Mastering Focus Induction: Moving focus through the battlegroup

In my last Convergence post, I detailed what vectors needed focus for, and which where the most focus intensive.  In today's post, I'll go over how to use focus induction to get the most out of your battlegroup.  I'll cover order of activations and how to load three focus on a vector without actually allocating them that much.

Managing all of this focus can be a daunting task!

The cool thing about Focus Induction is that one unit of focus can move throughout your battlegroup, enhancing one model after another.  This makes Convergence armies much more resource efficient than any other Warmachine faction.  However, with this trick comes a lot of risk.  Other factions simply allocate and burn off focus.  A Convergence player will have to track the movement of focus and make sure it does not enter a "dead-end," where it is spent without being inducted.  Convergence vectors rely more heavily on boosts than warjacks, so wasted focus will really hurt.  Here's how I manage focus during the game:

First turn running

The first turn is key.  It sets the tempo of the game and is your last chance to reposition models and develop a plan of attack.  It's in the first turn that many games can be won or lost before the first attack.  This is especially poignant for the Convergence, since very few models have a SPD above 5. You gotta get to the contested ground ASAP, which means running all the vectors turn 1!  Here's how:

[Step one: This is usually the formation I deploy with.  Note how the warcaster (Syntherion) and the Corollary are in the center-rear of the battlegroup.]

[Step two: Activate the Corollary first.  Make a full advance to where it needs to be, then use Power Transfer to give focus to a heavy.  The free focus generated from this action goes to the other heavy.]

[Step three: Activate and run the heavies, inducting to the supporting lights.  As you can see, the focus on each side will loop around back to the center of the battlegroup.]

[Step four: the vectors nearest to the Corollary's starting point now run.  If you deployed correctly and advanced the Corollary in the right direction, both vectors should still be in range for induction.  When the Corollary activates next turn it'll have 3 focus to give out.  All this was done on turn one without allocating a single focus point!]

Order of activation in combat

Once your battlegroup is in combat, you'll need to figure out the vector's order of activation to get the most out of your actions.  There are three vectors in particular that we need to keep in mind: the Cipher, the Diffuser, and the Mitigator.  These three vectors debuff the enemy, making everyone else's job easier.

From left to right: Mitigators knock down models, Ciphers flare (lower DEF), and Diffusers beacon (increased charge range)

In most cases, these are the vectors that go first.  When it comes to focus fire I like to flare targets, knock them down, and then put a beacon on them.  This results in a prone target that's DEF 3 against range attacks.  Now the Cipher isn't the only unit that can flare; Attunement Servitors can as well.  If you can manage it, always include a trio of these in your army (or have your Axiom pop them out).  It's a great boon if you can open up the Cipher to using its other mortar shells or melee attacks.

Examples of Focus Induction

Here are some plays that you can do with Focus Induction.  The grid represents 1" squares to give an idea of scale.

Convergence versus Legion Battlegroups.  Syntherion gives each vector one foucs.

Mitigator aims, boosts, and knocks down the Carnivean.  Cipher has two focus

Galvanizer charges the Shredder, and the Cipher is now fully loaded.

Cipher makes a full advance and is ready to beat down the Carnivean.  If this was Syntherion's Feat turn, that would have been a free charge.  Ouch!

Here's another play:

In this case, the Cipher is too far to charge.  Let's fix that.

Knock down the Carnivean again, inducting to the Cipher.

Add a beacon for longer charges.  Cipher has three focus.

With three focus, the Cipher charges and auto-hits the Legion heavy.  The two focus left are basically free hits at high damage!

Granted these plays are highly artificial, but hopefully it gives you an idea of what these machines are capable of.  I'm almost done with the Legion battlegroup, so tune in to see how they turned out!

Currently...

Listening: Sky Blue by Devin Townsend Project

Painting: Legion Battlegroup

Playing: Battleblock Theater