Welcome to the first entry of the new Heroclix Journal, previously known as The Tucson Heroclix Journal: http://tucsonheroclix.blogspot.com/. Here I cover some of the recent games I’ve played, discussing what’s worked well for me, and what hasn’t. I’ve recently moved from Tucson, AZ, home to 5 heroclix venues and 7 days a week of clix, to Seattle, WA, a city whose 24x16 square maps are just starting to reveal themselves to me.

Last night I attended my first tournament in the Emerald City at Card Kingdom, http://www.cardkingdom.com/static/storeinfo/info.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/IMAG0821.jpg

(does anyone know how to get pics to just show up here?)

I was immediately impressed by the venue. Surrounding Card Kingdom’s expansive retail space are large rooms and spaces dedicated to rolling dice, shuffling cards, and impressive 3D maps. The divided rooms offer enough privacy from other groups of gamers, while still leaving the space with a feeling of openness.
The atmosphere is unlike any I’ve ever seen in a tabletop gaming venue. It’s clean, well decorated, and not overwhelmed by floor to ceiling product or blank white walls. The tables are easily converted for a variety of tabletop needs, and even have detachable cup holders that slide around the edge of the table! While the ambient lighting is nice for mood, it can make it difficult to clearly see the combat values of certain clix, especially those with dark colored powers and colossal bases that shadow the defense and damage slots.
One last thing before I get into the clix: Card Kingdom’s greatest and most unique feature is that it neighbors Cafe Mox, http://www.cafemox.com/, and is connected inside. Cafe Mox, described as a gamers version of a french cafe, offers a full menu of cafe/bar food, coffee, local brews and wine. The food menu doesn’t seem to be vegan friendly, but Cafe Mox clearly is focused on offering gamers better options than the vending machines and fridges stocked with energy drinks from Costco. Not that there’s anything wrong with potato chips and Monster, it’s just great to see a business succeed and thrive offering a higher level of food and, frankly, culture. Anyway, enough of my drooling over my favorite new venue. On with the clix!

The build was 555 points with a special restriction of having exactly 3 figures all sharing a keyword. I’m not sure where the idea for a 555 point game came from, but it was fun to fill a build that I’m sure I never will again.

I chose sentinels, backed by Master Mold:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/IMAG0829.jpg

ggG003e V Master Mold
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 10
Points: 200
Keywords: Robot, Ruler

10 11 18 3

4 10 18 3

4 10 17 3

4 10 17 3

4 10 16 3

4 10 16 3

4 9 16 3

4 9 16 3

10 9 16 2

10 9 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Advanced Sentinel: Master Mold can use Multiattack and can't be targeted by an opponent's Mind Control, Penetrating/Psychic Blast, or Perplex.

(Special) Retribution Virus: Mark each character that caused Master Mold to take 2 or more damage from a single attack. At the beginning of your turn, Master Mold deals 1 penetrating damage to the marked characters and each other opposing character adjacent to them, then remove the mark. Each character can't be dealt more than 1 damage per turn by this power.

gxG09b E Sentinel Mark V
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 7
Points: 150
Keywords: Robot

9 10 18 4

9 10 17 3

9 10 18 3

9 10 17 2

8 9 16 2

8 9 17 2

7 9 16 2

7 8 15 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

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) COORDINATED ASSAULT: Once per turn, when another friendly character with the Robot keyword hits an opposing character, Sentinel Mark V may make a close or ranged combat attack against the hit character as a free action after actions resolve.

(Speed) CAPTURE CABLES: Sentinel Mark V can use Flurry and Plasticity. Once per turn, when Sentinel Mark V hits an opposing character with a ranged combat attack, you may place that character adjacent to Sentinel Mark V after actions resolve.

gxG02e E Sentinel Mark V
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8
Points: 200
Keywords: Robot

8 10 17 3

8 10 17 3

8 10 17 3

8 9 17 3

8 9 17 3

7 10 16 3

7 10 16 3

7 9 16 3

7 9 15 3

7 9 15 3

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Speed) ANALYZE-CONTAIN: Sentinel Mark V can use Outwit. Sentinel Mark V can use it normally, or Sentinel Mark V can use it targeting each opposing character with two action tokens that is within 10 squares and line of fire. You may counter a different power on each character.

(Attack) FRIGI-BEAM: Sentinel Mark V can use Incapacitate. When it does and hits, choose one: a hit character can't be moved by any game effect until your next turn; or a hit character receives two action tokens.

To fill out the extra five point I threw on a Gamma Bomb.

ihS101 Gamma Bomb
[/b]
Points: 5

. 10 . .

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. 7 . .

. 6 . .

. 5 . .

. 4 . .

. 3 . .

. 2 . .

. 1 . .

. 12 . .

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For as big an X-Men geek I am, it’s surprising that this was actually the first time I fielded any of these pieces. It was fun trying them out, especially since it was also the first time I played under the new rules. I kept having to ask, okay, now how does Energy Explosion work again? Or, what is it that Incapacitate also does now? I believe we managed to play Energy Explosion properly after reading the Rules Review this morning: http://heroclix.com/heroclix/a-whole...rgy-explosion/.

Game 1:
First up, I was playing against Nate’s rulers:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/IMAG0823.jpg

mu059 U Apocalypse
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 10
Points: 250
Keywords: Mutant, Past, Ruler

9 11 18 5

8 12 17 4

8 11 17 4

9 10 16 4

10 10 16 3

10 9 16 3

9 9 15 3

9 9 15 3

8 8 14 4

7 8 14 4

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Speed) Molecular Control: Apocalypse can use Phasing/Teleport, Plasticity, and Shape Change.

(Attack) Psionic Power: Apocalypse can use Incapacitate, Mind Control and Psychic Blast. When Apocalypse would take pushing damage, roll a d6. On a result of 4-6, he does not take pushing damage instead.

(Defense) The Strong Will Survive: Apocalypse can use Regeneration and Toughness.

ws049 V Groot
Team: Defenders
Range: 0
Points: 152
Keywords: Guardians of the Galaxy, Monster, Ruler

6 10 18 4

6 10 18 3

6 10 17 3

6 10 17 4

5 9 17 4

5 9 17 4

. 13 19 6

. 13 19 6

4 9 14 2

4 9 14 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Attack) Plant Growth: Once during your turn, as a free action you may heal Groot 1 damage if he occupies hindering or water terrain.

(Damage) Floral Colossus Sprout: Non-optional. Groot has the Colossal damage symbol, a range of 4, and can't be moved.

m10a015 E Magneto
Team: Brotherhood of Mutants
Range: 8
Points: 113
Keywords: Acolytes, Brotherhood of Mutants, Ruler, X-Men

8 11 17 4

8 10 17 3

9 10 16 3

9 9 16 2

8 9 15 2

8 8 15 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) Battlefield Promotion: Magneto: When Magneto hits one or more opposing characters, after actions resolve, place a Promotion Token on his character card. You may then roll a d6 that can't be rerolled and add 1 for each Promotion Token on his character card; on a result of 8 or higher, you may replace this character with M10A #019 Magneto on the same click number.

And he played the full Gauntlet on Apocalypse.

It was a slow start, each of us positioning conservatively just out of reach of the other. I found it hard to position my bulky figures on Madripoor Lowtown, and Nate’s rulers split up across his side of the map. G09b came down from the roof in attempt to blast Magneto and Apocalypse but my dice decided early on to not be with me this game.

Nate’s dice on the other hand were hot, and it didn’t take him long to tear apart the mutant hunters. Groot took down G09b with a little help from Magneto. Though I did manage some damage on Magneto and Groot with the Gamma bomb, Apocalypse was untouchable and singlehandedly (though it was a gloved hand) took down Master Mold. I realized at the end of the game I had been forgetting about Master Mold having the Multi-attack ability which would’ve helped, but oh well. My Tucson clixers will recognize my forgetfulness and lack of attention to important options available to me.

Game 2:
Next up was Isaac with a trio of Iron Mans.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/IMAG0824.jpg

im3002 E Iron Man Mk 42
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8
Points: 220
Keywords: Armor, Avengers, Celebrity

10 12 18 5

10 11 17 4

10 10 17 4

9 10 16 4

9 10 15 4

8 9 17 3

8 11 16 4

8 10 17 4

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Top of the Line, American Made!: Opposing characters with the Armor or Robot keyword modify their attack value by -1 when attacking Iron Man Mk 42.

(Attack) Jarvis, Identify Hostiles: When Iron Man Mk 42 makes a ranged combat attack and misses by 1, after actions resolve, he may make a ranged combat attack as a free action. This ranged combat attack can't be against an opposing character Iron Man Mk 42 has targeted this turn and his attack value is modified by -2 for this attack.

(Defense) Self-Repairing Armor: Iron Man Mk 42 can use Invulnerability and Regeneration.

im3001r R Iron Man Mk 7
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8
Points: 75
Keywords: Armor, Avengers, Celebrity

8 9 17 4

8 9 16 3

8 10 16 3

8 11 16 4

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

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) Upgraded Armor: Modify Iron Man Mk 7's speed and attack values by +1.

(Speed) Aerial Assault: Iron Man Mk 7 can use the Move and Attack ability.

gg101 E Iron Man
Team: Avengers|Fantastic Four
Range: 7
Points: 150
Keywords: Armor, Avengers, Fantastic Four, Scientist

10 10 17 3

10 11 17 3

9 10 16 3

9 9 16 3

9 10 16 2

8 9 16 2

8 8 15 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Celestial Pilot Override: Once per game, Iron Man can use Mind Control only to target characters with Colossal Damage Symbol or the Robot keyword, including friendly ones. When using this Mind Control, Iron Man is not dealt unavoidable damage and modifies his attack value by +3.

(Defense) Space Armor: Iron Man can use Invulnerability. When attacked by a character with Wing or Wing Transporter symbol, modify his defense value by +2.

And he had the full Gauntlet on Mk 42.

You may notice that every bonus these armored heroes can possibly have worked against my team of robots.

This time around I remembered to make full use of Master Mold’s Multi-attack ability. I focused everything I had on cracking the tough defense of Mk 42, but had trouble with the -1 modifier to my attack. I missed by one several times. Thankfully double targeting helped me to manage FF Iron Man and Mk 7, while Mk 42 chipped away at the giant bots. My own Gamma Bomb blew up in Master Mold’s face due to poor timing and positioning (Mk 42 knocked him past his Impervious and Invulnerability at the perfect time). G02e managed a good exploit weakness hit on Mk 42, but with the soul gem activated, he quickly recovered to full strength and finished the game.

Game 3:
Daniel provided a fun game of robots verses robots in the final game of the evening.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/IMAG0825.jpg

d10a012 V Brainiac
Team: Superman Enemy
Range: 8
Points: 350
Keywords: Brute, Robot, Scientist

4 8 15 .

12 11 19 5

9 12 18 4

8 11 18 4

7 10 17 3

7 10 18 4

7 10 17 3

7 10 18 3

6 11 17 4

6 11 17 3

6 11 16 3

KO KO KO KO

(Special) Impossible to Plan Against: Opposing forces subtract one from their action total if not reduced by any other effect.

(Speed) My Ship And I Are One: Give Brainiac a double power action and place him in any square within his speed value. After actions resolve, you may give Brainiac a close combat or ranged combat action as a free action.

cw208e E Ultron
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8
Points: 90
Keywords: Armor, Lethal Legion, Masters of Evil, Robot

8 10 17 3

8 10 17 3

8 10 16 3

7 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

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Speed) Summon the Drones: Give Ultron a free action if she has no action tokens. Put a CW #002 Iron Man Drone or CW #003 Ultron Drone in your starting area on its 30 point line if less than 4 total friendly characters with those names are on the map.

(Defense) 110111 ERROR REBOOT: Ultron can use Regeneration and Super Senses. This power can't be countered.

cw002r R Iron Man Drone
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6
Points: 30
Keywords: Armor, Robot

6 8 15 2

6 8 15 2

5 7 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

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

(Attack) Minion: Remote Command: When a friendly character named Iron Man, Tony Stark, or Ultron is within 8 squares, Iron Man Drone can be given a move action as a free action, but modifies its speed value by -2.

And he also had the Gauntlet on Brainiac (that’s one trendy accessory up here).

Early in the game I made the critical mistake of forgetting about Brainiac’s stop clix. I dished out heavy damage to him in the second turn, foolishly thinking he’d be masterminding it, but instead I did him the favor of activating his central piece. I did manage to hang in there long enough to take down 3 Iron Man Drones and Ultron, but Brainiac took very little damage the whole game, instead dishing out most of the clix.

It was a fun introduction to the venue and its wonderful players even though I got destroyed in all three games. They have big spots to fill for me, as I find myself still missing my desert clixers, but I think I’ve found my venue of choice in the Emerald City. I’m just going to have to step up my game. Challenge accepted, Seattle. Challenge accepted.

We miss you already!

You mentioned forgetting Multi-Attack, but you njever mentioned MM's Retribution Virus or Retail V's Coordinated Assault. I hope you remembered those; those powers are AWESOME. I'm guessing this happened this weekend; perhaps the 555 build was in honor of Cinco de Mayo?

Anyway, I'm glad you found a new venue. It sounds like a great one, too; just my kinda place.

Yeah, I was on retribution virus and coordinated assault. My dice failed on all coordinated assault attempts, but it is nonetheless a great power.