A long nearly five years ago, Heroclixin’ began a big ol’ series about the Guardians of the Galaxy, once a completeist theme for ye olde webmaster, on the eve of the release of the hit MCU film.
My intent was to do periodic updates as new figs in the keyword were released. But things change and plans go awry. Nevertheless, I’m coming back to do a belated update even though a few pieces have debuted and then rotated to Golden Age before I ever got around to this. (Sorry about that.)
As before, in addition to a general review of the piece, Heroclixin’ will note which version of the GOTG each piece thematically fits best.
- Original 1960s far-future team
- Updated 1990s roster
- 2008 Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning series (DnA)
- Brian Michael Bendis run in the 2010s
- MCU-based team
Here, we’ll start with the new and work back to the oldies, K?
Venom Rocket Raccoon [Earth X 065] 100 points
The latest Guardian in the game, this Plasticity’d, Shape Changing, 6-range-2-arrow symbiote-possessed HSS Outwitter with Improved Targeting:Destroy Blocking — which aids him in racking up Rummage tokens he can use to modify his range or attack or damage — has a LOT going on. He fits with the Bendis team, I guess, though IDK what comic he became a Venom in. Note that he has the Monster keyword, not Animal. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not so thematic but wildly useful.
Moondragon [Avengers Infinity 006] 60 points
The latest TK for the Guardians is Indomitable, so you might be able to follow her transport duties with a Mind Control or Psychic Blast attack. Targeting 100-pointers grants her an AV or damage bonus. And she has CCE and Super Senses. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not bad for a DnA team.
Rocket [Avengers Infinity 009] 60 points
Though he has a nifty trait to basically get the old GOTG ATA (PROTECTED: Outwit) on a Guardians team, his starting with Charge Blades is problematic. Shifting to late dial RCE Willpower is too little, too late. There are much better Rockets. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Use this one only for novelty’s sake.
Star-Lord [Avengers Infinity 021] 75 points
Here in his first suit and powerset, he also has the anti-Outwit trait of fellow pre-Guardian Rocket above but with a proper range dial. A nifty SP grants EE, Incap, Quake and the KNOCKBACK keyphrase. Running Shot swiftly downgrades to Sidestep but middial he gets Perplex. Toughness helps him not get completely spun through his dial, which ends with Willpowered RCE. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not bad.
Venom, Spaceknight [Avengers Infinity 023] 125 points
125 is pricey and he’s hardly an icon of the theme, only appearing the Bendis-era team briefly. But with Indomitable Running Shot PPB with Perplex to boost his numbers and Invulnerability and trait Shape Change for defenses, HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE is that he could do some work for your squad. He’s also a wild card.
Mantis [Avengers Infinity 030] 50 points
Here in her pre-Guardians human form, she’s a decent melee piece with Charge, 11AV, 2 Exploit and 17 Reflexes that can’t be Outwit. But it’s her other trait that HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE considers worthy of fielding: her ability to turn off nearby allies’ Battle Fury or Earthbound. That could aid a number of Guardians through clix history. Though her look is wrong, she’s a fit for the DnA team or the movie take.
Nova [Avengers Infinity 032] 150 points
Immune to Outwit and starting with HSS and Leadership, this DnA-era GOTG ally gets the keyword to properly team up on bigger squads. He’s a heavy hitter with 11 AV 4 damage Precision Strike. Make sure to often move him 6 squares to get ESD via trait, because even one damage drops him to SP Charge (that smashes walls only if a direct path). HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not quite a must-play but has no bad clicks.
Cosmo [Avengers Infinity 039] 70 points
Psychic Russian doggo returns to Modern play and like his Galactic Guardians self, he’s prime TK for the team. He also bears Outwit (and immunity to same) with IT:Hindering. Mind Control (with +1 AV against multitargets) is hampered a little by 6 range, as is his second damage power to shut down POWER actions. Fortunately, he doesn’t need LOF for that SP. His last click is Charge with 12 AV and BCF and Battle Fury. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: His short, unarmored dial is his one weakness, especially for a lot more points than his earlier incarnation.
Rocket Raccoon [Avengers Infinity 100] 75 points
12 AV Running Shot with 8 range IT:Hindering,Characters? Sign him up for your DnA and modern era teams! He’s also a good demolition piece with his SP that gives his team FREE: Close Destroy for a turn, though it’s pretty situational. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: A little bit pricey but still the best pure Rocket in Modern Age.
Groot [Avengers Infinity G025] 400 / 250 / 150 / 20 points
One of the top pieces in the game right now, this proto-Groot actually fits worse than all the rest, thematically, as he pre-dates even the Marvel Age of Heroes ushered in by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, let alone the Guardians. But he’s got the keyword and the traited immunity to Outwit like the rest. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Don’t use his “Puny Mortals” trait on a Guardians team. Dr. Leslie Evans has never been on the team and GOTG Groot does not spawn minions.
Iron Rocket Man [The Mighty Thor 034] 75 points
For only lightly armored 5 clicks of life, this raccoon in an Iron Man armor might not be the best choice. But 11 AV PPB is nothing to scoff at, and he is a source of Prob Control for the team, especially with IT:Characters to shoot and reroll from the back line. Just ignore his Sideline Active trait, though. It’s hard to imagine any 75-point-plus Rocket Raccoon that you’d rather swap for this guy. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: He’s an alternate selection for Bendis-era teams.
Angela [The Mighty Thor 053b] 125 points
Oh, Angela … the figure that made me give up on my Guardians of the Galaxy completism. A member only briefly/randomly during the Bendis era, this Super Rare prime was a bridge too far for me. She sure is a great melee piece, though. 11 Charge, 11AV, 4 damage and Invincible with two SPs: one guarding her from Outwit (and Perplex from high-point foes) and the other giving her extra attacks when she KOs. And this is not to mention her trait allowing her to power up by killing her highest point enemy. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: If you’re running a Bendis team and you have her, might as well fit her on, especially if it’s a bigger game.
Groot [The Mighty Thor G003] 0200 / 150 / 100 / 20 points
At his top two point costs, he offers a lot of 4 damage and good DV clicks. As a colossal with good speed, he’s a decent taxi for your flying standard size Guardians. But beware: His budget Retaliation click has no real offensive or taxi ability, which limits the use you get from the Defend SP he’s got there, even if the semi-free healing is pretty good. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Use with care for a Bendis team.
Rocket [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 001] 65
Until this 2017 release, standard-sized Rockets were kinda rare. So, too, were Rockets with starting Prob Control, making this version a welcome addition to GOTG teams. His SP Mastermind is pretty much just the same as the standard power now. Running Shot+EE rounds out his contribution. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: He’s a decent replacement for the original Hammer of Thor RR from 2009 though more accurately a movie team member.
Groot [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 002] 30 points
Bay-bee Groot! (Groot groot grootgroot grootgroot) Baby Groot. Based on the 2017 movie character (and so best for that theme), Groot is a fantastic supporter with Tiny Size making him easy to cart around for his Enhancement and ability to allow allies within 1 square to traverse elevated terrain without needing stairs/ladders. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: It’s worth bending theme to add the little guy.
Mantis [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 003] 55 points
The first MCU version of this character is also the worst Mantis overall, lacking the martial skills of the most recent and the upfront Prob and Mind Control abilities of the first — and 3 to 5 points more expensive to boot. At least this one has Indom to help her stay active in the field, though CCE is just a push away and Prob appears late dial. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: The only choice for a movie team, she’s not terrible, just outshined.
Star-Lord [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 004] 70 points
That legendary outlaw returns in this fig that fits the movie team best but also works as a stand-in for the modern comics version. Running Shot is standard stuff for Pete, but it doesn’t show until mid-dial here. Instead, you run him for his Leadership and Outwit (don’t ever count on that crit hit though). HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not my first choice for this team.
Drax [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 005] 75 points
One of the most budget-priced versions of the Destroyer, he’s also the first with the keyword to start with Invincible. His 16 DV is sad, though, so you’ll need to bolster it with his trait to +1 his stats for each action token. In fact, all his values are a bit low for that reason. Run (or taxi) him in and use his Indom and trait Colossal Stamina to go to work. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: There are better Drax pieces, but this one is fun, cheap to field and still Modern.
Gamora [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 006] 65 points
Finally an Indomitable Gamora for less than 70 points with respectable numbers — no AV below 10, no DV under 17, and the 2 damage clicks have BCF. Be careful, though: With no SPs or armor or traits, her 5 clicks can be short-lived. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE is that her Perplex might be the main reason to field her.
Rocket and Groot [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 010] 70 points
Stealth Outwit with 11 AV and 18 Willpower is the main draw topdial, and that’s before spawning the Groot Twig pog with Enhancement and Poison. Click 2 swaps in Sidestep and Perplex with some ESD to help with the loss of Stealth. If the Twig (which is Tiny) is KO’d, Rocket and Groot get a +1 stat boost and Precision Strike. If the reverse happens and the Twig isn’t already on the map, the Twig appears with ITS stats boosted +1. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Definitely the most budget mode to run these two characters together.
Star-Lord [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 013] 90 points
Flying and Hypersonic, THIS is the movie Peter Quill of choice, especially being Indomitable and bearing Precision Strike, EE and KNOCKBACK. Leadership is also welcome, and if you attack with him first, the action doesn’t drop your total. Shape Change and Perplex show up later to compensate for a soft Super Senses middle and being Earthbound later. But HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE is that this is a solid dial for 90 points.
Nebula [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 015] 100 points
This GOTG frenemy starts completely soft, so you must be super-careful not to let her get shot before she gets her Charge+Flurry off — especially given her trait to roll 2 BCF dice and pick the best. No Willpower slows her down, too, but her opening Outwits shifts to Prob. Control. Late dial she gets Invulnerability, some RCE and one more click of Outwit. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Only fits movie themes, and a little pricey, but worth running.
Yondu [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 016] 100 points
Another former antagonist in the first movie and related clix set, trencoat Yondu gets membership proper here. Sidestep is all he gets for moving attack and 10 AV to start is nothing to cheer. But his special though:
WHISTLING ARROW ATTACK: Give Yondu a range combat action targeting a single opposing character. Each time he hits and the attack resolves, he may make a range attack targeting a single opposing character that has not yet been targeted this action, counting range and drawing lines of fire as if he occupied the square of the character most recently hit. Each hit character is dealt 2 damage instead of normal damage.
Assuming he keeps hitting, he could hit a whole team with one shot. And his Yaka Arrow trait means his range damage can’t be reduced to 0. That works with his normal 3 target shots as well. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: At 100 points without Willpower, he’s a little unwieldy for play, but on a large force it won’t matter.
Kitty Pryde [Uncanny X-Men 023b] 65 points
A member during the Bendis run, this longtime X-Man was the first Prime figure to join the keyword. Kitty’s Speed SP allowing her to potentially quasi-Incap as many as 7 foes with one attack roll is kinda neat, if not quite an absolute bargain at 65 points. There’s also the X-Men TA for wildcards to use. But she’s hardly an iconic member of the team (one of the chief reasons I’ve not tried hard to get her), so HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE is to leave her alone unless trying to build a complete Bendis-era roster.
Yellowjacket [Age of Ultron 007] 85 points
The oldest Guardian in this update, this piece has trait Shape Change and is a wild card. And Sidestep. 2 damage Perplex. Just 17 DV with Super Senses. None of this is exceptional unless you look at her other trait: the beginning of turn ability to be standard or Tiny Size. That gives her some flexibility, but HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE is to avoid her unless you’re set on playing Rita DeMara here on a 1990s version of the team.
Agent Venom [WizKids M15-009] 120 points
120 points is a lot these days. Here it buys a decent Running Shooter (with an attack SP that deals his full damage to both targets) that shifts to Charge Exploit and Battle Fury on his back dial. He’s also a wildcard who can only copy TAs if at least two teammates can use the TA. Not sure how that works on a GOTG team, where the only copyable TAs are ATAs or Defenders. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Only use him if you are trying hard to build a Bendis team.
Star-Lord [WizKids M16-007] 79 points
One of the last figures with a point cost not ending in a 5 or 0, this version of Peter Quill is an updated Bendis look. The dial is nothing special: Running Shot, Leadership that grants +1 AV on success and a late dial Flight SP that gives Charge (but with only 2 damage RCE, which you’d probably rather use given his ESD). HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Nice sculpt. That’s about it.
Gamora [WizKids M16-008] 60 points
This Bendis-era Gamora starts with Charge Blades Exploit but its only guarded by a thin 17 Super Senses. Her only boon is that she ignores characters for movement. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: The price is right, but this isn’t the deadliest woman in the galaxy.
Drax [WizKids M16-009] 100 points
Starting with Invuln.+Willpower and a range threat with his Blade Throw SP (BCF at range) is pretty OK. But his trait is where it’s really at:
SLICE & DICE: Drax begins the game with 2 Blade tokens on his card. When Drax has 2 of these tokens, he can use Flurry. When Drax has at least 1 of these tokens, he can use Blades/Claws/Fangs. When Drax has none of these tokens, he can use Plasticity and Super Strength. When an opposing character with his Blade token on its card is KO’d, place a Blade token on this card.
HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Not quite our favorite Drax, but the best yet.
Rocket Raccoon & Groot [WizKids MP16-003] 130 points
One of WizKids’ first non-Duo duo figures, this con exclusive makes a Rocket bystander rather than being a full-on pair. Sidestep, Invincible and CCE mean Groot isn’t the fastest bruiser, though the Indomitable helps. Use the Rocket Raccoon pog for the range threat (-range Running Shot, EE, 18 Senses, 3 damage Prob) but beware: if RR is KO’d, you don’t get him back. But Groot gets Battle Fury and +1 stats, so maybe you don’t care if RR takes a dirt nap. Best for a Bendis team. HEROCLIXIN’S TAKE: Something of a bargain (points-wise) to get both Groot and RR on a squad.
That wraps up our long delayed GOTG update. Hope you enjoyed; we’ll try to be better about tracking this F.U.N. keyword more closely.