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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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.

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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—

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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.

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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.

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