At long last, the delayed-by-Corona World set Justice League Unlimited is out! Here’s a (hopefully) complete checklist for both the figures — main set and starter set — and the 120-ish Team Up Cards.
Above is a low res preview. You get two copies of the pocket checklist and one list for the Team Up Cards.
Download the PDF from this link:
Every year, a batch of clix heads off into Golden Age. And every year, Heroclixin’ feels some type of way.
5-Figure Booster Sets (including Organized Play game elements and incentives associated with each set)
Fast Forces Packs
No one in Heroclixin’ bought any of this set. Rurouni KJS has thought about picking up some of them individually, but talked himself out of it every time.
In the height of X-Men ID card meta, I guess Rusty was usable? Or am I confusing him with the regular set version?
The Cyclops was a bargain basement option for the ID card(s), but that’s over. It’s canceled.
The Hawkeye was kinda OK and of course I love Black Panther. Otherwise there was not one damn thing apart from Giant-Girl that anyone cared for in this.
I may have bought the Donatello as a single from this set. Maybe. I’m sure I played it once if I did. I think?
Starter Sets
Ah, the starter set, where many a new Heroclix player gets a shot at learning the game … or would if we vets didn’t buy up every one in search of new maps, a new rulebook and the possible meta piece in each one.
Scant weeks before a fully revamped rulebook was set to release in late summer 2017, WizKids put out this, the second of TWO last-gasp starters with the old ruleset.
Kinda fitting that we never used one damn single piece from it.
(Well, OK, maybe Rurouni KJS used the Cyborg from it once maybe)
Now THIS was the real thing: the new rules and all. And it included Hulk, a figure that would always be meta-adjacent at minimum.
Heroclixin’ only got one fig from this set, but webmaster pal Chadd loved the HELL out these pieces and put them to great use more than once.
Micro Sets
A rare excursion by WizKids into non-license territory, this set was a lot of F.U.N. and almost entirely void of meta potential, so no great loss for it going Golden.
I liked getting black Valkyrie and Heimdall in this, but neither got much play in Modern.
A few of the Foot generics saw the meta field. It’ll be good to be able to officially play the chase Donatello in Golden Age even without the character card (that was missing from boosters more often than not due to WizKids’ famous Quality (out of) Control)
Convention Exclusive and Limited Edition Game Elements
Usually, con exclusives get a longer lease on Modern life and these releases from 2017 were no exception.
2017 Convention Exclusives and Limited Edition Game Elements:
2018 Convention Exclusives and Limited Edition Game Elements:
But WHOA. Here’s the exception: This stuff released months after even the most recent sets in this round of retirement:
WizKids just decided that ID Card meta will no longer be a thing in HeroClix anymore. And we of Heroclixin’ are ALL FOR IT. Much like feat cards and resources did before, IDs reduced high-level play too much to fighting elements off the board with no counter apart from one or two silver bullets among hundreds of pieces available in Modern Age.
Good riddance!
Finally, there’s these departures:
Monthly Organized Play Sets
As hinted by the opening image, yours truly (Rurouni KJS) will miss … um … Miss America.
COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives in America. Heroclixin’ is no exception. Ye olde webmaster Rurouni KJS is preoccupied with finding new employment, so I haven’t been thinking much about keeping this blog fresh. And it’s not like we’re able to get much in the way of tabletop F.U.N. with social distancing being a thing.
But I can’t abandon Heroclixin’ entirely, or even at all. So it’s time for me to spend a little of this extra time digging out some posts that have been languishing in draft status for A WHILE.
The first is an installment in a little series I INTENDED to publish in recognition of Heroclixin’s 10th anniversary last year: How yours truly and fellow board members Sceritz and Taylor even got started playing this great game.
So this is a mea culpa to Taylor, aka The Baker Tay, aka TBT, who answered the call early and I just sat on his writeup for a whole dang year.
———
Heroclix started in my life as a goal.
My first piece was Hypertime Aquaman #52. I grabbed him off a “free” table at my first anime/games/etc convention at Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland.
It was the coolest thing ever.
Jump ahead a few years, and I found the Watchmen Fast Forces at a local music and games shop. I loved that store, I was still interested about the game, and one day I knew I’d play it with someone. I picked it up. I still had no clue how to play.
It was the coolest thing ever.
I’m a mostly full-grown adult, moved a (literal) thousand miles away, and I took a vacation back to a convention with a bunch of friends that I missed dearly. In that con was my first game of Heroclix. In a sealed event of War of Light, It was me against another new player. The judge was probably the epitome of an enthusiast, and he got to me. I loved the game. I played the Lost Lanterns Arisia and Graf Toren with an Orange Lantern Construct, and I can’t remember what my opponent played. I didn’t care. It brought comic books to life. It was intoxicating, even with the loss I took that day. The judge gave me a Kyle Rayner LE (yes, THAT Kyle Rayner) as a thank-you for playing, and the Green Lantern Battery. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all vacation.
It was the coolest thing ever.
I go back home to the great “A”, with a determination to play this game more than once in ten years. Thanks to the internet, I find a local game store, play more consistently, meet Rurouni KJS and Sceritz… and it snowballed from there. I still love that stupid, very-strong Kyle Rayner. I also hope I find that guy who taught me how to play. I owe him a game or two.
Coolest. Thing. Ever.
———
And that was the coolest intro to HeroClix ever!
Though many of us don’t have much of the set due to Corona World, we’ve finally gotten all the figures revealed. So here’s a PDF download of the set.
Low res preview:
We also have a companion checklist in the works for the 100+ Team Up cards that are also included in the set, but about 10% of those cards are still undiscovered so no checklist yet. Here’s a preview:
So the U.S. is semi-paralyzed by coronavirus concerns at the moment. Guess I’ll spend some of this time publishing some Heroclixin’ stories and whatnot.
So I went to one of my favorite venues last year for some games. As usual, I brought multiple teams. And because the judge is chill and the turnout was small, he let me run each one.
1st F.U.N. fight:
Punisher Van vs. Nicos
The event: Golden Age
My theme: Marvel Knights
My team:
Punisher [WizKids M19-011] 75
Punisher Van [WizKids MP16-004] 75
Elektra [Avengers Black Panther Illuminati 037] 75
Daredevil [WizKids MP18-007] 50
SIDELINE: Elektra [Avengers Black Panther Illuminati 030], Elektra [Avengers Black Panther Illuminati 037]
I faced Bill’s team of Nicos: Nico Minoru [Hammer of Thor 047], Nico Minoru [What If 031], Nico Minoru [What If 106], Nico Minoru [Battleworld 045] and Sister Grimm [Battleworld 005] on my ROC Prison map.
I drove the Van up the stairs, giving Bill decent first shots. And, to use his words: “You never should’ve told me it exploded.”
You see, Bill loves a Kuriboh team that I’ve run afoul of before. He also plays aggressively with little heed to his own team’s survival sometimes, so he went full force with an Outwit and BCF and Penetrating Psychic Blast and succeeded in detonating the Van well before I could get Elektra or Daredevil out of range.
Punisher went on to fail every breakaway to Running Shot, so it was DD and Elektra who scored the KOs for the win.
2nd F.U.N. fight
Scarlets vs Brutes
Scarlet Spider [WizKids M19-009] 75
Scarlet Spider [Avengers Assemble ] 60 x 3
SIDELINE: equipped Jocasta [Age of Ultron 039]
I faced George’s Lobo [WizKids DP19-002] @125, Skurge [The Mighty Thor 029b], Grizzly [Deadpool & X-Force 012] with the Bloodaxe special object on my ROC prison map.
I began with nothing but Sidesteps. That gave George all the time he needed to get equipped. Nothing I could do about that.
TURNING POINT
Lobo dropped Dawg and I lost when I A) picked Outwit/Perplex from Jocasta (instead of Precision Strike) intending to save it for the Main Man and then Dawg got his Impervious roll. From there, any bit of damage dealt was healed either by Steal Energy (from the Bloodaxe) or Dawg as Skurge was unhittable, dealing mass range shots and even Grizzly took out my top Scarlet. Never had a chance.
Bill didn’t even want to play that team with his Nicos and dipped. But I’d brought one more team…
3rd F.U.N. fight:
Cyclops [Xavier’s School 052] @50
Lila Cheney [WizKids M17-015]
Dust [Xavier’s School 056]
Oya [Xavier’s School 031]
Kitty Pryde [Regenesis ]
Armor [Giant-Size X-Men ]
Prodigy ID 3
Jubilee ID 3
Wolverine Bounty ID 5
SIDELINE: Prodigy [Xavier’s School], Jubilee , Wolverine [Xavier’s School 053]
George dropped Skurge from his earlier team and boosted Lobo to full cost (200 points).
I got a Leadership early to take a token off Lila, so I decided to block George’s duo in the doorway. But I made my first error and put Armor in front and she got one-shot (Exploit). Bye 18 Defend.
Options were bad and worse: No LOF for Oya’s 2 targets, no shot for Cyke, only a single attack for Dust, and Lockheed’s EE would hurt me.
So I evac’d to another cell. With the team out of actions and her full of passengers, Lila had to leave the dragon, who died.
Lobo came out to the courtyard and that’s when I had a shot.
First, Dust Sidestepped out and took out a pillar of blocking to clear the LOF to Grizzly.
Then Kitty Sidestepped to be an Enhancement battery.
Then Cyke PPBlasted Lobo for 4.
Then Oya got her two-target double shot with 4 damage, plus 1 penetrating to Lobo.
Wore Lobo down to STOP, twice, then ID Wolverine got 7 on 2nd Flurry for the win.
———
This was the game where Oya vaulted from being a figure that just kinda barely made it onto my favorites of 2018 into being a Top 15 of the decade piece. 🙂
As is common for Heroclixin’, we’ve made a pocket checklist for the latest full-sized set. (Thanks, as always, to the crowdsourcing at HCRealms.com for the compiled advance info.)
The download includes FOUR checklists per download (printed on letter sized paper. I like card stock). I figure if I print them out that way at home, I ought to offer them that way to you as well.
Link below.
So I thought some more about my countdown list.
There are a lot of figures on that list that simply have not aged well and, if I made their respective years’ lists today, might not have been considered a favorite. So I went to my checklists, looked at names and asked again as I did in 2016’s countdown:
“When I see this figure in my storage box, do I immediately wish I had a team it could be a good fit on?”
Hence this addendum to the Favorites countdown!
———
THEN: She came out so late in 2019 that she didn’t make that year’s top 10 list.
NOW: She’s a mainstay on my All-Black Everything team with her super Support skills and her blobby pal, Lt. Yaphit.
NEXT: She’ll be on any team I can reasonably fit her on, whether Hidden Figures (female Black scientist themed team) or a force that needs a healer.
———
THEN: She *almost* made it to my top 10 list proper. If Taylor hadn’t had any nominations back then, she’d have squeaked on.
NOW: Frenzy is one of those “I wish I had a team for you” pieces I look at longingly every time I come across it. I also realized that XDPS was completely unrepresented in the decade list and was the ONLY full set missing.
NEXT: Acolytes and Femizons she’ll always be on.
———
THEN: One I had to have because I collect all the Black characters in HeroClix. She’s also quite good and when it came time for my decade bracket tournament and I found the 2019 squad sorely short on points, I added her without delay.
NOW: She’s a bit less potent with new rules but still very F.U.N.
NEXT: I’m still planning a big Storm vs. Cyclops throwdown.
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THEN: A bit of a slow-burn fave but one who just got crowded off the highly competitive keyword teams fits, Celebrity and Martial Artist. But dang if I don’t want to play this piece EVERY time I see it. So here he is.
NOW: That 2 damage was never much good and less so at 75 points. But in the Golden Age games he plays well in? LUNGE. The Lunge feat all day, every day.
NEXT: He will see new life in HeroClix 3.0 (aka the 2021 rules overhaul).
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THEN: An alternate-Earth version of Supes was notable for his ability to start with a heavy object already in hand and to deal penetrating when using it. This piece, more than probably any other, was responsible for my now-stalled drive to collect every distinct Superman/Clark Kent costume variation because I love “Super-Hoodie” here. I can’t believe it didn’t make my list of favorites that year!
NOW: With objects doing less damage these days and his stats having been fairly well power-crept past, he feels overcosted.
NEXT: It will not stop me from playing him — especially in the massive Lex Luthors vs. Supermen solo battle I might try after Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary comes out.
———
THEN: So in 2017, when I needed to fill out some points to face off against Sceritz’s team of favorites from 2016, I added this Young Avenger:
“Once one of Heroclixin’s top needed remakes, this new version of the Young Avengers’ leader is just what we wanted. A Leadership figure for his team. A secondary attacker. Indomitable. A new favorite.”
NOW: Changes to Leadership made his SP version superfluous. And the 2021 changes might make nearly his whole existence superfluous. But he remains a favorite, if only an alternate, and should have been on the list a year ago. So here he is for posterity.
NEXT: He’s pretty much only for Young Avengers squads.
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THEN: This armored suit from late in Thor visionary creator Walter Simonson’s legendary 1980’s run made this a must-keep in my collection even though it was one of the most money figures in the game for a while thanks to his meta-as-hell Mjolnir equipment. But me, I insisted on only using the equip on its true owner even though I’m not a huge Asgard fan and rarely play the theme — or this piece.
NOW: Even now, I see this fig and just wanna put it on a team even though he’s a little un-F.U.N. and yet still too many points.
NEXT: He made an appearance during quarantine.
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THEN: This was a top F.U.N. fig in 2015, one of the years when I split the FUN from my personal favorites. Soft and hard to play but with a then-unprecedented 3d6 attack roll skill and enhanced Sidestep SP.
NOW: But in going back over the faves list recently (for… reasons…) I was somewhat stunned that I’d not added him to this list of alternates. So here he is.
NEXT: I’ve been wanting to run an Outsiders theme and he’s a lock on any Golden Age build of that keyword I EVER play.
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THEN: I loved that annoying Shape Change SP that kept him from being the usual Hypersonic hit-and-run piece, though it was hard to fit him on teams without good keywords.
NOW: He’s cheap (49 points) but fragile. He’s also been lapped by newer Impulses.
NEXT: Don’t know when or how to play him, just that I want to
————
THEN: She’s all about her SP to give an adjacent fig — friend or foe — Battle Fury and Blades at her turn’s start … neither of which can be used against her (she’s immune to that foe’s attacks their turn). She’s a lot of F.U.N. though her stats weren’t great.
NOW: She looks even worse today for 72 points — 9 AV or lower, only 5 clicks. But that SP still remains amazingly Useful.
NEXT: It’s been ages since I ran a M.O.D.O.K.’s 11 heist crew. Maybe need to get the gang back together for a job.
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THEN: There was a time I collected every archer in the game. But I was amazed at this one’s ability to shoot despite target defenses.
NOW: He costs 83 points — 3 more than Green Arrow [Elseworlds 049], who is better than Bard in every way except dial length. But that meta chase figure is also the reason I DON’T collect archers anymore.
NEXT: Every once in a while I play an archer squad and he’s always on it. And will be again.
————
Alternate K
THEN: His Utility Belt SP giving him access to damage powers not on his card made him my go-to Batman for years.
NOW: At 115 points, he’s too pricey to take the top Bat-spot from others in that price range, and his once-unique SP has been outdone by far.
NEXT: Yet he remains in the collection for another one of those massive Batman teams someday.
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THEN: This starter set piece (and its main set sculptmate) are the reason my 2012 No. 8 favorite and No. 79 piece of the decade doesn’t impress nearly as much anymore.
NOW: It’s a bit less overbearing than its sculptmate [Avengers Age of Ultron 008] in a timed game, so this one is my choice.
NEXT: He’s on the Hulk vs. Logan mega match.
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THEN: He was Taylor’s No. 4 F.U.N. fig of 2017 and could have easily been one of my faves that year as well.
NOW: I kinda wish I’d put him on one of my lists so here he is
NEXT: I have a Golden Age team of every Batroc figure.
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THEN: She flew under the radar a bit for a long time, but because I’ve always liked giants, I found a way to get her onto a truly F.U.N. meta team that surprised a lot of people. (If only I didn’t misplay it so dagum badly, over and over again)
NOW: I’ve retired her into Golden Age, but I still really like this figure
NEXT: Looking at an all-Giganta team someday. Points are funny, though
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THEN: He’s pretty much the best Falcon they’ll ever make.
NEXT: It’ll be cool to run this with all these new Captains America we’re getting in a month.
————
THEN: Sceritz picked her as one of his faves of 2018, and the whole Heroclixin’ Board selected her as a top F.U.N. fig that year. She just got crowded out of my already overstuffed top picks.
NOW: She deserves much more play from me. SO MUCH MORE.
NEXT: I wish she had the Nextwave keyword SO MUCH
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THEN: Good representation of the character. Couldn’t wait to see him in action for me.
NOW: I look back on him failing for me nearly every time. But I still think he looks great and it’s just my luck that’s horrid
NEXT: It has been years since I ran an original lineup Secret Avengers squad, of which he was the first “new” member. It’s time to build the latest version
————
THEN: He was less flat-out F.U.N. than his sculptmates from 2013 (my No. 1 fave that year and No. 21 fave of the decade). But dang if I didn’t come close to using him and his Mysterio Illusion pogs to surround an enemy Spider-Man just like this!
NOW: All Mysterios are golden age and that makes me sad.
NEXT: I must play this very F.U.N. fig soon alongside all the other F.U.N. Mysterios
————
THEN: Her wild dial is not for planner-type players. But she’s great for F.U.N. players
NOW: I DO NOT PLAY THIS FIG NEARLY ENOUGH.
NEXT: I WILL PLAY THIS FIG A LOT MORE.
————
THEN: I dropped him from my decade-long look back, but I really do like this piece a lot
NEXT: On that “White Suits” team I talked so much about!
————
THEN: Love this piece to death. Sometimes literally, as I do his one-time FREE Phase into the heart of trouble that his 17 Invulnerability cannot handle. I do not understand how it did not make my extensive Honorable Mentions that year.
NOW: I will play this figure today on any team he fits. I did less than a month before this post.
NEXT: ANY. TEAM. HE FITS.
————
Just a handy reference for when one (probably me) simply wants to check the ranking without crawling through the five-part countdown. (Addendum: a list of 20 or so alternates/honorable mentions)
Alternates/HMs (chronologically):
No. 25
Falcon [Captain America: The Winter Soldier 006] Original rank: No. 1 of 2014
THEN: He was sneaky good because although his values weren’t so hot, he had all manner of nice advantages that made him almost worth his chunky 105 points.
NOW: He’s no longer the pinnacle of Falcons, but still worth taking flight with once in a while.
NEXT: Because his powers key off characters named “Captain America,” he will be unshelved when the new Cap-themed set comes out February 2020. And of course for the mass Atlanta Falcons team as well
————
No. 24
Grace [Joker’s Wild 046] Original rank: No. 1 of 2016
THEN: She vaulted to the peak spot just by being so dang F.U.N. — getting first strike on foes over her 125 cost, Outsiders, good armor.
NOW: Changes to Super Strength means that first strike won’t hurt as much, so she takes a hit. And so she slips from my personal S tier of faves.
NEXT: But I still love her a lot. I want to play the Outsiders keyword JUST BECAUSE OF HER. And WILL
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No. 23
Elijah Snow [Elseworlds 046] Original rank: No. 4 of 2017
THEN: A friend traded this to me, saying it was my kind of figure. He was right. Snow is so tricky to use but lots of F.U.N.
NOW: I only wish his Big Freeze trait didn’t affect friendlies on Planetary keyword. I’ve NEVER used it.
NEXT: I really love teaming up the Planetary and Authority keywords. One of these days I’ll really use his Chill In Your Bones trait to utmost effect. And I have a “White Suit” theme in mind for a future game…
————
No. 22
Armor [Giant-Size X-Men 050] Original rank: No. 5 of 2011
THEN: I thought she was tons of F.U.N., a good backup to X-Men and Teen themes.
NOW: She’s dropped a lot in the Usefulness slot, but still has one of the better sculpts in the game and remains a favorite X-Man for me to run in Golden Age.
NEXT: Now that pretty much every mutant in the Marvel Universe is a comic-accurate theme team, I need to dust her off for a match on the map. At least until a potential remake
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No. 21
Mysterio [Amazing Spider-Man 026 and 206] Original rank: tied for No. 1 of 2013
THEN: I love love LOVED what the uncommon could do: flood the map with Mysterio illusions. Even though you’d almost always lack the actions to actually surround a Spider-Man with them. And the unique was too fragile to get his 60-plus points’ worth.
NOW: Still troublesome to use as a proper swarm, but so much F.U.N. for a casual game.
NEXT: Currently, all Mysterio figures are Golden Age, so if the build is large and casual enough, I’ll try out a horde of Mysterios again
————
No. 20
Valkyrie [Fear Itself 005] Original rank: No. 5 of 2013
THEN: She was my most wanted piece because she completed the original Secret Avengers team. Good dial, too.
NOW: Similar versions have replaced her somewhat, but if I have the points, she gets their slot.
NEXT: I have a box full of every version of her for a “Ride of the Valkyries” team. And yes, I play Wagner when I run it
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No. 19
Donatello [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Heroes In A Half-Shell 025] Original rank: Late bloomer for 2016
THEN: He’s the most complete version of the smartest of the turtles.
NOW: He’s the only version I play if there’s possibly any room for him. I love his Teen Turtle Intellect SP giving him a choice between Outwit, Perplex or Support.
NEXT: I’ve been collecting every Donatello that doesn’t require any of the other Turtles to be played at full effect. I think it’s time I build that all-Donny team I’ve been planning
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No. 18
Okoye [Avengers Black Panther Illuminati 038 and Avengers Black Panther Illuminati FF006] 2019 rank: No. 6 (tie)
THOUGHTS: One is more a team player (the Rare) and the other more a fighter (the Fast Forces). Playing both gives me both. I DON’T HAVE TO CHOOSE because IT’S MY LIST.
NEXT: Aside from the Top Figs of 2019 team, I need to field her in a women of Wakanda or Dora Milaje force.
————
No. 17
Hulk [Avengers Defenders War 052] Original rank: tied for No. 6 of 2017
THEN: I called him “Totally Awesome F.U.N.” back then for his bonuses when punching Monsters or punching up at high-damage foes.
NOW: Amadeus Cho is my favorite Hulk ever. Sorry, Banner.
NEXT: He’s a key piece on the Hulk vs. Wolverine match I have planned
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No. 16
Multiple Man [Wolverine and the X-Men 013 and 205] Original rank: tied for No. 1 of 2013
THEN: I love love LOVED what the uncommon could do: flood the map with Madrox dupes. Even though you’d almost always lack the actions to actually fight with them before they got picked off.
NOW: Still troublesome to use as a proper swarm, but so much F.U.N. for a casual game.
NEXT: Going to run them with the latest Madrox. And ALL the Madrox.
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No. 15
Oya [X-Men Xavier’s School 031] Original rank: No. 1 of 2018
THEN: I always wanted to play her even though I never did.
NOW: It is SO WORTH IT when I can land her double target shot to freeze one (add 1 token) and burn the other (add 1 penetrating) that she has leapt in my standings.
NEXT: Unless it’s a “no range allowed” scenario, anytime I play X-Men, she is on the team. ANY. TIME.
————
No. 14
Nova Corps Officer [Guardians of the Galaxy Movie 004] Original rank: No. 6 of 2014
THEN: I said I’d never play Nova Corps without him.
NOW: I’ll never play Nova Corps without him.
NEXT: Seriously, his “Shared Through The Worldmind” trait to allow Novas to shoot from behind friendlies is top tier so it’s foolish to play the theme without him. I’ll field four if I can.
————
No. 13
Wonder Woman [WizKids D-001] Original rank: No. 1 of 2011
THEN: She was the best Wonder Woman at the time — on an Amazon team.
NOW: She feels even more costly than her 190 points today, regardless of theme. I love her still.
NEXT: It has been an age since I ran a “Diana’s Wardrobe” theme of WW costume variants. She’s top of the list for the build.
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No. 12
Captain Marvel [Captain Marvel 021] 2019 rank: No. 3
THOUGHTS: An immediate fave that essentially replaced every other Carol Danvers.
NEXT: Not only will she be in rotation as a Top Fig of 2019, but a new version of The Ultimates begs to be played now that the roster is complete.
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No. 11
Bat-Knight [WizKids DP17-006] Original rank: No. 7 of 2017
THEN: Only 60 points for so much utility — Stealth, Great Size, 2 targets, PROTECTED: Outwit/Perplex and more.
NOW: If only I had more for a proper theme team set in the future along with KC Batman.
NEXT: I may have to settle for using it in an improper spot on every competitive Gotham City team until it retires
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No. 10
Troll [The Mighty Thor 039] Original rank: No. 3 of 2017
THEN: A surprise fave full of F.U.N. features, such as aiding shooters before she closes in.
NOW: No longer a surprise, just a fave.
NEXT: I won’t seriously consider Asgardian or Thunderbolts teams without her — and that’s even before other pieces like the Zemos who are designed to make those teams go. That rates her in the top 10.
————
No. 9
Ant-Man and Wasp [Chaos War 053] Original rank: No. 3 of 2012
THEN: Though 168 points is A LOT, I really enjoyed the finesse of this taxi-friendly duo.
NOW: With Precision Strike no longer putting a massive bull’s eye on their back, Ant-Man+Wasp might be able just to be beloved and overcosted and not just a free gift.
NEXT: In spite of the high cost, the pair is ready to play on any theme that I can fit them on — the next most likely being a swarm of Wasps and Ant-Men. A true top 10 favorite.
————
No. 8
Black Panther [Age of Ultron 045] Original rank: No. 1 of 2015
THEN: He was the first version of a favorite character that felt … complete.
NOW: Although overcosted from the beginning, this effort remains the closest to the definitive Black Panther.
NEXT: Outside of Modern Age, he’s the first Panther I consider, always. The absolute standard by which all others are judged. This king is truly a top 10 fave.
————
No. 7
Aquaman [Brightest Day 006] Original rank: No. 1 of 2010
THEN: He was the first really good Aquaman figure, whether alone or in Atlantis themes.
NOW: Although he lacks the Leadership or the Willpower or the Justice League membership to truly be definitive, he’s still the very first figure I consider for any Atlantis team, EVER.
NEXT: Earlier in the countdown, I got the bright idea of pitting every Aquaman against every Namor, so that may be coming in 2020. This absolute favorite will be on the field, no doubt.
————
No. 6
The Authority [Flash 016, 017, 032, 033, 048, 049, 060 and 061] Original collective rank: No. 2 of 2014
THEN: The whole team (from Doctor [016] to Jenny Quantum [032] to Apollo [048] to Jack Hawksmoor [033] to Swift [017] to Engineer [060] to Midnighter [049] to Jenny Sparks [061]) won me over with its ability to at least lightly counter many of the meta tricks of the day.
NOW: I play them to this day, though my order of favoritism has changed from the above to this: Jenny Q, Doctor, Apollo, Jack, Engineer, Swift, Jenny S and Midnighter.
NEXT: I love them with Planetary so that’ll happen sometime. But really, I’ll field this team anytime I want to play a F.U.N. team that can still hang even with the modern power creeps. A perennial favorite.
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No. 5
Moon Knight [Avengers Defenders War 062] Original rank: No. 2 of 2017
THEN: Not only great looking with the three-piece suit costume, but sporting a great dial that’s just a little too pricey.
NOW: Inspired me to collect the rest of the Moon Knight figures in the game. Love him.
NEXT: I am going to play that “White Suits” theme sometime in the coming months.
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No. 4
Drax The Destroyer [Guardians of the Galaxy Movie 013] Original rank: No. 7 of 2014
THEN: His mix of powers were a perfectly playable representation of the character.
NOW: He is still my first choice for Drax even though better and cheaper versions have appeared.
NEXT: My buddy Lenny and I have been planning a big match between my Guardians and his Inhumans for a while now. And although I’d been tempted to be lazy and just run 1600 points of Rocket and Groot, this countdown has reminded me that it’s time to field my favorites, like this Drax. Always.
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No. 3
Ambrose Chase [005] 2019 rank: No. 2
THOUGHTS: Opponents are always a bit awed at his abilities to attack six targets with two rerolls while running up walls. And so am I, even as I chafe at his limitations (no Willpower, short-ish range, really short Prob range).
NEXT: Not only will he be played as a Top Fig this year, but he’s a shoo-in for the “White Suits” team I have in mind and a new version of the Trenchcoat Brigade, the John Woo Two-Gun theme and, of course, Planetary/Authority.
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No. 2
Miss America [WizKids M17-009] Original rank: No. 1 of 2017
THEN: She debuted as a favorite and has never lost her standing.
NOW: Her high-risk style of play (where she attacks in close and invites allies to also attack her target) still appeals to me even though it’s not always successful.
NEXT: Young Avengers remains a favored keyword for me, and she completes The Ultimates core five (the others being Black Panther, Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau/Photon/Spectrum). But she also will shine in a “zero range” close combat scenario.
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No. 1
Power Girl [Rebirth 022] 2019 rank: No. 1
THOUGHTS: So much flexibility (Outwit/Perplex, Giant/Colossal Size with +1 stats), in one uncommon afro-puffed package. She’s still pretty new, but I think she’ll hold this peak spot for a long time.
NEXT: She’s in the Top Figs box, so … probably next week?
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And there you have it! My top 150 or so favorites across the life of this blog. Some have aged way out and could probably be replaced with others, though … ones that never made a year’s top list but kinda still beg to be played. Next post will highlight a few of those!
No. 50
Black Rider/Ringwraith/Nazgul/One Of The Nine/Servant Of Sauron [Lord of the Rings 016/006/101/102/020] Original rank: collectively at No. 9 of 2011
THEN: Individually, they weren’t hot. Together is where it’s at, even though they’re 100 apiece.
NOW: That 9 AV across the board just sucks, especially at the point level it takes to run them as the Nine they are meant to be and that I still dream of running them as.
NEXT: When I can figure some non-resource theme-y way to give them a +1 AV across the board somehow
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No. 49
Wildfire [Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes 021] Original rank: tied for No. 5 of 2014
THEN: He was the first high-point Legionnaire I consider for the theme. Nice long dial with old-school Stop clicks and all, though he needs a Dawnstar to get his points’ worth.
NOW: His DV is way mediocre for 180 points and his Stop clicks DON’T have immunity to Pulse Wave! He’s really not that great, even though I won’t run a big Legion team without him.
NEXT: I said I WON’T RUN A BIG LEGION TEAM WITHOUT HIM
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No. 48
Alloy [World’s Finest 058] Original rank: No. 6 of 2016
THEN: I liked his split mechanic and the big dude himself.
NOW: I still do, just don’t fit him on many teams since he got retired.
NEXT: I should really fit him on a team or three
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No. 47
Ms. Marvel [Avengers Assemble 055] Original rank: No. 2 for 2015
THEN: Absolutely loved this first incarnation of Kamala Khan, with her size-shifting Embiggen trait. My No. 2 favorite, she was the No. 1 F.U.N. figure of Heroclixin that year (the first we started splitting up the two lists).
NOW: Her 66-point cost ends up putting SO MANY potential teams she could go on 1 POINT OVER. It’s frustrating. Good thing there are a number of new Kamalas to run instead.
NEXT: I want to run an all-Kamala team. ALL the point totals are awkward. I can’t with her
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No. 46
Wasp [Avengers Infinity 044] Original rank: No. 13 of 2018
THEN: She just barely made my favorites last year. She needed higher AV or Willpower or to be 5 less points or something but SHE STILL MADE IT.
NOW: And I still want to use her despite ALL THOSE ISSUES
NEXT: Either all Wasps or an Ant-Man and the Wasp swarm. Or something
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No. 45
Captain America [Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD 049] Original rank: No. 3 of 2015
THEN: Though he’s one Outwit away from losing all his good powers (ES/D, Willpower, Invulnerability, Super Senses), he still wins on the F.U.N. factor.
NOW: He’s still the great 130-point glass cannon, just more overcosted now.
NEXT: On my next big Atlanta Falcons squad for a rematch against the Angels once the remake shows up in February’s Captain America and the Avengers set
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No. 44
Cyclops [Uncanny X-Men 033] Original rank: No. 10 of 2016
THEN: I was just glad to see him in his latest costume. Dial was OK, too — very reflective of his broken-but-still-effective powers at the time.
NOW: He remains a must-play for my Cyclops teams for his SP Leadership that functions with X-Men.
NEXT: I’m running a giant swarm of Cyclopses against every Storm for the right of leadership of the X-Men
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No. 43
The Atom [Superman/Wonder Woman G001] Original rank: No. 5 F.U.N. of 2015
THEN: He’s a giant target who can deal the big F.U.N. in close.
NOW: Kinda for Wonders of the World teams only.
NEXT: When I run Wonders of the World or if I maybe dust off the old luchador theme of bare-armed, full masked bruisers
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No. 42
Hawkman & Hawkgirl [Batman The Animated Series 060] Original rank: No. 4 of 2018
THEN: Super F.U.N. duo offers so much: long life, unmatched mobility, great stats, Empower or Outwit for the team and a lot more.
NOW: Though 125 is a tad hefty for 5 clicks of life per dial, it’s still worth them all on the right team — JSA, perhaps.
NEXT: That JSA #50 Cover team, for sure. (how big IS that team, anyway?)
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No. 41
Dee Dee [Batman The Animated Series 015] Original rank: No. 11 of 2018
THEN: I liked her for the Sidestep+Empower she offers as a pair.
NOW: But there’s so much more the Dee Dee duo does, gaining Shape Change as well. In my Top10 team games, they were instrumental in each win. Love them.
NEXT: Unless I’m just bound and determined that their Future keyword breaks theme otherwise, I imagine a pair of Dee Dee will be on every Gotham Underworld team.
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No. 40
Colleen Wing and Misty Knight [Amazing Spider-Man 044] Original rank: No. 4 of 2013
THEN: Being a wish come true, I liked this fig both as a duo and as solos, even though they were too heavy at 140 points and both anemic at 70.
NOW: All the pros and cons are still true, only magnified after power creep/leap. I still love them.
NEXT: If I ever play a Heroes For Hire theme, they’re on or it’s not getting played
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No. 39
Batman [Batman and His Greatest Foes Fast Forces 001] Original rank: No. 8 of 2016
THEN: So love this version of Batman who jumps in the middle of foes and poses before beating them.
NOW: He’s so hard to use (needed Improved Movement to get in the middle of folks) and there are better Bats out there. But I still love it
NEXT: OHH! THIS was the piece I should have pulled out for a 0 range close combat fight recently
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No. 38
Black Lightning [Batman 045] Original rank: Late bloomer of 2012
THEN: He was not only a fine update of previous Black Lightning designs, but an example of general good clix design.
NOW: Still the best version of Black Lightning, even though he’s been power creeped in general.
NEXT: I need to run an Outsiders team.
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No. 37
Robin [Harley Quinn and the Gotham Girls 030] Original rank: No. 10 of 2017
THEN: Rock-solid dial for 40 points with token-shedding/adding powers, even though I have no affection for the “Thrillkiller” source material.
NOW: Nothing’s changed. Maybe even better than when released.
NEXT: I have an all-Robin squad on tap. He’s a signature piece.
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No. 36
Asuka [WWE 012] 2019 rank: No. 8
THOUGHTS: I love how aggressive she plays, even more than I expected to. Because “NO ONE is ready for ASUKA!”
NEXT: She’ll be in my Top 10 box this year. So I can always be ready.
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No. 35
Apache Chief [Batman The Animated Series 070] Original rank: No. 8 of 2018
THEN: He was a big man on clix-campus with his ability to become ULTRA Colossal Size.
NOW: I had no idea how strong he’d be on a team big enough to allow him time to grow full size. BIG STRONG.
NEXT: He’s been played enough this past year. Time for a rest …
…until it’s time for him to answer the Troubalert like a Super Friend should!
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No. 34
Clayface [Batman The Animated Series 001b] Original rank: No. 7 of 2018
THEN: “He jumped onto my radar with his mix of decent AV and damage, Outwit then Perplex, Improved Movement, wild card TA, the ability to jump on any themed team and the possibility of avoiding KO, all for a very low price.”
NOW: Nothing’s changed. He’s still up there.
NEXT: I’m considering rebuilding my “Mudbomb” theme of Clayface sculpts in all their mucky glory. He’ll lead it.
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No. 33
Angel [Days of Future Past 005] Original rank: No. 3 of 2014
THEN: This great team player brought lots of bonuses to X-Men and Defenders alike.
NOW: He still offers plenty but not quite enough to best later, more modern Angels in the game.
NEXT: A rematch with the Falcon force is forthcoming in 2020.
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No. 32
Shade, The Changing Girl [Rebirth 044] 2019 rank: No. 4
THOUGHTS: Ultimate tie-up with Phasing, Plasticity, Willpower, Poison and dial-long Perplex. It’s just bonkers what she can do for just 45.
NEXT: Aside from the Jamiroquai-inspired Cosmic Girl theme, Shade here simply belongs on teams as that tie-up duty go-to figure.
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No. 31
Batman [Batman The Animated Series 040] Original rank: No. 2 of 2018
THEN: I thought his Batarang equipment made him just good enough to be playable and F.U.N.
NOW: He’s my go-to Batman, being great at fisticuffs and infiltration and all that other bat-stuff.
NEXT: Whenever I need a Batman, even though he’s a retiree from my “Top Figs or 2018” team.
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No. 30
Daredevil [WizKids MP18-007] Original rank: No. 10 of 2018
THEN: I really only liked it because it’s the 1990s “Man Without Fear” costume. The dial was nice, but no Willpower stunk.
NOW: I’ve finally figured out how to use his “Matt’s Got Magical Powers” SP and it’s glorious.
NEXT: Somehow I’ve fallen into a “Collect All Daredevils” thing over the past couple of years, so that’s team that will happen again.
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No. 29
Cyclops [Giant-Size X-Men 008] Original rank: No. 10 of 2011
THEN: He was the first truly solid Cyclops (a favorite character), one with good damage and targeting abilities (Sharpshooter, at the time) along with being a great boon to X-Men teams. I also wanted to try him on an all-Cyclops team.
NOW: He is a fixture on those all-Cyke teams, even if he’s been supplanted otherwise by better versions of the character. That boost to X-Men TA healing is great.
NEXT: I think I mentioned planning a huge Cyclops vs. Storm game? This fella will likely be key to his side winning.
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No. 28
Magma [Wolverine and the X-Men 073] Original rank: Late bloomer for 2013
THEN: She had to be on the team or I didn’t run a New Mutants theme at all.
NOW: Even though she doesn’t really work (too fragile and slow), she has to be on the team or I don’t run a New Mutants theme at all.
NEXT: I’m looking to run a New Mutants squad soon against Generation X in a battle of the x-babies. Magma is on the team.
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No. 27
War Machine [Invincible Iron Man 029b] Original rank: No. 2 of 2013
THEN: So strong. When I want to win, I went for this figure due to its basically having MultiAttack as a double power action. So STRONG. (Did I say that already?)
NOW: It’s so pricey that it’s hard to field him on most teams. Also, running him is loading for bear and I like to keep it lighter than that.
NEXT: I have a half-baked idea to run a team of all Rhodey, and a more solidified idea of an illegal scenario that will stay secret for now…
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No. 26
Nova [Avengers Infinity 032] Original rank: No. 3 of 2018
THEN: I thought he was Nova Prime finally done completely right.
NOW: He’s a bit glass-jawed but still the best version of himself.
NEXT: Two big Nova Corps teams, one where he leads mostly generic Novas and the other with multiple versions of Rich Rider here.
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NEXT: The TOP 25
