REVIEW: WizKids Games DC HeroClix 2014 Monthly Organized Play

[JeffSaylor]

New Program Brings Team Base Figures & New Sculpts...

Review and photos by Scott Rubin

HeroClix players have been enjoying OP (Organized Play) kits for a long time, with the vast majority of them the traditional pack that comes alongside a new expansion set release. These bring Limited Edition figures, Special Objects, and maps tied to that set. For the last two years we’ve also enjoyed Storyline OP events, kits that bring their own tournaments separate from any specific release. Now, WizKids has launched another new program, the Monthly OP Kits! No longer do players and venues need to wait all the way between set releases for new prizes. These new kits are designed for one month of weekly events but can be used as the store sees fit, and with alternating DC and Marvel Comics kits there’s something for every player.

When it comes to set release OP kits, the prize figures generally include several sculpts from the main release with new dials and an all new figure. The monthly kits follow the same pattern, with each one providing four copies each of three figures. Two of the figures bring back recent sculpts on new dials, while the third is a totally new figure. Even better, at least for the first batch of kits, all of the figures are SwitchClix and can be used on their own or as part of previously released team bases! Not only does this give players more flexibility and team building options with their team bases, it gives people the chance to collect new versions of figures that were only available in team base boosters that may be hard to find.

The initial DC Comics HeroClix monthly OP kits feature two themed sets, Gen13 and Justice League, and all six figures from those kits are SwitchClix compatible with team bases from last year’s Teen Titans expansion. The currently available Gen13 kit brings us new dials for that team’s Sarah Rainmaker and Cheshire of the Villains for Hire, with the new figure being John Lynch who can join Gen13. Meanwhile, the upcoming Justice League kit is all girl power with a brand new Black Canary with new dials for Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl!

In the Gen13 set, Sarah Rainmaker came in at 80 points, the exact same cost as her previous version. WizKids made several very interesting changes to this incarnation, though, which give her a unique feel and a new place on the battlefield. Starting Running Shot and Energy Explosion plus Perplex, Penetrating/Psychic Blast, Willpower, and more make her highly offensive, and the additional target (three!) increases her potential effectiveness that much more. For Cheshire, WizKids gave us a slightly beefier version in the OP kit, 8 points more expensive. While the main set figure really focused on Stealth and Poison, her bigger sister brings those in a trait and tacks on a ton more with Charge, ignoring a bunch of things for movement, and a full dial of powers (both standard and special).

Finally, there’s the new figure John Lynch. A Gen13 veteran from Wildstorm, Lynch is a cool secret agent figure holding a pistol at the ready with some really neat details like the scars across his face. His 93 points gives you a really good team player who can do some damage with a trait giving his allies the Police or Underworld team ability and a special Mastermind, Telekinesis, Leadership, Outwit, Enhancement, and more. Plus, you can swap out Grunge and place Lynch on your Gen13 team base, and his asset prevents nearby opponents from using Outwit! Notably, the Spymaster also brings a new keyword into the game with “Team 7,” and hopefully we’ll see more of that unique lineup soon.

Following up after Gen13 comes the Justice League OP kit with three pretty fantastic ladies. Also hailing from the Teen Titans set team base packs are Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl, with Black Canary being the new addition. Wonder Woman offers a new version of the Justice League member, featuring the Amazon advancing down a short step with her sword and magic lasso at the ready. In addition to the Teen Titans set this sculpt has also appeared in the Justice League Strategy Game, and both of those figures clocked in at 150 points with the Justice League team ability. There will be a full reveal of this new Wonder Woman soon on HeroClix.com, but right off the bat we can see that she’s gotten a power boost at 180 points with dual Superman and Mystics team abilities and Indomitable!

The new girl on the block is Black Canary, a striking update on her modern look and what most will consider an improvement on the version we got in Streets of Gotham. The sonic superheroine wears her blue, black, and gold costume and lunges to the side, making for a cool looking new figure. At 77 points she has a lot going on with an Improved ability, a trait, 6 range, and dual Batman and Justice League team abilities. Again, you’ll see lots more information on Dinah soon on HeroClix.com, and for now you can guess which team base she joins and which character she replaces!

So how about an exclusive reveal? Check out the new Wonder Girl! Donna Troy returns with the same sculpt from the New Teen Titans team base booster featuring the powerful hero in her red jumpsuit flying through the air with her translucent lasso whipping around her as she prepares to ensnare an opponent. At 110 points, this new version is slightly less expensive than her 135 point predecessor, though she’s still very versatile and highly useful. Right off the bat we see that she has the Teen Titans team ability, Flight, Indomitable, and a 4 range. Her starting click actually has the same stats as the previous figure, and comes packed with the stellar combination of Hypersonic Speed and Impervious! After that she switches to a more sustainable power set with one special power granting Charge and Flurry, a second letting her Mind Control hit opponents with two action tokens, and Invulnerability. Late dial Wonder Girl drops to Toughness and gets Sidestep, Quake, and Support. The monthly OP kit figure has the same Amazon and Teen Titans keywords, and instead of giving the team base Super Strength and Flight offers Support and Flight through her asset.

The new Monthly OP kits have already started appearing at participating venues with the Gen13 and X-Men sets, and the response has been incredibly positive. They’re a great way for stores to offer more unique prizes, they help bridge the gaps between major releases, they give more flexibility and usefulness to team bases, and the figures are good second chances for players who didn’t get the team bases with the first versions. And best of all, all of the dials in the monthly OP kits are really good! Check with your local comic book/game store to make sure they’re getting these kits and find out how you can win the figures. Next time we’ll take a look at the Marvel Monthly OP kits!

Visit HeroClix.com for even more info as well as downloads of rules and maps, and check Figures.com regularly as we continue our exclusive reviews of new HeroClix!

Review and photos by Scott Rubin

Review samples courtesy of WizKids Games

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