HeroClix

HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game produced by WizKids, Inc. Each player constructs a "force" of game pieces, each of which represents comic book characters including superheroes and supervillains.

HeroClix logo

HeroClix logo

History

File:Clix figure.png

Example of a Clix figure

With the overnight success of the first collectible miniatures game, Mage Knight, WizKids knew that they had hit paydirt with the concept of collectible wargame figurines. Heroclix was the next step; instead of the fantasy-based elves and goblins of Mage Knight, these figurines represented already-popular licensed characters from comic books. Collectors could construct battles between Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, or the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. The game appealed to existing comic book fans, players of wargames, and to collectors.

With the success of the first set of Heroclix, several expansions have been released. The original Heroclix, which were all from comic books printed by Marvel Comics, have been joined by sets from DC Comics, and from independent comics. The expansions have won several Origins Awards, taking three of the 2002 awards and the prestigious Game of the Year 2003 for Indy HeroClix.

In recent expansions, Wizkids added new card-based mechanics to the game, including Feats, which allow teams and specific characters to have specialized skills based on powers or training; and Battlefield Conditions, which affect all characters in the game.

Other recent additions to HeroClix include the Wizard World HeroClix Championship Invitational Series of high-end events, participation prizes for tournaments held at thousands of comic book and game stores worldwide, and a shift in focus to more theme-based sets. The first such theme-based expansion, Marvel HeroClix: Armor Wars, was released November 2005 and features Iron Man and other armored characters from the Marvel Universe.

WizKids also announced that HeroClix would become two times easier to collect with the release of Armor Wars, due to improved collation of the figures. Additionally, WizKids has introduced a Buy it By the Brick program, where collectors who purchase a "brick" of 12 HeroClix booster packs at a physical store can send away for an exclusive collector's variant figure and the opportunity to purchase other premium game pieces. The Buy it By the Brick program is seen as a move by Wizkids to encourage their customers to purchase HeroClix products from brick-and-mortar retail stores as opposed to Internet stores that offer very substantial discounts on the same products.

In November 2005, WizKids announced the advent of Heroclix Collector Sets, small sets of predetermined figures (between 5 and 7) produced in limited numbers that share a similar theme, which will be mainly offered to players who participate in the Buy it By the Brick program (and thus become members of the Heroclix Collectors Club), but do become available for purchase by all others at a later date. The first Collector Set released was DC Heroclix: Giants in April 2006, and most future sets are to be determined by a fan poll (the second and third sets to be released in 2006, Indy Heroclix: Invincible and DC Heroclix: Alien Green Lantern Corps were the first and second place winners in the first of such polls).

List of HeroClix Game Designers:

• 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

It is a game that takes a long time if you have three people to battle.

Game play

Each HeroClix figurine has statistics associated with it: Attack Value, Defense Value, Speed, Damage, and 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 twisted a number of "clicks" to the right, revealing changed (usually decreased) stats to correspond to the damage it has taken. Some characters actually get stronger with damage, though, to represent a transformation or rage.

Pieces have point values associated with them. Typically, the more powerful the character, the more costly it is to play. Opposing teams must consist of a total point value in pieces that is less than or equal to a pre-decided total, usually a multiple of 100. Battles are played out on maps, overlaid with a grid of 35mm x 35mm squares.

HeroClix can be purchased in booster packs of 4 randomly assorted figurines (2-figure boosters also exist but are usually available only in mass market stores), or starter packs with a larger number of pieces, a rulebook, maps, dice, and other accessories. Special products are also available, such as map sets and extra-large figures, as well as figures available only through tournaments and at conventions.

HeroClix sets

DC

• Hypertime (released Sept 2002-retired Sept 2005)
• Cosmic Justice (released June 2003-retired July 2006)
• Unleashed (released March 2004)
• Legacy (released March 2005)
• Icons (released September 2005)
• Collateral Damage (released February 2006)
• Origin (to be released February/March 2007)

Indy

• Indy (released Oct 2003-retired Sept 2005)

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 Dec 2003-retired Sept 2005)
• Universe (released May 2004-retired July 2006)
• Ultimates (released June 2004-retired July 2006)
• Mutant Mayhem (released November 2004)
• Fantastic Forces (released July 2005)
• Armor Wars (released November 2005)
• Sinister (released June 2006)
• Supernova (released November 2006)

Convention Exclusive Figures

The following figures were generally only available at comic book or gaming conventions

• Galactus (Can be played at 600, 1200 or 1800 pts.) - released during the 2004 convention season
• Silver Surfer (Plays at 200 pnts.) - released during the 2004 convention season
• Dark Phoenix (Can be played at 600, 800 or 1000 pts.) - released during the 2005 convention season
• Nova (Plays at 200 pnts.) - released during the 2005 convention season
• Spectre (Can be played at 600, 1200 or 1800 pts.) - released for the 2006 convention season
• Parallax (Plays at 270 pts.) - released for the 2006 convention season

Other Large Figures

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

• Sentinel (Can be played at 100, 200 or 300 pts.) - Sold through Brick & Mortar stores
• Sinestro (Can be played at 100, 200 or 300 pts.) - Sold through Brick & Mortar stores
• Phoenix (Can be played at 400, 600 or 800 pts.) - Sold through Wizard Magazine

Collector Sets

• Indy HeroClix: City of Villains (Figures obtained by buying the City of Villains computer game and through tournaments. The City Of Villains Deluxe Edition contained all 7 figures) - Figures included: Stateman, Manticore, Positron, Black Scorpion, Captain Mako, Ghost Widow and Lord Recluse.
• DC HeroClix: Giants - Figures included: Alloy, Atom Smasher, Chemo, Colossal Boy, Giganta, Rita Farr, and Validus. (Released April 2006)
• Indy HeroClix: Invincible - Figures included: Invincible, Omni-Man, Allen the Alien, Atom Eve, Robot, Angstrom Levy, and Titan (Released August 2006)
• DC HeroClix: Alien Green Lantern Corps. - Figures included: G'nort, Abin Sur, Ch'p, Tomar Re, Arisia, Katma Tui and Ganthet. (Released September 2006)
• Marvel Heroclix: 2099. - Figures included: Doctor Doom, Junkpile, Ravage, The Hulk, The Punisher, Meanstreak and Ghost Rider. (To Be Released in December 2006)

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, Electra, 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.

Action Packs

Wizkids is releasing collector sets based on themes.

• 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 synch up with the Danger Room map. (Released November 2006)
• Indy HeroClix: Hellboy/B.P.R.D. (Wiz Kids announcement)- This action pack will have seven figures and will be a crossover with HorrorClix. In HeroClix, players will just use the dials as is. In HorrorClix, players will also use the included monster cards along with the victim tokens included in the action pack. Figures have not been announced at this time. (To Be Released in March 2007)

HeroClix Web Sites

• HeroClix (Official Site) The official forums here are a good place to interact with the game's designers and staff.
• HCRealms The most prominent Heroclix forum
• Heroclix.TCGplayer Daily articles, news, discussion and price guides by the internets leading TCG/CMG Network
• MyHeroClix.com This site helps you manage your heroclix collection and build teams in a community environment.
• Pojo's HeroClix Reviews of Individual Figures & Other Resources.
• Dial Maker Create your own HeroClix dials.
• Battle Planner Download software to create and analyze HeroClix teams.
• Cabal City Resources to play HeroClix on-line.
• Whoclix Guide A who's who guide to the characters of Heroclix.

International Web Sites

• Marvelheroclix.fr.st Marvel Heroclix France. Rules, Heroclix profiles, Scenario, Forum, Chat, Maps, Download, Dials, etc.
• Brazilian Heroclix Forum - Brazilian Association of Heroclix (ABHC - Associação Brasileira de Heroclix).