I really like the system but I see 2 possible downsides....

1) As mentioned how do they handle running out of supply.

2) How do they manage feedback data. Reporting tournaments did have some imperical value. What they get now will be skewed by Reselling kits.

I do think the system will evolve, but I do like a lot about the system:
- Reward the players that never left
- Ability to get multiple kits for venues with more players
- Devalue secondary market (only if the supply is plentiful enough; if its not they will only increase the secondary market value)
- The possibility of league structure events and monthly winners
- The possibility for some venues to charge, but have more prize possibilities
- Free form events catering to the venues players needs.

PS the regulars needs should be of higher value to a venue then the potential of a travelling player.


- I am not sure how they are offering the kits out (do you have to buy a case first)?
- It sure could be interesting to get a prize Kit for a side event or an online event series.
- Ultimately the goal is to promote playing Clix which in turn promotes the product.
- The more people that have fun playing the game the more marketing value they get out of the prize kits.

Try to remember the point of the prize kits only has one purpose: To say to as many people as possible that HeroClix is fun and worthy of your entertainment expenditures.

Try this instead, ask your venue owner if he would order it for you at cost if you purchase x boosters.

Also keep in mind that shipping, staff time, and a 2% credit card fee are all potential costs in addition to the listed price. A friendly reminder from a small venue owner.

I emailed by B&M about ordering the kits and this is what he emailed me back from a copy/paste.

"Featuring not only the Thunder God, but also the heroes and villains of Asgard, this new HeroClix release boasts 60 all-new figures — including the first Clix appearance of fan-favorites, The Runaways — and marks the return of one of the most fun and exciting miniatures games of all time!

Retailers who purchase 10 boosters (one Brick) will receive one, exclusive “Buy it By the Brick” (BBB) figure as well – this exciting HeroClix model will be revealed shortly, so stay tuned! Plus, in anticipation of the incredible demand instilled in fans who’ve been eagerly awaiting HeroClix return, WizKids/NECA is also introducing a Marvel HeroClix: Hammer of Thor Organized Play Kit (AUG098006J, $17.99) for retailers looking to introduce this popular line to their customers. Diamond customers need only order 20 boosters of Marvel HeroClix: Hammer of Thor (JUL098192I) to qualify to purchase (1) of these handy kits. (Note: Available while supplies last. Allocations may occur.) "

I added the quotes and the boldface.

I for sure don't want to see every tourney as a sealed event. Most area if you have 1 event of sealed it will more than cover the $18 for one of the kits. If you have 2 sealed events then it will more than cover the expense of a kit, plus give the store some profit on top of it, and keep the customer happy. Forcing people to play in any more than 1 or 2 sealed events for this will drive customers away for sure.

I also come from venues where pretty much all players spend money at the venue all the time, so they aren't in dire straights to get people to buy their product. Even when clix went down.

I am very impressed with this kit although i am neither a retailer nor have i been an envoy. The 3-D objects sound great. The range and extent of prize/organized play support has me very pleased.

Where I play, I trust our regular judge to be, well, judicious, with the awarding and distribution of prizes and setting up events appropriately, but i fear there is a lot of latitude in this scheme for less scrupulous people... we shall see.

The YuGiOh kids aren't just loud, they're smelly, too!

If this method of prize support continues, I'd bet we'll see an increase people doing what you'll be doing.

As long as more people play, I think it's good. I like running games at the stores to help promote the game and further the relationship with the store owner.

Okay, this makes me feel a little better.

20 boosters is just one case. That's small enough that any store should be able to manage it, yet large enough to discourage broad abuse.

Long as the allocations are done so that everyone receives one before anyone receives two, we should be fine.

-J

I just got off the phone with my b&m and I was told exactly what has been posted. And put in an order for a case. It's going to come out to about 210 after tax. As of yet, it is unknown whether there will be a limit on the ordering of prize kits. But I imagine there will be since our b&m placed a small order of 10 cases. 10 prize packs? I don't think so. But that's just speculation. I'm sure some jerk off venue out there will try.

I think it's kinda funny that the biggest naysayer about this ap structure has the name of that which they are comparing the ap to. Coincidence? Lets hope so. I didn't want to rep the guy for nearly everything he said all summer about the resurrection of hc only to have em turn around and poo on the excitement that's finally being arroused. Unlike Karl Marx, the best thing to do would remain quiet until after your theory is proved.

I think naysayers on this must like seeing fat people bend over. I personally like seeing someone cover their bottom line. I doubt that much beyond the BIBTB figures will be free from neca. You don't run a company OWNING nearly 100 licenses and just give out stuff for free on a weekly basis. The best thing I think people don't realize is how the business dynamic is streamlined so much already:

1. The BIBTB figs come with bricks.
2. Getting AP prize support is now ordered through alliance, rather than an in house packaging and distributing center.
3. Heroclix is back.
4. The AP comes with instructions, but is not limited to that. We no longer will have limits on house rules or real theme teams. Though the cost of this will probably be that judges and envoys will no longer see there efforts (and for some fraudulent acts) go rewarded.
5. With the 3 prize per event structure, week in week out, you could elect judges from the pool of players where there were no judges before.
6. By requiring the purchase of a case to also purchase a prize pack, they eliminate false stores. The prize kits don't just cost 18$, they cost around 170$ but come with a case. The reason I mention it like this is because one order for 12 cases a month prior will have no impact on the ordering of a prize pack that next month. The case will have to be ordered at the time of the pack.
7. Heroclix is back.

To all those with negative thoughts on the matter, I ask that you hold your tongues till 3 weeks after Nov 18th. By week three of prize support we can get a steady feed on how things are on ebay and how well this new dynamic will hold up. The last thing we need as a community is buzz drawing new players in only to see unrest in the house of H. Let the excitement be what it is. Heroclix IS BACK! YEAH!

I'm cool with this so long as WK/NECA provides some mechanism for stores to post their event descriptions. I really, really, really don't want to go back to the days where you'd show up at a new store and have no idea what to expect.

There's plenty in there to reward the Judge for his service as well. The figures, feats, events, special objects and BFC are all packed in threes - First, Fellowship and Judge. The only oddities are the ten heavy objects and the six ATAs, but I expect the "instructions" will cover that.

-J

Miraclo is right.

The new Organized Play details look to be a good hands-off, no fuss, no muss way of allowing venues to run tourneys and provide prize support.

I started playing tournaments early in HC's life, and I won a few (including some 2nd place back when that was available).

The LE prizes I got weren't very "good" (neither in rarity nor cheesegaming factor) but I still have them because I WON THEM GOSH DARN IT. They are like little trophies and I treasure them.

Perhaps the new tournament prize support method will foster a similar outlook in others and lead to a more friendly tournament gaming environment.

In the meantime, I will try to put everything for my local venue up on HCRealms in the form of Monthly event listings, as well by event on our message board. I hope that others do the same.

The Best Heroclix News ever! I can't wait to play in fun tournaments again at my local venue Comic Relief on fenton road in Flint! ! Us True Heroclix fans stayed while the fad chasers faded away Heroclix and Comic Book Geeks Unite!

I love this guy. Will you adopt me Jon? I mean Dad.

You know.. if the Prize support is purchased instead of comped.. I could see a lot of people just chipping in to buy their own Kit and then simply splitting the prizes up. $20 but a full set of stuff plus trade fodder and give-aways seems prefect to me..

While I'd like to think that this is how NECA will do things from here on out, this is probably a one time thing (Maybe two times with Brave and the Bold in Feb).. They guys as WizKids did say they were working on a new Approved Play setup.. this is a good fix until they implement something new.

Honestly though.. I think that allowing stores to buy the prizes and thus allowing them complete control over their tournys is a good way of running things.. It also allows the stores to buy extra prizes to fill in the months between release tournys..