Weekly Waffle #375 – Soldiers of the Empire
19th April 2025
For this week’s Weekly Waffle I am staying in the Infinity universe and I’m also going to try and share some of the combined knowledge of the interwebs with you. Carrying on from last week I have trawling all sorts of sources and trying to understand how some of the minis I’ve been painting actually get used on the table top. And I am still hoping that some of these will actually see the light of day at some point this year. Allowing them to escape from the foam confines of their KR case.
I wanted to understand how the units I’m painting, mainly because I like how they look, fit into a wider Yu Jing Army. Imperial Service list. In particular I’ve been looking at the Zhanshi. The reason for picking these is because they seem to best align, out of the minis I already have, with the units used for the Operation Sandtrap starter games.
They aren’t an exact match but they are close enough to work. But I don’t think anything will be an exact match for such a low point game. All I’m interested in is being able to actually get a game in with them and start to get to grips with the rules.
In the background for the game the Zhanshi really form the backbone of Yu Jing in Infinity. Where every unit has its unique story and role, the Zhanshi stands out as the embodiment of the resilience and adaptability of Yu Jing.
So what we are going to look at, before I talk you through my painting process is narrative significance of the Zhanshi unit in both the lore of Yu Jing society and its tactical application in gameplay, highlighting how it fits into the broader Yu Jing army list.
From a narrative point of view the Zhanshi, often referred to as the “Soldiers of the Empire,” serves as the backbone of Yu Jing’s military forces. They represent the core values of the nation: discipline, loyalty, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In a society that values harmony and strength, Zhanshi soldiers are often seen as the first line of defence, embodying the spirit of sacrifice and duty that permeates Yu Jing culture.
The Zhanshi are not just faceless troops; they are individuals from diverse backgrounds, united under the banner of the Emperor. Their training reflects the harsh realities of warfare, and they often find themselves in the thick of the fight, serving alongside elite units. This duality creates a rich tapestry of stories, where each Zhanshi has the potential for heroism, sacrifice, or redemption on the battlefield.
When it comes to deploying Zhanshi in Infinity games, you have to recognise their strengths and how to best utilise them within their designed role. As basic infantry, they may not boast the firepower or resilience of elite units, but their versatility and affordability make them invaluable assets in any Yu Jing army.
Here are some key ways in which you can deploy them:
First up they can be used as Objective Holder: Zhanshi are excellent for holding objectives due to their affordability and ability to create a strong presence on the board. If you deploy them strategically in key locations to maintain control over vital areas, providing a solid foundation for your army to operate.
Second up we can use them as Screening Units: Utilise Zhanshi to create a defensive screen for more valuable units. Their role as meat shields allows your elite troops to advance with reduced risk, as they can absorb enemy fire and disrupt enemy movements. Position them in cover to maximise their survivability.
Or they can be used to offer Saturation Fire: With access to a variety of weapons, including rifles and light grenade launchers, Zhanshi can effectively contribute to suppressive fire tactics. Use their numbers to overwhelm your opponents, forcing them into difficult decisions and making it challenging for them to execute their strategies.
In the context of a Yu Jing army list, the Zhanshi serve as a crucial element that enhances the overall effectiveness and cohesion of the force. Their low point cost allows you to field larger units, creating a versatile and adaptable army that can respond to various threats on the battlefield.
When your working on your army list, consider including multiple Zhanshi squads to establish a strong foundation. Their ability to work together effectively creates opportunities for flanking manoeuvres and combined arms tactics, allowing for greater flexibility in your overall strategy. Additionally, pairing them with specialised units can create deadly combinations that exploit enemy weaknesses while reinforcing your primary objectives.
The take away from all of this is that the Zhanshi embody the spirit of Yu Jing, representing the ideals of loyalty, sacrifice, and determination. As the backbone of the Yu Jing military. They play a vital role in both the narrative and gameplay aspects of Infinity. By understanding their strengths and strategic applications, you can leverage Zhanshi to build a well-rounded army that not only excels on the battlefield but also resonates with the rich lore of the Infinity universe.
So now that we have all of the theory what are they actually going to look like on the table top. The simple answer to that is that they will look similar to the Immortals that I’ve already painted.
Instead of going with the traditional yellow I’ve stayed with my own colour scheme of Emerald Green. But here we have more of the cloth showing so there is more dark grey showing through. They also have some lighter colour in the coat. Although I have to say I’m not really happy with the colour of the coat.
I can’t really explain what it is that is wrong though. In my head I had a something that was a little bit more on the grey side but I just couldn’t seem to find the mix that I had envisioned in my head. The real problem is that I haven’t been able to get the colour in my head out onto the mini. So that is something I’m going to have to work on in the future.
For now I have the first of my Zhanshi ready to go and start my take over of the table top. Well I may need a couple more finishing off but I’m heading in the right direction.
But what do you think of these guys.
You can see more Infinity miniatures at my gallery here
That’s it for this week. I’ve got more Infinity minis lined up for my next few projects but I haven’t forgotten about the little orange guys. I’m just trying to keep the mojo up by not getting bogged down with one thing.
One thing I do want to warm you to is, that over the next few weeks we have some bank holidays coming up and I have a week off work. So I think what that is going to mean is that I will have an update for you next week but then I’m probably going to take a week off. I’ve not lost my mojo I’ll just be out doing othering things and I don’t want to force something with little time to get it ready.
Anyway that’s it for this week. I hope you all have a great hobby week and look forward to catching up with you all again next week.
