Stepping up with USAriadna

After a year of playing Onyx, I've decided it's time to come back and play the faction that hooked me on Infinity, the USAriadna Ranger Force. This ragtag band of freedom fighters, brought to the future of the Infinity universe is just too kitsch for me to ignore. Prepare yourselves for a can of whoop-ass, with a side of freedom fries.

After getting my USAriadna starter pack, I was informed that Corvus Belli doesn't do big faction splash releases the way Games-Workshop does, so it may be a while before I can really run a good variety of lists. I put a temporary halt to my 'Merican ambitions and embraced the EI. Now I can happily say that after a year, nearly every unit in the sectorial is available (or coming very soon), with the exception of the Blackjack.

During my time away from the army though, I have been busy collecting and assembling, preparing my Ranger force for this day.

When it comes to game-play, I've found myself gravitating towards a couple different list styles. My first go-to list tends to be focused on the shenanigans which got me to 4-1-1 at Adepticon in 2016, lots of surprise shot Forward Observers teaming up with a Katyusha to rain down a devastating alpha strike. It's a devastating combination that few people are prepared for, but more importantly, at the time it used miniatures that were available (mostly).

 USAriadna Artillery List ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 110 GRUNT (Marksmanship LX) Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 18) GRUNT HMG / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 21) GRUNT (Forward Observer) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 11) GRUNT (Forward Observer) Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 11) GRUNT Lieutenant Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 10) 112 Light Shotgun / Pistol, CCW. (0 | 12) DOZER (Traktor Mul Control Device) Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 14) TRAKTOR MUL Katyusha MRL / Electric Pulse. (1 | 11) TRAKTOR MUL (Minesweeper) Electric Pulse. (0 | 5) AIRBORNE RANGER (Forward Observer) Submachine Gun / Pistol, AP CC Weapon, Knife. (0 | 21)

GROUP 27  1 VAN ZANT AP Rifle / Heavy Pistol, AP CCW. (0 | 38) WARCOR (Aerocam) Flash Pulse / Stun Pistol, Knife. (0 | 3) FOXTROT (Forward Observer) Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 18) FOXTROT (Forward Observer) Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 18) FOXTROT (Forward Observer) Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 18) MARAUDER (Fireteam: Haris) Rifle, Heavy Flamethrower / Heavy Pistol, Knife. (1 | 22) MARAUDER Paramedic (MediKit) Rifle, Heavy Flamethrower / Heavy Pistol, Knife. (0 | 23) MARAUDER (Multispectral Visor L1) Heavy Rocket Launcher / Assault Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 26)

6 SWC | 300 Points

While that list is incredibly fun to play, packs a mean punch, plus a few extra surprises with Van Zant and the Airborne Ranger, it isn't that great at moving up the field and claiming objectives. Fortunately though with all the new toys available, I can run full teams of Marauders or Ohio for some muscle, Desperados as flank bully units, and a pile of specialists who are infiltrating, on bikes, or coming in from the table edge. Needless to say, I'm excited for all the new toys that the army has, and will spend time testing each one of them.

So a bit of a stream of consciousness for today. After Adepticon, I'm all jacked up on Infinity enthusiasm. My Onyx has been put back in the display case and room made for my USARF. I'm already working closely with Obadiah and another friend (Nate), to come up with an awesome team for OFCC this year, so keep your eyes peeled!