Favorites of 2023

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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JO MULLEIN (Batman Team-Up 054)