by ·0 Comments
Event dials were like dynamic, ever-changing Battlefield Conditions. But they never caught on, really, because they weren’t useable in tournament settings (since any player could vote down the use of Event Dials).
And rightly so. Just as many BFCs have the potential to either greatly enhance or hamper particular characters or team builds, so too do certain Event Dials. Indeed, as my Building for The Event Dial series showed last year, certain teams CAN’T be played with certain Event Dials at ALL.
But then came one final Event Dial unlike all the others: the Intrinsic Field Experiment 15 (Watchmen E-001). Like modern Special Objects, it has a point cost on your force. But just like other, no-cost Event Dials, it can be voted off the island HeroClix table.
And, just like that, you’ve lost 40 points of your force.
Because it’s literally a part of its player’s force, an opponent should not be able to nix its use without paying his own points to do so (as he would to use, say, Batman & Catwoman’s trait to remove an object from the game right off).
Hence, the #10 most-needed rule change for HeroClix:
Event Dials with a point cost must be played when on a force. 
It’s only at the bottom because A) there’s only the above solitary example of the problem and B) event dials are pretty much a dead mechanic. But with this rule change, perhaps they could become a dynamic, balanced element in the metagame rather than the random, overly complicated thing they are.
Or were. Whatever.
But wait! Apparently, after I wrote the above text and was ready to post it up, it was revealed that one of the limited edition Special Objects in the Incredible Hulk set’s prize kit was essentially a new event dial, complete with point cost. So it seems that, in a small way, this change has been made, sort of.
Be here tomorrow for the INCREDIBLE HULK set edition of Token Totin’, the photographic record of how each Super-Strong figure can physically hold an object token. Then we continue the Top Ten Changes We Want for Clixmas!

by ·0 Comments

A new full-sized set of HeroClix was due  today. Here’s Heroclixin’s customary pocket checklist for you!

(I’d intended this to be available earlier, but the “Publish” button on WordPress’s Quick Post feature  appears to be non-function on my browser at the moment.)

Be back next week for the resumption of Token Totin’ — finally! — and  the true beginning of my long-delayed Top Ten Changes Needed in HeroClix.

HULKpocketchecklist

by ·0 Comments

With another HeroClix release comes another of my checklists reminiscent of the ones WizKids used to include in every booster from late 2005 to early 2008. Here’s a list for Lord of the Rings’ gravity booster set and the starter game.
LOTRpocketchecklist

Then, as a bonus, go ahead and grab this compiled list of the Fast Forces of the year: Green Lantern, Thor, Watchmen, Hulk and Superman.
FastForces2011

by ·0 Comments

Generally, I’m a glass-half-full kind of person. I’m good with the vast majority of the annual rule tweaks in the game, as I realize that game balance is a tricky thing to manage. And with this game being in the best shape it’s been in, well, ever, it’s really not right to complain.

But.

There really are some elements and powers and whatnot in the game that haven’t been right for years, and it’s high time something was done. Stay tuned for the next coming weeks before Christmas for Heroclixin’s countdown of the Top Ten changes that really need to occur in HeroClix sooner than later.

Number 10 is one that makes me glad I postponed this series, due to recent revelations of the upcoming Hulk set…

by ·1 Comment

Hello, all! It’s been a little while since my last update; I apologize for that. I’d like to say that real-life stuff got in the way during that aforementioned while. And it did, to a degree; time I would’ve spent  writing I was instead preparing a package for my mortgage company as I deal with the aftermath of over 2 years of unemployment.

But then I dusted off my Playstation Portable and a couple of games I was playing about 2 years ago during that period of unemployment and never finished (strange that I didn’t when I had all that “free time). And so that’s what I’ve been doing the past week or so. :)

Anyway, it’s good to be back, even if only to let y’all know I’m still here and and still Heroclixin’. Look for a new Top Ten list next week. As a lead-in, here’s a Top Ten list of HeroClix things I’m thankful for:

10. That the game’s back from the dead. I never take that for granted.

9. Traits. This game mechanic, while sometimes overpowering, has really opened the doors wide on dial design and made the game more fun than ever.

8. The Modern Age format. It’s great not to have to worry about feats and BFCs.

7. New franchises besides Marvel and DC. I’m definitely in the camp of “the more the merrier” in HeroClix.

6. Lots of new product besides full sets. Don’t get me wrong; I love full sets. But the Fast Forces and Gravity Feeds are just a little easier on my wallet.

5. No price increase this year. Again, my wallet thanks you.

4. A ridiculous streak of chase figs pulled in sealed games. At one venue I frequent, I’ve pulled a chase  in the past three sealed tournaments, making me a winner even though I’ve tended to finish pretty much dead last in all three.

3. Other ‘clix forums like HC Realms and Pojo.com. A lot of you came here from those sites and I love ’em, too. I’ve made some great friends both virtual and real-life through them.

2. Plenty of venues in my area. Atlanta is blessed with a pretty good clix scene if you don’t mind doing a bit of driving. And I don’t mind doing a bit of driving. :)

1. You, the readers of Heroclixin’!

My thankfulness here may be a bit overshadowed by next week’s list, so I definitely wanted to stay on a positive note here. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, fellow Americans, and have F.U.N. Heroclixin’!

by ·2 Comments
Steel holds it under his hammer and Superman can...just...BARELY...hold it between his arm and cape.

Continuing the photographic record of Super-Strength characters who can hold their own object tokens, today we’re making up for some lost time. Usually, when a new set comes out, I’ll try to post an extra-sized Token Totin’ Tuesday/Thursday/whenever  for as many of the new qualifying characters as possible. But my A) predetermined theme for October and B) not getting to see any of the new set for half the month fouled up that plan.

Better late than never, though, right?

First up is the self-proclaimed head of Metropolis and his Amazon bodyguards, Lex Luthor (Superman 015), Mercy Graves (Superman 014) and Hope Taya (Superman 030):

Both gals hold it under their ponytails. Wedge it between Lex's jaw and collar.

Next are three characters who’ve acted as heroes — sort of — but become villains — sort of: Cyborg Superman (Superman 034), Black Adam (Superman 054) and Magog (Superman 035)

On either end, Cyborg Supes and KC Magog hold it really easily in their arms. In the center, it's Black Adam's lightning that does the lifting.

Not to be outdone, the ladies can tote huge weights like they’re just handbags. Behold Lois Lane: Superwoman (Superman 009), Lucy Lane: Superwoman (Superman 026) and Supergirl (Superman 010):

Lois holds under her cape as shown, Lucy under HER cape, and Supergirl either under her cape (sort of) or between her hair and cape.

And, of course, the actual Men of Steel can hold their tokens, right? Steel (Superman 018) and Superman (Superman 001):

Steel holds it under his hammer and Superman can...just...BARELY...hold it between his arm and cape.

by ·0 Comments

There are way too many freaks and monsters in HeroClix to document them all, even in two big editions. And besides, it’s now All-Saints’ Day, the Christianized response to the oh-so-pagan Halloween. (Or something.) So it’s time to switch themes and continue the photographic record of Super-Strength characters who can hold their own object tokens!

First up is a hot black woman with bleached-blonde hair who got ahold of some expired Green Goblin Formula, Menace (Web of Spider-Man #033):

I mean, it MUST be expired if she turns into a YELLOW goblin instead, right?

Next: Scorpion (Web of Spider-Man 037).

You can only kinda lean in on him. Yes, it's lame, I know. (HE'S lame.)

Another Spider-foe in green:  Will O’the Wisp (Web of Spider-Man #013)

In his hands! Not bad for a guy who's immaterial a lot of the time.

And since we’re on a Spider-villain roll, here’s a double-dose of Doctor Octopus, old and new:

Back to more recent stuff, like All-Star Bizarro from September’s Superman set:

Bizarro does few things well, including holding tokens. It just leans on his chest like this.

Or another monster we couldn’t quite fit into October, his occasionally super-strong set-mate Parasite (Superman 027):

The dimunitive Veteran Puck from Mutant Mayhem actually has a couple of holds:

Whoa, another double-whammy of a classic Spider-foe — Rhino from Critical Mass and Sinister:

Whew, that’s enough sweet stuff for now. Back in a couple of days for a catch-up on the rest of the Superman set’s super-strong token toters.

 

by ·0 Comments

Finally continuing this Monday feature (replacing “My Custom Mods”) in which I talk a bit on how I selected artwork for feats and battlefield conditions that didn’t come with art, originally. Today, it’s Halloween! So we’re looking at some of the spookier arts I picked.

Blackest Night

This BFC inspired by DC Comics’ big zombie miniseries had an image from issue 2 of the Blackest Night event that was a no-brainer to use.

I have never seen this Print-and-Play-only BFC used.

—

Another, less-obvious CardArt was a feat from Icons:

Darkness Within

An easy pick would’ve been to use a villain, doing villainous things to some flunky. But my concept of the card was more complex; to me, it depicts a hero doing something villainous and thus being overcome, albeit momentarily, by the darkness within.

At the time, the best image I had in my collection was from one of the worst comics in my (or anyone’s) collection: Aquaman #11 of the 2002 series. The titular hero had just come to the penultimate issue of a drawn-out wretch of a year-long arc whose eventual ending was telegraphed back in issue 6. Here, Aquaman’s just punched the lights out of his arch-enemy — who’s just shot Aquaman in the back after pretending to have reformed. Seems like pretty normal, straightforward superhero stuff, right?

WRONG. In this stupid take on the Sea King, hitting bad guys with his magic water hand is Bad. Anger is Bad. And it releases his dark side, which nearly destroys the world.

I’m oversimplifying, and inadvertently making it sound cooler than it was. IT SUCKED. And it basically killed that book and the character so dead that even its soft-reboot couldn’t save it.

But it did give me this one stark image that illustrates “darkness within” emerging quite well. So there’s that, at least. :)

 

by ·0 Comments

I had to self-limit this month’s Top Ten to just Modern Age figs just to help myself make actual decisions. But there were some great retired Monsters who could’ve made the list, otherwise. Here’s the Golden Age version of Heroclixin’s Top Ten Monsters:

#10: Chemo (Giants 007)

Big fat poison machine. Feed him pogs to keep him alive with his Suicide Squad TA.

#9: Hellbaby (Hellboy and the BPRD 007)

Wildcarding tie-up points filler. (And a baby.)

#8: King Shark (Justice League o21)

Blades/Claws/Fangs and Battle Fury. I hum the “Jaws” theme when playing.

#7: Zzzax (Mutations and Monsters 025)

High-speed giant, with keyword-best 10 range. Poison, too!

#6: REV Moloid

The old Critical Mass versions are THE cheapest, most useful filler in the game, not just keyword. Stealth meat shields FTW!

#5: Iron Man (Mutations and Monsters #055)

Sole source of starting Perplex and a rare flier. BRAAAAINS!!!!

#4: Rampaging Hulk (Mutations and Monsters #062)

Best balance of effect and cost of all Hulks to date. SMASH!

#3: Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy (Mutations and Monsters #040)

Can you tell I like giants? I also like duo figures and, sometimes, peanut bases. And, of course, dinosaurs!

#2: Vet Marrina (Armor Wars 036)

55 points cheap with a deep, deep dial full of hidden surprises.

#1: Hellboy (Hellboy and the BPRD #001)

The “world’s greatest paranormal detective” bears a solid dial and, more importantly, a wildcard TA to work well with a lot of other Monsters on both lists. (Which is ironic because he’s often a monster hunter, much like the #1 choice on the Modern list, Frankenstein.)

by ·2 Comments

Concluding the countdown of the Top Ten most F.U.N. Modern Age Monsters in Heroclixin’s estimation. Here’s the top 3!

#3

Morbius (Secret Invasion #029)

At the sort-of cheap cost of 67 points, the Living Vampire delivers a wee bit of Super Strength and Stealthy, Leap/Climb-y mobility along with a weak form of Super Senses. Better still is his Steal Energy SP later in his dial, that either A) can get him back in prime condition with even a single successful attack, or B) will make opponents so nervous about that eventuality that they focus on him instead of bigger monsters on your team. That’s a win-win for the Morbuis player.

Speaking of bigger monsters, here’s one that Heroclixin’ will always consider first for the theme:

#2

Mindless One (Giant-Size X-Men #005)

Folks were kind of down on this 100-point generic when it was revealed. Short six-click dial, no moving attack, slooooow speed, anemic DV numbers seemed to equal overcosted junk to the naysayers.

Then they actually played it, or faced one on the table, and they learned that a Psy-Blasting, Impervious and Indomitable Mystic is fearsome indeed…especially when played in multiples!

In fact, a Mindless One horde is so surprisingly effective that Heroclixin’ has to sort of dock some F.U.N. factor from it. While this piece scores on Utility and the Nifty elements, Impervious Mystics aren’t a very Friendly team!

Therefore, the top Monster in Modern Age for Heroclixin’ is:

#1

Frankenstein (Arkham Asylum #041)

Running Shot, Invulnerability, Blades/Claws/Fangs and Indomitable make this classic monster reborn a solid 98-point fighting piece in a Heroclix game. His starting 9 Attack Value makes him Friendly enough to run in less-competitive environments (and fear not; a single push gets him to double digit AV if you need it). And monsters just don’t come any Niftier than Frankenstein — come on, now! Plasticity, Close Combat Expert and Regeneration give plenty of options late-dial.
Are there more playable Monsters in Modern Age? Sure. But that’s not what this Top Ten is about. It’s about F.U.N.! And Frankenstein here scores the highest in that category.
That does it for another end-of-month countdown…almost. Check for a rare weekend bonus update sharing Heroclixin’s Top Ten Golden Age Monsters!

—

—