800 points. 26 teams. Which will be the best? Can the defending champions the Avengers keep their title? We're about to find out.

Twice before flyingicarus and I have systematically pitted each of the Marvel and DC Heroclix "teams" against each other in a single elimination tournament to see who (unofficially) was the best team in Heroclix, at 300 and 500 points. Now we're going for 800. We've divided up the teams into two groups of 13 (only those TAs capable of fielding an 800 point team using only "name" characters qualify. Sorry Morlocks.) We'll randomly match them up and have at it until only one team remains. Some special rules:

1. All figures used MUST have the team symbol on their base.

2. To level the playing field, only the most expensive figure on a side may actually use the team ability. This so that teams like Mystics and Baman Allies aren't insanely overbalanced. If that figure is KO'd the next highest figure get to use the TA.

3. Wildcard teams get to copy the TA of their opponents, even if it normally an uncopyable TA.

4. Teams must fall within the 790-805 point range. A slight overage is allowed due to the difficulty of getting exactly 800 points when you're so limited in your choice of figures. No feats may be used in team building.

Survivors of round 3: JSA, Avengers, Defenders, Brotherhood

Game 1: The Brotherhood take on the Avengers.

Game 2: Justice Society vs. the Defenders.

Okay, here's my Defenders team. Unlike the Avengers team I'm running it's hardly a team for purists. At least one figure from all the teams that are carrying the Defenders TA in the game.

U Silver Surfer (CM) 173
E Dr. Strange (FF) 96
LE One Who Knows 123
V Dr. Spectrum 95
LE Skymax 120
R Toro 64
V US Agent 75
V Gargoyle 58

804 points.

For this one we should be on the Zoo map, but I remember that we skipped to that one when CM was down (Defenders vs X-Men) so we should jump to The Lab. You get to pick a side.

The Defenders had always been a non-team. No set roster, no official status with the government, no regular training sessions or weekly meetings. Even their headquarters was catch-as-catch-can. No Avengers Mansion, Baxter Building or Xavier's School for them. Right now, they were meeting in the drawing room of Dr. Strange's Greenwich Village brownstone, and a strange assortment of heroes it was, even for the Defenders. Heroes from the far-flung future and heroes from the past. Heroes from outer space and from alternate dimensions. But all with one thing in common. The one called Starhawk appeared to Dr. Strange and told him to assemble this team specifically. When questioned, he simply said that he was "The One Who Knows" and left it at that. Strange sensed that despite his arrogant manner, there was something to what Starhawk said. So he called in some favors and assembled the team that he had requested.

The Defenders are a hard group to play, I always fell they're missing something without Hellcat, Nighthawk and Valkyrie. They kinda suck without a real Hulk to use though.

Anyway here comes a very traditional type of JSA roster, with one expection:

Jade R B14
Shazam! B15
Mr. Terrific V B17
Dr. Mid-Nite E A14
Hawkman V (O) B13
Wildcat E B12
Stargirl V A13
Jakeem Thunder B16
Crimson Avenger A15

796 total

HO H15, LO E20, E16

Which Shazam! is that? The Unleashed Unique or one of the REVs from Origin?

"Snowing...in California?" Jakeem says looking into the video screen. "So coo...".

Stargirl places her hand on his arm, "Don't even say it, Jakeem."

"Weird weather patterns are reported all over. Tropical weather in Boston and Paris, ice storms on the beaches of Rio," Mr. Terrific says.

"Guess there's somethin' to this global warming stuff, huh Mid-Nite?" Wildcat says to his ally.

"Perhaps so, but this is not a case of that, Wildcat," Dr. Mid-Nite repleis totally disrupting his playful nature. "At least if Dr. Fate is correct."

"Well the wisdom of Solomon tells me to trust Dr. Fate with my life," Captain Marvel says. "And if he says this man and his friends are to blame then I believe him."

"I agree," says Hawkman pointing at pictures of the adversaries, "Ironic, isn't it? They call themselves 'the Defenders'. Fate says they're dangerous perhaps misguided, controlled...".

"Nothing more definite than that?" Jade asks, "I wish my dad were here. I hate to step into this so blind."

"Justice is blind," the Crimson Avengers says, "But this Dr. Strange and his Defenders are wrecking havok with the world's weather like it's their plaything. Justice," she says cocking her bulletless guns, "Is exactly what they will get."

Jade R B14
Shazam! (Unleashed) B15
Mr. Terrific V B17
Dr. Mid-Nite E A14
Hawkman V (O) B13
Wildcat E B12
Stargirl V A13
Jakeem Thunder B16
Crimson Avenger A15

796 total

HO H15, LO E20, E16

U Silver Surfer (CM) W12
E Dr. Strange (FF) W11
LE One Who Knows W10
V Dr. Spectrum W9
LE Skymax W8
R Toro W7
V US Agent X12
V Gargoyle X11

HO S12, M16, H15
LO N11, E20, E16

Toro to Q15

Skymax to P14

Gargoyle to Q14

Strange to O15

Starhawk to O16

Surfer taxis US Agent. Surfer to P15, Agent in Q16

Spectrum to P16

Silver Surfer uses his TA to give an 18 DV to all his teammates.


U Silver Surfer (CM) @ P15
E Dr. Strange (FF) @ O15
LE One Who Knows @ O16
V Dr. Spectrum @ P16
LE Skymax @ P14
R Toro @ Q15
V US Agent Q16
V Gargoyle @ Q14

HO S12, M16, H15
LO N11, E20, E16

"You're sure that whatever this so-called Justice Society is looking for is here in this lab?" Skymax asked.

"I am sure," Starhawk said.

"Then what're we waiting for? Let's go stop 'em," Toro said, blasting off into the building.

"Ah youth," the Gargoyle said wistfully.

"Come now my friend," Dr. Strange said. "Your mystical form should counter the effects of aging."

"All the physical ones, maybe," Gargoyle said. "Doesn't mean I'm going to run off like a young turk again."

"Just don't go skulking in the background," US Agent told him.

"Do not fear for Isaac Christians," the Silver Surfer said, allowing US Agent to ride in on his board. "He will ever do what is needed."

"And so will we, eh old friend?" Dr. Spectrum said to Skymax.

"Indeed we will," Skymax agreed. They followed the Surfer into the building.

Interesting point in both of our My Team games: it's the same ta vs. the same ta in both cases. Of course since only our most costly figure can use it, it gives the JSA little advantage right now.

Ok so Shazam does the traditional move in place thing.

Jade tks Stargirl to J15.

Stargirl vs. Dr. Strange. Needs 7 + 2, rolls 9. Great...5 to Doc Strange.

Jakeem shares his defend with Shazam, Avenger, Terrific, Mid-Nite.

Jade R @ B14
Shazam! (Unleashed) @ B15
Mr. Terrific V B17
Dr. Mid-Nite E A14
Hawkman V (O) B13
Wildcat E B12
Stargirl V @ J15
Jakeem Thunder B16
Crimson Avenger A15


HO H15, LO E20, E16

"They're in the center of the building," Mr. Terrific says gleaning the information from his t-spheres. "If we can get someone out there to shake them up a bit, that would be a good move."

"I'll go," Hawkman offers.

"No. We need someone with immediate range. They might spot you beforehand," Terrific continues.

"I'll do it!" Captain Marvel says.

Dr. Mid-Nite turns to Mr. Terrific. "That could work, Terrific, Marvel's speed is a real advantage. Still, if the Defenders see him and catch on before he can hit them we've lost our most powerful member."

"How about me?" Stargirl says.

Mid-Nite continues to offer his advice. "Courtney's got the range. And the power to back it up...".

"Are you really gonna let the kid be vulnerable like that?" Wildcat asks.

"Hey Ted, I'm not some useless child. Let's stop talking about it, time's wasting," Stargirl says.

Terrific nods. "Stargirl, the t-spheres will guide you as to where to attack. Jade, give Stargirl a lift, will you? And provide what defense you can."

"From here I can't go much but I'll try," Jade adds.

Stargirl is thrust onto the roof and the Defenders are in immediate view. She doesn't hesitate, "Alright Courtney, show them what you've got!", she thinks to herself.

The result blasts directly through Dr. Strange's defense and almost takes the sorcerer down in one move.

"Wow," Stargirl says, "Did I do that?".

There's a wall between I15 and J15, so without using another of your figures to destroy it, Jade can't TK Stargirl through it.

Also remember that Silver Sufer is sharing his DV with everyone in my cluster, and the rule is "Replace, then Modify". So Strange would get to replace his DV with the Surfer's 18, and then modify it by +2 with his ESD, giving him a DV at range of 20.

Totally saw the wall as a bldg top, my bad. Even with that I missed Doc's sharing Surfer's defense, even though I noted it...

Still this can work....



Shazam to B16.

Avenger destroys wall at I/J16.

Terrific to I16 where he outwits Doc's esd.

Then comes Jade with Stargirl.

Mid-Nite to A17.

Jakeem shares his defend with Mid-Nite, Shazam, Avenger




Jade R @ B14
Shazam! (Unleashed) @ B17
Mr. Terrific V @ I16
Dr. Mid-Nite E @ A17
Hawkman V (O) B13
Wildcat E B12
Stargirl V @ J15
Jakeem Thunder B16
Crimson Avenger @ A15


HO H15, LO E20, E16

Okay then, that'll work. But Stargirl would have to be in J16 not J15. Jade would need to be able to see the square she TKs to, and her LOF to J15 is still blocked by a wall.

Strange pushes, Phases to O14

He'll Outwit Stargirl's ESD.

Dr. Spectrum RS to O15, taxiing US Agent to N14, attacks Stargirl. AV10 on DV16 +1. Rolls 2. Ew. He takes one for pushing, one for the crit.

U Silver Surfer (CM) P15
E Dr. Strange (FF) @@ O14 (6!)
LE One Who Knows O16
V Dr. Spectrum @@ O15 (2!)
LE Skymax P14
R Toro Q15
V US Agent N14
V Gargoyle Q14

HO S12, M16, H15
LO N11, E20, E16

"One hit does not take Dr. Strange down, young lady," he said, casting a spell that disrupted the force field she was projecting.

"Thanks Doc," Dr. Spectrum said. "That's just the opening I need!" He fired a shot from his power prism at her. One of Mr. Terrific's T-Spheres zipped in front of her to take the shot for her. It blew up, hitting Spectrum with shrapnel. "Ow, blast it!" Spectrum cursed. "That was not what was supposed to happen!"