2023 is finally back to normal. Like, EXTRA-normal, because:

…it wasn’t just Marvel clix! There were not just two but SEVERAL DC clix across the year.

So it’s again time for my list of my top 10 to 20 HeroClix of the year.

But with actual map time still somewhat at a premium in 2022 even, there’s always one fig that could’ve made the previous year’s favorite list but didn’t stand out immediately until it got play this past year — potential “late bloomer” faves.

So I introduce this year’s list with an addition, again asking

• “Is this figure Fair, Useful and Nerdcore?”

and

• “When I see this figure, do I immediately wish I had a team to fit it on?”

There’s actually two this time:

SHANG CHI (War of the Realms 027) 50 points

I always want to run him. Well-priced with traited Flurry but not overbearing. He’s best up close vs. 2-3 people, which opens him to a lot of counterattacks — a very fair fig.

POGG UR-POGG (X of Swords Storyline 208) 270 or 170 or 70 points

He’s just kinda hilarious (that ability to jack targets of their equipment — plus the sheer POGG UR-POGGness of his flavor text) and dangerous (Giant Reach+Charge+Flurry) all at once. But never terribly scary and a big target.

In alphabetical order, let’s look at 2023’s F.U.N. selections: What’s Fair about them, how they’re still Useful and what I find Nifty or Nerdcore about each.

———

AQUAMAN (Batman Team-Up 043)

100 or 50 points

Aquaman is my favorite DC hero and clix versions have come a long way since the original in the Hypertime set 20 years ago. Not only is he more mobile and invulnerable now, but he also has the ability to spawn kraken tentacles to represent his command of sea life.

Fair-finned friend: Spawning tentacles require a lot (range, water, Leadership rolls) to actually work. You have to build a team of swimmers around him, which limits the amount of abuse he can do.

What’s Useful (under the surface): But of course he’s quite good on a swim team. Him being able to Empower fellow Dolphin symbol allies map-wide is strong. And unlike many earlier versions of the king of the sea, he will never be beached because he brings his own water terrain.

What’s Nerdcore: I need to update my occasional series on Atlantis figures.

OHHHHHHHHHH WHO’S THE KING OF THE SEA

———

BANE (Iconix 002)

75 points

I have a box of Banes. But this is the peak Bane because he plays just like the character in the original Knightfall storyline. He starts on click #7 with Outwit (through other characters!) but at any time he can pump himself with Venom and become a beater. It’s really well-designed.

All’s Fair…: He doesn’t start bonkers and is full of self-harm. There’s a definite risk vs. reward consideration when playing him.

…And Useful for Breaking the Bat…: BUT HE GETS BONKERS DESPITE THE SELF-HARM, with massive stat boosts, Impervious Super Strength and Close Combat Expert.

… Like A Skinny Nerd: I like playing him with his “bane chant makes everything epic” or “Gotham’s Reckoning” music from The Dark Knight Rises..

BECAUSE THE BANE CHANT MAKES EVERYTHING EPIC.

———

BLACK ADAM (Notorious 046)

200 or 100 points

Not the first Adam to make this annual list, and I’m unsure if I like it better than 2019’s Rebirth version. But this one’s punishing Mystics-related “Lightning” trait really encourages enemies to attack him one-on-one — with HONOR, not ganging up on him. Immune to Outwit as well and packs a reverse Mastermind SP to force fire on him.

What’s Fair? This Justice: This may be the least F.U.N. fig on the list. But because he encourages focused fire upon himself, the bold (especially if they reduce penetrating damage) can take him down.

What’s Useful? This JUDGMENT: This is a tentpole who can hold together a team, taking the hits for weaker teammates — which is what I like best.

What’s Nerdcore? THIS JUSTICE: YOU MUST FACE HIM — ALONE.

———

BROTHER VOODOO (Wheels of Vengeance 043b)

45 points

Another entry into the Black Box of Black-themed characters. Like his earlier prime version back nearly 11 years ago, this is a strong, potentially meta-shifting figure, able to deal free no-roll damage or free no-roll healing or get out of KO free once. On top of that, he’s got Mind Control, TK and Smoke Cloud all dial long (SP) and Prob and Support on either dial half.

Fair Price: “The Monkey’s Paw Curls” is a nice balance to a couple of very powerful effects. And those effects are limited per game.

Useful Magic: But FREE DAMAGE? No-roll healing? Prob? And more? Yes please.

Nerdcore Cred: I aim to collect every Black character so here he is.

VOOOODOOOOO

———

CLOAK & DAGGER (Spider-Man Beyond Amazing L039)

65 points

Though technically legacies aren’t NEW figures, they count as releases this year. So here’s this duo/no longer duo fig. Aside from liking the characters, I like the way they get defensive boosts and healing when they’re in the open and offense boosts when attacking targets in hindering. They’re interesting to play!

Light of Hope: Their modest old combat values aren’t terrifying any opponent, even with their stat pumps.

Useful Dark Justice: Wild card, flier, and that weird SP where if they target and hit a solo enemy in hindering, that target gets essentially isolated from their team for a turn are all worth running.

Nifty Nerdcore: C’mon, they’re Cloak and Dagger.

EBONY … AND IIIIVORYYYYYYY

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ELASTI-GIRL (Batman Team-Up 027)

60 points

I knew I’d be excited for the return of the Doom Patrol in clix. But I thought 2016 fave Crazy Jane’s legacy card version would take the cake. Rita here was the real F.U.N. fig here. If I were still ranking this list, she’d be No. 1.

Fair Lady:  Relatively modest stats make her more an annoyance than a terror.

Useful Annoyance Though: Shape Change, Giant Reach 4 and FREE Regen if she took damage last turn make her a tough KO. Also Outsiders TA.

Doomed to be Nerdcore: The only downside for me is that she’s not actually a giant like previous versions have been. But she’s the chief reason for me to try a Doom Patrol team. (Even more so than Chief and, yes, Crazy Jane.)

I just wanna see her be a giant woman. A GIANT WOMAN!!!

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Every Expendable Goon  (Notorious 012, 004, 008, 009, 011, 017, 014, 015)

50 or 15 points

By far my favorite mechanic this year was the Expendable Goon trait.

 EXPENDABLE GOON: When [this goon] is KO’d by an opposing character, after resolutions you may roll a D6.

[1-3]: [some kinda consolation effect]. 

[4-6]: Generate a character with an Expendable Goon trait on its 15 point starting line adjacent to a friendly character.

Already a fan of generics, I glommed on this ability to respawn new goons of any type: Black Manta Goon, G.O.O.N., Gorilla City Warrior, Joker Goon, Polar Bear, Qwardian Thunderer, Riddler Goon, and White Rabbit Goon.

Fair Felons: At 50 points, each goon might feel just a little overcosted while the 15-pointers are just 2 easy-to-KO clicks long.

Useful Idiots: But YO. Each has at least a little utility on either line. Too many ways to briefly discuss here. So I discussed HERE in a separate article.

Nerdcore Knuckleheads: If I had to rank them from least to most favorite? Well, I wouldn’t.

GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE AND NEITHER DO GOONS

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FALCON (Avengers 60th 030)

50 points

Falcon makes a lot these year-end lists of mine (2014, 2019, 2022) so I kinda hesitated to add yet another. But the sculpt is pretty cool and, as noted, I have an affinity for the character.

High-Flying Fairness: Like most Falcons, he’s not an especially hard hitter. And his “Aerial Extraction” only works for his shared keywords.

Useful Deployment: But that trait is really strong! It’s like a better TK for fellow Avengers or Soldiers. He also has IM:Characters for him to stay mobile.

Nerdcore Role: It’s time for another Atlanta Falcons build!

AN ACTUAL WINNING ATLANTA FALCON HERE

———

JO MULLEIN (Batman Team-Up 054)

75 points

Though I’m the world’s least biggest Green Lantern fan, Sojourner Mullein is a cool new member I was super glad to see her debut in clix.

Fair Sector: She’s a fairly hefty 75 points but is missing reducers for the vast majority of her dial. She also has a trait requiring Willpower but lacks it at first — which can occasionally cause her problems. But that means she is not a huge problem for folks to see on-map.

Space Cop Utility: But her Invincible-bearing STOP clicks tho. That SP gives her colossal size and its associated Willpower, which makes her heal on a 6 roll. (And possibly off the STOP. Which is kinda OK.) Before that, she’s about the hands: Charge+Flurry. Also  has a lot of Outwit on the early run of her dial and some Hypersonic in the mid- to late game. She qualifies for the Green Lantern Ring, too.

What Part of “Nerd Fight” Didn’t You Get?: As seen in the miniseries Far Sector. As I said: Super glad to see her clixed.

READY FOR THIS NERD FIGHT

———

THE KINGPIN (Spider-Man Beyond Amazing 037a)

45 points

Every once in a while, WizKids makes a dial that captures a character PERFECTLY. This is real close. Flipping between two dials, one of him as Outwitting mastermind (with the powers, natch) and the other for fisticuffs, Wilson Fisk is ready for anything

A Legit and Fair Businessman: OK, so maybe he shouldn’t have TWO clicks of Invulnerability. But nothing else about him seems overtuned.

Useful To His City: In addition to the dial flipping, he also extends the range of Sinister Syndicate TA from adjacent to 6. But the best thing is he can generate Police Officer (Spider-Man Beyond Amazing 003) instead of normal Leadership.

Nerdcore? HARDCORE:  While not all cops are bad, he’s got them all either in his pocket or neutralized. It’s such a perfect look for Kingpin that he makes the list.

A LEGITIMATE BUSINESSMAN

———

OMAC PRIME (Notorious 019b) 175 or 100 points

OMAC (Notorious 019a) 25 points

OK, so yeah 019a OMAC deservedly made the worst list. Individually, it’s terrible. But with 3 or more gathered together? Or with their boss OMAC Prime in the lead? Wow, is it F.U.N.

Fair Programming: We covered how unintimidating OMAC is. The prime is a lot scarier. But he’s fair because for best results, he’ll be right in the opponent’s face, giving them great opportunity to deal with him.

Useful Protocols: CAN they, though? He gets to use any and all displayed standard powers — that’s any colored box currently showing — of adjacent opponents. With IT:Adjacent, he could Psychic Blast your own psychic blaster. He also KOs adjacent pogs for FREE. And if he or any other Robot pal KOs a target, he generates another OMAC, maybe leading to an endless flood of them.

Nerdcore Code: That’s so reminiscent of DC’s mid-2000s Infinite Crisis and I love it.

UNDER HIS BROTHER EYE

———

THE PHANTASM (Notorious L051)

50 points

I reviewed her along with other legacies here. But she was a lot more F.U.N. than I expected.

Fair…: Although she’s good at hiding (FREE Smoke Cloud and Stealth), she will eventually be able to be fought — and her defenses are a bit weak.

But Deadly Useful: Her offense is dang terrifying, amounting to full move Blades attack. She can attack every turn for free under most circumstances.

’90s Nerdcore: I loved the movie this was based on. So yeah…

… YOUR ANGEL OF DEATH AWAITS

———

RAWHIDE KID (Wheels of Vengeance 045)

50 points

REGULATOR … MOUNT UP! This cowboy is a doggone menace, able to hurt two targets at once by only hitting one.

A Fair Shot: He’s pretty soft with no upfront armor and average defense

Useful With The Steel: But his Super Senses deals his printed damage, representing him outdrawing his opponents and blasting first. Awesome! (But overtuned because it should require the attacker be in range and LOF.) Police and wild card TAs round out the package.

Nifty Style: I have a theme of Old West-themed figs with the Past keyword that he’ll be riding with.

———

SPACE GHOST (WizKids DC23-002)

80 or 60 or 30 points

This con exclusive is loved by most players for his ultra-efficient 30-point line offering massive utility, but I like his higher costs for actual fighting because cost to cost he’s a fave.

Fair Playing Hero: He has to trade that utility for either fighting or defenses, so he never quite feels like he’s overtuned in a game.

Useful Coast to Coast: SO MUCH UTILITY THO. Leadership or Empower or CCE on dial. Perplex on trait —TWICE if he’s untokened — and a friendly target can’t be Probbed by enemies. And his FREE “Power Bands” SP giving him the choice each turn of blasting or blocking or moving friends or foes.

Nerdcore? Come on. IT’S SPACE GHOST. Even if he was bad, he was almost instantly shortlisted.

COAST TO COAST A FAVE.

———

WASP  (Avengers 60th L030)

40 points

Last legacy card of the roster. The original may have been a contender for my Top 10 years ago but I used to be a lot more selective in these lists. Have always liked this piece a lot, but I was surprised how much I enjoyed running it this year.

Fair Wasp: Her stats have not aged well and unlike many of the oldest figs that got legacies, she did not receive any stat boosting or healing or other defensive abilities. So her 10 or lower AV is thoroughly unscary.

Useful Wasp: Incap is barely useful. It always takes something extra to make it worthwhile. 1 to 2 penetrating damage to each hit character is a good extra.

Nifty Wasp: I love the Wasp so it’s great to get her again.

SHE’S ALL THE BUZZ.

———

ZOD (Notorious 032)

90 points

Actor Terence Stamp’s iconic portrayal of the megalomaniacal General Zod has echoed across the decades and this, finally, is a version in clix worth kneeling before.

“What is ‘Fair?’ Just kneel”: With a modest 5 range and no Outwit protection, Zod feels like a pretty fair-powered piece.

“Are you Useful to me?”: That is, until you consider his anti-Stealth eyes and his Superman Enemy TA and, most of all, “Kneel Before Zod,” a truly F.U.N. trait that can force a nearby foe to, well, kneel (by taking a token or a damage).

Kneel, Nerd: I cannot wait to play this when someone exclaims “Oh my god” so I can calmly reply “Zod.”

KNEEL.

———

Annnnd there’s another year of HeroClix in the books! As I have been doing since the pandemic, I’ll be constructing a team of ALL these pieces (yes, even both primes) to battle the previous year’s faves in a kitchen table match sometime in 2024.

2022

150 AV4E031 Blue Marvel
125 MSDP056 Captain America
95 MSDP041A Captain Carter + her shield 5
50 AV4E006 Falcon
200 AV4E045 Hulk
45 XMXS031B Isca the Unbeaten + Mercy (defensive) 5
60 WOTR035 Kurse
40 AV4E030 Mindful One
50 AV4E050 Miss America
35 MSDP029 Miss Minutes
45 XMXS001 Storm + Skybreaker 5
40 MSDP101B The Watcher
70 WOTR042 Valkyrie

Shang-Chi 50
Pogg Ur-Pogg 270

= 1335 points

versus

2023
50 BTU043V Aquaman
75 DICN002 Bane
200 NOT046 Black Adam
15 NOT012V Black Manta Goon
65 SMBAL039A Cloak & Dagger
60 BTU027 Elasti-Girl
50 AV60030 Falcon
15 NOT004V G.O.O.N.
15 NOT008V Gorilla City Warrior
75 BTU054 Jo Mullein + GL Ring 0
15 NOT009V Joker Goon
25 NOT019A OMAC
25 NOT019A OMAC
25 NOT019A OMAC
25 NOT019A OMAC
175 NOT019B OMAC Prime
15 NOT011V Polar Bear
15 NOT017V Qwardian Thunderer + Sinestro Corps Ring 0
50 WOV045 Rawhide Kid
15 NOT014V Riddler Goon
80 WKD23-002 Space Ghost
45 SMBA037A The Kingpin
50 NOTL051 The Phantasm
40 AV60L030 Wasp
15 NOT015V White Rabbit Goon
90 NOT032 Zod
= 1330 points.

By far my favorite mechanic this year was the Expendable Goon trait.

 EXPENDABLE GOON: When [this goon] is KO’d by an opposing character, after resolutions you may roll a D6.

[1-3]: [some kinda consolation effect]. 

[4-6]: Generate a character with an Expendable Goon trait on its 15 point starting line adjacent to a friendly character.

Already a fan of generics, I glommed on this ability to respawn new goons of any type: Black Manta Goon, G.O.O.N., Gorilla City Warrior, Joker Goon, Polar Bear, Qwardian Thunderer, Riddler Goon, and White Rabbit Goon. And most have a consolation effect even if they don’t get the 50/50 respawn.

Here’s a flash F.U.N. review of the pieces, in alphabetical order.

Black Manta Goon (Notorious 012)

At 50 or 15 points, this goon in the employ of sea pirate Black Manta is mega-Useful with Enhancement all dial long. High level has Running Shot and Invulnerability, too, with Willpower elsewhere. Leaves water terrain on KO, which is fine for swimmers like him.

It loses a bit on my F.U.N. scale because when played as a pure force with their natural boss, it’s a team full of wild cards with no team ability to copy. But oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

——

G.O.O.N. (Notorious 004)

Like a melee version of Manta men, 50 or 15 points gives full life of Empower here. Charge+Blades (with Bat Enemy TA) characterizes the top dial while Plasticity+Poison is the low one’s strength. Willpower and Underworld TA is really useful, too.

Unlike all the rest of the goons, there’s no consolation effect if you don’t respawn. But it’s a 3-6 roll instead, so you’re more likely to activate it anyway. This might be my favorite of the goon squad.

——

Gorilla City Warrior (Notorious 008)

These apes are a little unwieldy, starting with Stealth at 50 points (meaning they’re kinda stationary) but missing it at 15, where moving attack is less important. The hindering terrain they leave on KO isn’t super, either. But plenty of Super Strength, Close Combat Expert, and Invulnerability on both lines is welcome.  I’m loving them as extra bodies for a Gorilla Warfare team led by, say, Grodd.

——

Joker Goon (Notorious 009)

Charge+Precision+Exploit is his 50-point power. 15 points grants Flurry+Blades but his 9 AV is weak — he needs Batman Enemy help.

Most other goons, it’s just cute to play them with their respective boss. But this one’s consolation respawn that generates Smoke instead keys directly into The Joker (Notorious 047a) and his “Poison via Smoke” trait.

——

Polar Bear (Notorious 011)

The pets of Mr. Freeze, these Battle Furious animals are Super Strong, Impervious tie-up at 50 points. 15 buys a still-angry Quaking Charging Tough bear. They leave behind blocking pieces that force breakaways — making them excellent employees for Mr. Freeze (Notorious 040), their natural boss. Not my favorite goon but a good goon.

——

Qwardian Thunderer (Notorious 017)

50 points is a Perplexing Running Shooter while the budget version has Sidestep, Willpower and Shape Change. Both start lines boast Pulse Wave. KO consolation is generated objects. Also not my favorite, but I’ve already had great fun running them with their boss, Sinestro (Notorious 025). Note: This is one of the rare goons lacking the Brute keyword.

——

Riddler Goon (Notorious 014)

At 50, the Riddler’s minions are Close Combat Expert thugs. But thanks to Toughness, they might see their smarter Perplex on clicks 2, 3 or 5. 15 points also starts with CCE. Sidestep for movement pairs very well with Underworld. And their consolation KO effect to token up their attacker is pretty OK.

——

White Rabbit Goon (Notorious 015)

The 50-point minion of the Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch in this set) is underwhelming with Charge+Incap, though Shape Change and Toughness makes him survivable at least. 15 points is the sweet spot: He’s a Mind Controlling medic with Willpower. On KO, if he doesn’t respawn he shunts the attacker 2 squares away. One of the better goons, but missing the Brute keyword. HE’S TOO REFINED AND LATE FOR TEA

——

If you came to this page from the 2023 Favorites post, here’s your way back.

Merry Clixmas! I hope none of these pieces of coal end up in your stockings. Because while clix design is really good these days, pieces that aren’t still exist.

In alphabetical order of badness, the 10 worst dials of 2023!

Batman (DC Starter 2024 002a) 50 points

This is a trainer dial, so it lacks the frills and power a Batman piece usually brings to the table. But bearing only two clicks of Stealth, and with a special power allowing him to FREE move after using Smoke Cloud means he’s not much in the fight, just trying to Outwit for his teammates. Outwit’s super-short 4 range these days means he’s got to get too close to the action.

BOTTOM LINE: Not exactly the world’s finest anything.

———

Mas (Batman Team-Up 007) 25 points

He’s designed to pair up with his twin bro Menos, who has both the upfront Precision Strike for offense and the defensive Super Senses he lacks. But that means you have to play both to get even their individual 25 points’ worth, and I don’t know that’s good value for 50 points. Mas needs … well … más.

BOTTOM LINE: Teen Titan GO! … AWAY

———

Mirror Master (Notorious 029) 55 points

Originally, I had Miles Morales (Spider-Man Beyond Amazing 016) here because of all the various Spider-figs in clix, that version feels just mediocre all around. But this Rogue takes the spot for being more points for 1 damage and low range and speed. Sure, he has Precision and he ramps up OK if he can roll Super Senses to spawn dupes to also use Enhancement. But Senses rolls are a good-sized IF just to make him worth running.

BOTTOM LINE: Distorted reflection of what a good piece should be

———

Monica Chang (Avengers 60th 003) 25 points

Though she has a potential niche as a keyword cheater to get Robots onto S.H.I.E.L.D. themed teams, her SP requiring her to hit targets with her puny 3 range to benefit the team makes her awful even for just 25 points.

BOTTOM LINE: Lowest level of clearance at S.H.I.E.L.D., obviously

———

Morgan Le Fay (Avengers 60th 046) 40 points

It’s her low-point dial that’s kinda terrible. Sure, she can be long-lived with Mastermind, and cheap Leadership is OK, but if she doesn’t churn out Zombie pogs most turns, what’s the point of her?

BOTTOM LINE: Suffer not this witch to be on your teams

———

Mysterio (Spider-Man Beyond Amazing 110a) 30 points

They got really good at starter figs by SMBA. Except for this one. Plain Smoke Cloud and Shape Change mean Bubblehead here isn’t doing much of anything early on for even his low 30 points. Late dial Mind Control can’t be counted on.

BOTTOM LINE: Merely an illusion!

———

Nightmare (Wheels of Vengeance 013) 115 or 55 points

For way over 100 points, he’s a steeply priced Incap+Mind Control piece. Overpriced, but if you really like those powers, esp. with Stealth and Cosmic Energy, then sure, do you. But his 55-point line is even worse: He loses the MC and the Stealth (both are on the same SP) and trades down Imperv for Mastermind and Plasticity. Not useless but not great either.

BOTTOM LINE: He’s a bad dream.

———

OMAC (Notorious 019a) 25 points

So let me get this straight: It’s only one click long unless other identical pieces are getting KO’d? And each is 25 points apiece?? So you’re building AT LEAST 50 points of just some tie-up until you start LOSING points??? Oh wow. If I were still ranking this list, OMAC might’ve topped it easily.

BOTTOM LINE: —system error—

———

Simon Garth (Wheels of Vengeance 018) 50 points

Oh man, I want to like this one so much better. He’s a strong puncher (11AV, 4 damage Exploit Weakness) with good Invulnerability. But that trait that allows any adjacent foe to Mind Control him is really problematic to play around. Maybe it would be worth it if the Battle Fury he gets from being MC’d (so that multiple enemies can’t manipulate him this way in a single turn) lasted through his OWN following turn. But no. Nominated by machineman at HCRealms, he’s a(n) (un)worthy addition to my list here.

BOTTOM LINE: Walking dead.

———

Thor (Avengers 60th 057) 100 or 50 points

He wasn’t on my radar because he’s a chase I don’t own, don’t want and have never faced. But he was nominated by Poison1981 on HCRealms, and looking at him I see why. Unlike the rest of the figs with the “MULTIVERSAL MASTERS OF EVIL” trait, he’s not focused enough to know when to bring him in with it. Depending on the click, he’s either a shooter or a puncher but does neither very well. He’s kinda thoroughly dependent on Dark Phoenix to get any real use from him. He’s only special when he dies, and even there you’re sacrificing at least 50 points for a few clicks of healing on a remaining friendly.

BOTTOM LINE: There’s always a booby prize among the chases. Forsake this one.

———

OK, those are flushed. Next post: Heroclixin’s 10 (or so) Faves of 2023!

In principle, legacy cards are a F.U.N. way to bring some old fan-favorites back into Modern/Silver play and rework some old figs that never really worked right before (or don’t anymore due to rule changes).

In practice? Well, let’s see.

By set number:

———

L004 GHOST RIDER
(2099 Collector’s Set, 2006)

L020a JACK O’LANTERN
(Civil War Storyline, 2016)