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HeroClix

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HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game produced by WizKids, Inc. Each player constructs a "team" of heroes and villains.

HeroClix logo
HeroClix logo

History

File:Clix figure.png
Example of a Clix figure

In light of the success of the first collectible miniatures game, Mage Knight, WizKids decided to develop a follow on game in a similar genre. Heroclix was the next step; instead of the fantasy-based elves and goblins of Mage Knight, these figurines represented 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 first offered to players who participate in the Buy it By the Brick program (and thus become members of the Heroclix Collectors Club), but will also become available for general purchase 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). Collector's sets have been discontinued, the last being Marvel: 2099, released in December 2006.

List of HeroClix Game Designers:

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. Starting with the release of Avengers in June 2007 and continuing from then on out, boosters will contain 5 randomly assorted figures. In addition to the figures and cards issued in current boosters, these new boosters will also contain "character cards" specific to each character within the booster. These cards contain power information, biographical information, and the potential addition of a new "special power" symbolized on the dial by a black circle with a white interior.

Tournament strategy generally changes as each set is retired because particular figures get used by so many players. Some of the more popular pieces are: Lockjaw, Superman, Havok, Blackfire, any Mystics to make a Mystics theme team, Invisible Woman (for a FF theme team), KC Flash, Black Panther, Bullseye, Spider-man (generally with a Pounce feat card added), Hawkeye, Ghost Widow, Lian Harper (bystander) and Destiny. Point cost value is the main reason for this because all games have limited point costs.

Released Sets

DC

  • Hypertime (released Sept 2002-retired Sept 2005)
  • Cosmic Justice (released June 2003-retired July 2006)
  • Unleashed (released March 2004-retired July 2006)
  • Legacy (released March 2005)
  • Icons (released September 2005)
  • Collateral Damage (released February 2006)
  • Origin (released February 2007)
  • Justice League (August 2007)
  • Teen Titans (tentative name) (February 2008)

Indy

  • Indy (released October 2003-retired Sept 2005)

Marvel

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.

Starro the Conqueror will be released in late 2007 (Tournement exclusive, linked the Justice League release), as will starfish-controlled versions of Aquaman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Flash. A repainted version of the Galactus figure, with an entirely new dial, will be released alongside the Avengers set (again, as a Tournament exclusive), as will new versions of Terrax, Firelord, Silver Surfer and Stardust.

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

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.
  • Legion of Superheroes (to be released June 2007) - Includes Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Timber Wolf, Young Superman, Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, and Ultra Boy

Action Packs

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

HorrorClix Crossover Products

The WizKids HorrorClix game was designed in a similar way to HeroClix. However, the HorrorClix system has only a limited compatibility with HeroClix. WizKids will produce product that will be compatible with both gaming systems. However, HorrorClix product is not tournament-legal for HeroClix.

Limited Edition Figures

  • 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 Monsters and Mutations, these four figures will not be reprinted as they appeared.
  • Bystanders: Four super-rare chase figures; exact rarity is as yet unknown, but seem to be approximately 1 figure in every 2 cases of Origin boosters: Lois Lane, Alfred Pennyworth, Queen Hippolyta, and the Wizard Shazam.

Action Packs

  • Indy HeroClix: Hellboy/B.P.R.D. - This action pack has seven figures. 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.

Trivia

  • In every single Marvel Heroclix expansion set there is a Spider-man or Wolverine heroclix in it.
  • The Hulk appears in every expansion except Fantastic Forces
  • Superman and Batman are in every expansion except Unleashed for Superman and Collateral Damage for Batman

HeroClix Web Sites

  • HeroClix (Official Site) The official forums here are a good place to interact with the game's designers and staff.
  • Pojo's HeroClix Reviews of Individual Figures & Other Resources.
  • Whoclix Guide Who's who guide to characters in Heroclix.
  • Heroclix-Game German Heroclix Infopage.
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