Infinity Noob: Everyone’s a Specialist Now

One of the hardest thing to explain to new players is the need of specialists in Infinity.  I ran a small tournament and only one player brought a specialist and that was because he saw me use one against him.  This was even when I announced the missions and explained you needed a specialist.  Part of it is being use to playing 40k.  Troops are scoring.  They don't see one of the many specialist as a troop and don't think beyond that.

I can see with list building in N2 why they would also shy away from a specialist.  There was a steep costs for most and each had a set of rules that newer players could find daunting at first.  N3 changes that when it comes to points.  FO is only a point more than a similarly equipped model.  While it's rules got a little more complexity, I think it's easier to explain that a FO can target someone and everyone gets a +3BS to hit them.

Hacking got a little cheaper in most cases but exploded with utility.  Hacking use to be one of those items where you might take it if you know your opponents will bring a HI or TAG.  Sort of as a crutch to fight them without getting in an arms race. The bigger issue is they could be very expensive and provide limit use.  Not anymore.  A drop in price coupled with a big bag of tricks makes it an auto include.  The additional utility maybe confusing at first but man are they useful. 

I created a few lists for this weekend's tournament and I have to say they have more and more specialists.  I should have no issue getting objectives done.  Provided I remember them.  I will post an after action report some time this weekend.