Infinity is a game in which you'll lead an elite army. It's a fun and dynamic skirmish wargame with miniatures in which you'll fight to beat the enemy army.
It's a science fiction game based on factions, which means that each player must pick a side in order to take part in a battle of tactics and strategy.
This article is for new players who'd be interested in giving Infinity a try. Let's face it: if you're a veteran in this universe already, you probably don't need our help to know which faction is ideal for you. ;D
Things you should consider
To choose your faction, you should bear the following points in mind:
- Aesthetics: Each faction in Infinity has a unique visual style. You should explore the different factions and consider which one feels more pleasant to the eye for you. Do you like the futuristic and hi-tech look of the ALEPH faction, or do you prefer PanOceania's robust and militaristic style?
If visuals in games are important to you, don't be shy about it and go for the one that attracts you the most. Any faction is good once you get the hang of it. :D - History and fluff: If you're one of those people who love going deep into a game's lore, then you're in luck. Each Infinity faction has walked a different path that has influenced everything from the miniatures' details to their stats on the game table. You can check each faction's history and read about their role in the game's universe. You'll find everything, from factions like Haqqislam with their heavy political fluff, to the likes of guerrilla-style Ariadna. The history and context can help you to connect with a particular faction on an emotional level.
For this, you may find it useful to read the Infinity Universe's fluff books and novels. - Playstyle: Are you looking for a specific tactical approach? Then you should consider what type of gameplay experience you're most fond of: Would you rather play a more agile and infiltration-based game (like that from the Combined Army's Morat) or are you looking for a more balanced and versatile play (like the Nomads')?
- Tips from the community: If you've got access to a local or online group of Infinity players, go ahead and ask them about the factions that are usually popular. They'll share their opinions and provide advice according to your tastes and their experience.
- Faction quiz: We know that this question is very common among newcomers, so we've created a short 10-question quiz that, based on your answers, suggests a faction from Infinity CodeOne. Test your luck!
Remember: there's no "right" or "wrong" answer when choosing an Infinity faction. What's important is to find a faction that you feel connected to and enjoy playing with. It's also possible that, over time, you become interested in more than one faction and decide to try out different playstyles. We warn: this universe can be addictive!
And if you want to get a general idea of the different factions, here's a brief description for you:
Factions
PANOCEANIA
PanOceania is the most technologically advanced society and armed forces in the Sphere, and they like to show it off. They also control the largest number of planets and have the wealthiest economy.
As a massively influential global power, PanOceania seeks to establish its hegemony and guarantee peace through military intervention. It has a modern and futuristic visual design with a militaristic aesthetic, featuring well-equipped soldiers clad in armor and cutting-edge technology.
PanOceania excels for its ranged and close combat fighting capabilities. Additionally, it's got access to basically all of the game's most powerful weaponry, making it a flexible and diverse option when building your army lists and planning strategies.
YU JING
Yu Jing is the second most important nation in the entire Sphere and they just know they're destined for primacy, so they'll fight, intrigue, buy, and seduce their way into achieving their goals.
With Yu Jing, aligning ninjas, monks, and samurais is completely possible. This faction merges cultural elements from Asia with a futuristic look. It's the faction for fans of oriental aesthetics.
Yu Jing values honor, discipline, and loyalty. They focus on their code of conduct and ethics.
Although their strong suit in-game is close combat—with elite martial artists among their ranks—they also have the largest number of Heavy Infantry (HI) troopers.
You can resort to a variety of strategies and approaches, whether through direct assault troopers or via more subtle and stealthy tactics.
HAQQISLAM
The best universities and thinkers hail from Haqqislam. It's a faction that originated from a scientific colony in the Bourak system, based on a fictional interpretation of Islamic culture and philosophy. If you're drawn to factions that explore spiritual, moral, and ethical elements, Haqqislam may pique your interest.
Haqqislam puts great emphasis on scientific knowledge, focusing on advancements in medicine, research, and healing.
Their gameplay stands out for its tactical and specialized approach. Their units often have special abilities and unique tactics that allow for more elaborate strategies and taking advantage of specific situations.
ARIADNA
Ariadna is made up of the descendants of the crew of the first human ship to attempt space colonization, which was lost in a wormhole and was subsequently presumed missing. Marooned on an inhospitable planet with scarce resources, they had to rely on their resilience and tenacity. Lacking more advanced technology, the Cossacks, Americans, French, and Scots fought amongst themselves and against the environment, eventually building Ariadna.
Theirs is a primitive and rugged lifestyle, but they've learned to survive in hostile terrains and difficult battlefield conditions.
Ariadna has a sort of lifelike military appearance, focusing on functionality over futuristic aesthetics. They are solid troopers, who contrast with the armor and more advanced technology of the other factions. Within their ranks, you'll find everything from classic infantry soldiers to hunters and explorers.
Their gameplay specializes in guerrilla tactics and ambushes. It'll make you rely on your sense of creativity and cunning to surprise your opponents.
NOMADS
They are the rebels of the Human Sphere. A group of nomads and outlaws who reject the rule of the superpowers and fight the established system.
They use hacking tactics in tandem with cutting-edge technology and stealth and have a knack for manipulating and controlling both their units and those of their opponents.
They have an independent lifestyle, coupled with a futuristic and urban aesthetic. Among them, you'll find mutants, cyborgs, small explosive robots, pupniks, and so on…
The Nomad Nation is composed of three enormous ship-states that roam space, trading from system to system. Tunguska specializes in data trafficking and storage, Corregidor offers skilled labor at a reasonable price, and Bakunin deals in everything exotic and illegal, from fashion to nanoengineering.
COMBINED ARMY
It's a coalition of different alien races and non-human factions. They seek to expand and conquer the Human Sphere, using alien technology and unique tactics. They're convinced that they need to subjugate humanity in order to teach them what a true civilization is.
Their troopers obey the Evolved Intelligence, an alien artificial intellect endowed with vast knowledge and the coldest and most relentless of wills. It has dominated, subjugated, and annihilated entire civilizations.
The Combined Army uses alien weapons and unique tactics that can provide a different gaming experience. If you enjoy a more offensive playstyle, this faction can offer that experience.
O-12
O-12 is a governmental body that relies on diplomacy and politics to uphold peace and order, backed by advanced technology and highly trained troopers.
It's the evolution of the UN, but with greater decision-making and operational capabilities that include a tactical police force: Bureau Aegis. O-12 is the arbiter, the judge, and the jury of the Human Sphere. They work together with other nations to maintain peace.
Their aesthetic is marked by corporatism and uniforms, as they represent the law wherever they go.
O-12 uses negotiation and politics as tools to solve conflicts. They've got advanced technology and plenty of resources, thus offering a wide range of tactical options.
ALEPH
The ally of humanity. It's an artificial entity created to keep the balance of the Human Sphere and to act as a neutral force, unlike the Combined Army, which seeks to use its AI to destroy other civilizations.
ALEPH is an artificial entity and represents advanced artificial intelligence, therefore boasting some highly sophisticated units.
All of their troopers are interconnected through the faction's cybernetic network, so their level of coordination on the battlefield is unparalleled.
These are the 8 factions we recommend to start playing Infinity. We especially recommend that you take your first steps with the latest Infinity CodeOne Starter Box, which contains all the necessary materials to start playing from the get-go.
Remember that these are just some general aspects that may draw your attention to each faction.
Explore more about their fluff, special abilities, and units to have a more comprehensive understanding before making your decision.
