The very best of the relics are these:

2
M’Krann Crystal Sliver [Wolverine and the X-Men]
Another 8-pointer, this is almost the best relic to play thanks to its 50% shot at pickup and the get-out-of-KO-free card it represents and that it’s largely one-size-fits-all. It misses the top slot only because it kicks in when you’re losing a figure, a position which you’d rather not be in.

#1
Impact Beam
A 50% chance with 8-point cost to get double-distance Force Blast with double penetrating knock back damage is a big upgrade for anyone. For Heroclixin’s money, this is the best relic in the game.

Barely.

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The worst relic costs a bank-busting 15 points. It requires a 6 roll from all but a select few characters. And while it does grant a trio of good powers —Leadership, Stealth, Prob Control — there’s a 15% chance EVERY ONE OF YOUR TURNS that this relic will be lost and its wielder dealt 1 unavoidable damage to add injury to insult. And then the wielder can never recover it.

But why would one WANT to? The One Ring [Lord of the Rings] is the nadir of the list. Leave this one at the bottom of a river somewhere.

#4
Uru Forge [Fear Itself Mighty Scenario Pack]
It’s one of the pricier relics on the list, but look at what 10 points buys:

• A choice of a permanent +3 to speed or range, or
• A permanent +1 increase to either AV, DV or damage, or
• swap in a completely different relic into the existing game.

All for an easy-as-pie 3-6 roll. It could’ve been number one if it gave you the new relic outright instead of forcing ANOTHER pickup try.

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#3
Wonder Girl’s Lasso
At the very reasonable cost of just 5 points, this relic granting Steal Energy even from range is well worth fielding for any team. Only the somewhat slim 33% chance of grabbing it keeps it from being a top pick.

#6
Palantir [The Two Towers]
The most expensive relic on the top 10 list by far at 15 points, it’s here because it grants use of a pricey power — Mind Control — from behind walls, with an efficient 3-6 roll. For those teams you need to fill points on without just adding dead weight, this relic is the way to go. Better for long range than short, of course.

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#5
Mjolnir [Hammer of Thor]
The first relic is still one of the very best, even though it requires a daunting 6 roll for just a 15% shot at being worthy of the hammer of Thor. Granting a hefty +2 AV and damage along with Quake, Flight and Energy Explosion, gaining this relic can be a game-winner. It costs 0 points, too, so there’s no reason not to add this relic to a Golden Age force.

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In the middle of the five-worst list at #3 is the Globe of Ultimate Knowledge [Incredible Hulk]. Like Mjolnir on the good list, it requires a difficult roll of 6 to obtain. Unlike the above hammer, it’s going to cost your force 10 points, pass or fail. And the benefit of gaining it? Outwit. That’s all. It’s just not worth it. Ever.

#8
Disintegration Beam [Invincible Iron Man]
For 8 points and a 50% roll, you get one of the game’s few anti-relic/resource elements. But lest it be completely worthless in those matches not facing those dreaded “R” factors, it’s also a method for cutting through enemies’ armor if they’re not over 150 in cost. It’d be higher on the list if it didn’t depend so much on hot dice and strong attack ability to be useful after pickup.

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#7
Scorpio Key [Captain America] and Flame Blast [Invincible Iron Man] [tie]
Only 4 points buys the Scorpio Key, an outside source of Penetrating/Psychic Blast AND + 2 range. Needing only a 33% 5-6 roll, it’s a great points filler. For double the cost but with an easier 50% roll, the Flame Blast also grants PPB with a minimum 4 range — so it’s better for those 0 range pieces — and Energy Explosion when only targeting one foe. They balance out to a tie.

#10
Nul’s Hammer and Angrir’s Hammer [tie]
These are the two hammer relics actually worth running AS relics somtimes. For 8 points, each grants a bunch of abilities to improve a piece’s effectiveness:

• Angrir’s: Charge, Steal Energy, Regen AND + 2 AV.
• Nul’s: The same +2 with Willpower and Running Shot at 4 range minimum.

When a simple 5-6 roll gets all of that, it’s no wonder they make the list, especially over their equal-priced but less loaded fellow hammers. But they’re at the bottom because both are overshadowed by the fact that the Book of the Skull makes them each automatic for just one point more.

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#9
Fragment – Cyclops
One of the most recent additions to the relics roster, this 5-6 roll relic grants Poison, Ranged Combat Expert and Flight for 10 points. It flame-claws a place on the list for being useful for 0 range pieces and shooters alike, making it easier for the former to maneuver in close with Flight, giving the latter better accuracy and firepower with RCE and helping both with the offensive and deterrent factor of Poison.

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The fifth worst relic has got to be the Rebreather [No Man’s Land]. Despite a fair 50% roll and a semi-modest cost of 6 points, what good is Willpower in water, really — especially since relics can’t be placed in water terrain to immediately get the bonus? Immunity to Poison isn’t great shakes, either, when simple Toughness does the job about as well.  Completely sunk by its way cheaper yet overpowered twin on the Utility Belt (wait, a mini-Aqualung can give me super speed if I start by swimming?), this relic chokes every time.