No. 5

Silver Centurion [Invincible Iron Man 001b]

So there’s this trait called “Pulse Bolt Torpedo” that’s essentially the opposite of the pre-Watch List Spiral/teambase alpha strike rushdown. Where those teams could attack during round 1 or 2 and there was nothing the enemy could do about it, with this new ability Silver C. can get a nice big attack in the mid-game and there’s precious little the enemy can do about it.

• The Torpedo can’t be detonated early.
• It can’t be avoided forever, as it moves as a free action.
• It ignores characters for movement.
• Its stats can be modified by modifying Silver Centurion’s.

So the Torpedo is there to stay, dictating the pace of the game and ruining enemy positioning strats until S.C.’s gone. That’s when one runs into the other reason S.C. is the No. 5 HeroClix of 2013. For just over half your team build, he’s a good cracking piece with strong stats, strong armor and a trait of immunity to the “EZ-P” powers: Penetrating/Psychic Blast, Poison and Pulse Wave. With his Impervious, top-dial Shape Change (and Stealth just a single push away), dealing with S.C. before his Torpedo deals with you is no simple task.
Honorable Mention

Kid Flash [Teen Titans 039] is soft and lacks the long-term stats to be considered a Top Ten figure. But he remains the one surefire character able to get the alpha strike every time due to his SP allowing him to get placed, attack, and then get re-placed within LOF of the target he just tried to sock.

Gambit [WATX 031] didn’t make the Top Ten proper because he lacks the moving attack and/or Willpower a piece at his 118 cost ought to have to start. Add to that his conditional Stealth ability, and he deservedly slides off the list. But the sheer damage output he can deal with a light object can’t be overlooked or understated. In the hands of a skilled player who can get around his built-in weaknesses, Gumbo can steal a lot of points.

 

 

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Next: A Watch Lister who stayed a top piece any dang way.