It’s that time again! Another pocket checklist.

Good luck filling all the slots. These Vault Boosters are … something.

Usually this annual solo kitchen table battle is a joy for me. I get to play all my favorite pieces. Back in 2024, it was 2022 vs. 2023’s best. And usually I have a lot of F.U.N. with these. But that one was all disappointment.

I know part of it was the timing: It was during the Summer Olympic Games and my attention was split. But that’s usually OK. What another part was was the presidential campaign turning ugly like IMMEDIATELY, with October-style mudslinging ads in JULY harassing the mega-positive and inspiring ads and event of the Olympics.

Add to that the grossly one-sided game itself: It seemed the older squad — already at a disadvantage due to power creep, just had the worst time of it.

Misses.

Getting critically hit.

Just not able to do much.

I was nearly ready to hang this series up.

But my friend Lenny came to my rescue, agreeing to pit his favorites of 2024 against mine in one of our mega-games.

I definitely had F.U.N. with that match — and not just because I won. He got really frustrated, though. My powerful swarm force was too strong for his bigger, beefier figs to survive, especially when I had so many ways to survive what normally would be one-shot KOs.

It was instructive. So with my latest kitchen table brawl, I needed to even the odds just a tad to address the power creep factor, with a few extra ground rules:

• PRE-RULING WAKANDA HULKBUSTER. His global 1-FREE per force cap is too strong for this game. So only 1 FREE per fig as God intended.
• TITANIA IS NO PUNK. Her Copyright Claims’ global effect serve as great armor if I keep her in the back row. But she’s a fighter so I would put her in the fight — giving my several Celebs on the 2023 team a chance to actually contribute maybe.
• 2023 SQUAD GOT EXTRA TECH. In addition to the multiple prime rule, I allowed the banned Stop Sign, along with every Mystery Card I can, squeezing on 2023-legal equipment like Bucky’s Arm, and late-blooming almost-fave Scrappy Doo — essentially filling in for the Scooby Chase Scene Gang — enters from the Sideline if certain allies take a fall.
• 2023 GETS MAP CHOICE -AND- FIRST TURN. It’s the defending champ.

The squads were:

2023’s
BTU043V Aquaman
DICN002 Bane
NOT046 Black Adam
NOT012V Black Manta Goon
Brother Voodoo prime
SMBAL039A Cloak & Dagger+Bucky’s Arm
BTU027 Elasti-Girl
AV60030 Falcon
NOT004V G.O.O.N.
BTU054 Jo Mullein + GL Ring 0
NOT019A OMAC x2
NOT019B OMAC Prime
WOV045 Rawhide Kid
NOT014V Riddler Goon
WKD23-002 Space Ghost (60 points)
SMBA037A The Kingpin
NOTL051 The Phantasm
AV60L030 Wasp
NOT015V White Rabbit Goon
NOT032 Zod
along with late additions Zod, Ursa, Non
and Bumblebee

2024’s was

• Black Panther (Black Panther 043b), Donny Blaze, Falcon and Redwing (Black Panther 044), The Flash (Masters of Time 041a), Hadari Yao, Harley Quinn (Masters of Time 061), Irene Adler, Kazi, K.E.V.I.N., King Jefferson, Mister Mind (Masters of Time 006), Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 013) x 2, Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 099), Multiple Man (WizKids MVP-204), Multiple Man (WizKids MVHR24-002), Porcupine (Marvel Studios Next Phase 052), Psylocke (Deadpool Weapon X 033), Reverse-Flash (Masters of Time 041b), She-Hulk (Marvel Studios Next Phase 038), Storm (Deadpool Weapon X 051a and 051b) Titania (Marvel Studios Next Phase 055) and Wakanda Hulkbuster.

SO HOW DID IT GO?

POORLY.

Things started on an even keel, but it became clear that 2024 still had FAR too many advantages.

Wakanda Hulkbuster kept too much in check. For instance, I couldn’t ever Outwit with Bane and then immediately follow with his Venom juicing. Or do a similar Outwit with Jo Mullein so her Flurry could stick.

Even though I didn’t try hard to protect Titania, she just nerfed too many Celebrity players — namely Space Ghost, whose supporting powers were sorely needed. (And he was already incredibly hobbled by WHB)

Meanwhile 2024 had incredible mobility and targeting and mega-target attacks and effects.

I got to a point where the winning team had scored 1000 points before 2023’s had even broken 200.

Still, it wasn’t quite the un-F.U.N.fest that the 2022 v. 2023 contest was.

Now it was time for 2024 to defend its title against 2025.

Similar rules applied: No blanket effect for Hulkbuster. Titania won’t hide. And this time, neither would KEVIN; sure, his area of effect widens, but he’s address-able. And the 2025 team has far fewer Celebs for Titania to nerf.

THE FORCES:

• Aero (sd034) 45 points
• Aquaman (DCD24-003) at 60 points
• Baron Mordo (st003) at 80 points
• Captain Marvel (cltrL054) at 150 points
• Dr. Doom (cltr043) at 225 points
• Giant Man II (sd028a) at 75 points
• Goliath (sd028b) 50 points
• Jericho Drumm, Sorcerer Supreme (st056) at 100 points
• Lady of the Forest (DCP24-022) 65 points
• Mysterio (spv059) at 75 points
• Mysterio (spv018) 50 points
• Mysterio (spv002) at 50 points
• Slyde (spv020) 35 points
• Space Ghost (DCP24-020) at 70 points
• Spider-Byte (spv003) 15 points
• Spider-Byte (spv019) at 60 points
• Storm (xm97040) 65 points
• Toad (sd018) 45 points

Sideline: Jericho Drumm (10 points), 1-3 one-shots (15 points total)
= 1345 points.

vs. 2024 (as usual, I allow multiple primes if they made the list)

• Black Panther (Black Panther 043b) 85 points
• Donny Blaze (Marvel Studios Next Phase 034) 45 points
• Falcon and Redwing (Black Panther 044) 40 points
• The Flash (Masters of Time 041a) 70 points
• Hadari Yao (Black Panther 052) 100 points
• Harley Quinn (Masters of Time 061) 30 points
• Irene Adler (Iconix WKX-006) 50 points
• Kazi (Marvel Studios Next Phase 007) 40 points
• K.E.V.I.N. (Marvel Studios Next Phase 068) 40 points
• King Jefferson (Masters of Time 063) 60 points
• Mister Mind (Masters of Time 006) 30 points
• Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 013) 10 points x 3
• Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 099) 50 points
• Multiple Man (WizKids MVP-204) 40 points
• Multiple Man (WizKids MVHR24-002) 50 points
• Porcupine (Marvel Studios Next Phase 052) 45 points
• Psylocke (Deadpool Weapon X 033) 75 points
• Reverse-Flash (Masters of Time 041b) 40 points
• She-Hulk (Marvel Studios Next Phase 038) 60 points
• Storm (Deadpool Weapon X 051a/051b) 60 points
• Titania (Marvel Studios Next Phase 055) 75 points
• Wakanda Hulkbuster (Iconix MVX-013) 125 points
• and late addition Mr. Immortal (Marvel Studios Next Phase ) 35 points

= 1345 points as well.

Was it F.U.N.?

Surprisingly so! Although it is rare that I do this so early in the year, a January ice storm bound me indoors so I got the fight set up and played it out across the week.

TURNING POINTS

• My decision not to hide difference-makers Wakandan Hulkbuster and Titania proved costly. Though the giant ‘Buster had Stealth to hide in, he got Outwitted just enough for legacy Captain Marvel to damage him badly with her SP (he’s a Vehicle), allowing the 2025 figs to use their FREE actions, well, freely.
• I could have protected Titania a LITTLE more, since non-Celebrity figs were on the board and able to handle her before she could slap Copyright Claims on them. But I don’t regret her getting out in the fray, particularly wrecking terrain for WHB and giving a little more freedom of movement.
• An actual regret, though? I plumb forgot to roll for 013 Multiple Man’s KO trait when I had the chance, and then Giant Man II erased the rest in one mega-Quake.
• Another regret, on the other side, was GM’s sculpt-mate Goliath getting easily one-turned. He was only in position to defend more vital pieces, so he filled that role, but it was still sad to see.
• Although I was playing the 2024 team more recklessly than usual, I wasn’t aggressive enough, I think — or the 2025 squad just had more defensible positioning. In any case, the KOs were piling up, so I blitzed with 051b Storm to carry King Jefferson to the enemy start area, along with what I thought was just enough cover and tie-up to help him survive until next turn, when he would nuke the entire board. There were nearly 10 figs in the KO area, and he would have crippled or killed a bunch of enemies. But with 2025’s 11th action — a Doombot bystander — King Jeff was KO’d, ending the threat. (Doom really was MVP in many ways.)

The game wore on a while longer, and 2024 actually drew within 35 points of 2025’s score. But the newer team hit the 1000-point threshold and 2024 couldn’t answer.

——

I need to reach out to Lenny and see if he’s down for a 2025 faves duel.

It’s that time again! Print and play!

Most clix players like the best figures in the game. But I’m all about F.U.N. here so I care about vibes more.

• Is this piece Fair?
• But still Useful?
• And above all, is it Nifty to me for some reason?

I usually start with a late bloomer from the previous year — one that either came out too late for the list or just didn’t see play until later. For 2024, it’s Mr. Immortal (Next Phase 029).

I got reminded how much I like this ridiculous piece during a Chaos Sealed event at Worlds this past September. With his Plasticity and ability to dodge KOs, he’s one of the best tie-up figs even though he’s easy to hit and can surrender a lot of points even as he denies them, keeping him Fair.

So what about 2025’s F.U.N. faves? As usual, I couldn’t keep them to just 10.

In alphabetical order:

Aero (Smash & Destroy 034)

Telekinesis, Prob AND Perplex? And an auto-breakaway double taxi? With omnidirectional Force Blast — sometimes for FREE? And a free move for certain allies? AND Team Player! At 45 points, she’s not a must-play on any team like the best of the best, but for me, she’s the best.

WHAT WILL THE WIND BRING? HER, I HOPE

——

Aquaman (WizKids DCD24-003)

Aquaman is a favorite character. This one is probably the best-costed version we’ve ever had (60 and 30!), and the water generating/the dolphin bystander mechanic is just sweet. Not a world-beater, but generally Aquaman canonically shouldn’t be.

*VUU VUU VUU VUU*

——

Baron Mordo (Strange Tales 003)

He’s just a common and not really a beloved character. But his trait name, though: “I SCORN YOUR SORCERY!” It’s funny to shout in a game and effective in fighting enemy Mystics TA and Outwit and Prob and Perplex. Add his own Outwit at either cost (80 or 40) for a good piece to build an evil Mystical team around.

HE SCORNS YOU

——

Captain Marvel (Collector’s Trove L054)

Here’s a bit I wrote about this legacy card:

“She gains SHIELD TA, Super Strength, Willpower (and self-healing when she drops a token outside of the clearing phase). Her biggest buff is a new MOVE action option that deals 1 free damage to EVERY enemy she moves through. But she still costs the exact same as before: 150 and 95.”

Some hated how nerfed she is compared to the overtuned original, but I like it. If I were ranking these, she’d be more of an honorable mention, honestly.

STILL HIGHER FURTHER FASTER — NO CAT REQUIRED THIS TIME

——

Dr. Doom (Collector’s Trove 043)

I like him on Magical Book Club theme-y team with other the Darkhold chase pieces in the same set. But the One-Shots thing is mere sideboard — DOOM and his spawning of Doombots (which are not mere robots but extensions of DOOM) are the main draw here. He’s good to me at either his beefy 225 level or more economic 75. The only thing I do not love is the need to field One-Shot cards. But even DOOM must have limits.

“DOOM RULES ALL.”

——

Giant Man II (Smash & Destroy 028a) and Goliath (Smash & Destroy 028b)

I like giants on principle. And though Goliath is my preference, I always look at GM first or in addition.

50-point Goliath getting and giving +1 DV vs. smaller attackers is nice. And his ability to repair broken blocking terrain is nifty and useful. Giant Man comes with that Willpower+placement ability, though, along with mega-Quake — both at his Charging, Invulnerable, team-anchoring Outwit-bearing full cost of 75 or his super-inexpensive 30-point level that’s more tie-up and Empower-focused.

Both having a sculpt that can hold terrain markers is nifty, too.

I CHOOSE BOTH

——

Jericho Drumm, Sorcerer Supreme (Strange Tales 056)

At first, I didn’t think he should make the list. But I tried him and the FREE Smoke into long-range punching (which is a costed CLOSE, so that keeps him fair), along with the immunity to certain damage? In the end, yes he does make the list, at either 100 or 50 points.

LOVE THE VOODOO HE DO

——

Lady of the Forest (WizKids DCP24-022)

This addition to the Dark Knights of Steel mythos was one of my top wishes among the Worlds-debuting con exclusives. The 65-pointer is potentially a highly un-F.U.N. piece, able to attack while hiding in the back row. I usually HATE that style of play. But she is better played in aggressive fashion, IMO, popping into the midst of a fight.

THIS GIRL IS POISONNNN

——

Mysterio (Spider-Verse 059) / Mysterio (Spider-Verse 018) / Mysterio (Spider-Verse 002)

Come on, Mysterio is my all-time fave villain. This 75- or 50-point chase version (Stealth for Syndicates, anti-targeting for foes, Improved Targeting for himself, Mind Control, swapping with Mysterios) is virtually all I ever want in a version of the character. The uncommon at 50 is a great representation, too, and the Expendable Goon variant at either 50 or 15 is just the cherry on top.

OR IS HE?

ARE THEY -ALL- ILLUSION??

——

Slyde (Smash & Destroy 020)

Z-list characters like this frictionless-suited minor baddie getting made is why I stick with HeroClix. He’s a perfect representation: Auto-breakaway, immune to knock back damage, takes just 1 damage in melee, minor Hypersonic, and an oh so F.U.N. 35 points.

“MAKE WAY FOR SLYDE!”

——

Space Ghost (WizKids DCP24-020)

I can’t say I like this BETTER than the previous con exclusive. But I like it a lot. The survivability aspect (can’t be seen except by Improved Targeting, takes 1 damage from first attack) is balanced by the fact that he’s more offense than supporter this time around, regardless of point level chosen (70 or 40)

STILL COAST TO COAST GOOD

——

Spider-Byte (Spider-Verse 019)

OK, I confess, I was so doggone charmed by this character’s appearance in the 2022 Across The Spider-Verse film…

… that I was halfway to loving this fig on that principle alone. But I really do just love this fig and the FREE placement, no-LOF-needed shenanigans she can do with her generate-able or field-able electronic clones, Spider-Byte (003). Whether 60 or 35 points, she’s my top fave fig of 2025, easy.

I LIKE GWEN, BUT MARGO IS HER

——

Storm (X-Men ’97 040)

At first, I just thought she was pretty when they unveiled her at Worlds last year (see above). But a top player near me (I think it was newly minted 2025 Teams champ Lucas Van Holland?) immediately saw she was good, too. I came close to winning a championship of my own this past December using her on my meta Cookout team.

Her ability to nerf enemy ranges within her natural 6 range is balanced by her needing to be somewhat nearby (6 is not THAT great). The bonuses for outdoor maps is tops.

A GODDESS

——

Toad (Smash & Destroy 018)

He bounces right onto the end this list as a sleeper fave. The way he can follow adjacent foes around is great. Having his “Terrible Toad King” FREE placement trait is nice, as well. Plasticity + Poison is a super combo, even though all that self-placement of his might keep the Poison from working (but it keeps him fair, too).

THIS TOAD IS NOT TERRIBLE

———

That’s the look back at 2025 — and half the decade’s clix are now in the books. That has me thinking again of my Favorite Clix of the Decade megafeature from five or so years back, and what will be on the list for the 2020s come 2030, Lord willing.

But sooner than that? Probably my usual kitchen table battle between the years. 2025’s list:

• Aero (sd034) 45 points
• Aquaman (DCD24-003) at 60 points
• Baron Mordo (st003) at 80 points
• Captain Marvel (cltrL054) at 150 points
• Dr. Doom (cltr043) at 225 points
• Giant Man II (sd028a) at 75 points
• Goliath (sd028b) 50 points
• Jericho Drumm, Sorcerer Supreme (st056) at 100 points
• Lady of the Forest (DCP24-022) 65 points
• Mysterio (spv059) at 75 points
• Mysterio (spv018) 50 points
• Mysterio (spv002) at 15 points
• Slyde (spv020) 35 points
• Space Ghost (DCP24-020) at 70 points
• Spider-Byte (spv003) 15 points
• Spider-Byte (spv019) at 60 points
• Storm (xm97040) 65 points
• Toad (sd018) 45 points

Sideline: Jericho Drumm (10 points), 1-2 Spell one-shots (10 points total)
= 1300 points.

vs. 2024 (as usual, I allow multiple primes if they made the list)

• Black Panther (Black Panther 043b) 85 points
• Donny Blaze (Marvel Studios Next Phase 034) 45 points
• Falcon and Redwing (Black Panther 044) 40 points
• The Flash (Masters of Time 041a) 70 points
• Hadari Yao (Black Panther 052) 100 points
• Harley Quinn (Masters of Time 061) 30 points
• Irene Adler (Iconix WKX-006) 50 points
• Kazi (Marvel Studios Next Phase 007) 40 points
• K.E.V.I.N. (Marvel Studios Next Phase 068) 40 points
• King Jefferson (Masters of Time 063) 60 points
• Mister Mind (Masters of Time 006) 30 points
• Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 013) 10 points x 3
• Multiple Man (Deadpool Weapon X 099) 50 points
• Multiple Man (WizKids MVP-204) 40 points
• Multiple Man (WizKids MVHR24-002) 50 points
• Porcupine (Marvel Studios Next Phase 052) 45 points
• Psylocke (Deadpool Weapon X 033) 75 points
• Reverse-Flash (Masters of Time 041b) 40 points
• She-Hulk (Marvel Studios Next Phase 038) 60 points
• Storm (Deadpool Weapon X 051a/051b) 60 points
• Titania (Marvel Studios Next Phase 055) 75 points
• Wakanda Hulkbuster (Iconix MVX-013) 125 points

= 1300 points as well. Could be F.U.N.

2025 was a bad year. But were the clix worse?

One big-time player quipped that a full 75% were the worst of the year — which I guess is true if you’re playing competitive to win prizes. But there are some that make even a mega-casual player like myself wince at the thought of actually fielding them.

In alphabetical order (because there’s no ranking these wrongs):

Cat Familiar (Strange Tales 007)

Yeah, it’s cute. And a tiny Blades/Claws/Fangs fig isn’t worthless. But here’s a Prob Control that only can do it adjacent and self-KOs if you do the special thing. Just taking up space/points. PUT THIS KITTEH DOWN

——

Collector (Collector’s Trove 001) or Collector (Collector’s Trove 099)

The first is 75 hefty points of mediocre unless the opponent brings extra elements. But even maxed out, he’s still just five clicks barely armored withToughness and an easy KO. The LE? A little cheaper at 60 points — until you realize using him effectively means bringing in the Collector’s Case terrain which is 20 points that opps will just smash and score. Play these if you want to COLLECT A LOSS

——

Damage Control Worker (Smash & Destroy 003)

The useful stuff on his dial (Poison, Barrier) is on the back end. He’s just Sidestepping meat shielding until then. DAMAGED GOODS

——

Gambit (X-Men ’97 005)

This was nominated by “Dub” on HCRealms. He’s super mediocre at full points — Perplex is his only good power, and he loses it on low. Otherwise you just have to be losing the game badly for him to work much at all. THE NAME IS GAMBIT … FORGET IT

——

Flash and Green Lantern (Lantern Legacy L048c) 

This was nominated by “Glen Quagmire” on HCRealms. It’s one of the SEVERAL legacy cards in the Lantern Legacy set that broke me from my usual reviews of that game element. So many of the former duo fig’s skills just aren’t worth it.

Their TRAIT? “Friendly Rivalry” requires a teammate (or themselves) to have missed this turn. That’s bad. But at least it might work with their first SP, on clicks 1-5, which reads: “Once per turn, when The Flash and Green Lantern misses, after resolutions they may make an attack.” With their terrible 10 and lower AV, misses are VERY likely.

Even their good AV clicks are undermined by very low DV and lack of moving attack ability.

NOT WORLD’S FINEST AT ALL

——

Spider-Man (Spider-Verse L018)

Only having Sidestep move skills makes it difficult to pull off his de-equip ability — and of course it’s situational as hell. LEGACY LOSER

——

Spider-Clone (Spider-Verse 012)

This was nominated by “2 Gun Kid” on HCRealms. Played alone, he’s hobbled by never getting to use his Maximum Clonage trait. Played in multiples, still maybe not worth it because they have to actually hit and be in close enough. CLONE SAGA STILL SUCKS

——

Star-Lord (Collector’s Trove 017)

This was also nominated by “2 Gun Kid” on HCRealms. He’s just fine at his low dial line, but at full cost, he’s unbelievably worthless. Lack of moving attack is the killer. QUICKDRAW? NAW, SLOW ON THE DRAW

——

Zombie Shark (WizKids WKD24-004)

Man, I wanted to love this, but he needs water too badly. Takes too much effort to work for his points on most maps. BEACHED.

——

OK, that’s the bad stuff. Next post? I share my FAVORITES.

It’s that time again. Print out four copies per sheet via the link below (hope it works! WordPress has changed formats on me here).

Seismic events keep happening nationally and the personal one from spring continues to resonate. But here finally is my customary pocket checklist for the set.

ChecklistS, actually — one for the figs and the other for all the cards and extra stuff.

Here’s the download, which gives two of each.

LanternLegacyCHECKLIST (2)

At last! The final of several posts reviewing Panthers once and future on these metrics:

• SMARTS:  Outwit is his signature power.
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership is a must.
• SPEED: Needs Improved Movement:Elevated and good values or powers.
• STEALTH: ‘Nuff said.
• STRENGTH: Can he hit for 3-6 clicks on top dial?
• SURVIVABILITY: Damage reducers and good values.

2024 was a bonanza of Panther pieces — mostly falling short. What will be the THE KING’S VERDICT in 2025?

———

Collector’s Trove 041 Black Panther

• SMARTS: No Outwit at all. Starts with Probability Control and gets Perplex soon after, though, so that’s good enough for B-
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership at all. F
• SPEED: He flies with Running Shot and then Hypersonic Speed. A
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Running Shot+Pulse Wave used to be better with high damage. But PW paired with Force Blast is strong. And Blades comes later with HyperSpeed. A
• SURVIVABILITY: Mostly Invincible and Impervious (normal and on STOP) but with some reducer-free Super Senses. Cosmic Energy keeps him from being Outwitted. A-

THE KING’S VERDICT: Somehow not as good as the original Gauntlet Panther from 2018.

Collector’s Trove 041 Black Panther @50 points

• SMARTS: No Outwit at all and no Perplex this time, either. Prob comes soon but not to start. C+
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership at all. F
• SPEED: He flies with Hypersonic Speed. A
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH:  Blades starts with Hypersonic Speed. A
• SURVIVABILITY: Impervious then reducer-free Super Senses. Cosmic Energy keeps him from being Outwitted at least. And leading with Shape Change is a strong deterrent. A-

THE KING’S VERDICT: And we were doing so well.

———

Last two!

Warriors of Wakanda 001 Black Panther 

• SMARTS: Outwit is present all dial long. A+
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership is on most clicks, and his can remove from non-adjacents, too. Also gives Wakanda TA to keyword fellows. A+
• SPEED: A few mid-dial clicks of Leap/Climb are not good enough here. C+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A+
• STRENGTH: Charge+Blades for most of his long dial. A
• SURVIVABILITY: Starts with multiple clicks of Invulnerability. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: So close. But the lack of Improved Movement where it really counts is a killer. Not even starting with 3 Vibranium that can reroll his d6 rolls makes up for it.

Warriors of Wakanda 001 Black Panther @ 60 points

• SMARTS: A+
• SOVEREIGNTY: He doesn’t get the SP Leadership until back half. B+
• SPEED: Starts with the clicks of Leap/Climb, so that rates a slightly better grade here. B-
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A+
• STRENGTH: Missing Charge up top, but still has Blades for first few clicks. B
• SURVIVABILITY: No reducers, though his Senses SP deals damage on misses. D-

THE KING’S VERDICT: “Is this your king??” No it is not.

———

Warriors of Wakanda 002 Black Panther 

• SMARTS:  No Outwit, just Perplex. B-
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. But she can spend Vibranium (and she starts with 2) to place friends 4 squares, so that’s good for a team. C+
• SPEED: Completely missing Improved Movement:Elevated. The Hypersonic Speed helps some. B-
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A+
• STRENGTH: HSS, Precision and Exploit Weakness on top dial is solid. A
• SURVIVABILITY: No reducers, just Senses. D

THE KING’S VERDICT: Shuri here (with same powers on both 100- and 60-point values) isn’t as good as her brother above. And we’ve established that HE isn’t that good.

———

That’s a wrap on this loooonnnng survey of Black Panther pieces in HeroClix. And in the end: I was gonna close with a lengthy “by the numbers” kinda thing but I’m tired.

Number of total Panther dials (including half-dials):

84

Number with straight A grades:

0

Not ONE scored tops on every metric.

But here’s the honor roll of the best Panthers (ones that scored B or higher across the board):

1. Black Panther 043b Black Panther 85 points
2. Black Panther 100 Black Panther 65 points
3. Black Panther 033 Black Panther @75 points
4. Black Panther 033 Black Panther @50 points
5. Fantastic Four 013a Black Panther

 

And a few more that had straight A’s except for one or two slots but are still among the very best Panthers out there:

• Secret Wars Battleworld 061 Black Panther
• Earth X 014 Black Panther
• Wakanda Hulkbuster
• Warriors of Wakanda 001 Black Panther 
• Fantastic Four 013b Black Leopard

PHEW! That might be the last time I do a review series this big.

Time to get back to My Custom Mods or something

Time to return to the review series! Was 2024 finally the Year of the Panther, with a whole doggone set branded with his name?

 

• SMARTS:  Outwit. Will he (or she) have this signature power?
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership? The Black Panther is a ruler.
• SPEED:  Improved Movement:Elevated and good values?
• STEALTH: …should not be a question mark anymore, because of the brand-new for 2024 Wakanda TA.
• STRENGTH: Can he hit for 3-6 clicks on top dial?
• SURVIVABILITY: Damage reducers and good values?

———

2024

Marvel Iconix MICN013 Wakanda Hulkbuster

• SMARTS: Outwit to start — and a speed SP limiting foes to one FREE action a turn. A+
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. F
• SPEED: Just Charge, but Great Size (for the IM:Elevated and Giant Reach) make up for the mediocre speed. B+
• STEALTH: The new Wakanda team ability = Stealth. A+
• STRENGTH: Giant Reach+Charge+Flurry 4 damage. Also Super Strength. And 4 range! A+
• SURVIVABILITY: Invincible. Then Impervious. Then Invulnerability. Plus Senses all along. Can also generate a last-click BP upon KO. A+

THE KING’S VERDICT: Technically, anyone can wear this Hulkbuster suit, so perhaps I *could* forgive the lack of Leadership that keeps this 125-point piece from being a best-ever BP dial. But of course, that it’s a variant keeps it from being definitive. Then there’s the 70-point version:

Marvel Iconix MICN013V Wakanda Hulkbuster @70 points

• SMARTS: Loses the anti-FREE action SP and the Outwit for Perplex. B-
• SOVEREIGNTY: F
• SPEED: B+
• STEALTH: A
• STRENGTH: Poison+Quake is his new starting SP. It also tokens hit characters, so it’s maybe not the worst downgrade. B-
• SURVIVABILITY: Impervious is fine. SP Invulnerability nerfs adjacent foes’ AV and DV. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: Not as good but OK IMO.

———

Black Panther 001 Black Panther

• SMARTS: No Outwit or anything. F
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership or anything. F
• SPEED: Hypersonic Speed with IM:Characters isn’t ideal — he should run up walls — but it’s not too bad. B+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Full dial Exploit is solid. Also Charge Blades on end dial. A
• SURVIVABILITY: No reducers. Super Senses that knocks back is his only trick. C

THE KING’S VERDICT: “Is this your king?” No he is not. OK for an 001 common, though, at full 75 points.

Black Panther 001 Black Panther @45 points

• SMARTS:  F
• SOVEREIGNTY:  F
• SPEED: HyperSpeed for just first click. Not ideal, but not too bad. B
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: A
• SURVIVABILITY: No reducers. Super Senses that knocks back is his only trick. C

THE KING’S VERDICT: He’s better at this price point. Still just OK and nowhere near definitive.

———

Black Panther 002 Black Panther

• SMARTS: She’s got the Outwit! And Perplex later. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership as trait — with a DV boost if it hits! A+
• SPEED: Has the IM:Elevated —and— IM:Characters which both balance her kinda poor 8 Charge. B+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Charge Blades. A
• SURVIVABILITY: No reducers. D

THE KING’S VERDICT: Shuri here is a better Panther in the common slots than her big brother. Play them together to reflect that time she was queen of Wakanda while he was king of the dead in the Necropolis.

———

Black Panther 017 Black Panther 45 points

• SMARTS: No Outwit again?? Geez. F
• SOVEREIGNTY: SP Leadership all dial long that not only works on 4-6, but removes tokens from ALL Wakandans in 4 squares on a 6 roll. He can also POWER generate Wakandans under 25 points if a friendly got KO’d last turn. A+
• SPEED: No Improved Movement. D
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Sidestep and no attack ability to start instead of Charge+Blades (click 2-3). Flurry+Precision comes on clicks 4-5, which may be too late. C+
• SURVIVABILITY: A dial of Toughness, though, means he might see those later clicks if the enemy comes for him. B

THE KING’S VERDICT: Not so good. He’s only 45 points so at least he’s not overpriced.

———

Black Panther 020 Vibranium Man 125 points

• SMARTS: No Outwit or anything. F
• SOVEREIGNTY: …or Leadership. At least he contributes to the initial Vibranium sideline pool like many figs do in this set. D+
• SPEED: Leap/Climb with Running Shot or Charge is more than good enough. Having the Wall-Crawler trait to FREE place on different elevation within 4 = A+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Penetrating/Psychic Blast first half of dial. Blades with Flurry on back. A
• SURVIVABILITY: Invincible to start, then Toughness then nothing. Spider-Fam TA. He can self-heal if there’s Vibranium on the sideline. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: An alternate T’Challa where he became sorta Spider-Man instead of Panther somehow. 125 is pricey, though.

Black Panther 020 Vibranium Man @ 60 points

• SMARTS: F
• SOVEREIGNTY:  D+
• SPEED: Only Charge on this line. Having the Wall-Crawler trait and its Leap/Climb helps maintain the A
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Charge+Blades+Exploit to start with Flurry on back. A
• SURVIVABILITY: Only Toughness then nothing but Spider-Fam TA and self-healing. B

THE KING’S VERDICT: Not definitive, of course. But a surprisingly worthy interdimensional T’Challa.

———

Black Panther 033 Black Panther 75 points

• SMARTS: Outwit tops his dial for several clicks. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: His Leadership is traited — and he doesn’t need to be adjacent to Wakandans if Queen Storm is on map. He also Enhancements all Wakandans on the map when she’s on it, too. A+
• SPEED: A solid 10 with Charge and IM:Elevated. B+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Unfortunately, he’s only got Precision to start with his Charge and 0 range — he needs Queen Storm’s Empower to hit hard. Close Combat Expert shows when he loses Outwit. B-
• SURVIVABILITY: Plenty of Toughness on top and between the soft Senses clicks. More to the point: He has self-healing if his chosen keyword ally is on the map. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: This isn’t absolutely definitive (see the need for his bride Storm) but he’s one of the best Panthers we’ve seen. But if you drop him from 75 to his 50-point level?

Black Panther 033 Black Panther @50 points

• SMARTS: Outwit still tops his dial, though it doesn’t last. A-
• SOVEREIGNTY:  A+
• SPEED: 8 Charge and IM:Elevated is OK. B
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Still Precision to start but the rest is Blades. B
• SURVIVABILITY: Toughness on top. That healing could help — or hurt,  because it’s not optional. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: Not too bad! This might be my preferred level for him.

———

Black Panther 043a Black Panther 75 points

• SMARTS: Several starting clicks of Outwit. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. But he grants keyword allies the Wakanda TA and adds to the Vibranium pool, at least. C-
• SPEED: Lack of IM:Elevated is a serious blot on his claim to the throne. C
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: 12 AV Blades with Charge is great, but he can FREE make Vibranium Weapons for +1 damage. Also he can get Flurry or a FREE range shot via Vibranium. Finally, a low roll on BCF gains him more Vibranium. A+
• SURVIVABILITY: Starts with Toughness and has Super Senses on trait — with a bonus to the roll if he targeted the attacker since last turn. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: Pretty darn good in some ways but UGH WHY DOES HE MISS SO HARD ON TWO METRICS.

Black Panther 043a Black Panther @40 points

• SMARTS: Loses Outwit, has Perplex instead. B-
• SOVEREIGNTY: C-
• SPEED: His speed value drops. C-
• STEALTH:  A
• STRENGTH: Drops to 11 AV. A
• SURVIVABILITY: No more Toughness. C

THE KING’S VERDICT: Just 40 points, so a drop is expected. It didn’t need to be THIS much.

———

Black Panther 043b Black Panther 85 points

• SMARTS: A couple clicks of Outwit to start, then switches to the ever-useful Prob Control, which he rarely gets. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership on 4-6 that adds sideline Vibranium that he can use to save an ally from KO. A+
• SPEED: Good 10 speed Charge with IM:Elevated/outdoor blocking/characters. He also can move between or after Flurries if he hits. A+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: His Charge+Flurry is nice, but Precision Strike instead of Blades on those opening clicks is a weakness (though he gets BCF later). B+
• SURVIVABILITY: Starts with Invulnerability, and can reduce damage further with Vibranium or when he switches to Reflexes — as well as use it to save himself from KO. Traited Super Senses, too. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: A rare BP that scored higher than “C” on EVERY metric — and an “A” in all but one. It’s problematic that he needs lot of Vibranium (that he might not get). And he’s not quite able to reliably solo foes in his weight class (without help). And the prime slot has lots of competition. But he’s one of the best Panthers to date.

———

Black Panther 051 Phoenix Force Black Panther 175 points

• SMARTS: Outwit doesn’t appear until mid-dial. B-
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. F
• SPEED: Hypersonic Speed for several clicks. He’s a flier. A
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: HyperSpeed then Charge+Blades (with a +1 from middial on) and he deals “splash” damage with his starting SP BCF. A+
• SURVIVABILITY: Impervious into SP Invulnerability, when he potentially heals on a high BCF or breakaway roll. Reduces penetrating anyway. His SP BCF also gives Poison — a further layer of defense against based foes. A+

THE KING’S VERDICT: Pity about that Leadership and the late Outwit. But this, a T’Challa temporarily given the Phoenix power (because he’s the host she actually wants before settling for Echo), is not intended to be a definitive BP.

Black Panther 051 Phoenix Force Black Panther @100 points

• SMARTS: Outwit is top-dial this level. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. F
• SPEED:  He’s a flier but no Hypersonic. A-
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Normal Charge+Blades. The SP BCF shows up late dial. A
• SURVIVABILITY: One click of Impervious into the SP Invulnerability, A+

THE KING’S VERDICT: Both dials are also immune to Perplex. Not bad. But not the best.

———

Black Panther 099 Black Panther 70 points

• SMARTS: Starts with some Outwit, ends with some Perplex. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. F
• SPEED: No Improved Movement. (Sidestep+Charge SP is a good combo, though. D+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: When he hits, he can auto-nix a standard power both on the target and the whole enemy squad. But a dial full of Incapacitate means he can’t leverage it much alone. B+
  
• SURVIVABILITY: Toughness for most of dial. B

THE KING’S VERDICT: Someone said his dial is worth a lot fewer points and they’re right. Though he could surprise.

———

Black Panther 100 Black Panther 65 points

• SMARTS: Outwit to start. A
• SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership on trait. He also grants theme teams Wakanda TA when they’re in hindering. A+
• SPEED: His Charge speed is mediocre but he has the requisite IM:Elevated. B
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Charge+Flurry+Blades mean massive damage. Lack of range is the only drawback. A-
• SURVIVABILITY: Invulnerability, Toughness throughout. A

THE KING’S VERDICT: This Panther does nothing fancy and yet is one of the best ever.

———

Black Panther 102 Black Panther 65 points

• SMARTS: Outwit on middial. B
• SOVEREIGNTY: No Leadership. F
• SPEED: Hypersonic Speed + IM:Elevated is very good. A+
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A
• STRENGTH: Exploit Weakness+Blades with HyperSpeed? Yes, please. A+
• SURVIVABILITY: No armor at all. Depends on Super Senses and STOP Regen. C

THE KING’S VERDICT: The missing Leadership and armor keep Shuri from the upper echelons of Pantherhood.

———

Black Panther L058 Black Panther 30 points

• SMARTS: Has full-dial access to the power. Better still is his ability to block access to 2 enemy Sideline effects from game start. A+
• SOVEREIGNTY: SP Leadership. With a Vibranium, he can untoken any friendly for FREE. A+
• SPEED: Plasticity but nothing else. C-. 
• STEALTH: Wakanda TA. A.
• STRENGTH: Offensively very weak. D
• SURVIVABILITY: No armor, only Mastermind. D 

THE KING’S VERDICT: This is still one of my least favorite Panthers, but there’s no denying his meta worthiness. I just wish he’d kept the original’s +1 AV to Wakandans!

———

Whew, that was a lot of Pantherness! One more installment left.

Oh my. Amid seismic events happening both nationally and personally, I neglected to post my customary pocket checklist for the set.

Here’s the download, finally

SmashAndDestroyCHECKLIST (2)