot who now elects to dodge, but rolls another crit and gets closer to Achilles. I’m totally spent on the first order pool with A-killeverything-es and move to the couple in the 2nd group.

My remaining TR bot runs over to the left side ready for the Desperado’s approach. And with the Foxtrot dodging closer to Achilles, I’m able to drop in my Garuda in the very tiny 4 inch dead zone at the table edge. With that I pass turn. (Sophotect didn’t use her Datatracker order since I liked keeping her in suppressive).

(My DZ at the start of USAraidna’s 2nd turn)

(Achilles and a field of death at the start of USAridan’s 2nd turn)

Bottom of 2 – USARF

Gus gets about 1,000 cool points for both not showing any signs of aggravation/frustration and instead just dives right into his turn. Biker’s go with their impet order, which isn’t as exciting as the first turn. The one on the right (Gus’ left) moves up and gets blasted by the TR bot. While the one in the middle moves up and gets into a FtF with the TR, I honestly can’t remember who won the roll-off, but everyone passed ARM so it was a standoff.

The Warcor attempts to move up on Achilles since he’s not in suppressive, but gets blasted for his effort. Gus then gets all tricky-tactical and reformes his remaining Grunts into a fireteam and has 1 of the snipers climb down to make an “across the table shot” at my Garuda, knocking it to Unconscious. He then climbs it back up and positions both snipers towards Achilles’ position should he move anywhere.

(The long range shot)

The crazy-unkillable-ninja-Foxtrot does a move+dodge to get to the base of the ladder so Achilles can’t see him. Achilles wiffs his roll and with that Gus is out of orders and it’s back to me.

Turn 3

Top of 3 – ALEPH

Once again, my brain thinks “be conservative you’ve only got a few orders left”, but Achilles is no stranger to danger and I figure “I’ll just keep going till he’s dead”. I spend the Impetuous to head toward the rear ladder and split burst between both snipers who shoot back at me, both each at burst 2. Achilles’ dice show no mercy and I crit one and win against the other and it fails ARM. I then set my sights on the elusive Foxtrot and spend my Lt. order to fly down the ladder and base him. Achilles crits the Foxtrot into a bloody mess and finally ends him.

In the center of the board, the Myrmidon Officer flips the console and turns on my DZ heater. Then moves up and melees with the Desperado that’s near by, knocking him to Unconscious. At this point, the board is mostly clear, so I spend a couple coordinated orders + Data Tracker order and get my Sophotect up into the middle and into cover. My Myrm officer steps on the desperado’s neck, and Achilles does the same to one of the Mavericks, netting me my Red Deck Classified. I have my TR bot move up to confront/prepare for the hardcase should he move and with that it’s back to Gus.

(My DZ at the end of my 3rd turn)

Bottom of 3 – USARF

Gus is in retreat, but amazingly not in LoL with only 3 units left on the board. There’s nothing he can really do, and the game ends in a:

10-1 ALEPH Victory

(Bonus picture of Achilles and a clear quadrant)

Notes

Notes for Me

I can’t expect Achilles to do what he did every game, but it was nice having CoC on the Myrm Officer incase he went down.
Don’t be dumb with TR bots, stay in cover until it’s safe to not be in cover
Watch out for Blast Template against you on active turn
Gotta get more used to how to spend orders in the 2nd combat group. Most of my longest players were trying to figure out how best to spend 2-4 orders
Might drop the Garuda for this mission, either that or I just need more AD practice. Last couple games with him he’s shown up just in time to fall over
Was fun not feeling like I “needed” Proxy’s in this game

Notes for Gus

I don’t think you had any bad plays here, especially against Achilles. Dice will be dice, but he made about 10+ ARM saves on 8-10 up and statistically he would probably be dead way before then.
Love the double HRL and double Sniper Fireteams, would probably have placed them to cover more board position since you get so many fireteam bonuses
So many bikers! I love seeing so much S4 on a table that has to be dealt with since they can all throw down smoke
That Hardcase in SP was placed so well and basically trapped my Danavas, Dakini, Lamedh and anything else that wanted to approach was going to have a hard time. I basically had to ignore it
*Bonus Points* for keeping cool against Achilles, I know some folks would not have handled it as well as you did. (lol I probably wouldn’t).
Always a pleasure gaming with you, I enjoy our back and forth and love seeing so much painted stuff on the table