(Jan 22) The DiRT – FASTEST/LEAST EXPENSIVE Infinity Demo Terrain (and other news)

News, FAQs, and the Fastest way to get your first Infinity Demo game on….

So I keep getting content ready to post on BoLS and Corvus Belli keeps releasing news (or something new) on Wednesday that makes me go back and write a different article.  Not that I’m complaining.  Having fresh news to share is always a great thing.  So let’s get it started….

THE NEWS –  Human Sphere and Campaign:Paradiso FAQ

Released yesterday, Corvus Belli has provided an FAQ for both Human Sphere (HS)and Campaign:Paradiso so gamers can more easily use the rules and profiles contained within in a 3rd edition game.  Most of the FAQ is centered around name changes.  The PDF is under 5, and answers a lot of basic questions where HS and CP either reference the 2nd edition core rule book, or minor word changes to translate functions to a 3rd edition mindset.  Download the English FAQ.

THE SKINNY – The Terrain Triangle Paradigm

There is a concept for project managers called the triple constraint.  Often it’s represented by a triangle with the sides labeled Time, Cost, Scope.  All projects fall inside that triangle (if they’re successful at all).  It is supposed to represent that you cannot have all three.  I can have reduced time to complete and cost, but then the scope of the project has to be diminished.  I might be able to complete the project quickly, with a large scope but then it’s unlikely to be inexpensive.  This happens because it might require a larger head count to pull it off, or you might have to pay for better quality resources for your head count.  I want you to keep this in mind, because it seems to me that all of the “attention” in blogs and on YouTube focuses on the scope of the project.  These are hobbyists show off what they’re capable of.  My comment is not a detraction on those content providers.  I love seeing what people are capable of.  If you have that sort of hobbyist talent, please continue with what you’re doing.  If you are selling product, please continue to show us your wares, because the innovations in miniature wargaming manufactured terrain is just awesome.

But sometimes and for some people, getting to play the game is the focus.  This is why I’ve tended to focus my attention above the center point of the triangle.  When I get asked about what is the greatest consequence of a smaller YouTube community.  it’s not seeing the variance of people’s attitude to various aspects of a wargame.  Using the same triple constraint triangle, if you wanted the perfect wargaming perspective, both your time and cost would jump up considerably since the scope would be immense.

So for the next part of this article, we’re going to look at playable Infinity terrain that (as best as I can get) at the tip top of the triple constraint triangle.

The DIRT – Infinity demo terrain for under $9/10 minutes

What you will need to make this happen:

1. Go to a store and buy 7 to 10 tissue boxes. Ideally you’re get 3 different sizes of tissue boxes.  Choose one of them to be light in color.
2. 1 or 2 sheets of paper (lined or plain does not matter).
3. A stapler with a few staples.
4. Something to write with (dark ink).

Just acquiring the above, you’re about 25% of the way there.

To add some versatility to the terrain, we’re going to use the marker with the light colored tissue boxes to draw in some ladders.

Here I’m using a straight edge, so if I choose to stack the boxes on one another, the ladders will line up.  Once you draw in some ladders, add all the tissue boxes to your board diagonal to the table edge (not parallel to the edges).

After adding all the tissue boxes to the table, get one of your sheets of paper and fold it over three times (diagram only shows twice) and add staples just slightly less than 1 inch down from the fold.

Underneath the staples, fold the two flaps out and you have some low ground terrain.  1 sheet of 11.5″ x 8″ paper will make between 2 and 5 of these low ground terrain features, just make sure that you have at least two staples in each terrain piece to keep it from unraveling.  Then add it to the board.

And you’re ready to play.

From the DOREMICOM YouTube channel:

IF you missed any of the instructions above, check it out live on my YouTube channel.

So that’s the NEWS, the SKINNY, the DIRT on getting the terrain ready for your first Demo game of Infinity.  What other home items have you used while miniature wargaming?  If I was to do a Triangle Terrain series of videos, what would you like to see as a time and dollar constraint on building out other terrain boards.  Let me know in the comments below or on my YouTube channel. 

Author: doremicom

Doremicom has been a tabletop wargamer for over a decade. His area of expertise is Corvus Belli's Infinity: The Miniatures Game. He began writing for BoLS in 2015.