HeroClix

The HeroClix game utilizes the "combat dial system" originally created for the Mage Knight game. The Combat Dial keeps track of a figure's game statistics via a rotating dial in the base. As the figure suffers damage, the dial is turned required number of "clicks" to reveal new stats and possibly special abilities. HeroClix was designed to appeal to comic book fans and players of wargames and subsequently also became collector items due to the quality of detail in the HeroClix figures. The first game set, Marvel's Infinity Challenge, was released in 2002 and included figures and maps. 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 comic book 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. The Original HeroClix won three awards at the 2002 Origins Awards including Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Game Board Game for Marvel HeroClix: Infinity Challenge, "Best Board Game Expansion Or Supplement" and "Best Science Fiction Or Fantasy Miniature" for the Sentinel Figure.[2] WizKids had a prize support system for organized tournaments at comic book and hobby shops, as well as regionally and nationally, consisting of special limited edition variant figures given to winners. National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), the current owners of the HeroClix rights, resumed this practice in 2009.

WizKids, the company behind the HeroClix game, was acquired by The Topps Company in 2003.[3] Topps later announced that as of November 10, 2008, Wizkids was ceasing production of all its product lines, including HeroClix.[4] 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.

— Scott Silverstein, [4]

The HeroClix property was expected to be sold off to a 3rd party in May 2009, but the two parties were unable to come to an agreement.[5] While a Marvel license "to manufacture figures and card games" had been acquired by Upper Deck Company, that license specifically excluded the HeroClix game and concept. Topps owned all the rights and licenses for all versions of HeroClix, giving them the rights to sell the license to a third party. 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 fans and former Wizkids employees with the primary purpose of buying and continuing the HeroClix line; and a newly formed third company.[6][7][8] However, Catalyst withdrew from the bids, Justin Ziran of Piñata joined Topps instead and the third company failed to get funding.[9] NECA announced that it had purchased the majority of the Wizkids properties, including HeroClix, on September 15, 2009. Beginning on July 28, 2009, NECA began selling the "Thor's Mighty Chariot" large figure at conventions in North America. Since this game piece had not been released by Wizkids, it came as no surprise that NECA had purchased of the brand. The relaunch of HeroClix occurred with the release of the "Hammer of Thor" series in November 2009, the first series under the management of NECA.

HeroClix diagram from the Core Rulebook.[10]

Each HeroClix figurine is modeled in the approximate equivalence of the O scale for model train sets with a figure based on the design of the comic book character and a dial base that contains all statistics for the specific figure including:

• Point Value[11]
• Range[11]
• Experience[11]
• Speed[11]
• Attack Value[11]
• Defense Value[11]
• Damage[11]

HeroClix diagram from the Core Rulebook.[10]

These statistics are all printed on a dial that serves as the base for the miniature.[11] 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 from an attack.[11] Most damage weakens characters, although some actually get stronger when wounded, to represent a transformation or rage. Pieces have an overall point value assigned, representing how powerful they are.[11] Team creation is restricted to a predetermined total point value for the HeroClix figures, which is usually in multiples of 100.[11] The Range value indicates how far away a character can attack another character and if they are able to attack multiple characters at once, generally defined based on the powers of each figure.[11] Originally, characters would appear in multiple rarities with altered statistics. These altered stats represented the "Experience" of the character, ranging from "Rookie" (yellow ring on base) over "Experienced" (blue ring) to "Veteran" (red ring), (although this is no longer used) the more experienced a character is the higher the stats usually are.[11] As a result, the point value would also be higher. Some characters have multiple point values, and have multiple corresponding starting positions. The trait symbol corresponds to a character's Character Card. A Character Card is a card specific to a particular HeroClix character. If for some reason you do not have the corresponding Character Card for your miniature, it is available through the Print and Play System on the WizKids Website. Character cards outline which abilities the character will have on its dial, but does not say where they will be on the dial. Also, it shows special traits and abilities would otherwise be too complex to communicate on the Combat Dial. Many of these abilities are completely unique to the characters that possess them.

The HeroClix game can be played by arbitrarily many players in principle, although the HeroClix rulebook recommends two to four players in practice.[12] The Battles are played out on maps, overlaid with a grid of 35 mm x 35 mm squares. These maps generally 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, often related to the "theme" of the HeroClix series the map was produced for.[13] The older maps were generic places but recently the maps have taken on more comic-book-specific places, such as the Justice Society Museum. Participants take turn moving or attacking other players, using 2 six-sided dice to determine the success or failure or of their attacks. Games can be time limited or played until all other teams are eliminated.[14]

Storyline Organized Play

Spider-Man on a HeroClix base, as depicted in Avengers vs. X-Men

As part of their promotional efforts WizKids holds a number of events throughout the year, focusing on month-spanning tournament events that play out like a comic book storyline called "Storyline Organized Play". Stores participate in tournaments and receive exclusive figures and promotional items to offer their players for each month's Storyline Organized Play tournament(s). The events can span up to six months and have an overall, across all stores leaderboard that tallies all officially participating stores.[15]

Organized Play Event	Participation Prize	Monthly Prizes	Grand Prize	Universe	Date
The Infinity Gauntlet	The Infinity Gauntlet & Infinity Gems	Adam Warlock, The In-Betweener, The Champion, The Gardener, The Runner, The Collector, The Grandmaster	Thanos w/ Shrine to Death	Marvel	January 2012
No Man's Land	Batman's Utility Belt & Items	Lock-Up, Batgirl, Ultimate Clayface, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, The Joker & Harley Quinn	The Batcave	DC	Fall 2012
Fear Itself	The Book of the Skull & Serpent's Hammers	Loki, Hela, Thor, Odin, Cul Borson, Nul	The Serpent	Marvel	Summer 2013
AvX (Avengers versus X-Men)	Phoenix Force & Phoenix Fragments, Black Panther, Danger, Professor X, Hope Summers, Team base Avengers/X-Men	Cable, Lei-Kung, White Phoenix Hope, Phoenixbuster Iron Man	Dark Phoenix Cyclops	Marvel	December 2013
War of Light	Power Battery (Green Lantern Corps) & Green Lantern Constructs, Rond Vidar, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Jade, Kyle Raynor, Simon Baz	Larfleeze, Arkillo, Saint Walker, Atrocitus, Indigo-1, Star Sapphire	Nekron	DC	June 2014
Age of Ultron	Avengers Round Table & Id Cards Hulk, Thor, Captain America, & Iron Man	Grandmaster, Graviton, High Evolutionary and Kang the Conqueror	Quinjet	Marvel	June 2015[16]
Days of Future Past	Wolverine, Colossus and Storm "Wanted poster" ID cards	Kitty Pryde, Rachel Summers and Magneto "Wanted poster" ID cards	Tri-Sentinel	Marvel	August - October 2018[17]

HeroClix normally releases their figure sets in series, often including maps that are specific to the theme of the series. All series are product specific, so Marvel Comics only etc. The series often include starter packs, boosters, limited editions and individual figures.

• Official website
• Official website
• HCRealms.com
• HeroClixWorld.com