Compilation of all the DC 75 previews from Wizkids

Only a week and a half until  DC75 hits shelves.  So what do we know already?  Well, here is what Wizkids has officially shared with us so far:


Commons:

Uncommons

Rares

Super Rares

Prize Support LEs

Giant Sized X-Men OP Kits information

HCRealms member Comical, a retail shop owner, has shared the solicit for the Giant-Sized X-men OP Kit.

Marvel HeroClix: Giant-Size X-Men Organized Play Kit contains everything a retailer needs need to bring HeroClix players into their store for weekly events - including new limited edition figures, 3-D objects, maps and more! 

Each OP Kit include prizes to run 10 weeks of events, with each week giving away prizes for 1st and 2nd place, a fellowship drawing and a judge reward. A suggested schedule and format guide makes it easy for stores to run HeroClix organized play for the first time.

OP kits are intended for tournament play and NOT FOR RESALE. 

2 Giant-Size X-Men Cases - 1st OP Kit 

7 Giant-Size X-Men Cases - 2nd OP Kit 

12 Giant-Size X-Men Cases - 3rd OP Kit

No retail store location may order more than 3 OP Kits total.

Each OP Kit Contains: 

15 Limited Edition figures, 18 3-D objects. 10 Maps, 1 Instruction Sheet

(contents subject to possible changes)

  Pretty stabdard stuff  We'll learn what the figures are over the coming moths.  In the mean time, DC75 hits ius 3 short weeks, look for events using that OP kit to start shortly after that.

HeroClix Apps for Android Devices (Updated 11/23/10)

No doubt about it, HeroClix is a rule laden game that can be complex when approached with little attention.  The payoff, however, is a great experience [re]creating comic based battles with a myriad of characters that would sometimes prove hard to see on the pages of an actual comic.

Where else can we get Batman and Judge Dredd to lay the smack down on those upstart kids from the Runaways while being helped by Incredible and the Comedian?  And think, pretty soon, Chun Li and M. Bison of Street Fighter fame can be fielded to help which ever side they want.

Well, lots of fans loving this game has driven the creation of great sets of resources for the game.  From the fantastic community for Clix fans HCRealms, to third party game enhancements from Gale Force 9 and Grid Reality, fan interest in the game makes other folks think of some great ways to improve the game-playing experience.

Today, I'd like to look at a few of the resources available on the Android Market that may help enhance your game.  If you like what you read, there is a scannable barcode that will take you right to that App in the Android Market when scanned

The first thing you will notice at the Android Market is that a search for "heroclix" turns up only a handful of Apps.  All but one are by fan/developer (and funny man) Adam Komar.  Adam has been a fairly active member of the HeroClix community at HCRealms.

The most prominent of these Apps that Adam has developed is the HeroClix Team Builder.  This app lets you search the entire inventory of HeroClix figures, Feats and Bystanders to build any team for any need.  The teams and database of figures, including stats for each click of the dial, store to your SD card.

Using this app you can plan ahead for your next game anywhere.  As a mobile interface with limited screen to use, it is not as convenient as the Unit Section on HCRealms, but as far as mobile planning, this is tops.  Plus you have the option of downloading the entire database to your SD card, so you don't even have to have a network connection to use the App, just plug in what you want to work with and go.  Oh yeah, it also calculates theme team bonuses.

I feel as if I am just glossing over this, because frankly, I cannot say enough good things about this App.  Every click, every FEAT, right there on your mobile device for you to peruse anytime you want.  WIN WIN WIN!

This is a pay app.  But for $2.00 you get a go-anywhere clix library that is constantly updated with the new sets and can search for just about any parameter you can think of. (For the record, this is the only App I have ever paid for and I don't regret it one bit!)

Another clix utility that Adam has built is the Crosshairs for HeroClix line of sight tool.  This tool giives you a 14 x 14 square grid that you can plot two end points on.  It draws a line between the two endpoints and you can examine the straight line between them.  this is a very simple tool.  While it lacks the ability to zoom, it gives you a clear view of the LOS.  From there you can refer to the map you are on and if you see that the line crosses any terrain on the map you can make the appropriate ruling.

But let's not over state what this tool is.  It is just a replacement for a straight edge, albiet a very precise one that is free of any accidental misplacement, it cannot tell you what the effects of terrain are.  For that you still have to refer to the rule book.

Adam's last game-play App is a simple 2d6 auto roller called Bonethrower for HeroClix.  Not much to say, it rolls 2d6 by tapping the screen.  No option to roll 1d6, so if you use it for a shape change, super senses, etc. roll you'll have to declare left or right before tapping.  Also the screen is pretty sensitive, a double tap rolls twice and the dice are a bit small given the size of most Android device screens.

A newer app is HeroClix Rules from Norwegian developer Kyrre Havik Eriksen.  This is impressive as well as simple.  All it is, is the PAC in a scrollable single power per screen presentation.  Very fast to find each power.

Just tap the Ability and the associated color and the text from the PAC is displayed.  Tap "More" and you get a list of all of the Team Abilities and other character Abilities in a similar display.  It currently is using the wording from the latest PAC and has ALL Team abilities from Infinity Challenge to Watchmen.  A big help  when it comes to describing the other game Abilities such as carry, Capture and Multi-Attack, verbatim from the rules book, but without all that pesky flipping pages.

This was a paid app but quickly went free, I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't have (or want to carry) the PAC to each game they go to.

Update: The Developer even plans to include ATAs in a near future update.  Making this an even better resource.

A note about using these apps in a game.  You should always tell your opponent (and the Judge) that you are planning on using them.  Just like with any other set of dice, if your opponent says "no", then switch to some real ones.  And if ever there is a discrepancy between what is displayed on the App and what is in the paper Rules Book (including the Player's Guide) then the paper wins!

One should also note that having HeroClix Team Builder open during a game can get you disqualified.  There is a no "cheat sheets" rule for organized play.  Having it open means you can see the entire dial of your opponent or your own team, that is a big time NO!  So remember what Uncle Ben says folks, "with great [App] Power, comers great [App] responsibility."

One last App to talk about is also from Adam Komar.  The HeroClix Dial Generator can make any dial you want into bbcode, suitable for sharing with your friends on HCRealms.  You can use it for your own creations, to report new figs or just to talk about figures when the bbcode is not yet unavailable.

It works great for what it does. but I'll tell you the same this I said when I left a review for it in the market, "Works well but be careful of hitting the back button when you have spent 15 minutes of dial making :)"

Special Object Tokens for Sunday's BMT.c event

This Sunday (11/14/10)  marks the end of an era, the very last HeroClix game hosted at BuyMeToys.com's University Commons location.  To commemorate the occasion it will be a special event where players do not bring any objects as they are being provided for you.


The objects that will be randomly given out can be found at this link.  Check back between now and Sunday as I may get more included in there.


But 'Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.'  Look for more HeroClix events to be hosted starting with the December release of DC HeroClix: DC 75th Anniversary Set! 

BuyMeToys.com is moving to a new location.

Well many folks already know about this, but it should be shared anyway.

Starting this week, the University Commons is being partially demolished.  The facade that faces SR23 will be torn down and the old Krogers will be coming down as well.  This is all in preparation for a new medical plaza that will be  built on this location.  All of the current tenants are being forced into a very quick move.

Casey and Kelly Heying have already found a new home for their  business, a bit higher profile but smaller in overall space.  They new shop will be located at JMS Plaza on Grape Road, right next to Michiana Used media's brand new storefront, and the Sprint store.

4609 Grape Rd 

Mishawaka, IN 46545 
574-271-TOYS

The phone number will stay the same, all web based aspects of the store will stay the same, and the dedication to the local comic, toy and HeroClix fans will remain the same!

Even though there will be much going on in the store, it will be business as usual.  Comics will come in and be up on Wednesdays, special ordered items will be in on time (depending on Diamond and Alliance as always).  But expect there to be a lessened "browsing selection" until the new storefront is open.

The last two HeroClix events for the short term will be the first two Sundays in November.  After that the store will finish the move and open the brand new doors on Monday, November 22! (Yes, just that fast!)

As for HeroClix in the store.  Expect that to start Dec. 1 with the release of DC HeroClix: DC 75th Anniversary Set.

I'll post a link to the official Press release when Kelly gets it out with more details soon.

Mage Knight Return in 2011

From Wizkids

NECA/WizKids Announces the re-launch of the Mage Knight ™ Property

(WizKids to release Mage Knight Board Game by Vlaada Chvátil)

HILLSIDE, NJ – October 21, 2010 NECA/WizKids, the leader in collectible gaming, is proud to announce the re-launch of the Mage Knight property.  In 2000, Mage Knight defined miniatures gaming by combining a rich back-story, detailed pre-painted miniatures and revolutionary game play.  Mage Knight will honor that spirit of innovation within the property by expanding it across several platforms.

The initial Mage Knight offering for release will be a board game designed by Vlaada Chvátil, designer of the acclaimed games: Dungeon Lords, Through the Ages and Galaxy Trucker.

“For me, Mage Knights combine the greatest fantasy archetypes – honor and wisdom, strength and magic.  I want to bring to life a Mage Knight as an individual who steers the wheels of history and gives birth to legends. My hope is to capture that essence in a new and engaging way for fantasy fans around the world” says Chvátil.

WizKids President Lax Chandra says “Mage Knight launched our company and created a new industry (CMG) of gaming. Ten years later, we have come full circle. We have wanted to work with Vlaada for a long time and we are thrilled with his vision to make this a new experience while still carrying forward the world that so many people fell in love with.”

In addition to the first boxed set, WizKids/NECA plans several brand extensions set in the Mage Knight universe, including a new take on deck building games and role-playing games.

About WizKids/NECA:

A wholly owned subsidiary of the National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. (NECA), WizKids/NECA is a New Jersey-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating games driven by imagination. The HeroClix brand is the most successful collectible miniatures games on the market today, with over 250 million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit www.wizkidsgames.com.

©2010 NECA/WizKids LLC. All rights reserved. Mage Knight, the Mage Knight Logo, HeroClix, and WizKids are trademark of NECA/WizKids LLC.

Web of Spider-man ATAs

Wizkids has been [slowly] releasing the ATAs for Web of Spider-man over the past two weeks.  While the method of release may not be preferred, the content it quite a boost for the game.  ATAs make Theme Team building even more beneficial and allow you to get a theme team that may be a few points shy of the build into a competitive force.

Now go ahead and Print and Play 'til your heart is content!  These, like all other, Print and Play items are tournament legal the day they are posted.

Game Trade Magazine giving away HeroClix to readers!

Game Trade Magazine is giving away a set of DC75 and Watchmen HeroClix to a very lucky reader!

Head to their site and fill out the entry form.  Make sure you include which of the great local retailers you get GTM from in the entry!

Wizkids slowly releasing Feats for WoS

Wizkids has released the following FEAT

Remember that even though the FEATS are from Web of Spider-man, FEATS are ONLY usable in casual at home and Golden Age style events.

"Fall Down" Even'ts BFC Alternatives for 10/17/10 event

Fall Down BFC substitutes.  

Players will use these as they would any other BFC. There are three rounds of play. Players will inform the Judge which of the three of the four BFCAlts they will be using and play as normal.

Gusty Today
At the beginning of each turn.  The players roll a single die., on a result of 1-3, all [wing symbol & Wing Transporter symbol] movement is modified by - 1, on a result of 4-5 all [wing symbol & Wing Transporter symbol] movement is modified by -2, on a result of 6 the Flight ability cannot be used.

Mind the leaves
Grounded Hypersonic and Charging characters must reduce their movement (post all other modifications) by -1.

Leaf piles
Before the beginning of the game, but after forces are placed, each player may place up to 4 pieces of hindering terrain and any clear space, alternating placement one piece at a time.  These terrain markers MUST be placed adjacent to at least one other piece of hindering terrain, either placed or native to the map.

Leafless trees
Treat All hindering terrain on the printed map as hindering terrain for movement.  When determining line of fire roll a dice, on a result of 3-6 it is NOT treated as hindering terrain for Line of Fire.

Another WoS ATA: U-Foes

Get more punch against those big opponents with the U-Foes ATA.

Giant Sized X-men set in 2011

Straight out of the retailers summit in Ft. Wayne are rumors of the new set.

Nothing first hand yet, but is what we have so far:

• Buy-the-Brick Jamie Madrox figures will be IN STORE hand outs like with Surtur.
• Bricks will be 9 boosters: 8 regular 5 piece boosters and a giant sized booster (twice as large as a normal booster.

Photo courtesy of Plot Twist Comics

More as this develops.

Update: also in 2011 Street Fighter HeroClix.  NOT ActionClix.  Set configuration TBA.

(Updated 9/9/10) WoS Brick figure redemption site goes Live 9/9/10

UPDATE 10:18 pm, 09/09/2010

In a very open move, Justine posted that there would be a bit of a delay, so that all the kinks can be worked out with their distribution partner, Alliance.

Here is a quick update on the redemption system.  I am going to delay the go-live of the redemption system until I have a chance to a walk through with our fulfillment partners at Alliance games.  Ordinarily, I’d roll the dice and kick the system live but on something as important as redemption, I would prefer to make sure all the stakeholders are comfortable with the system.  A small issue can quickly turn into a large issue when 2000 redemption hit the system at once.

Read the whole announcement, that includes a it about the return of setting us User accounts with Wikids, HERE.


Original Post

Justin posted a note today wanting everyone to know that the redemption site for the Web of Spider-man Buy the Brick figure will be active starting Thursday, 9/9/10.

this is to make sure that all stores in all regions have product to sell  (and therefore UPC's for customers to redeem) after the long holiday weekend.

Head here: http://heroclix.com/buyitbythebrick/  tomorrow!