If you’re looking at Infinity the Game for the first time and feel overwhelmed by the miniatures, factions, and rules, you’re not alone. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what to buy first, how to build a playable army on a budget, and what to avoid as a beginner in 2026.
Infinity isn’t like Warhammer 40,000 or Kill Team. It’s a skirmish game where each model matters, cover and line-of-sight are critical, and a single well-placed shot can decide a game. For a new player, this means you don’t need a huge collection to start playing—you need the right 10–15 models.
The game uses a “points” system, and a standard game is 300 points. But you won’t start there. Most beginners play at 150–200 points while learning the rules. That’s where the purchasing guide comes in.
The single best purchase for a new player in 2026 is an Action Pack for your chosen faction. Action packs contain roughly 200–250 points worth of models (usually around 10 miniatures), plus the basic profiles you need to field them. They are designed to be a complete, playable force right out of the box.
Why not a starter box? Starter boxes often include a rulebook, tokens, and dice you may not need (especially if you already have a friend who plays). Action packs skip the fluff and give you more models for your money. They also tend to have a balanced mix of troop types—a few line soldiers, a specialist or two, and a leader.
Factions to consider for your first Action Pack:
Avoid factions like Combined Army or Tohaa until you’ve played a few games. They rely on gimmicks and complex rules that can frustrate a beginner.
Once you’ve played 3–5 games with your Action Pack, you’ll know what your force lacks. Common gaps include:
Don’t buy all of these at once. Pick one model that fills your biggest weakness. For example, if you keep losing your leader to snipers, buy a cheap infiltrator who can flank and take out the sniper.
Budget tip: Single blister packs (one model) cost around $10–15. You can build a 300-point army for under $100 if you buy an Action Pack ($50–60) and 3–4 blister packs.
1. Multiple faction boxes – Stick to one faction for your first 10–15 games. Switching factions early will confuse you and waste money.
2. Expensive resin or metal models – Infinity uses metal and resin minis. Some are notoriously hard to assemble (e.g., models with tiny arms or fragile antennae). Start with the Action Pack, which uses simpler sculpts.
3. Rulebooks and dice – The full rulebook is free online (PDF). Dice are cheap from any game store. Don’t buy the expensive hardcover unless you love collecting.
4. “All-in” bundles – Some retailers sell massive faction bundles with 50+ models. You will never use half of them. Buy what you need, when you need it.
Here’s a generic template that works for most factions:
Total: roughly 180–210 points. This gives you a balanced force that can handle most mission objectives. Play 3–4 games with this list before adding anything.
Avoid buying from Amazon or eBay until you know exactly what you want. Prices are often higher, and you might get old edition models that aren’t legal in 2026.
Infinity has a steep learning curve. You will lose your first 5–10 games, and that’s normal. The game rewards patience and tactical thinking, not brute force. If you enjoy outsmarting an opponent rather than rolling dice and hoping, this is the game for you.
Start with one Action Pack, play small games, and resist the urge to buy everything at once. In 2026, the best investment you can make is time at the table, not money at the store.