This is going to be a bit late but figured I'd make a review on the stuff that came out in June. This is a bit more releases than last month but here we go trying to cover it now.
Here is the rating scale for standard rating of the models:
The Schriber Scale according to Tanako Skyler:
1. Privateer Press levels of disappointment. Avoid at all costs.
2. Eh, not that good. But if I need to, I'll buy it for my army.
3. The Corvus Belli Standard Work.
4. Now we're cooking with gas! We're in the territory of amazing and good.
5. This release made me erect. The best they ever made!
4. Now we're cooking with gas! We're in the territory of amazing and good.
5. This release made me erect. The best they ever made!
And here is the Infinity Critposting Memeability Scale, introduced in the May release coverage. This is only a rating to 1-3 on how silly, memey or other factors that make it out here in terms of CB standard:
1. Eh, not too Critpost-y. Little meme potential.
2. Possible memeability but also soon to be beaten like a dead horse.
3. Truly the peak of Critposting.
Patchers, Structural Response Team
Rating: 4 (The Entire Box)
This is obviously inspired by the Marines and Firebats from Starcraft, but at least it has its own twist on it. I don't on the box but god they are pushing the limit of being an S2 model, but the design of it is very on point for Ariadna in my opinion.
Profile-wise this is where the Firebat comparison comes in. At
Infinity Critposting Memeability Scale: 3
Truly this does start breaking what should be an S2 model. Also all the continuous damage on the model makes this wild in Kosmoflot along with fitting that retro-future style Kosmoflot is going for.
O-Yoroi Kidobutai
Rating: 5
Seriously I am shocked how well the new O-Yoroi turned out and looks a lot more bulkier and less fiddly than the previous N2/N3 sculpt. As well, the box gets the new Crazy Koala sculpts which were rated lost month. Definitely a bonus but I wish it did come with the pilot, like always.
Stats-wise it's a pretty good gunfighting TAG with BS 14 and a AP HMG. Though the main gimmick of it being good in CC is something you shouldn't be proactively trying to get into CC, but use it as either a defensive tool or attack of opportunity. Especially with the Crazy Koala being dropped before engaging since it can force the opponent into an ARO tree they have to deal with
Critposting Memeability Rating: 1
Since the O-Yoroi also came with the new Crazy Koalas like the Hulang this month and the Sputnik pack, it is clear the Crazy Koalas won out in this box because it is the better of the profiles in their respective faction. Otherwise just a solid model.
Sputnik Remotes
Rating: 2.5
It seems that this is a prepack of the old Tsyklon and Lunokhod remotes. Though this is a way for Nomad players to get the new Crazy Koalas... despite the Morans recently getting a new set of models earlier this year. It was something that is kind of infuriating but something tells me the design of the new Crazy Koalas weren't finalized in time.
Looking at the stats for both of them remotes, the Tsyklon is a gun fighter with the ability to shoot out pitchers to extend your hacker range. Which as a Nomad player, it certainly helps to have more out besides Morans.
The Lunokhod is the one that supports the backline with minelayer with the aforementioned Crazy Koalas but also templates on the bot himself.
Critposting Memeability Rating: 3
Seriously, the fact the new Crazy Koalas for the Nomads in the box with the old style battle remotes is certainly the most bafflingly. Not only that, I feel the the Lunokhod is more than likely gonna be a proxy for a second Tsyklon or Vostok if you didn't buy into Crimson Stone (which as a newer Nomad player, you should have).
Stigmata
Rating: 3
Certainly, a fine model, but it personally doesn't stand out too much for me. It is kind of a static pose but it gets the job done. The cloak and religious imagery on the paintjob looks amazing but sadly the imagery does not look like on the model basekit it seems like.
Statswise, the Stigmata is a rather unique TAG as of writing this post (not withstanding the Caskuda which is coming back) since it is a TAG that hacks but without a high-burst gun perse. It has a CC stat of 20 with a E/M CCW, but you don't want to engage with it intentionally but it is helps. The last main point to this model is the aforementioned hacking, which has a hacking device but an upgrade to its Carbonite has +2 damage. The downside it also opens it up to another avenue of attack by killer hackers.
Statswise, the Stigmata is a rather unique TAG as of writing this post (not withstanding the Caskuda which is coming back) since it is a TAG that hacks but without a high-burst gun perse. It has a CC stat of 20 with a E/M CCW, but you don't want to engage with it intentionally but it is helps. The last main point to this model is the aforementioned hacking, which has a hacking device but an upgrade to its Carbonite has +2 damage. The downside it also opens it up to another avenue of attack by killer hackers.
Critposting Memeability Rating: 2
I know you people are making UWU Stigmatas. Don't lie to me.
Rodoks
Rating: 2 (If you decide to get them)
A set of kind of disappointing sculpt for a somewhat disappointing unit. Which is kind of fitting for the Rodoks. What you get is an SMG, Missile Launcher and Spitfire Rodoks, which in this box 2 of the 3 models are worth taking as is.
Looking at the stats, these monkies have Super jump and mimetism, but you are paying in the 20-30ish points for a 1 Wound model with 2 ARM and 3 BTS and only BS 12. The submachine gun profile has Strategic Deployment, which to this day arguments as to how it works still goes on.
My take is that you declare the link team at that point but the models in the link team can deploy further than before. But I've never seen this rule played in person sadly.
Critposting Memeability Rating: 3
As of right now, Rodoks will still be one of the worst units in the game. And currently I think they are worse than their N3 counterparts which had killer hacking devices and 2 light shotguns (or would be +1 Burst in this edition).
If you managed to win a game with Rodoks I'll give you a secret prize.
(Fun side story is when the Adepticon Seminar was showing off the new upcoming releases, the Rodoks got shown and the room went quiet in abstract disappointment).
JSA Expansion Pack Alpha
Rating: 4
Something of a repack but it's a place to get a lot of the ninjas you are going to be using in JSA, especially the much coveted Tac Bow Ninja from Red Veil. The box here gives you two ninjas as mentioned, a Shikami, an Oniwaban (which is the same sculpt from the JSA action Pack) and Shinobu Kitsune.
Something of a repack but it's a place to get a lot of the ninjas you are going to be using in JSA, especially the much coveted Tac Bow Ninja from Red Veil. The box here gives you two ninjas as mentioned, a Shikami, an Oniwaban (which is the same sculpt from the JSA action Pack) and Shinobu Kitsune.
While I think this box is definitely great for it's value for a newer player, I'd highly recommend getting the Domaru and Tanko box first since most JSA lists focus on Samurai link teams.
(This said, the poses and sculpts for thjs repack are really good so getting them for that reason alone is definitely not a bad thing in my book. In fact, I think the JSA range is my top favorites in Infinity)
So for profiles, the Ninjas as your midfield specialists for JSA. Unlike most skirmishers that are you dedicated specialists, Ninjas forgoes the usual equipment of mines and rifle-like weapons (save for one profile) for being great at CC and sporting either an AP or DA CCW depending on the profile. They tend to be on the pricier side since they are better in CC. Most often you are probably taking only one ninja in a list.
Even though the Oniwaban and Shinobu Kitsune are different units, they are the same kind of unit so I'll cover the two together. Ideally the best way to describe the Oniwaban as a whole is that they are impersonator-esque as in they act as assassination pieces for either the enemy LT or some other key piece. However they do not have the Impersonator rule and instead have a +6 Modifier on their Infiltration so it is always a roll to deploy in the enemy half. The Basic one can either be a boarding shotgun or Submachine Gun with Nanopulser, but their main CC Gear is both an E/M and Monofilament CCW. The basic Oniwaban also has CC 24 and MA 24, which makes them very lethal if it lands with either. Shinobu Kitsune only has a Monofilament CCW but has CC 25 MA5 to get that extra burst in CC. As well her cost is slightly inflated due to the Combi rifle. Most of the time I'd say the generic Oniwaban is the slightly better pick since it has the E/M CCW to force more saves even if it doesn't kill outright and how crits with Monofilament work in N4. This said, you can definitely do well with Shinobu too.
So for profiles, the Ninjas as your midfield specialists for JSA. Unlike most skirmishers that are you dedicated specialists, Ninjas forgoes the usual equipment of mines and rifle-like weapons (save for one profile) for being great at CC and sporting either an AP or DA CCW depending on the profile. They tend to be on the pricier side since they are better in CC. Most often you are probably taking only one ninja in a list.
Even though the Oniwaban and Shinobu Kitsune are different units, they are the same kind of unit so I'll cover the two together. Ideally the best way to describe the Oniwaban as a whole is that they are impersonator-esque as in they act as assassination pieces for either the enemy LT or some other key piece. However they do not have the Impersonator rule and instead have a +6 Modifier on their Infiltration so it is always a roll to deploy in the enemy half. The Basic one can either be a boarding shotgun or Submachine Gun with Nanopulser, but their main CC Gear is both an E/M and Monofilament CCW. The basic Oniwaban also has CC 24 and MA 24, which makes them very lethal if it lands with either. Shinobu Kitsune only has a Monofilament CCW but has CC 25 MA5 to get that extra burst in CC. As well her cost is slightly inflated due to the Combi rifle. Most of the time I'd say the generic Oniwaban is the slightly better pick since it has the E/M CCW to force more saves even if it doesn't kill outright and how crits with Monofilament work in N4. This said, you can definitely do well with Shinobu too.
The last model in the box is the Shikami, which is a CC-oriented HI like the Hulang. While cool in concept, it is kind of let down by his weaponry, with profiles a Contender with Flash Pulse and Assault Pistols or Combi-rifle with D-Charges. With CC23, MA 3 and a AP+DA CCW he can be lethal in an up close fight. The problem is the lack of Smoke Grenades to cover his approach up field. At most you may only take one to be your solo striker piece of your list allows for it.
Critposting Memeability Rating: 2
With 4 of the 5 models out of the box, you can make a list that is very close to a 'blank courtesy list'. Will I think it will be a good list? More than likely not unless you know how to pilot expensive one wound models well.
Will it be fun? Oh yeah.
Starmada Expansion Pack Alpha
Rating: 3.5 (3 for the Sarko, 3.5-4 for the Sekudroid)
The newest box for Starmada and it comes with three models (two being new units for Starmada and one is a deployable weapon for the Sarko, the Wildparrot). I give the Sarko a 3.5 because while I really do like the design for the Sarko, I find the pose a little static. The Sekudroid though looks like he is about to put a stop to some criminal scum with his Adhesive weapon of some manner.
For these new profiles, the Sarko is kind of a generic level camo skirmisher with interesting kit. Instead of having a combi-rifle, their weapon loadouts only consist of either a submachine gun or boarding shotgun. As well he has climbing plus to reach up to objectives that are high up on buildings. It also have a wildparrot in one of its profiles, which can give him the option to go HI or TAG hunting depending on what you are up against.
The Sekudroid is a non-lethal (save for a heavy pistol) but cheap option to fill your Betatrooper links out. Sporting either the Adhesive launcher or Akrylat-kanon in unison with a +1 burst flash pulse. While it cannot get an additional burst being in a link team anymore, the flash pulse is a nice backup piece of needed.
Critposting Memability Rating: 1
Not much for me to meme about these models honestly. Pretty solid no questions asked.
Critposting Memability Rating: 1
Not much for me to meme about these models honestly. Pretty solid no questions asked.
