Coming from the perspective of a player (also judge), I just want to be able to continue to play with favorite comic book people in tourny or be able to run theme tournaments (bring only X-men etc) and not having to worry about "Well, Cyclops is in Universe but Jean Grey isn't, so...). If I lose constrictor, Controller, or Puppet Master....boo hoo.

You spoke for me quite well. In fact, you pretty much described my life pretty well. Maybe we're clones! AHH!

DCFan -- straight from the original press release:

"Will you really continue to support Unrestricted events?
Yes. Mage Knight, HeroClix, and MechWarrior will have WizKids-supported Unrestricted events available on a regular basis. While this will not be in every line every month, Unrestricted events will remain an ongoing part of our WizKids-supported lineup."

And from the Approved Play chat:

"[16:03] {KevinG} {Kinnison} Are there plans to increase the support for unresricted games, at or near the same levels as restricted play?

[16:04] {JamesC} We'll continue to offer Unrestricted events, but we can only support so many events each month and we need to concentrate attention on the newer sets."

Unrestricted events are NOT going to be as common as Restricted events. And check this out, again from the press release:

"This does not mean that your older figures will become unplayable. WizKids will continue to support Unrestricted events, in which players can use any figure, regardless of expansion. In addition, Unrestricted events will always be a part of venue-supported play."

ALWAYS a part of venue-supported play... ominous. Wizkids will continue to support Unrestricted play... but for how long? Sounds like the Unrestricted format WON'T always be officially supported.

--J.

Oh yeah, and the other thing that bugs me about this is merely the title. "Marvel HeroClix Universe opens up Approved Play!"

"Opens up" when it's restricting. Where'd they get this doublespeak from, the White House? Clear Skies Initiative, No Child Left Behind, and Marvel HeroClix Universe opens up Approved Play were surely penned by the same person.

The new base set isn't really surprising - they haven't been hiding that info. The way they've been doing PR is definitely sub-par -- every softening of the blow (such as unrestricted events) includes a lack of feeling that they will really follow through. The combination of the intent to rerelease figures with different stats and the regurgitation of the IC/Xp sets shows either a lack of planning or a lack of cohesion (which could be blamed on Topps).

I would find it a much more intelligent decision to drop xplosion from the tourny scene before clobbering time as it's replacement already exists (and clobberin time was a much better set). I will find the retirement of figures much less of a problem if the new sets aren't sub-par compared to those that have come before (i.e. Critical Mass).

I would expect sometime mid April that they announce that Clobberin' Time will be retired at the end of June with the release of Ultimates.

My main concern is that they say that Unrestricted events will be less common. Which means we may get to use our old figs every other month, or what?

On that note, if anyone wants to buy an LE Knuckles, send me a PM.

You actually just described my life as well. However, people like you and I aren't arguing this like others here are (or have been.) Some of my post was in anger, yes. Thus the sarcasm and jabs. I apologize. But I can't stand it when people here act like children, even though most of them are, literally. It makes me sick really. These people profess a love for this game out of one side of their mouth, and then thrash it out the other side of their mouth. Make up your mind. Which is it? If you don't like the game, and all you can find time to do is ##### and complain, then go somewhere else. This game doesn't need you.

Sure, I may not always agree with Wizkids, but I find a constructive way to vent my frustrations. This "Chicken Little Syndrome" that's seemed to have taken over the boards lately has kept me away, and a number of other too. Has anyone noticed how the majority of the old school HCR members have been absent lately? It's not an accident, I assure you.

Rich

I am also angry. I feel that we are getting the shaft. But lets face it, no matter if we got every person here to post a well thought-out reason not to retire, or even if everyone here threatened a boycott, we will not be able to change Wizkids policies. In the end, like it or not, love it, hate, abore it, we just have to deal with it.

Thanks for the rant time.

I swear by Mjolnir, if the Constrictor is retired, the street will run red with WizKids blood!

you can try wizkids but firelord shall always haunt you


Let them try and ban my nightcrawler


What about beserker wolvie?

quote
The goal for Mage Knight – and eventually for MechWarrior and HeroClix – is to reach a point in which sets used in regular tournament play include the most recent “base” set and the last three expansions.


eventually HA i dont really consider 4 months when they word it like that

quote
Set retirement will be a gradual process

gradual, HA sure 4 months after the changes to approved play is sure gradual

quote
two and a half years for a base set and two years for an expansion

clobberin time hasnt been out for 2 years
neither has xplosion

Precisely what figures are everyone afraid of losing. Seriously go through IC and find 20 REVs (probably more is they keep set size ratios in accordance) that you still play with on a regular basis. I can name a few.
Cyclops
Jean Grey
Magneto
Sabertooth
Bullseye
Pyro
Blizzard
Boomerang
Ultron
Quicksilver
Vulture
Wasp
Rogue
Controller
Prof X

So that is 15 pick 5-10 more figures. The point is the odds are they are going to go with the popular pieces not the "no-names" because they won't sell in a new consumer market. What 6 year old kid is going to be walking through Wal-Mart and start screaming "Mommy, Mommy, I want this! I can pull a Constrictor! and a Puppet Master!" No, they are going to want the movie figures and those that the general population recognize. Yes you may lose some pieces that you like to play. But you can only not use them for 3-4 games a month, I know I play a lot more than that. I know others don't and I empathize. But once again I say wait for the character list before you scream you can't use your favorite pieces again.

I've got to wonder if WizKids is going to offer to buy back all of the unopened boosters of Infinity Challenge that are going to be collecting dust on our venue's shelves ... ?

The players aren't the only ones getting the shaft in this. Venues sunk money into keeping Infinity Challenge in stock, and now aren't going to be able to sell it because of the retirement ...

With all due respect, please explain how "we" are "getting the shaft"...

Rich

Hey hey! No threatening WK members here!