Achilles: The man sized TAG is the perfect description of Achilles. Achilles was originally designed by Aleph to provide a TAG plateform in a man sized unit but it turned out that human minds working through remote presence couldn't handle it so Aleph turned that project into Achilles. Achilles' stats are really impressive coming with MOV 6-4, CC 20, BS 15, PH 16, ARM 5, BTS -6, W 3. Those stats are basically what a TAG would come with. Achilles also comes along with a bunch other goodies as well like ODD and MA4 (Speculos and Fidays beware). He however does come with Frenzy so he will go bat shit crazy when he kills something. He's also very expensive for a HI but you get what you pay for.
He comes with 3 load outs and each comes as a Lt option as well. Every profile also comes with a naopulser, pistol, and EXP CCW. The first is the cheapest (75 points) for a Heavy Shotgun. The Heavy Shotgun uses shotgun range bands but it hits like a truck with DAM 15 and comes with regular shots and AP shots (very painful for TAGs or HI). The next option is the Multi Rifle (80 points). This profile is not very interesting because of the Multi Rifle and the other and best option comes with at the same price. The final load out is the Spitfire (80 points/2 SWC). This is the option you want to take if you want unleash hell on the enemy.
Patroclus: Achilles side kick (no really that's what he is!). Pat here was created by Aleph to serve as bodyguard for Achilles in the field as Achilles was very reckless at times and rebuilding Achilles' man sized TAG body is not cheap or resource conserving. Now moving on to the nitty gritty here with stats. Pat is like a downgraded Achilles (or upgraded Myrmidon) really with MOV 6-4 CC 18 BS 13 PH 13 WIP 13 ARM 3 BTS 0 W 1. Now what sets him apart from Achilles is that he's not designed to be a combat monster but a support element. Pat comes equipped with smoke grenades, a Holo projector lvl1 (Paradiso update), and ODD. His skills are that of MA3 and NWI. He however doesn't come with Frenzy like the rest of the Myrmidons in Aleph.
Pat comes with 3 profiles and they mirror that of Achilles but he has no Lt option. He comes with a Heavy Shotgun loud out for 51 points. A Spitfire loud out for 56 points and 1.5 SWC. The last option is the Multi Rifle for 57 points.
Now many people don't like Pat here because he's expensive but I haven't had the chance to try out his Paradiso profile (his HS profile got updated in the Campaign: Paradiso book) so I can't consider him lack luster or awesome. My personal opinion though is that every unit has a use in Infinity and if you can't make it work doesn't mean others can't make it work.
Hey there, just wandered in from the HoPC network, saw your blog. Seems some interesting stuff!
ReplyDeleteMy question is the Steel Phalanx, and how viable it is for newcomers. I have a fairly sizable Haqq force, but need a second army to perhaps help teach people how to play. Poking around the site, I saw Penthesilea and instantly fell in love, and now I wanna make some sort of hero list with her and Achilles.
2 things though; first, does ALEPH, and in particular them, seem good to learn the game with? And second, if I was to get them, what other units would be best to pair with them? Should I buy the Steel Phalanx box? Or would it be better to go with OSS and do the regular box set? I'm fairly new to the game in general, and in APELH in particular, so any suggestions would be great!
The SP can be used for beginners but in my opinion they are not the most friendliest for beginners do to being a sectorial. Sectorials give up a lot of options the regular force gets for bumped AVA of some troops and the ability to form link teams.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest the regular starter and pick out anything else you like. The starter isn't needed but it's a good starting point to field a army for a demo or such.
Aleph is perfectly fine to start out with. They can be a very forgiving force being very durable. They do come with a bit more rules but with some spare time and with a good memory it shouldn't be hard.
I also suggest you sign up over at the official Infinity forums so you can get any other questions answered and not all by me! (I'm over there as well as Solodice)