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HeroClix Products: What do I get, and how do I get it?

[Note: Just to be super clear on the matter: we don't get kickbacks on Clix or anything like that. This is genuinely something that multiple people are confused by, so good ol' Tim is taking a swing at clearing it up for you, if you're one of the folks interested in getting started in the world of tiny plastic combat. - Ed.]

If you’re reading this, you probably realise by now that… I loves me some HeroClix.

Ten years ago the tiny plastic versions of my favourite comic book characters captured my imagination and there was no turning back. Be it Jubilee, Hellboy or Blue Devil, I love setting up the battlefield and fighting my opponent until the bitter end.

As you probably also know, I love to bring you sneak peeks of upcoming HeroClix figures. It’s one of my favorite things in the world right now.

Well, I’ve received a little feedback and it’s been brought to my attention that not everyone is aware of the means of releasing any given set of HeroClix out of Wizkids/NECA. Apparently it’s gotten a little confusing when the Abomination people scored in the Fast Forces Pack didn’t match the one I reviewed from the Counter Display. Totally understandable.

So before I write up another HeroClix sneak peek, I’m going to try and clear things up a little for you. Examine the Marvel HeroClix: The Incredible Hulk pics below. There will be a test.

In recent years, Wizkids/NECA have been working hard to make HeroClix accessible to everyone, despite their collecting habits and/or budget. This has resulted in any given set being distributed in a number of different ways.

Originally, you could only get HeroClix in the blind-booster method. That basically means that a set of 50ish different characters, randomly distributed in sealed boosters. Like baseball trading cards, you don’t know what characters you’re going to get. In a booster you get five HeroClix figures. This has been the system of release for a number of years now.

So in order to get your complete set of 50 figures, you’d spend more than a couple hundred bucks. No one ever said that HeroClix was a cheap hobby.

Now, I don’t know why, (maybe Wizkids/NECA felt for those of us that couldn’t drop over US$1k in any given year on the game we love so very,very much, or maybe it was some reason we couldn’t possibly imagine) but they decided that in addition to the set of 60ish characters in the core set, they’d release a mini-set in something called a Counter Display or Gravity Feed.

The Counter Display/Gravity Feed features around 10 to 12 characters that are still thematic to the core set. For example, with the Hulk set, 10 characters were duplicated from the core set and released in single blind-boosters. The characters included: Hulk, She-Hulk, Punisher, Skaar, General Thunderbolt Ross, The Leader and Red Hulk among others. So as you can see, still very Hulk focused.

Now even though all these characters are from the core set, they have been given completely new dials. The sculpts are identical, but the figure number and powers and stats were brand new and different to their core set counterparts. With the single figure blind-booster, Wizkids/NECA had a cheap and accessible product that a kid who only has a couple bucks pocket money could afford to grab occasionally, instead of trying to save up for a five-figure booster.

Now, imagine if you will, the following scenario: Let’s say you’re a Hulk fan and can only afford one five-figure booster. You see that there’s a brand new Hulk HeroClix set out and so you grab a booster, chuck your money at the clerk’s head and run home with your new Hulky-loot. What if when you get home and open your Hulk-booster, you get Black Tarantula, Jigsaw, Tiger Shark, Ghost Rider and Shanna? Not a single gamma-radiated character, hero or villain? You’d excuse a Hulk-fan for muttering “What the…?”

A Fast Forces Pack is another six figure mini set. Again, all six figures are taken from the core set and reuse the sculpts from that set. And again, all six figures have completely new dials including dial numbers, stats and powers.

The difference being: they’ve totally eliminated the random factor. Fast Forces Packs come in a clear booster package so you can physically see the six characters you’re buying.

Imagine again, if you will, that instead of feeling ripped off by that blind Hulk booster, you could instead grab a packet of Hulk HeroClix and know exactly what Hulk characters you were getting. Now, wouldn’t that make you a happy little Clixer?

Fast Forces Packs also come with a number of maps to play on as well as dice and even team build suggestions. So they’re perfect for a new player who is attracted to a certain character or team.

So if Hulk is your hero of choice, no matter the budget or spending habit, Wizkids/NECA have made it accessible for you to get your hands on this delicious plastic crack. And this seems to be the release model for future sets too.

So there you have it. HeroClix suited to your buying habits and budgetary needs. Now money can no longer be used as an excuse to not buy HeroClix.

I hope I’ve cleared that up for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Now watch this space as we get back to our regular HeroClix programming.