HeroClix is a collectible miniatures game originally designed and produced by WizKids, and now owned and marketed by NECA. Players construct teams of comic book heroes and villains and play out a battle between the teams turn-by-turn on a grid map.
Contents |
History
HeroClix utilizes the combat dial system created for Mage Knight, which keeps track of a figure's game statistics via a rotating dial in the base. As the figure suffers damage, the dial is turned to reveal new stats and special abilities. HeroClix was designed to appeal to comic book fans, players of wargames, and collectors, and the base set, Marvel's Infinity Challenge was released in 2002. The original HeroClix figures were all from comic books printed by Marvel Comics, but later expanded to include sets from DC Comics and from various independent publishers such as Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Later expansions also added new card-based mechanics such as Feats and Battlefield Conditions, expanding the game beyond the addition of new characters. As of March 2009, there are approximately 3,300 different HeroClix figures, maps, and game play items (as listed on the BattlePlanner web site).[citation needed]
The expansions won three awards at the 2002 Origins Awards including Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Game Board Game for Marvel HeroClix: Infinity Challenge.[1]
WizKids had a prize support system for organized tournaments at comic book and hobby shops, as well as regionally and nationally, consisting of of special limited edition variant figures given to winners. It is expected that full scale organized play and prize support will resume, now that Wizkids has been purchased by NECA. (The new NECA subsidiary will be known as "Wizkids".)[2]
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 | 2005–2008 |
Kelly Bonilla | part of 2008 |
Sale of Wizkids
Wizkids was acquired by The Topps Company in 2003. Topps later announced that as of November 10, 2008, Wizkids was ceasing production of all its product lines, including Heroclix.[3] Scott Silverstein, CEO of Topps, said “This was an extremely difficult decision. While the company will still actively pursue gaming initiatives, we feel it is necessary to align our efforts more closely with Topps current sports and entertainment offerings which are being developed within our New York office.” The property was expected to be sold to a 3rd party in May 2009, but the deal failed to close in April 2009.[4] [5] Topps was believed to be considering producing the next HeroClix expansion ("Hammer of Thor") under its own banner, (possibly for release at the US GenCon convention) prior to any future sale of the franchise to a third party. While a Marvel license "to manufacture figures and card games" had been acquired by Upper Deck, this license did not specifically relate to Heroclix. Topps still owned all the rights and licenses for all versions of Heroclix, and Justin Ziran of Topps said that the Upper Deck deal would not prejudice the manufacture of further HeroClix product.
There were three companies known to be interested in acquiring the Wizkids properties: Catalyst Game Labs, which works primarily on print role playing games; Piñata Games, formed by HeroClix enthusiasts and former Wizkids employees with the primary purpose of buying and continuing the HeroClix line; and a newly-formed third company. However, after Catalyst apparently withdrew, the third company failed to get funding, and Justin Ziran of Piñata joined Topps, NECA announced that it had purchased the majority of the Wizkids properties, including HeroClix, on 15 September 2009.[6][7] As of 28 July 2009, NECA were selling the "Thor's Mighty Chariot" big figure at a convention in America. As this had not been released by Wizkids (although pictures had been seen) prior to Topps closing Wizkids down, it came as no surprise that NECA were the purchasers of the brand. The relaunch of HeroClix occurred with the release of "Hammer of Thor" in November 2009, and a 2010 release for "The Brave and the Bold" booster set, Marvel Anniversary set, and the Batcar (all of which were in various stages of development / completion when Wizkids folded) seems to be likely, as does a new "starter" set for both the Marvel and DC versions.[8] Jake Theis, previously of Wizkids, then of Piñata Games (with Justin Ziran), and now employed by NECA, has made no comment, but was at the NECA stall at GenCon where "Thor's Mighty Chariot" was being sold. NECA are thought to have purchased all the Wizkids brands except Tsuro (reverted to its designer) and Mechwarrior, which may be going to join the other versions of the Mech Warrior universe at Catalyst Games.
Gameplay
Each HeroClix figurine is modeled in roughly O scale and has various statistics associated with it:
- Attack Value
- Defense Value
- Speed
- Damage
- Range
- Point Value
- Rarity
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.
Near the Number of damage dealt is the range and how many times they can attack, which is shown with a number with one to three lightning bolts next to it.
Battles are played out on maps, overlaid with a grid of 35 mm x 35 mm squares. These maps come in two different sizes 3 ft by 3 ft (36" by 36") or 2 ft 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.
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.
- The "Judges Exclusive" LE figures that were given to judges for the Marvel "Coming of Galactus" and DC "Starro" tournaments are considered rare. These included Sentinel of the Starways, Pyreus Kril, Oliver Queen, Hal Jordan, Barry Allen and Arthur Curry.
- 24 characters (eight REV sets) in the first Indy Clix set were characters published by 2000AD and were not released in the US and Canada. Similarly, 24 characters from the North American release (the "uncommon" figures numbers 37-60) were not released in the rest of the world.
- Four super-rare Marvel chase figures, with a rarity of 1 per hundred boosters in the Supernova set. All figures are zombies from the "Marvel Zombies" series 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 eighty 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 eighty 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.
- Two further super-rare Marvel chase figures, The Skrull Queen / Jessica Drew version of Spider Woman; and the Skrull Lyja Lazerfist, impersonating Susan Richards, the Invisible Woman. These are seemingly as rare as the two Superman figures mentioned above, ie approximately 1 per 80 boosters of the Secret Invasion set.
- The "Illuminati" Skrull. This is a representation of the Skrull who had the powers of Namor, Mr Fantasic, Prof Xavier, Iron Man, and Black Bolt, as seen in the Secret Invasion story line. It is a standard sized figure. This figure was released in September 2008 as a mail away promotional piece, in a limited edition of 5,000. (However, it was anticipated that there would be a second "print run" of this figure. In the event, Topps moved to sell the game before a second print run could occur.)
- The Joker (escape from Arkham). This is a 2 x 2 based figure, showing the Joker escaping over the wall of Arkham Asylum. It is a mail away promo for the Arkham Asylum set. This figure employs a 'prison break' mechanic, in the comic book flavor of villains being knocked out and taken to jail. Each time the figure is KO'ed, the controlling player places it in his starting area, randomly selecting one of 3 dials that the figure possesses. Despite the closing of WizKids, orders for this product were filled on a time-sensitive basis. Those orders received by Friday, November 14, 2008 were honored.
- Two further Super-Rare DC chase figures, Batman with the Sinestro Corps ring, and a modern continuity Batman, (known by collectors and players as the "Lamppost Batman") were released in the Arkham Asylum expansion, with similar rarity to those above. These are the two highest-point-value versions of their respective representations (modern continuity and alternate/limited appearance) edging out the Veteran from Legacy and the Kingdom Come version from Unleashed, respectively.
- There are two Super-Rare Marvel Chase Figures in the Hammer of Thor expansion, namely Thor, Frog of Thunder (Thor having been turned into a frog by Loki), and the "Thorbuster" version of Iron Man. These are thought to be approximately one per 80 boosters.
Released sets
All the 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.
DC
- Hypertime (released September 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) It should be noted that Batman Alpha is a separate game to standard Heroclix, but that the figures are legal in normal HeroClix play. The colors on the dials take precedence over the card descriptions, with only the theme team names and point values on the cards being used in standard Heroclix.
- Arkham Asylum (released October 2008)
- Brave and the Bold (to be released by NECA, worldwide release April, 14, 2010)
- The Blackest Night Starter Set (to be released by NECA, worldwide release May, 12, 2010.)
It has been sugested that the new "Watchmen" set, to be released in the Summer of 2010, should be classified as DC. However, the figures in the set represent the characters as shown in the Watchmen film, and thus may possibly be deemed Indy clix instead. NECA / Wizkids have yet to clarify this. ( as at 17th Feb 2010 ).
Indy
- Indy (released October 2003-retired September 2005)
- City of Heroes (limited edition figures)
- City of Villains (limited edition figures)
- Invincible (boxed set)
- The BPRD and Hellboy (boxed set)
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 September 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 (released July 2008)
- Fantastic Four (Starter Set, released as part of the 'Secret Invasion' series)
- Hammer of Thor (Initial piece - Thor's Mighty Chariot - released at San Diego Comicon August 2009; full release by NECA November 18, 2009)
- Web of Spiderman (to be released by NECA, worldwide release August, 2010)
- Galactus (2 Versions)
- Fin Fang Foom (3 Versions)
Teams
Marvel teams
- Avengers
- Brotherhood
- Defenders
- Hydra
- Power Cosmic
- Fantastic Four
- Masters of Evil
- Minions of Doom
- S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Morlocks
- Mystics
- Serpent Society
- Sinister Syndicate
- Skrulls
- Spider-Man
- X-Men
- Ultimate X-Men
- Ultimates
DC teams
- Batman Allies
- Batman Enemies
- Injustice League
- Justice League
- Justice Society
- Superman Allies
- Superman Enemies
- Titans
- Kingdom Come
- Suicide Squad
- Green Lantern
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Mystics
- Police
- Crime Syndicate
- Outsiders
- Calculator
- Quintessence
Indy teams
- 2000 A.D.
- CrossGen
- Crusade
- B.P.R.D.
- Kabuki
- Top Cow
- Arachnos
- Guardians of the Globe
- Freedom Phalanx
- Danger Girl
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.
- 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
- The Dark Knight - free with $50 purchase during 2007 convention season (see Announcement)
- Mighty Thor (Plays at 286 pts.) - free with $100 purchase during 2007 convention season (see Announcement)
- Fin Fang Foom (Can be played at 600, 900 or 1200 pts.) - released for the 2007 convention season
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).
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, and Silver Surfer, as well as Stardust who had not had a figure previously. 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 well as 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 was available at selected conventions in 2008. It represents the restored Anti Monitor, as part of the Sinestro Corps story line.
- Batman: Knightfall 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)
Thor's Mighty Chariot was released in July 2009 via the NECA Company at ComicCon in the USA. It came in Wizkids packaging, although it had not been released at the time of Wizkids closure. A release date of August 15, 2009 was given for its general market release, and it was generally available from September 2009 onwards.
The 18" tall "Big" version of Dr Manhattan from Watchmen will be released as a convention exclusive figure at a Convention (San Diego ?) in the Summer of 2010.
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
- Dark Phoenix (Can be played at 600, 800 or 1000 pts.)
- Advanced Sentinel (Can be played at 150, 300 or 400 pts.) - Sold as part of the Days of Future Past set.
- Anti-Monitor (Can be played at 600, 800 or 1000 pts.)
- Anti-Monitor, Guardian of Fear (Can be played at 400, 600 or 800 pts.)
Collector sets
- Indy HeroClix: City of Villains (Figures obtained by buying the City of Villains computer game or through tournaments. The City Of Villains Deluxe Edition contained all 7 figures) - Figures included: Statesman, Manticore, Positron, Black Scorpion, Captain Mako, Ghost Widow (absent from many sets due to an error) 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. (Released December 2006)
- either DC or Indy Heroclix (it is not clear which, as at 14 Feb 2010): Watchmen Heroclix Boxed Set - Figures included: Rorshach, Dr Manhattan, Comedian, Silk Spectre, Night Owl, Ozymandias and 19 other unique sculpts. These will compliment the 18 inch tall Dr Manhattan big figure, released separately. (To be released Summer 2010)
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 Super-heroes - 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, a new Power and Abilities Card with revised powers and team abilities, as well as a new rule book with changes to TK, Flight, Perplex, and the Giants rules, as well as changes to some of the "Team Powers".
- Blackest Night - Includes Flash, Atom, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, Scarecrow, Hal Jordan, and Mera as members of the various "emotion spectrum" Lantern Corps. Includes a new map (Science Cells), new rulebook, and up to date PAC. To be released by NECA / Wizkids in May 2010.
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.
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.
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 appeared in the 2007 set Mutations and Monsters, the original four figures were not reprinted. These 4 figures may be used in both HeroClix and Horrorclix games.
Action packs
Indy HeroClix
- This action pack has seven figures, which may be used in both HeroClix and HorrorClix. The Figures include Hellboy, Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman, Hellbaby, Johann Kraus, Roger the Golem, and Captain Ben Daimio. It should be noted that a production error resulted in Johan Kraus being misrepresented as a flyer, and with some numbers missing from both his and Liz Sherman's dials. There was a replacement policy in place for the former.
Heroes HeroClix
At conventions during 2008 (notably UK Gencon) Wizkids advertised the expected release of a Heroes HeroClix set. The writers strike caused a slow down in the Heroes TV series, and this seemingly pushed back the supposed release. It remains to be seen if the set will be released by NECA.
References
- ^ "Origins Award Winners (2002)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2002/list-of-winners. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ http://wizkidsgames.com/
- ^ http://www.wizkidsgames.com/wk_article.asp?cid=41914
- ^ http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14740.html
- ^ http://www.wizkidsgames.com/wk_article.asp?cid=41914 Topps announcement on closing of Wizkids
- ^ http://catalystgamelabs.com/2008/11/17/catalyst-game-labs-submits-offer-for-wizkids-properties/#comments Catalyst Games bid announcement
- ^ http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/13760.html icv2.com article on Piñata Games
- ^ http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15251.html