Since the start of the year, Heroclix players have been participating in the Infinity Gauntlet tournaments competing for limited edition figures of the Elders of the Universe (in addition to putting together the most destructive weapon in the game). Today, we look at some builds to put those figures to use!

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The first appearances of The Elders of the Universe stretch back all the way to the late 60's. Since then, they popped up here and there through various titles, one or two occasionally teaming up. But it wasn't until 1987 when they came together en masse in Silver Surfer #4 (all but In-Betweener, who joined later). They haven't made Possessor, Contemplator, Astronomer, Obliterator, Trader and Ego's Proto-Humanoid, but that's okay. The six we have currently already add up to 1400 points. More if we attach their respective Infinity Gems and the ATA. But is it possible to play these pieces based on appearances in other comics? Yes, but not in very big teams.

Let's start with The Collector, the first Elder to ever appear. He debuted in Avengers #28, when he kidnapped Wasp and tried to capture the other Avengers with the help of The Beetle. Yes, The Beetle. Hard to believe that plan didn't work after such a top-notch recruit.

ig006 U Collector
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 8
Points: 210
Keywords: Cosmic, Elders of the Universe

10 10 17 4

9 9 17 3

9 10 17 3

8 9 18 3

8 10 17 3

8 9 16 3

8 9 16 2

7 9 16 2

7 8 15 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Reality Gem: Collector may begin the game with the Reality Gem attached to his base by paying its point cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when Collector is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects, Collector can use Probability Control during an opponent's turn if the Reality Gem is attached.
(Special) A Unique Specimen!: Modify Collector's attack value by +2 when attacking a Unique character.
(Attack) Add You to the Collection: Collector can use Incapacitate. When he does so and hits, you may either: give the hit character two action tokens instead of one, or place the hit character in your starting area (in addition to the normal effects).

sn024 V Beetle
Team: Sinister Syndicate
Range: 6
Points: 78
Keywords: Armor, Sinister Syndicate

9 9 17 3

9 9 16 2

8 8 15 2

8 7 15 2

7 7 14 2

7 6 14 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Adding in the Reality Gem for Collector and this team comes out to 298 points. Beetle might not be around as long as Collector, but if he takes a few clicks early on, you can at least frustrate your opponent with both their uses of Prob. And if you're looking for another option for Collector, pair him up with the Offenders (Rulk, Baron Mordo, Tiger Shark and Terrax) since they were technically his team back in Hulk #10.

But if we're looking for another low point team, we can look to The Runner. His first appearance was in Defenders #143, where we see he spent a lot of time hanging out with Moondragon before she left to join the Defenders.

ig005 U Runner
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 0
Points: 210
Keywords: Cosmic, Elders of the Universe

14 10 18 3

13 10 18 2

13 9 17 2

12 10 17 2

12 10 17 2

11 9 16 2

11 8 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Space Gem: Runner may begin the game with the Space Gem attached to his base by paying its point cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when Runner is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects, modify Runner's speed value by +1 if the Space Gem is attached.
(Special) I Have to Be the Fastest: Runner ignores hindering terrain for movement purposes. Modify Runner's attack value by +2 when attacking a character with a speed value of 10 or higher.
(Attack) Quicker Than Thought: While using Hypersonic Speed, instead of a close combat attack, Runner may be given a close combat action as a free action to use Flurry or Exploit Weakness.

ct087 U Moondragon
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 10
Points: 71
Keywords: Cosmic, Infinity Watch, Martial Artist, Psychic

8 10 16 2

7 9 15 2

7 8 15 2

6 7 14 2

6 7 14 1

5 6 13 1

4 6 12 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Moony and Runner come out to 291 points when we put the Space Gem on Runner. Maybe tack on a Protected or the Infinity Watch ATA on Moondragon and there you go. I don't see her TK coming into play since she can't fling around a peanut base, but oh well.

Of course Runner and Collector aren't the only teams we can play based around a first appearance. Way back in Marvel Team-Up #55, Spider-Man and Adam Warlock encountered The Gardener and in the end, all three teamed to stop The Stranger.

ig004 U Gardener
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 6
Points: 150
Keywords: Cosmic, Elders of the Universe

7 10 17 3

6 10 17 3

6 9 17 3

6 9 17 2

5 9 16 2

5 8 16 2

5 8 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Time Gem: Gardener may begin the game with the Time Gem attached to his base by paying its points cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when Gardener is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects, modify Gardener's range value by +2 if the Time Gem is attached.
(Special) Watch My Garden Grow: At the end of your turn, you may place a hindering terrain marker in a square within range that's not occupied by an opposing character.
(Damage) Unfriendly Flora: Gardener can use Poison. When he does, after actions resolve you may deal 1 damage to up to 3 opposing characters that are within range and occupying hindering terrain.

gg032 U Adam Warlock
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 5
Points: 149
Keywords: Cosmic, Infinity Watch

8 10 17 3

8 9 17 3

8 10 17 3

7 11 17 3

7 10 16 2

7 9 16 2

0 0 19 0

0 0 20 0

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Soul Gem: When Adam Warlock KO's an opposing character, heal him of 1 damage. If that character was 100 or more points, heal him of 2 damage instead.
(Defense) Cocoon: Adam Warlock can use Impervious, but can't be given any actions except a double power action to use Regeneration.
(Damage) Cosmically Unknowable: Adam Warlock can use Outwit, and he may use it to counter team abilities. If he uses it to counter the Power Cosmic team ability, he can use Outwit again after actions resolve to counter a power on the same character.

ws007 Spider-Man
Team: Spider-Man
Range: 0
Points: 78
Keywords: Avengers, Outlaws, Reporter

9 11 18 3

9 10 17 3

9 9 17 3

8 10 17 3

8 10 17 3

8 9 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Spidey Sense: Spider-Man can use Super Senses, but evades the attack on a result of 4-6.
(Damage) Web: Web-Shooters: Once at the beginning of your turn, if Spider-Man has no action tokens, as a free action he may place a Web special terrain marker in a square occupied by a target opposing character within 6 squares and line of fire.

This trio of characters with the Gem attached and Armor Piercing for Gardener will come out to 397 points. Plus, between Gardener and Spidey, you're going to be throwing terrain and Web Token markers all over the place.

It should be said that not all of our teams are being inspired by comics from over two decades ago. The Elders have made several appearances in contemporary comics. For example, in 2003 The In-Betweener was enslaved by Scorpio into doing his bidding in Avengers #60.

ig002 U In-Betweener
Team: Mystics|Power Cosmic
Range: 10
Points: 290
Keywords: Cosmic, Elders of the Universe, Mystical, Zodiac

10 11 17 4

10 11 17 4

10 11 17 4

10 11 17 4

9 10 16 3

9 10 16 3

9 10 16 3

9 10 16 3

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Soul Gem: In-Betweener may begin the game with the Soul Gem attached to his base by paying its point cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when In-Betweener is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects, modify In-Betweener's defense value by +1 if the Soul Gem is attached.
(Speed) The Source of Magic: In-Betweener deals 2 unavoidable damage instead of 1 unavoidable damage when using the Mystics team ability.
(Damage) Polar Opposite Attack: As a free action, choose an opposing character within range and line of fire. Until your next turn, In-Betweener may use all standard powers and combat abilities that character can use as long as that character is on the map. At the end of your turn, if In-Betweener didn't attack that character this turn, deal In-Betweener 2 unavoidable damage.

ca051 E Scorpio
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6
Points: 78
Keywords: Soldier, Zodiac

7 10 16 3

7 10 16 3

7 9 15 2

6 9 15 2

6 8 14 1

6 8 14 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Master of the Zodiac: Scorpio begins the game with the Zodiac Key placed on the map by an opponent into a clear square at least five squares from any starting area. Scorpio automatically rolls a 6 when rolling for the Zodiac Key. When Scorpio is KO'ed, remove the Zodiac Key form the game. Scorpio can use Energy Shield/Deflection and Penetrating/Psychic Blast while the Zodiac key is on his character card.
(Special) Zodiac Key (immobile object): This object can't be destroyed. Once per game per character, give a character occupying Zodiac key square a power action and roll a d6 that can't be rerolled. On a result of 6, place this object on that character's character card. Modify that character's combat balues +1 and that character can use Probability Control if it cannot already. When that character is defeated, place this object on the square that character last occupied. This object does not count towards your force.

In-Betweener and Scorpio come out to a 400 point team exactly if we include the Soul Gem, put Dissent on Scorpio and throw in the Scorpio Key just to mess with people. Of course, In-Betweener's status as an Elder *is* kind of debatable.

Champion however, is an Elder through and through. And in 2005, after suffering a defeat at the hands of She-Hulk, he took her longtime nemesis Titania under his wing, trained her in battle so she could enact his revenge, and if all that wasn't enough, he gave her the Power Gem to boot.

ig003 U Champion
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 0
Points: 290
Keywords: Cosmic, Brute, Elders of the Universe, Martial Artist, Warrior

9 12 18 5

9 12 17 4

9 12 17 4

8 11 17 4

8 11 17 4

8 11 16 3

7 10 16 3

7 10 16 3

7 10 16 3

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Power Gem: Champion may begin the game with the Power Gem attached to his base by paying its point cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when Champion is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects modify Champion's damage value by +1 if the Power Gem is attached.
(Special) Fight ME! I Have No Need of Allies: Opposing characters modify their attack values by -1 when attacking another character friendly to Champion. Modify Champion's attack value by -1 if there's another character on your force.

ct093 U Titania
Team: Master of Evil
Range: 0
Points: 85
Keywords: Brute, Femizons, Frightful Four, Masters of Evil

8 10 15 4

7 9 15 3

7 9 14 3

6 8 14 3

6 8 13 2

5 7 13 2

5 7 12 1

4 6 12 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Thus far, the two close combat fighters are 375 points. Add in the Power Gem either attached to Champion or play it seperately and hope Titania can wield it like in the book, we're at 385. Throw in Shellhead on Champion and Unstoppable on either one and you can begin. Of course, Champion's attack is -1 with Titania around, but opposing characters attacks are -1 also if they attack Titania. Not that it's tough to hit a 15 defense...

Last but not least in our spotlight on the Elders is The Grandmaster. This guy has made so many appearances it shouldn't be tough to find a team to play him on. His BFF The Collector; the Defenders that he put together to fight The Offenders; The Squadron Sinister; Maybe even him and Mistress Death when they were both toying with The Avengers. But today, we're looking at the JLA/Avengers miniseries where Grandmaster and Metron spent the series hanging out and setting events of the series in motion.

ig007 U Grandmaster
Team: Power Cosmic
Range: 9
Points: 250
Keywords: Cosmic, Elders of the Universe

9 11 18 4

8 10 18 4

8 10 17 3

8 11 17 3

8 10 17 3

7 10 16 3

7 9 16 3

7 9 16 3

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Mind Gem: Grandmaster may begin the game with the Mind Gem attached to his base by paying its point cost. This object does not count toward your object total and is scored and removed from the game when Grandmaster is KO'd. In addition to its normal effects, modify Grandmaster's attack value by +1 if the Mind Gem is attached.
(Attack) Match Your Luck to Mine: When an opponent attacks Grandmaster, after the attack roll but before the damage is dealt, you may give Grandmaster an action token. If you do, roll 2d6 that can't be rerolled and if your roll is higher than the unmodified attack roll, ignore the damage dealt by that attack.
(Damage) Let's Play an Honest Game: Grandmaster can use Outwit. Opposing characters can't use Probability Control during his attacks.

aa050 U Metron
Team: Quintessence
Range: 8
Points: 195
Keywords: New Gods, Scientist

12 10 18 4

10 10 17 4

10 9 17 3

8 9 18 3

8 9 17 3

8 10 16 3

12 10 16 3

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Attack) The Price of Knowledge: Metron can use Quake, Psychic Blast, and Pulse Wave. Immediately after the resolution of an action in which Metron uses any of these powers, roll a d6; on a result of 1 or 2, deal Metron 1 unavoidable damage.
(Damage) Mobius Chair: Metron can use Outwit and Probability Control. Once per turn, Metron can use one of the following powers: Leadership, Perplex, or Support.

455 points so far with the Mind Gem attached. If you want to get really, really evil? Nova Blast on Metron, Then Repulsor Shield and Shellhead on well... either guy qualifies. Oh, if only they'd clix Krona.

That's it for Comic Accurate. Join us next week as we stick around the Marvel Universe as we spotlight a team-up that boldy went where no one had gone before.

aw man..i was kinda hoping for a team I can atually make with grandmaster.

See the bottom of this article.

It seems like Sidekick would be a more thematic feat than Shellhead for Champion. Then he could share an 18 defense with Titania. then I would give Titania the guantlet with just the power gem and ta-da, she can use the gem guaranteed.

Awesome article as usual!!!

Who is Metron substituting for?

Or go Featless, Toss the Power Gem on him now 300 Pts. Titania gets the Gauntlet with just the Power Gem, 100 Pts, even 400 pts. (Unless I'm wrong the Gem when attached to his base does not count towards the Objects on your team build, and the you should be able to add it to the gauntlet, but you have to have a 2nd Gem)

As far as all of them teaming up; didnt they all go after Thanos during the original Infinity Gauntlet (with a celestial standing behind them no less) and team up again to kill Galactus?

Build
290 IG003 Champion
150 IG004 Gardener
210 IG005 Runner
210 IG006 Collector
250 IG007 Grandmaster
10 IGS102 Power Gem
10 IGS103 Time Gem
10 IGS104 Space Gem
10 IGS105 Reality Gem
10 IGS106 Mind Gem
5 ATA058 Elders of the Universe
5 ATA058 Elders of the Universe
5 ATA058 Elders of the Universe
5 ATA058 Elders of the Universe
5 ATA058 Elders of the Universe
1185

Still need 15 points of something to make it comic accurate. Maybe an Astral Doc Strange to represent the astral form of Contemplator? And a 2 point feat or something.

"JLA/Avengers miniseries where Grandmaster and Metron spent the series hanging out and setting events of the series in motion."

This reminds me that I want to run a "Champion Vs." game from Marvel Two-In-One. Basically have the Champion run the gauntlet of Marvel's strongest (No Hulk or Thor, since they were DQ'ed from the boxing match. Guys like Wonder Man, Colossus, Sasquatch, etc until he ends with the Thing. That'd be epic ... and I think that Champion has a good shot at going all the way (barring terrible dice rolls).

Great article!!
Carbon rod- I planned something for that as well- I always wondered, where was Hercules? He would have been the natural choice to face Champion. (Since it was Thing's book, he needed the main spotlight, I guess that is why Herc was left out)