HeroClix

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HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game produced by WizKids, Inc. Players construct teams of heroes and villains and play out a battle between the teams turn-by-turn on a grid map.

HeroClix logo

Contents

[edit] History

Example of a Clix figure
Example of a Clix figure

HeroClix is made by WizKids, who also make a number of other collectable clix-based games. Heroclix was designed to appeal to comic book fans, players of wargames, and collectors, and has proved to be even more popular than the now defunct Mage Knight.

The original HeroClix figures were all from comic books printed by Marvel Comics, but have expanded to include sets from DC Comics and from independent comics. Later expansions added new card-based mechanics to the game and Battlefield Conditions, expanding the game beyond the addition of new characters. As of December 2007, there are approximately 3,000 different Heroclix figures.[citation needed]

The expansions won three awards at the 2003 Origins Awards and won Game of the Year 2003 for Indy HeroClix. Tournaments are organized at comic book and hobby shops.

List of HeroClix game designers
Person Time
Monte Cook 2002
Jeff Quick 2002
Mike Mulvihill 2002
Jon Leitheusser 2002-2003
Jeff Grubb part of 2003
Jon Leitheusser 2003-2005
Seth Johnson 2005-current

[edit] Gameplay

Each HeroClix figurine is modeled in roughly O scale and has five statistics associated with it:

  • Attack Value
  • Defense Value
  • Speed
  • Damage
  • Range

These statistics are all printed on a dial that serves as the base for the miniature. When a piece takes "damage", its base is turned a number of "clicks" clockwise, revealing altered stats to correspond to the damage it has taken. Most damage weakens characters, although some (like the Hulk) actually get stronger when wounded, to represent a transformation or rage.

Pieces have point values representing how powerful they are. Opposing teams are restricted to a predetermined total point value, which is usually a multiple of 100.

Battles are played out on maps, overlaid with a grid of 35mm x 35mm squares. These maps come in two different sizes 3ft by 3 ft (36" by 36") or 2ft by 3 ft (36" by 24") (with the exception of the Marvel Universe Starter Map which was 13 by 13 squares) The maps used are of different locations found in a typical comic book story. The older maps were generic places but recently the maps have taken on more comic book Specific places, such as the Justice Society Museum.

[edit] Rare figures

The rarest figures released for the game include :-

  • Some of the early Limited Edition ("LE") figures (also called "bronze-ring") that were given away as tournament prizes, are rare and highly sought after, commanding high prices among collectors and on eBay. These include Bruce Banner (The Hulk), Victor Creed (Sabretooth) and Irene Adler (Destiny), among others.
  • Four super-rare Marvel chase figures, with a rarity of 1% in Supernova boosters (1-100). All figures are zombies from "Marvel Zombies" including: Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Colonel America. Each figure comes with a HorrorClix card and is compatible in HeroClix or HorrorClix.
  • Four super-rare DC chase figures; exact rarity is as yet unknown, but seem to be approximately one figure in every hundred Origin boosters: Lois Lane, Alfred Pennyworth, Queen Hippolyta, and the Wizard Shazam.
  • Two further super-rare DC chase figures, the Superman from Earth 2 (Kal-L), and the Superman from the Kingdom Come story line. The two figures are the same sculpt, but with different costumes and game statistics / dials. These are found in the DC Crisis boosters, with approximately 1 per forty boosters.
  • World's Finest. (Part of the DC Crisis expansion set) This is a single (large based) figure of Superman and Batman. It has a game value of 500 points. This figure was released in March 2008 as a mail away promotional piece, in a limited and numbered edition of 5,000.

[edit] Released sets

The 5 newest sets have also included "Key Words" for each character, which allow comic-specific teams to be constructed, and give such teams a slight advantage versus non "themed teams". These have now been extended to all previously released sets, giving a list of "keywords" for all existing characters, via an Adobe document available from the Wizkids site.

[edit] DC

  • Hypertime (released Sept 2002-retired July 2006)
  • Cosmic Justice (released June 2003-retired July 2006)
  • Unleashed (released March 2004-retired July 2006)
  • Legacy (released March 2005-retired)
  • Icons (released September 2005-retired)
  • Collateral Damage (released February 2006)
  • Giants
  • Green Lantern Corps
  • Origin (released February 2007)
  • Legion of Superheroes
  • Justice League (released September 2007)
  • Spectre
  • Starro
  • Crisis (originally Teen Titans) (released February 2008)
  • Batman:Alpha (released June 2008)
  • Rogue's Gallery (November 2008)

[edit] Indy

  • Indy (released October 2003-retired Sept 2005)
  • City of Heroes
  • City of Villains
  • Invincible
  • B.P.R.D.

[edit] Marvel

  • Infinity Challenge (released May 2002-retired June 2004)
  • Clobberin' Time (released November 2002-retired December 2004)
  • Xplosion (released March 2003-retired December 2004)
  • Critical Mass (released December 2003-retired Sept 2005)
  • Universe (released May 2004-retired July 2006)
  • Ultimates (released June 2004-retired July 2006)
  • Mutant Mayhem (released November 2004-retired)
  • Fantastic Forces (released July 2005-retired)
  • Armor Wars (released November 2005)
  • Danger Room (released June 2006)
  • Sinister (released June 2006)
  • Supernova (released November 2006)
  • Days of Future Past (released November 2006)
  • 2099 (released December 2006)
  • Avengers (released June 2007)
  • Mutations and Monsters (released November 2007)
  • Secret Invasion (July 2008)
  • Fantastic Four
  • Galactus (2 Versions)
  • Fin Fang Foom (3 Versions)

[edit] Teams

[edit] Marvel teams

[edit] D.C. teams

[edit] Indy teams

[edit] Convention Exclusive Figures

The following figures were generally only available at comic book or gaming conventions, but in January 2007, WizKids announced that a selection of these figures would be available through general retail.

There are currently three different versions of Foom - the standard Green version, the much rarer Orange Limited Edition (Only at San Diego Comic Con and Essen Spiel'07), and the "Purple Pants" Foom (Only available at Venues participating in the 2008 Wizkids Convention Weekend).

  • Batman: Knightfall (DC Comics) This figure is referred to among players as the Azbat LE. (Plays at 90 pts.) - free with $50 purchase during 2008 convention season.

(see Announcement)

A repainted version of the Galactus figure was released alongside the Avengers set (again, as a Tournament exclusive), as were new versions of Terrax, Firelord, Silver Surfer and Stardust. Players should note that there are several printing errors on the Firelord dial (He is missing three clicks of Toughness, followed by three clicks of Energy Shield/Deflection).

  • The repaint Galactus has the same combat dial as the original, but the timer dial and scenario have changed.

Starro the Conqueror was released in October 2007 (Tournament exclusive, linked to the Justice League release), as will Starro-controlled versions of Aquaman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Flash.

  • Anti-Monitor - Guardian of Fear (Can be played at 600, 800, or 1000 points. This figure to be availabe at selected conventions in 2008)

[edit] Other large figures

These large figures were available for purchase -- all are on a 2x2 round base

[edit] Collector sets

[edit] Starter sets

The Infinity Challenge, Hypertime and Indy starter sets contained random characters from the full set. Starting with Universe, Starter sets contained collectible figures not found in boosters.

  • Universe - Includes Spider-Man, Wolverine, Wasp, Sabertooth, Elektra, and Hobgoblin, a smaller 24x24 map, and a rulebook.
  • Icons - Includes Batman, Robin, Hawkgirl, Joker, Harley Quinn, and Man-Bat, as well as a full-size two-sided map and updated rules.
  • X-Men Danger Room - Includes Jean Grey, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Colossus, Storm, and two 3D objects (Broken Drone & Generator), along with a full-size two-sided map and updated rules.
  • Legion of Superheroes - Includes Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Timber Wolf, Young Superman, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Ultra Boy, Shrinking Violet, and two 3D objects (Com Dish & Newsbot), along with a full-size two-sided map and updated rules.
  • Fantastic Four - Includes Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Thing, Human Torch, Doctor Doom, Doombot 3095, Doombot 5953, New PAC (Power and Abilities) with revised powers and team abilities, as well as new rule book with changes to TK, Flight, Perplex, Giants to name a few.

[edit] Action packs

WizKids is releasing action packs, themed sets of figures, as well as maps and cards, which are available via retail outlets.

  • Marvel HeroClix: Days Of Future Past-Figures include: 1 Advanced Sentinel (150/300/400 pts.), Hound [Phoenix] (130 pts.) and Colonel Logan [Wolverine] (70 pts.). The set also includes a (24 x 36) map that can be linked to the Danger Room map. (Released November 2006)
  • DC Heroclix: Anti-Monitor- (released April 2008) It includes a Sentinel-sized Anti-Monitor, a Qwardian Thunderer, and a "Shadow Demon" as well as a Pariah Event Dial.

[edit] HorrorClix crossover products

The WizKids HorrorClix game was designed in a similar way to HeroClix, however, it has only a limited compatibility with HeroClix. WizKids have produced products that are compatible with both gaming systems but HorrorClix figures are not tournament-legal for HeroClix.

[edit] Limited edition figures

[edit] Marvel Zombie Figures

Four Ultra-rare chase figures are available in 1 out of every 100 Marvel HeroClix Supernova boosters: Colonel America, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Hulk. These are technically the first dual-branded figures as they appear in a HeroClix set yet come packed with HorrorClix monster cards, making them fully compatible. Although further Zombies will appear in the forthcoming 2007 set Mutations and Monsters, these four figures will not be reprinted as they appeared. These 4 figures may be used in both games.

[edit] Action packs

[edit] Indy HeroClix

Hellboy/B.P.R.D.

This action pack has seven figures, which may be used in both Heroclix and Horrorclix. Figures include Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, Hellbaby, Johann Kraus, Roger the Homonculus, and Captain Ben Daimio. It should be noted that a production error resulted in Johan Kraus being misrepresented as a flyer, and with numbers missing from both his and Liz Sherman's dials. There is a replacement policy in place for the former.

[edit] External links

The main fan based Internet site for Heroclix players is HCRealms.