How to Start Infinity: A Beginner's Guide to the Sci-Fi Skirmish Game

By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: How-to Guides

New to Infinity? This step-by-step beginner guide covers choosing a faction, learning the core rules, and building your first sci-fi miniature skirmish force without wasting money.

Quick answer

Start with a two-player starter set or a small 150-point force so you can learn the core Infinity the game rules without a huge outlay. Choose a faction whose models you actually enjoy painting, then play three or four small games before buying anything else. Treat your first month as a learning project, not a collection race.

Step 1: Pick a faction you will actually finish painting

Infinity factions are not locked into one playstyle, but they do have distinct visual identities and lore that affect how you build a force. The practical advice is to choose the faction whose miniatures you are most excited to assemble and paint. A painted force gets played; an unpainted pile does not.

Read a short faction overview for each, then decide. Do not chase the current top tournament faction if you dislike the models. Meta shifts; your painting desk does not.

Step 2: Buy a starter set or a small 150-point list

An Infinity starter set gives you two small forces, dice, and the basic rules in one box, which is the fastest way to get a friend playing. If you already know which faction you want, build a 150-point list instead. That is enough for a full game and keeps your first purchase focused.

Avoid buying a 300-point list immediately. You will not know which profiles you enjoy until you have played a few games, and unused models are wasted money.

Step 3: Learn the core rules in this order

Start with the order pool, face-to-face rolls, and the basic skills on your starter models. Play a game with only line troops and no complicated special rules. Once that feels natural, add camouflage, hacking, and airborne deployment one at a time.

A common mistake is trying to learn every special rule in one session. Infinity rewards incremental learning. Write a one-page cheat sheet for the three rules you used most in your last game.

Step 4: Build terrain that blocks line of sight

Infinity is a skirmish game, so terrain density matters more than table size. You want enough scatter terrain and buildings that models can move without being shot immediately. A sparse table turns the game into a shooting gallery and teaches bad habits.

Use simple boxes, pipes, and barricades to start. You can upgrade to themed terrain later once your rules knowledge is solid.

Step 5: Play small scenarios before campaigns

Play the basic missions in the starter rules three or four times. These teach objective play, which is how Infinity is actually won. Do not jump into a narrative campaign until you can finish a standard game in under two hours.

If you are playing solo or co-op while you learn, a dedicated solo starter set can carry you through the rules without needing a regular opponent. That is a valid way to build confidence before joining a local group.

Your first four weeks with Infinity

Week 1: Assemble and prime one small force: Build only the models in your starter set or 150-point list. Prime them so they are ready to paint. Do not open a second faction box. Checkpoint: you can name every model in your force and its main weapon.
Week 2: Play two games with core rules only: Use line troops, order pools, and face-to-face rolls. Ignore hacking, camouflage, and airborne deployment for now. Keep a cheat sheet of the three rules you looked up most. Checkpoint: a full game takes under two hours and you did not need to stop for every roll.
Week 3: Add one advanced rule per game: Introduce camouflage in one game, then hacking in the next. Add a piece of terrain that blocks line of sight each session. Write down what changed. Checkpoint: you can explain the new rule to your opponent without reading the book.
Week 4: Play a scenario with objectives: Switch from a straight fight to an objective mission. Focus on scoring points rather than killing models. This is where Infinity's tactical depth appears. Next step: decide whether to expand your faction or try a second crew for variety.

Products that support this process

Fallout: Wasteland Warfare - Factions of the Wasteland Bundle: Fallout: Wasteland Warfare - Factions of the Wasteland Bundle is a pre-order with shipping expected to start November 2026, and the publisher notes that pre-order release dates can change. The bundle is positioned as a strong starting point for new players, with the Into the Wasteland solo starter set providing rules for solo, co-op, or versus campaigns. If you want a self-contained way to learn a skirmish system with solo support, this bundle covers the rules and a starting force in one purchase. Because it is a pre-order, expect a shipping delay if you order it alongside in-stock items.
Fallout: Factions - Dice Set: Wasteland Survivors: Fallout: Factions - Dice Set: Wasteland Survivors is a themed dice set for Fallout: Factions, where the Survivors crew emphasizes teamwork, defending one another, and unusual weapons. A dedicated dice set removes the friction of sharing dice and keeps your games moving. If you like the Survivors' teamwork playstyle, matching dice make your crew easy to identify on the table.