Our countdown continues.

No. 5

is the law in Battleworld:

Sheriff Strange [Secret Wars Battleworld 063] 100 and 50 points

Starting Probability Control, Leadership and Perplex (the latter two via trait) are all welcome powers but his anti ID card trait forcing double power actions to call in help is what makes him meta — and his Attack SP to shut off Equipment effect when he blasts with his Penetrating/Psychic Blast. At his 50 point level, he swaps Prob for RCE and the SP for Precision Strike. He’s unarmored with only Energy Shield/Deflection or Super Senses for defense, but there’s a STOP click to save him. At top points, that power allows complete rearrangement of his allies’ formation in range, each 3 squares from their current spot. Indomitable and Mystics TA rounds out what’s a solid package at either level and we rate the fifth-best figure of 2018.

 

No. 4

is something of the polar opposite, one that is really only good at one price point.

Groot [Avengers Infinity G025] 20 points

That’s not to say the 150 or 250 dials are bad. But they are pricey for a piece that will have a little trouble getting into the mix. And so we look only at the Retaliation click for the Top Ten. Normally, his inability to fight non-colossal foes would invalidate this one, but Groot’s ability to immediately add two Walking Wood pogs with Sidestep, Plasticity, Flurry, Shape Change and Toughness more than makes up for that shortcoming. Plus he’s the game’s cheapest Leadership, usually gets a +1 to DV and can generate more Walking Woods with each Retaliation hit. The fact that he gives opponents a weak, slow Outwitter isn’t enough to offset all these boons. And so pre-Guardians Groot is our No. 4 clix of the year.

No. 3

Unseen [Avengers Infinity 043] 65 points

With zero AV and damage, this latest version of Nick Fury has no fight skills.

No one cares.

He’s Power Cosmic with 9 range Prob and Outwit that sees through everything except blocking from Stealth. Need to reposition to gain LOF around blocking? He’s got Phasing/Teleport, and when he uses it, he can no-cost Smoke Cloud to give himself cover. Even if he’s caught in the open, he has with Super duper Senses (4-6) to dodge attacks.

On top of all that, he’s an anti-Colossal Retaliation piece, nerfing the big guys’ AV -2.

That’s a lot of support ensuring that the meta remains a home to Fury — and our Top Ten list at Heroclixin.

 

No. 2

is that cosmic doggo…

Lockjaw [WizKids MP18-005] 75 points

The latest representative of the Don’t Die archetype of meta HeroClix strats, Lockjaw’s Infinity token mechanic means he has to take 6 attacks to die. Meanwhile, he also fits the Pick A Power archetype of meta HeroClix by being able to use any power, then d6 roll to a matching click number. There’s no bad click, either; almost all are solid offensively and defensively (with a +1 stat boost if he lands on a power he picked already).

Supreme versatility paired with supreme survivability makes Lockjaw nearly the best of GOOD BOYS.

 

But in the end, there’s only one who’s the best at what he does.

No. 1

Wolverine [X-Men Xavier’s School 053] 150 and 50 points

It was tempting to put him lower on the list because some of his advantages are only good on teams with other X-Men:

• Trait Perplex for X-Men teammates,
• a free mini retailation if a foe hit and hurt an X-pal,
• a no-cost addition of a Student ID card to the force

Even his trait Leadership is best for an X-Men squad since his only other keyword is the sparsely populated Weapon X. But an extra action is an extra action.

Then you have to look at his defense. Not only does he have Combat Reflexes (when on his side of the map) and either Toughness or Regen all the time, but the latter power is on his STOP clicks.

Yep, plural. Up to THREE of them.

But he’s not one to stay on his side of the map forever. Not with Sidestep to creep ahead before exploding forward with his Charge and Flurry (on the enemy side of the map) with Blades — through hindering terrain, no less.

All that for just FIFTY POINTS (and still a worthy piece at full power). He only gets better with other X-Men on the force, but doesn’t depend on that aspect to be effective. This is a perfection rendition of the X-Men star that absolutely commands respect every time he’s fielded. And that’s why he tops Heroclixin’s picks of the Top Ten figs of 2018.

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We’ve looked at the best. Next time we look at the worst HeroClix had to offer in the 2018. Hold your nose and check it out.