Heroclixin' ...it's all about F.U.N.

Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 001] 
Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 019] 
Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 035]

“By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth…”

This Doctor Strange may be one of the best shifting focus sets WizKids has come up with.

I may be biased: Yes, I am a Strange fan. I know, there’s sort of a trend with me and Marvel. But hey, it’s what I was raised on. I love the different ways in which the Strange figures utilize his magical abilities, and this one, though almost purely support, does its job well.

In a nutshell, Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 001] can carry your team in, shift to  Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 019] and gear them up for defense, and then when it’s time to fight, provide an excellent damage boost with Doctor Strange [Avengers Defenders War 035] . Remember when we talked about Wiz Kid and what my favorite powers were? Strange does the same thing without the range boost, and with the added ability of being able to shift for the what the situation requires. And he’s only 50 points. It’s beautiful, I tell you, beautiful. Did I mention that he has Sidestep on these dials?

Plus on his defensive dials, defenders using his defend take one less damage. In addition to that, after they take damage he may auto-heal them afterward. There’s a 50/50 chance that he can hurt himself but in some situations this is absolutely worth. As he is wont to say, “Everything has a Cost.” Speaking of which, I think his is very fair. He’s pretty easy to kill if you catch him at the right time, but if you make a misstep he can power his team to tear you apart.

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Hawkeye  [Avengers Defenders War 067]

“Hawkguy.”

No, that’s not a typo…

Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye is one of my favorite comic runs, period, and this figure IS Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye… also known as Hawkguy. His Running Shot madness is, well, madness. I’m sure we all know about this at this point but still let’s unpack why this is such insanity. First of all. he can Running Shot multiple times in a row so long as he hits the target he was going after in the previous attack and doesn’t target a character that had been previously targeted during this action. The things that make it deadly are his range and his improved targeting. With a solid 8 and the ability to ignore hindering and characters, it’s very difficult to hide from him.

I have a very hard time not running him for several reasons. First, being that he is the Hawkeye from one my favorite runs, and that his ability is just so darn useful. On top of that he also has a bunch of keywords that I’m prone to using. Plus he’s only 65 points. Yes, you can perplex him twice and put a HENRY on him and he’s hitting with a 12 attack 4 damage (without the damage depletion modifier) on your entire team. It’s deadly and can easily turn the tide of any game.

I am not sure how “fair” that is… but I would like to note that he only has a 16 starting defense with ES/D. It doesn’t balance him as much as it should be but I’ll give him a pass for being a chase figure. Regardless, he’s still one of my favorites and I’ll love him to the end of time.

Beta Ray Bill [The Mighty Thor 063]

I used to dream about a new modern Beta Ray Bill. I’m not joking. Walt Simonson’s Thor run is one of my favorites when it comes to mystical/cosmic Marvel, and the debut of Beta Ray Bill birthed an instant fascination with him as a character. Now we have him again and as a CHASE. His ability to keep opponents from attacking with range from more than 4 squares away is too tempting not to use. It’s so good it makes me feel bad for using it. Then granting him Probability Control on top of that solves a major problem of many Asgardian themes.

If used correctly, Beta Ray is a very high level character. His ability to control tempo is usually not something your opponents are prepared to deal with, and you can use this to your advantage. The top dial with 12 attack and Precision Strike is nothing to balk at either. While is range is lower, you’ll have to deal with whoever is standing next to him as you make your approach, and then you have to get past that 18 defense and the Probability Control.

That special power isn’t on every click, but that doesn’t make him much easier to deal with. When he hits his final STOP click, he can be given a MOVE action, and after resolutions he can Regen for free — which could land him back on that power and battle capable again with a 10 attack and prob. He is an excellent figure, certainly worth the points. (Being able to team him in 400 points with Thor Odinson is just icing.)

Iron Man [Avengers Defenders War 053]

We have way too many Iron Man figures. Some of them are really good. Some of them are “meh.” Others are too good. This one is extremely good and just about right. As far as “Pick-a-Power” pieces go, Iron Man isn’t quite in the meta. He costs too much, isn’t as durable and a single Outwit can take away his ability to pick powers altogether. This, by no means, makes him useless. I like his power picking ability because it’s Iron Man who’s doing it… and with the current level of his suit, it fits him well.

Outside of picking powers, he starts with a nice 18 Invincible and Shape Change at the top of his dial, making him relatively difficult to take down. His lower dial starts with Impervious but the 125 price point makes him appealing as a secondary attacker, or a primary attacker with team room for a strong secondary to help him out. It’s just important to keep him safe. And in a bind, the armor imprisoning tactic proves to be quite useful.

He is one of the more fair PAP pieces, even if difficult to deal with, and I think he may be my favorite in terms of being fair and unique at the same time while still very capable. I’ve enjoyed every game I’ve played with him and plan to use him in many more.

Enchantress [The Mighty Thor 055]

I was waiting for an new Amora, and the Mighty Thor set delivered. The Enchantress is such a perfect finesse manipulation piece, and I’m so happy with how well she turned out. At a slick 80 points, she hides in the shadows, moves your opponents, around, Perplexes your team and dares anyone to attempt an attack on her with super Shape Change. Her Mind Control is a nuisance and even she happens to get hit, then she falls to Prob Control and continues to support her team.

I didn’t know how much I would love her until I played with her. And while she’s more difficult to plan finesse strategies around, she’s capable of causing disarray in the enemy team. She’s well-costed and while annoying, still perfectly fair for her uses. I tend to put her on most teams lately, just for shenanigans. I’ve yet to be disappointed.

Merc With A Mouth [Deadpool & X-Force 060]

I’ve always liked Deadpool, but if I’m being completely honest, most of his figures from the older Deadpool set didn’t seem to stack up to who he was. This one does. Almost a little too well. I love him, but he’s severely undercosted.

But I’ll get to that in a moment. Have you seen his sculpt tho? It’s one of the best in the game. Extremely creative and totally representative of the character. It may be one of my favorites of the year.

But okay: 70 points? Sure. But with the ability to lower your values for a turn, deal pretty consistent damage, heal, and survive for 8 clicks? Now we are talking madness. When I first saw his dial I thought there was an error concerning the click numbers. He’s a super rare but in my opinion the cost effectiveness makes him chase capable. He’s too fun to run and a good way to slide things in your favor when your opponent has the numbers. I have fun every time I play him.

As Heroclixin’s resident power player, Sceritz’s list of favorites lean a lot more toward the competitive end of the spectrum. But dude knows how to have fun at all levels of play in this game. A theme that’ll show throughout his list is “fairness.”

You’ll see. Let’s get to it!

Doop [Deadpool & X-Force 060]

I like X-Statix and the X-Men: I think most people who hang with me can attest to that. But I also love good cheap Prob Control. While 35 points might seem a little hefty when compared to 25-pointers such as Domino or the past go-to Prob, Atomica, aside from them or Spectre [World’s Finest 066], he is the cheapest Prob in Modern Age. But what I really like about him is that he’s a flyer but Tiny Size and can be carried around, and he has Sidestep. In addition to that, because of his Invincible defense, to K.O. him, an opponent is going to have to send 4 damage his way. Any less and he falls on Regeneration, and with the 2017 rules, he’s guaranteed to come back.

The other neat little trick that makes him worth it is the ability to rearrange enemies with a power action. This can really throw off a player who isn’t expecting it. Plus the same power has the chance to grant a friendly character the Power Cosmic or the random chance to make a ranged attack, for which he gains three lightning bolts that deals 3 damage to all hit characters. So he’s there to be carried in and positioned for Prob, but he’s also a piece that can potentially turn the tide of the game… for only 35 points.

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No. 1

Molly Hayes [What If 011] 

This piece is the epitome of F.U.N; and here’s why:

Fellowship-

At first glance, you’ve got a tough piece ahead of you. Average stats across the board, with invincible and a killer special damage power that can pull off silly amounts of damage. I’ve killed a-many enemies by smashing them into walls, or tossing them off buildings Hulk-style. If you get a mere 2 damage through to her though, the truth emerges. She’s just a little girl with 4 clicks and very little to stop much else.

LEVEL: MODERATELY HIGH

Utility-

Now, she may seem like a one-trick pony as a secondary attacker, but with her knockback and boosted values whether or not she charges, the importance of one strike breaking up your opponent’s group is crucial. She’s a wretched wrench in your opponent’s plans, tossing all about willy-nilly. You can count on her also soaking up AT LEAST two hits in a turn, all for fifty points. Not great, but dang is she great at what she does.

LEVEL: MODERATELY LOW BUT I DON’T CARE

Nerdcore-

Have you read the “Runaways” series? Princess Powerful was the hardest-hitting, one-shot-one-kill young lady who could really only take one or two hits before naptime. Plenty of pizzazz and spunk for the whole team, with a HeroClix piece that fits her to a “T”. Get it? “T”?? TBT??? Anyway, she’s the closest comic-to-’clix piece I’ve ever seen, and a character that deserves more love.

LEVEL: HIGH

Molly Hayes comes out on top. I knew it once I pulled her. There’s so much to love about HeroClix, and at the core of the game, it’s the representation of characters. Princess Powerful was always a sleeping bear in the “Runaways” series, written to a perfect accuracy for her young age. So blissful, and yet she RIPPED OFF CLOAK’S COWL/CAPE. Right outta the dark dimension! How do you put that into a HeroClix? Super Strength, Close Combat Expert, and (almost) guaranteed knockback of four, maybe? All in one. She’s perfect. I can’t wait to further indulge in the 2017 continuation of the “Runaways”comic.

Here’s to HeroClix, y’all. May your dice rolls be higher than two.

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No. 2

Throg [The Mighty Thor 033] 

Oh, mighty Throg. Wielder of a sliver of Mjolnir, a mere frog who be worthy. Let’s dissect this frog’s F.U.N factor…

Fellowship-

His values low-to-average, with the only real threat coming from his Perplex special that’s limited to animals… or the almost non-existent-in-modern-age Pet Avengers. Let’s be honest as well- every time I see this guy, I chuckle. His sculpt is great, and unless your opponent hates fun (or Perplex), everyone loves this piece. Even the free Frogjolnir can’t make Throg unfriendly.

LEVEL: MODERATELY HIGH

Utility-

Perplex, Perplex, Perplex. In actuality Throg’s only real issue is movement and range, and top-dial movement is backed by Sidestep. Push him once for a sweet boost to his values and added Energy Explosion. Or don’t. 45 points never looked so good. Or, uh, maybe not. I like frogs, so I like him.

LEVEL: MODERATELY HIGH

Nerdcore- I hate to admit it, and as I write this I’m finding a Pet Avengers comic to read on

my tablet, I’ve not actually read a comic with Throg in it (unless you count his cameo in the series “Thor: God of Thunder” which was excellent in itself). This is, however, the beauty of HeroClix: you find a figure, look up its comic series or graphic novel, and you READ MORE COMICS. That’s a win-win in my book.

LEVEL: MODERATE I GUESS I DON’T KNOW A LOT ABOUT THROG

Honestly Throg was going to be my number one, except my number one has been in my heart ever since I pulled her…

Next: WHA-? THAT’S NUMBER ONE?

No. 3

Iron Heart [Avengers Defenders War 071] 

The first, and probably last, Riri Williams click in her O.G. Iron Heart armor. An interesting concept, as I don’t believe she spent much time in her suit, but dang did HeroClix do it right. I’m not a huge fan of having chase-rarity as a F.U.N piece for accessibility, but this one takes the cake.

Fellowship-

Nothing about Riri screams “INFINITE POWER”. 18 defense is her max, 10 attack top-dial. Her sculpt is a little intimidating, lightning shootin’ everywhere, but 25 points is not scary at all. The fear-factor is her ability to soak up damage. No matter how much damage she takes, if she rolls well, she can last up to six clicks before finally falling apart. A wonderful piece to play around with, your opponents will enjoy the possibility of K.O’ing her in one attack. LEVEL: HIGH

Utility-

Riri’s 25 points are useful. Always. Access to Probability Control, Outwit, or Perplex allows her to be useful anywhere, anytime. The takeback is her fifty/fifty chance of hitting the worst power in the game — Earthbound/Neutralized. The other half-chance is Sidestep, a great re-positioning tool for a support piece like Iron Heart. That’s all, too. No attack or defense powers to speak of on her entire dial. LEVEL: MODERATE TO MODERATELY HIGH

Nerdcore-

Good news: This may be the first and last ragtag Iron Heart we get. This is

volume one of Riri’s makeshift armor, and since then we’ve seen her grow into a real hero. As she develops into a smarter and stronger hero, the idea of throwing her into her first suit would seem silly, like a Spider-Man without webbing. This creates a cool, niche-like factor that she falls into.

Bad News: None. Well, aside from making the almost-impossible EXACT comic-book-to-HeroClix transition, this piece is pretty darn good. LEVEL: MODERATELY HIGH

Three isn’t bad! I’m not a huge Iron Man/ Iron Heart fan, and her chase-status held her back from being top-two. Sorry Riri fans! Next: Two might leave a frog in your throat.