The DiRT – Infinity’s Operation:IceStorm – Everything you need to know!
This article deep dives into new Infinity Starter Box – Opeartion:Icestorm. From what’s in it, and where to go from there.
GenCon is fast approaching, and if you stop by Corvus Belli’s booth for a demonstration, you’ll be presented with 3rd edition (Clarification: the demonstration will be 3rd edition pulled from Operation:Icestorm). In order to prepare, I quickly got my hands on a copy of Operation:Icestorm. While the it will be available at GenCon for purchase, Corvus Belli is also taking pre-orders. SPOILER FOR THE REST OF THE ARTICLE: I think the two player Starter Box is an amazing introduction into Infinity and a solid deal. It’s unlikely that this article will deter you from buying the set (and one of the reasons that I added editorial to the labels of this article). If you know that you’re going to want Operation:Icestorm, get it now while you can still get the extra free miniatures with the deal (more of that will be discussed in the article). In case you are not sure where you can find it: Corvus Belli’s webstore.
Not only can you get Operation:Icestorm, but you can order the GenCon exclusives as well. |
Unfortunately, I’m not a painter. A friend of mine is working on the miniatures right now. Since I wanted them painted well, I could not get them back in time for this article. So I will be borrowing images from Angel Giraldez to illustrate what comes in the box.
1) Nomad Miniatures
Compare and contrast Nomad’s starter box with Operation:Icestorm |
2) PanOceania Miniatures
Want to make sure that you’re getting the CSU model? Make sure the box has this yellow sticker. |
- I don’t play vanilla PanOceania or Nomads yet. This box will resolve that in no time flat.
- I have been giving Infinity demos for around 3 years now. No longer will I need to wonder what to bring. My intention is to put the contents of this box into a single army transport and whenever I’m asked to run demos, I’ll grab that bag and be ready to go. Just add a tape measure because I think it’s easier to manipulate when walking around a corner. But if I forget to bring one, there is a movement template included in the box.
- I’m already a fan of 3rd edition. While I am eager to get a larger slice of 3rd edition in my hands, getting a chance to sample some of it now is a treat for me.
Making the Terrain Even Better.
The terrain is a fantastic inclusion. But as someone who gives a lot of demos and has to bring all the supplies (models, terrain, dice, tape measures, etc), I had some concerns about using this terrain in my demonstrations. Please note that it’s past tense. Because I have figured out how I intend on resolving everyone of the issues.
- Laminate the play mat. I have put some books on the mat to reduce the size of the creases. Hopefully tonight, I’ll be dropping off the play mat at Staples to be laminated. Is this really necessary for your home use? Probably not, but it will allow it to last longer.
- The terrain is too light. Accidentally bumping the table or moving the figures around the board may cause the terrain to shift. Yes, you could play in a more gentle fashion, but I have figured out how I intend on resolving this.
First, I included boxes inside each one of the building structures. However, before I added the box to the terrain, I hot glued 4 washers into each corner of the bottom of the box (the side which will face the ground). This will help give a little heft to the terrain and keep the buildings more stationary.
Second, for the shipping containers, I cut anther piece of cardboard so that it would slide into the shipping containers. On that strip of cardboard, I added two smaller washers. When the shipping containers are folded into shape, the strip of cardboard/washers slides in and provides a little more heft to the boxes. If I put the shipping container on a building, it’s fine because the infinity box inside the printed terrain can withstand that additional weight.
Something to remember: Because the printed buildings and shipping containers are on cardstock, if you do add weight to the buildings, you might not want to stack the buildings on top of one another when they are being stored or prepped for shipping to and from your local game store.
The quick answer is yes for anyone with even a passing interest in Infinity. From a price perspective, it’s a great deal. At GenCon, the price of Operation:Icestorm is going to be $120. Again, this includes, 15 models (when pre-ordered or purchased at GenCon), Introductory rules, tokens, terrain, basically everything you (and another player) need to start getting into Infinity. The only people who would not want Operation:Icestorm at some level might be veteran players who are well stocked in PanOceania and Nomads miniatures, have terrain, their own laser cutter to fashion some new templates, do not want early access to 3rd edition PanOceania and Nomad models exclusive to the Operation:Icestorm box, and are patient enough to wait for the 3rd edition rulebook in its entirety.
Other items at Corvus Belli’s booth at GenCon will cost:
New color schemes being tried out for Haqqislam and Aleph |
So that’s the news, the skinny, the DIRT on Operation:Icestorm. What’s your take on the new two player starter box? Next week I’ll be at GenCon. If you are going, stop by and see me at the Corvus Belli booth. The article for next week will review in detail the Introductory Rule book, provide some alternate PanO/Nomad add on army lists based on play style, and hopefully include an image or two from GenCon Day 1. As always find me here, my YouTube Channel, or drop me a line or Infinity photos at my email address [email protected] .