In May of 2002 WizKids (not to be confused with Wizards of the Coast) released a collectible figure game, based on characters from popular comics, entitled HeroClix. In the years that followed the game has expanded to include popular characters from a variety of comic publishers. Since then, the game series has seen it's share of ups and downs including being discontinued due to financial troubles...Fast forward to November 2009 and we now have the 41st expansion (*may or may not be correct!), Hammer of Thor, finally getting released. To be honest, I was not excited about this set. I mean Thor? Really? How can you base an expansion on a character that has had waining popularly for the last 30+ years. However, being a fan I couldn't pass up the chance to add a few great pieces to my copious collection of clix.
Here I will pick out my 5 favorite pieces from the set. Please be aware that the pieces I have selected have been altered by actual game time with the new set. What I picked out before the set was released and after are two different lists.
5. Spider-Man
This is a figure that has a cool sculpt. No arguments there, but that isn't all Spidey has to offer. What lies beneath is a decent piece at a great price. Most lackeys fall somewhere around this price point yet they don't tend to be very effective; Spidey changes that by bringing decent stats and the ability to damage any fig regardless of their damage reduction powers. Just use that super strength to pick up any heavy object and wait for the fun to start. The Leap/Climb also makes sure he doesn't get tied up while he is tying up enemies around him.
4. Ultron
Now I haven't been able to use this one effectively so I won't talk about his powers. They seem good on paper; the dice just weren't rolling in my favor. Check out that sculpt though. Just screams bad-ass. Needless to say, you wouldn't walk down the same side of the street if this fool was passing your way. Ultron has a sordid history filled with brain washing and destroyed robots plus the occasional programming error. In his time he tried to kill his father, date his mother and fight his offspring multiple times. Who can't relate to that?
3. Captain America
I don't have much to say about good ol' Cap. It's about time he got decent piece and boy does Smokey deliver. His deflection trajectory is a great special ability and truly represents the abilities that make sense for this character. His dial has been created in a way that forces the player to use Cap as he acted in the Civil War storyline. Play this piece as a guerrilla fighter and you won't be disappointed. Note here that I haven't gotten to use him just yet, but I have seen him in play. Captain America was my #1 piece before the set came out, but since then...
2. Thor, the Reigning
I shouldn't own this piece. You see, I bought it outright the day this set hit the market. The only way you should be able to get your mitts on this limited edition figure is by trekking your nerdy ass down to the local BO factory and beating out all the other puds who rarely see daylight. I hate to stereotype my fellow clix players, but lets face it; they are what they are. I have been there. I have tried to participate in these events, but this hobby is way more enjoyable in the seclusion of your own home with a cold beer. That aside, this piece only made number 2 on the list because of what happens when you control it. The dial and abilities have been specifically designed to raise blood pressure. A few hits in he loses everything, and it happens again a few more clicks after that. The redeeming feature is that this piece is an Oreo. It has a cream center surrounded by a cookie shell. The cookie consists of two different bruiser type pieces. On the front he is a straight shooter with probability control; on the back he runs and guns with hypersonic speed. The cream in the center is an ability called Odin Sleep. When he gets this ability he is forced to remain motionless for at least 3 turns. Certainly long enough for the tide of battle to alter in any one's favor. The payoff is that Thor is restored to his original condition. This isn't a piece that never dies, but it does come closest to the definition of a deity.
1. Asgardian Warrior
SURPRISE! This is a piece that gets me hard and rocks the competition. Granted you need an Asgardian Deity to babysit, but that shouldn't be a problem considering that there are about a dozen new ones in Hammer of Thor alone. He stats are just right to stick a thumb sized thorn in any opponents side and at a low price you can afford a couple on any team. Enemies should fear this little guy. This piece is about as afraid to die as an ant on your kitchen counter. Don't be nervous about saddling up any big piece with this one and watch as your 30 point minion buries gods, heroes and villains alike.
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