Infinity Arachne: The Highlander Format “There Can Be Only One!”
May 13, 2015 by crew
This is the Wartrader, yelling "I am the one the only one, I am the god of kingdom come..."
It's actually a coincidence that I came up with this Infinity idea a few days before the resculpted 45th Galwegian (not to be confused with Glaswegian) Highlanders were shown, but it's a nice coincidence...
Highlander Format
Originally a Magic the Gathering format, the basic idea is very simple - you can't take duplicates, because 'There can be only one!'. In MtG terms this means you can take only one of any card other than basic land.
Translating this to Infinity has a couple of options.
No Duplicate Guns/Skills/Equipment
One of the obvious options is to limit forces to not having any duplicate gear. This has a couple of drawbacks. If you include all gear then most factions can't make a list because (almost) everyone has a Pistol and Knife as standard. If you exclude standard gear like Pistols, Knives, Combis, Rifles and Rifle+Light Shotgun then you end up with relatively 'normal' lists with a mix of weaponry.
AVA1
The simpler option is to make all units availability one. So for example a Nomad force could take one Moderator, one Alguacile, one Zero, one Bandit etc. This has the added advantage that it's extremely easy to keep track of, although newer players may need to do some proxying.
Further Restrictions
Although these are restrictions they are there to keep it simple.
I recommend keeping to 150pt or 200pt forces - it's a big enough game that factions like ALEPH and Combined Army aren't penalised for having a limited selection of cheaper troops and small enough that factions like Ariadna aren't forced into taking elite troops.
As far as scenarios are concerned if you're using ITS ones then stick to those that have low Specialist requirements like Quadrant Control, Supremacy, Seize the Antennae or The Armoury. Surprisingly, Annihilation isn't such a good idea because four of the ten possible points are for Classified Objectives and are likely to involve needing Doctors, Engineers, Hackers etc.
Sectorials
Sectorials are a bit of a problem though. In return for the extra oomph of Link Teams they're giving up access to a wider variety of units which is exactly what you need when all units are reduced to AVA1.
It will need testing but if Sectorials really struggle then I'd suggest giving them a boost by letting the player nominate a single linkable Light Infantry or Medium Infantry unit to get AVA3.
...and remember; "just gimme the prize!"
Ian Wood aka @wartrader
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"One of the obvious options is to limit forces to not having any duplicate gear..."
"As far as scenarios are concerned if you're using ITS ones then stick to those that have low Specialist requirements..."
I love the thinking behind this
This sounds fun. More limited formats are always welcome.
This is a nice format. Our club organizes some 40K events every year in this format which are a nice break from the regular tournament play.
Tohaa would be OP in this format.
The mini on the far left of the picture above the banner “Highlander Format” – is that Liam Neeson? (Hope I spelt the right)
it’s spelled: Ralph Fiennes.
Nooo, I take it back. it should have been;
‘If you can’t spell it, you have to pay the Fiennes’ :O
I’m so getting these.
They may take our lives, but they will never take our FREEDOM!!!!!!
Has highlander aged so badly?
I should get a few standard games under my belt before having a go at an interesting but limiting format like this
Be nice to the Highlander! I love that movie! Ok, I do agree it looks a little Highlander crossed with Viggo from Ghostbusters 2.
Doh!
Still love these minis and will be ordering when available.