Welcome back to DEEP DISH THEMES! This time around I will be reviewing the man that started it all. Without him, we wouldn't even have the most recently released set of Heroclix. He is the man with the dream: Professor X. He's the founder of the X-Men and the world's premiere psychic and expert on all things X-Gene. Join me as I do an in-depth review of every version that we have had from Infinity Challenge to the afformentioned Giant Size X-Men.

Origin: Charles Xavier knew he was different. His powers emerged early in his life as a boy, even to the effect of feeling his half brother Cain's pain from beatings from his father. Charles learned to control his powers later in life. Xavier discovered his calling in life while traveling the world. He encountered a telepath by the name of Amahl Farouk - The Shadow King. Charles Xavier defeated him and decided to protect the world from evil mutants. His path of action would be cut short very soon however.

In Tibet, Xavier discovered a group of people enslaved by the mysterious Lucifer, who turned out to be an alien working to help plan an invasion of earth. Charles helped to lead the people to revolt against Lucifer, but in the battle, was crippled when a large stone was thrown upon him by Lucifer.
Now a paraplegic, Charles knew he couldn't fight evil mutants head on, so he decided to start a school where he could train and direct young mutants who he dubbed his X-Men to control their powers and help protect humanity from those evil mutants that would try to oppress humanity and therefore set back his cause for equality with humans and mutants. His path as well as the path of his students would be crossed more than once by his oldest friend Erik Lensherr who saw Mutants as the superiors of humans and even by his own half brother Cain who had become the unstoppable Juggernaut through the effects of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. Though the years have passed by and the faces of the X-Men have changed greatly, Xavier's dream lives on.


Professor Xavier
Set: Infinity Challenge
Character #145
Rarity: Unique
Keywords: Psychic, X-Men 8s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 8 8s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 92 6's
Current Estimated Value: $1 10s
Dial: 8s

6 11 16 1

6 10 16 1

6 9 15 1

5 8 14 1

5 7 13 1

5 6 11 1

5 6 10 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

NOTE: Universe version has "The Twelve" Keyword that the Infinity Challenge version doesn't. Universe version is 10 s for keywords.

Overall Rating: 7.2 s
Overall Rating: 7.5 s(For Universe set version)

Lets kick off the reviews with the first of only two hover chair versions of Xavier that we've gotten so far. This version has only a few tricks that he is capable of as he falls right in line with most figures of the time, but the tricks he can do could be really helpful even in a current day game. With the new boost to leadership and the decent enough point value of 92 points, this Xavier could keep your team "Healed" of action tokens while at the same time providing a bit of chaos to the opponent's team with some mind control as an option. Don't go mind controlling big point figures unless the gains outweigh the losses since this version of Chuck as well as his other Infinity Challenge versions drop like rocks as was the nature of the early pieces. Here's a bit of a tip for newer players...16 defense with defend isn't great, but it can help you LOWER a friendly defense in order to use support to heal them up.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...09#post5083209

Professor Xavier
Set: Infinity Challenge
Character #78
Rarity: Rare
Keywords: Psychic, X-Men 8 s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 10 10s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 83 7s
Current Estimated Value: $1 10s
Dial: 6s

5 11 16 0

5 10 16 0

5 9 15 0

4 8 15 0

4 7 14 0

3 6 11 0

2 6 10 0

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Overall Rating: 7.4s

The veteran version of Charles is a few less points than the Infinity Challenge Unique version. Under the new Leadership rules, this could actually turn out to be a bit of a detriment to his effectiveness towards your team. He can remove action tokens from people, but it might not be your main attacker that he is supporting in this way. His stats decline almost exactly the same as the Unique version so, once again, watch out for too much mind control with him. He does sport a higher range than the Unique version though, and he gets a little late dial incapacitate, but other than those two things, the only other real difference between him and the IC Unique is the fact that he has no damage output at all.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...16#post2877716

Professor Xavier
Set: Infinity Challenge
Character #77
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Psychic, Starjammers, X-Men 10s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 8 8s
Targets: 1 3
Point Value: 67 6s
Current Estimated Value: $1 10s
Dial: 5s

5 10 16 0

5 9 15 0

4 8 15 0

4 7 14 0

3 6 12 0

2 6 11 0

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Overall Rating: 7.1 s

Now we're going to start getting into the "Bargain" Xaviers. At only 67 points, he is not going to be doing much good with his newly acquired Leadership trick, but he still delivers on all the other things that you've come to know and love with the early Professor X clix. Note the biggest difference between him and other versions. This version also sports the STARJAMMERS keyword. The core group of Starjammers finally got completed as of Giant Size X-Men, so we might actually see a resurfacing of this version with people who are wanting to try out a fun and different team. His leadership trick might even come in handy on that team as most of the team is below his point cost.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...72#post2744372

Professor Xavier
Set: Infinity Challenge
Character #76
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Psychic, X-Men 8s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 8 8s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 59 5s
Current Estimated Value: $1 10s
Dial: 4s

5 9 16 0

5 8 15 0

4 7 13 0

4 6 12 0

3 5 11 0

2 5 10 0

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Overall Rating: 6.5s

At only 59 points, his leadership is going to only help out the second string and support characters on your team more than likely, but he still has a place on a decently formed team. This Charles isn't going to be the star of your team, but he can fill the role of backup annoyance piece to your opponent. After his initial usefullness is over, you can always use his X-Men team ability to heal up some of your injured soldiers providing of course that they too share his team ability.
Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...06#post2707906

Prof. Xavier
Set: Critical Mass
Character #220
Rarity: Limited Edition
Keywords: Ruler, New Mutants, Psychic, Spy 10s
Team Ability: None 0s
Range: 10 10s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 78 8s
Current Estimated Value: $15 6s
Dial: 8s

9 9 15 2

8 8 15 2

8 8 14 2

7 7 14 1

7 7 13 1

6 6 13 1

6 5 12 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Overall Rating: 6.4 s

Whoah, what is up with this version of Professor X?! For those that don't know, this is the version of him that was infested with a Brood Queen and was setting the New Mutants up to become brood hosts. It's also this reason that he has the ruler and spy keywords which are not your ordinary Professor X faire. My favorite thing to do with this version is to play him as a leader to my brood swarm. It's not a great team by any means, but it can be totally worth it to see the look on your opponent's face when a Brood Queen Mind Controls them from a 10 range.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...92#post5248892

Professor Xavier
Set: Fantastic Forces
Character #94
Rarity: Unique/Super Rare
Keywords: Celebrity, Psychic, Ultimate X-Men 6s
Team Ability: Ultimate X-Men 5s
Range: 12 10s
Targets: 3 10s
Point Value: 99 8s
Current Estimated Value: $10 8s
Dial: 6s

5 11 13 0

5 10 13 0

5 9 12 0

4 8 12 0

3 8 11 0

2 7 10 0

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Overall Rating: 7.5s

There are so many great things about this piece yet it has so many problems at the same time. On one hand, he has a 12 range with three targets. However, to use that ability to it's fullest effect by using his mind control, you will put him close to death's door. He does sport a decent amount of incapacitate, so you get get that use out of it as well. He does have great support powers including his Ultimate X-Men team ability, but there are very few characters that he can thematically be put with that would benefit from either. He also has one of the worst glass jaws in the game. His highest defense is a 13 which even an injured Infinity Challenge character could hit. He does sport mastermind on his opening clicks, but do you really want to hurt your main attackers to keep him safe? He's a tricky piece, but I have seen him effectively used. Proceed with extreme caution, though.
Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...34#post5187934

Professor X
Set: Mutations and Monsters
Character #31
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Illuminati, Mutant, Psychic, X-Men 9s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 12 10s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 131 7s
Current Estimated Value: $5 10s
Dial: 10s

6 11 17 1

6 10 16 2

5 10 16 3

5 10 16 3

4 9 15 3

10 9 16 2

10 8 17 2

10 8 18 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Cerebro: Professor X can use Perplex. When Professor X uses Perplex, he can use it normally or choose a single keyword and affect every target friendly character 10 or fewer squares from Professor X that possesses that keyword (including himself, if he possesses the keyword) and to which Professor X has a clear line of fire.

Overall Rating: 8.1s

In my opinion this was our first taste of a Charles Xavier that truly displayed his potential as a controlling piece and the definition of a team player. He Cerebro power remains one of the best powers in the game. It's basically the brilliant tactician feat that has become built into his dial except he can choose a different keyword to use it on every turn. His point cost reflects how potent he can be, though at a decently hefty 131 points. He won't quite be half your team, but with that many points put into support, you will have to choose the rest of your team wisely. This Professor does switch from support to attack role after he's taken some damage, though, so he might be just what your team needs.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...43#post5357443

Charles Xavier
Set: Mutations and Monsters
Character #104
Rarity: Limited Edition
Keywords: Psychic, X-Men, Mutant 9s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 10 10s
Targets: 1 3s
Point Value: 125 7s
Current Estimated Value: $10 8s
Dial: 9s

6 10 17 3

7 10 17 2

7 10 16 2

6 9 16 2

6 9 15 2

5 9 16 2

5 8 17 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Telepath: Charles Xavier can use Psychic Blast and Incapacitate.

Psychic Redirection: Charles Xavier can use Shape Change.

Psychic Coordination: Charles Xavier can use Leadership and Perplex, but he can't use Perplex to modify his own combat values.

Overall Rating: 7.7s

This Xavier is built for offense. When you first look at him you will probably notice what most people notice...RUNNING SHOT?! ON PROFESSOR X?! Believe me, it has led to some funny mods of this version including one where he is doing a wheelie. Joking aside, though, he can be out in the field with his team with a little less fear than other versions might garner. He's not meant to be the main attacker of a team, so his point cost might be a little too much to consider for your team, but his dial is effective throughout.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...84#post5363184

Professor X
Set: Giant Size X-Men
Character #36
Rarity: Rare
Keywords: Illuminati, Scientist, New Mutants, X-Men 10s
Team Ability: X-Men 8s
Range: 8 8s
Targets: 2 8
Point Value: 123 9s
Current Estimated Value: $5 10s
Dial: 10s

6 10 16 2

6 10 16 2

6 9 16 2

6 9 15 1

5 9 15 1

5 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

I've Learned Your Secrets: Professor X can use Outwit. Once per turn, when he uses Outwit to counter a standard power, he may immediately use Outwit again, but only to counter a power of the same color.

In Contact with Cerebro: If Professor X is in your starting area, he can draw lines of fire and count Range for his Speed, Attack, and Damage powers from the square of any friendly character with whom he shares a keyword.

Overall Rating: 9s

The newest entry into the Xavier hall of fame, this version is quickly becoming the scourge of tournament scenes everywhere. He has near limitless reach since he can target enemies by using his friends' eyes. As long as he is in his starting area, he can use any friendly character's square to target from. This goes for attacks as well as his mind control and outwit. He can be deadly in the hands of anybody, but the skilled player is going to make you hurt with how great this figure is. He's the closest thing to omniscience that we've ever seen in Heroclix. The only thing that hurts this figures ratings is the point cost. However, if he cost any LESS points, the screams of cheese would be heard from miles away.

Other players' comments/ratings:
http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showth...96#post5483196


Now that we've reviewed all of the Professor X figures individually, let's look at what teams they would work best for. He has a decent amount of keywords to choose from, so here is the breakdown of who would be the best choice for each one:

Psychic: Mutations & Monsters Uncommon Professor X
X-Men: Giant Size X-Men Unique Professor X
Starjammers: Infinity Challenge Experienced Professor Xavier
Ruler: Critical Mass LE Prof. Xavier
New Mutants: Giant Size X-men Unique Professor X
Spy: Critical Mass LE Prof. Xavier
Twelve: Universe Unique Professor Xavier
Celebrity: Fantastic Forces Unique Professor Xavier
Ultimate X-Men: Fantastic Force Unique Professor Xavier
Illuminati: Giant Size X-Men Unique Professor X
Mutant: Mutations & Monsters Uncommon Professor X
Scientist: Giant Size X-Men Unique Professor X

Possible Comic Accurate theme teams to play Professor X on: Cadre K, Shadow-X, The Light Brigade

I love Professor X, but I'm still waiting to get Professor (Chief) Xavier.

Rolling shot FTW!! I really like the LE from MnM. He, coupled with Chief and Hector Hammond made a great team of losers back in the days of Crisis!

This DDT just reminded me that I've never actually played Prof. X on his willpower clicks...

I've clicked through them on the way to death. But I've never actually played him with them...

Nice article. I used to play the fantastic forces chuck all the time. The new one is just too much fun to play, I dont think ultimate wheels will be getting any play time soon. Cant wait to try a new illuminati team.

Shouldnt Onslaught be on this list? He was charles xavier......kinda.

Very well done article. Thank you.
However, the picture used....isn't that Vin Diesel??

It was a picture that Boris Vallejo painted a long time ago for some X-Men trading cards. I don't know if he used Vin as picture reference or not, but it is indeed a professor x picture not just one that I am CALLING professor x.

I don't consider him Xavier enough to be on the list

charles, emma, and the cukoo's were my main team in MnM (won all the le's with this grouo of 5 clix) They really are so good at what they do...3 probs' carry each other and emma and chuck sittng way back taking pot shots...
now with the WoS nightcrawler, the new professor and wolvirine with vamperism and pym particles the can control the board and stomp most of the phoenix teams I've seen...

I have that set, I think he looks like Micheal Keaton...

The new Professor from GSX kicks my butt everytime I play against him, he is amazing.

I think the M&M version is better for X-men teams, those X-men don't have the highest attack values and X-men don't have the cheap efficient support powers that GSX Prof X needs (like say scientist does).

That 10 attack and 2 damage (even with psy blast or MC) is not that impressive even if he can shoot from his teamates.

Illuminati would also rather have the perplex I think since there are not many figs on the team. Granted with this team you at least up his attack and damage with Reed and Dr. Strange, but the perplex would probably be better used on a primary attack like Iron Man or Namor. Which reminds me that we need a new Black Bolt...

Based upon "how many points left you have" in an x-men team, i agree with you that the M&M version is still very usefull and sometimes better than using the new GSX one

I would also have probably not rated the XP and Rookie IC versions so high because, if you campare it to DC mister mind, well... there is something wrong for those points i guess... But Vet and Unique are getting a nice boost from the new leadership power, on that i'm totally with u here.

other than those lil nitpicks from me, i have to say that it's a very good article !

Yeah GSX Xavier is great! Till his stepbrother comes onto the board and makes a beeline for him. Nothin can stop the...well you know...