#2 is a dynamic duo…(but not a Duo figure…)

Batman (DC 75th Anniversary #031)
Robin (The Brave and The Bold #042)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY THEM EVERY WEEK:

When “Batwing’s” dial was revealed, I immediately fell in love with it. Unlike pretty much every other Batman or Robin or Nightwing before him, this Batman wasn’t a “sit in the bushes and Outwit/snipe/’plex” pussycat, but a man of action; a down-and-dirty face-kicker. The “Paracape” SP makes him able to launch an attack from the cover he still needs.

Even better is his “Smoke Cloud Maneuver” SP, which not only gives him a bit of extra speed for his eventual Charge (or a way to stealthily approach, bit-by-bit), but it gives any “Robin” fig the same benefit. And that’s great for the B+B Robin, who’s another mold-breaking version of the character I’ve only grown to love even more with the introduction of the new Batman.

I’m not even a fan of the Batman and Robin book and not a huge fan of Dick Grayson. But I luv these two pieces and try to fit them on a team every week.

I DON’T PLAY THEM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:

I kinda refuse to play Batman without some sort of Robin, now. It’s a little hard to be themey with them without going fully Gotham…and I don’t care to do that.

I’M PLAYING THEM AGAIN:

I have a “Batman, Inc.” theme team all set.

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And my #1 FAVORITE HeroClix figure of 2010 is…

Aquaman (Brightest Day #006)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK:

This comes as zero surprise to anyone who knows me or recent readers of this blog. He’s my favorite comic character finally done real justice, who makes my favorite theme, Atlantis, super-effective. Not a week goes by that I don’t build an Atlantis team or a team that doesn’t feature this Aquaman or his sculpt-twin in DC 75th Anniversary (or both).

I DON’T PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:

My fellow players hate him. They FEAR him.

(This makes me happy. Aquaman’s been disrespected so long that their reaction is quite cathartic.)

I still bring him to the table…and then usually say “Just kidding” and play something else. I also want to, y’know, run different figures.

I’M PLAYING HIM AGAIN:

…to try out the new Atlantis ATA.

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That’s it for my Top Ten FAVORITE ‘Clix of 2010. I warned you; there wasn’t much overlap at all.

Come back tomorrow for the Top (?) Ten WORST HeroClix of 2010!

#4 is that fishbowl-headed master of illusion:

Mysterio (Web of Spider-Man #056)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK:

Because the sculpt:

…reminds me so much of this cover:

…the second comic book I ever bought. I LOVE getting into character, taunting opponents about attacking “mere illusions” when I force misses with PC or make Super Senses rolls. I also try to make sure to play his wonderfully campy-yet-creepy theme music* from the Spider-Man 2 PS2 game during his actions.

It doesn’t hurt that his trait is really useful.

I DON’T PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:
He only has the Sinister Syndicate keyword and he’s a weakling with poor offense. I also like to run him with the earlier versions from the Ultimates set.

I’M PLAYING HIM AGAIN:
On the next Sinister Syndicate team, of course. I think I’ll also try him on a wild card abuse team to get the best use of his Syndicate TA.

* link may not work.

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#3 is…

Rocket Racer (Web of Spider-Man #044)

(Wait. He’s not #1?)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK:
He’s black, y’all. 😉

Seriously, as a young black teenager coming up, I was always glad to see characters who looked like me, even if they were silly morts like this one. Ever since the 1985 story the above art appeared in, the Racer’s been a favorite, and I was glad to see him in Web of Spider-Man.
(Now bring on Slyde!)
I DON’T PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:
He’s not very powerful and takes a lot of finesse and wild card abuse to make him worth running. He’s too many points to make workable in low-point games. And I hate to run him only to fail, so I don’t run him unless I’m sure I can make him work.
I’M PLAYING HIM AGAIN:
Probably on the same wild-card abuse team as Mysterio.

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Be back tomorrow for my top two (or more… ) picks for favorite ‘Clix of 2010!

#8

Animal Man (DC 75th Anniversary #036)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK:

His excellent trait makes Animal-themed teams a bit more potent…and I like Animal teams. He’s been quite a surprise in how fun he is to run!

I DON’T PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:

I’m not so great a fan of Animal Man as I am of the Animal keyword, and I’m not that huge a fan of the keyword, either. He’s also not so cool on the other theme he fits well, the Justice League International, because there are no other Animal-keyworded figs to draw from, leaving him dependent on what the opponent brings to the table.

I’M PLAYING HIM AGAIN:

Aside from more Animal teams, I still want to try a JLI team. To that end…

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#7

Martian Manhunter (The Brave and The Bold #036)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK:

I went over his effectiveness back in March. When I’m ready to run the JLI, this is the piece I want to run.

I DON’T PLAY HIM EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:

He’s only got the one keyword. And truth be told, I hardly think about him or the team he belongs to. Even then, he’s often too many points to make the team work within the points, and if I can’t fit him on, I usually give up trying to build it.

I’M PLAYING HIM AGAIN:

Of course, I run him on JLI. But even more, I desire to run a “My Favorite Martian” theme starring him with his Brightest Day and Origin LE versions alongside a White Martian and Miss Martian on a 700-pointer. There’s room for 38 in feats. Could work.

Monday: Two more pieces essential to their trademark keyword themes. Till then, happy clixing!

Although I like writing about the usual Top 10, the truth is that I’ll hardly ever play any of ’em on a given weekend. I’ll generally play them on their respective themes or not at all.

Therefore, my own Top Ten list is very different from the “official” Heroclixin’ one. Instead of listing, as I did with that list, all the reasons each fig was a playable, winning piece, I’ll be stating:

• Why it’s a favorite that I want to play
• Why I don’t play it all the time
• When and how I’m planning to play it next

I’m starting with one that was actually released in ’09, as an honorable mention; it not only saw a lot of play last year but continually tops the list of figures I want to use:

Molly Hayes (Hammer of Thor #041)

WHY I WANT TO PLAY HER EVERY WEEK:
C’mon, there’s nothing funnier than this little girl landing KO blows on massive tentpoles:

• HoT Ultron…four times her cost.
• HoT Thor…over FIVE times her cost.
• SI Iron Man…nearly four-and-a-half times her cost.
• AV Wonder Man…close to triple her cost.
• SI Sentry…over four-and-a-half times her cost.
• (alas, I was one push — that I didn’t take — from KOing AV Ares, who’s nearly SIX-AND-A-HALF times her cost.)
• …and LE Diana Prince, who’s…um…exactly her cost. LOL.

I DONT PLAY HER EVERY WEEK BECAUSE:
Her mobility is cruddy and her keywords are lacking in theme-readiness. I never want her in a game where I’m not reasonably sure she can get KOs in.

I’M PLAYING HER AGAIN:
Of course, the next time I run the Runaways. Sooner than that, though, there’s also a coming tournament for the below-50-points set that she’s a lock for.

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So much for this Honorable Mention. Come back tomorrow, when I reveal Heroclixin’s #10 and #9 Favorite Clix of 2010!

There were just too many for one post. (I don’t want to bore readers with another Atlantis-sized leviathan!) So here are the rest of 2010’s Honorable Mentions.

(In alphabetical order:)

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Hawkgirl (Brightest Day #004)
She might be a little weak defensively, but really, it’s just a testament to the strength of the Top Ten that she didn’t make it. (Seriously, feel free to drop your least favorite from Heroclixin’s list and replace it with these 71 points. I won’t be mad.)

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Iron Man/War Machine (Web of Spider-Man #059)
Three targets, duo attack and their 4-attack “All-Out Assault” still aren’t quite enough to deal with their action disadvantage and vulnerability to Outwit. It only takes one tie-up piece to paint a 300-point target on them.

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Jason Blood (The Brave and The Bold #010)
This 40-pointer is the new cheap PC after SR Scarlet Witch goes this summer, with better survivability than her thanks to Mystics and AE. Too slow, though.

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Martian Manhunter  (The Brave and The Bold #036)

His numbers needed to be a little better at 202 points to make the top ten. But his perma-Shape Change along with his HSS and big damage nearly gets him among the elite anyhow.

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Mongul (DC 75th Anniversary #044)
Part widow-making tentpole and part backfield support piece, the 176-point Mongul is slightly schizo. His Leadership SP is equal parts risk and reward; sure, he might take free damage, but getting to clear tokens and make repeated attacks can net him much more damage to the other team. Plus there’s that anti-Phasing trait. No moving attack ability costs him his spot among the top.

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Morlun (Web of Spider-Man #052)
An Indomitable, Impervious, Steal Energy-ing death machine, he’s actually one of the sleeper hits of Web of Spider-Man. He doesn’t make my top 10 because as good as his tracking SP can be, it’s difficult to actually use, and he lacks any other moving attack ability. That’s not so hot for a whopping 180 points.

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Night Nurse (Web of Spider-Man #102)
The “Pit Crew” figures are back, and the 27-point LE version of the 10-point Nurse is the queen of ’em. If she had even one keyword, she might’ve clawed her way onto the list thanks to her ability to boost her patients’ DV.

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Puma (Web of Spider-Man #012)
His low speed kept him off the list. But his great AV, damage potential, defensive ability and mid-dial Outwit for such a low price (56) make him a solid piece nonetheless.

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Red She-Hulk (Web of Spider-Man #053)
Low initial attack for the 139-point investment makes her less attractive than others and costs her an otherwise well-deserved spot on the Top Ten.

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Spider-Man (Web of Spider-Man #007)
Economically priced (78) with great stats and his awesome Super-duper Senses trait, this is the best Spidey we’ve gotten so far. Lack of moving attack or range both conspire to hold him off the list.

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Superman  (DC 75th Anniversary #W-06)
The healing Impervious is just wrong. Fell off the list — barely — due to his low AV for his heavyweight point class (288).

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Talia (The Brave and The Bold #019)

Stealthed Stealthbusting Outwit probably ought to make the list. But a short dial for 86 points (despite Mastermind) and not being friendly to wild cards disqualifies her in this competitive year.

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Vector (Web of Spider-Man #032)
Already a good 68-point support piece (TK and, later, Perplex), Vector was a potential Top Ten piece thanks to his no-roll ability to move and damage enemy pieces. This year, though, even extra keywords wouldn’t have helped.

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Warlord (DC 75th Anniversary #021)
The most serious runner-up of all these honorable mentions for his dirt-cheap 50-point cost against staggering damage potential and tie-up utility.

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War Machine (Hammer of Thor #200)
Good numbers and powers but a little bit lacking in versatility for his 137 points to make the list.

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Some may protest that certain figures should’ve made the lists thanks to the new Alternate Team Abilities (Atlantis, Shadowpact and especially All-Star Squadron and Secret Six). However, those ATAs weren’t released in 2010, so I’m not taking them into account. Maybe in a future article.

Anyway, that’s it, then…the top 30 or so HeroClix of last year, in terms of playability.

But that doesn’t make them the BEST. Watch this space for the next few days to see my favorite ‘clix of 2010.

Every year I’ve done these top ten lists, there are nearly a dozen pieces that almost made the list. In fact, some wound up being practically interchangeable with my choices on the bottom half of the list.

But not this year.

No, 2010 was so competitive that there were over TWO dozen almost-rans.

So without further preamble (and in alphabetical order):

Ares (DC 75th Anniversary #058)
He fell off my radar for not having any range to speak of for his high, high price (272). But man…considering his similarly short-ranged “Everyone Must Fight” SP, maybe that actually works to his devastating advantage!

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Barry Allen (DC 75th Anniversary #054)
Although he’s an exceptional running speedster, it really only took having a natural AV greater than 10 and damage greater than 2 respectively to be that…especially at his not-quite-svelte 119 cost. Not quite enough to warrant Top Ten status.

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Batman and Catwoman (The Brave and The Bold #100)
I actually forgot about this potent duo. They probably should be on the Top Ten for their Bat TA and Outwit and awesome “Double Pounce” SP and Willpower. Their only drawbacks are a total lack of damage reduction (problematic for their 142 cost) and their size causing them extra difficulty in hiding.

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Batman and Green Arrow (The Brave and The Bold #046)
Over 200 points for zero damage reduction (and for offering what Bullseye does a fair bit better at far cheaper cost) was enough to conspire to keep this dangerous pair off the list.

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Beast Boy (DC 75th Anniversary #014, 015, 016, 055)
Unprecedented flexibility for a cheap 60 points nearly earns the Teen Titan a spot among the titans of the Top Ten.

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Big Figure (Watchmen #019)
Never before has a character allowed you to attack during your opponent’s turn, as his “This Place Is Gonna Explode” SP does. (In fact, it required an errata to keep people from pushing pogs to death to allow multiple free attacks during your own turn!) Add in the choice of Outwit or Perplex and Mastermind to keep himself alive and you have a 49-pt. piece whose lack of keywords was the only thing keeping him from a top spot.

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Deadpool (Web of Spider-Man #057)
An excellent (if 158-points pricey) dial is done in by the trait, which is too ridiculous to depend on. If traits were optional, this wildcard would’ve made the list.

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Deadshot (DC 75th Anniversary #005)
Absolutely destroying first clicks are done in by low DV and need for a taxi. At 89 points, there’s no room for him in a list with Bullseye.

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Detective Chimp (DC 75th Anniversary #024)
Darn near made it for his high yet Stealthy mobility, high DV+SSenses, Outwit and Mystical Perplex. A little bit too expensive at 62 points for the pure support/tie-up he is.

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Diana Prince (The Brave and The Bold, #103)
If she’d had better speed to make her dangerous tie-up ability more usable, or Stealth to make her safer using her Perplex, there’s no way she wouldn’t have made the Top Ten at 43 points.

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Doppelganger (Web of Spider-Man #062)
Just misses consideration because of the “silver bullet” nature of one of his powers. Highly mobile, highly destructive, highly unhittable 93 points.

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Green Goblin (Web of Spider-Man #058)
His 122-point dial is just decent. It’s his ability to use the Thunderbolts ATA and its game-changing flexibilities that makes him an honorable mention.

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Hal Jordan (DC 75th Anniversary #053)
If his “Aviator” trait granting Flight to pals worked with his Running Shot, he’d be a lock for the list despite his high 169 price and soft middle clicks.

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Wow. There’s just too many; I’m going to have to split this one into two parts (the way I should have split my Atlantis article into, um, five parts. For real. <:) ) and continue tomorrow. Come back then!

And now…

…at long last…

…the #1 HeroClix piece of 2010 is…

…

(drum roll…)

…

…

…

ROCKET RACER (Web of Spider-Man #044)

“What?!?” I can hear you saying (if you’re not spitting your cereal or losing your lunch all over your keyboards. I claim no responsibility for that. You shouldn’t be eating at the computer anyway), “Are you KIDDING me?!? Rocket-freaking-RACER?????!?

Yes. Rocket Racer. Here’s why:

• Hypersonic Speed is awesome.
• Ignoring all terrain except walls and indoor blocking is awesome. Ask Hammer of Thor Cap!
• (Except RR only ignores for movement. Still awesome.)
• He’s a wild card, which is awesome.
• He has Psychic Blast. Awesome.

OK, sure he tops out at 9 AV and only has 5 clicks of life for his 60 points and only has Combat Reflexes for defense even though he will try to not be adjacent to an enemy very often thanks to HSS and his keywords absolutely stink like the garbage can in the picture. And oh yeah…2 damage. For most of his dial.

But…c’mon! He’s on a rocket-powered skateboard!!!! That’s just awesome enough to be the best!!!!!

…

…OK, yeah. I am kidding you. Made a joke over at HCRealms and couldn’t resist taking it a little further.

The REAL number one most playable figure of 2010 is…

Cosmic Spider-Man (Web of Spider-Man #064)

This is the single most broken non-colossal figure in the game. Why?

• His line of fire is never blocked;
• By ANYTHING!!!
• He’s got 10 range…through walls.
• He’s got 14 Speed Hypersonic Speed that shoots past your meat shields and then hides back behind the wall he zipped out from behind.
• He’s also one of those five characters with double-digit AV all dial long. (The others: Venus, Bullseye, Thor & Loki, and Galactus.)
• He’s got Power Cosmic. You can’t counter his powers…or his ability to shoot past anything.
• He’s a wildcard. Meaning he can pal up with a Batman Ally to keep foes from easily targeting him.
• Impervious. Invulnerable.
• Even after he loses HSS, you can’t base him easily or for long because of his two SPs. The first SP grants Incap then a free shot at a Telekinesis attack; the second SP grants Force Blast then a free shot with Ranged Combat Expert right after for as much as 7 damage;
• Telekinesis makes him as solid a support piece as an attacker. And remember, his line of fire is never blocked, so he’s actually a better TKer than any other character in the game.

His one weakness, a very short dial for his highest-costed-standard-character-in-HeroClix 319 points, is more than mitigated by his superb defenses and ability to utterly avoid taking attacks in the first place.

(Really, a properly played CSM can really suck the fun out of a game — he either steamrolls the opposition, or the CSM player makes such terrible die rolls that he can’t hit the floor aiming down. Either way, someone’s not having fun.)

Still, I’ve seen CSM defeated; heck, I’ve done it myself (more from being saved by the bell than anything). That’s why we play the game. Superior tactics and decent die rolls can take down overpowered pieces with below-average rolls anytime!

Next week: Heroclixin’s Honorable Mentions of 2010 and then, my personal favorites of the year!

2 is the second Dark Avenger on the Top Ten:

Bullseye (Web of Spider-Man, #042)

• 10 range Running Shot means he can cover a LOT of territory;
• One would expect that basing him helps. It dosen’t, because he’s a Sharpshooter and thus able to shoot at adjacent foes and because his Combat Reflexes then make him more difficult to hit back;
• The Thunderbolts keyword makes him one of the few characters who can use the revised alternate team ability, allowing him to pick any one wildcardable Marvel team ability per game for 8 points. Thus, he can pick Ultimates and shoot Stealthed characters or go defensive with Mystics and make himself a less inviting target;
• His AV starts at 12 and never slips to single digits. Only 5 other figures in the whole game can claim that;
• He can deal penetrating damage for most of his dial;
• In fact, there’s no point in his dial when he can’t deal 3 or more damage;
• Late-dial Stealth after he takes a solid hit defends against range while Willpower and Blades/Claws/Fangs deals with attackers up close;
• His trait ignores Shape Change and Super Senses. (Which just ridiculous, as those sorts of characters are the only ones who can reliably dodge Bullseye.)

He’s got zero damage reduction…that’s his only real weakness. It’s not much of one.

And the number most playable figure of 2010 is…!