Slade’s Top 5: Power Pairings!

Greetings players and welcome back to another installment of Slade’s Top 5!

In case you couldn’t have guessed, Slade’s Top 5 is where I examine various elements of HeroClix (and related materials) and rank them according to my top five in a given category. If you think you can handle that, great! Click on the full story link below and enjoy!!

One of the things that makes Heroclix such a blast to play is undoubtedly all the cool powers at our disposal. For this installment I thought it would be fun to shine the spotlight the top 5 powers pairings in the game. Specifically, standard powers that go together like the fantastic taste of chocolate and peanut butter ('man I gotta have me some Reese’s).

Alright alright… here we go.





#5 Shape change & Super Senses

Characters with good defense values and this combo can be a real pain to deal with; making them excellent tie up options for your force or for burning up opponent’s attacks as they hope to land a hit. Although it’s more of a defensive pairing, there is no denying the usefulness of these combined powers. As bad dice roles will demonstrate, if you can’t hit your opponent, you can’t win.













#4 Blades/Claws/Fangs & Flurry

What’s better than potentially dealing 6 clix of damage in a single turn? The potential to do 12 clix of damage in single turn, of course. Typically appearing on dials after your opponent deals some damage, this is one of those groupings that can often make an opponent regret that last attack. On the down side, you could have sucky damage roles, making the effect much less spectacular.












#3 Sidestep & Telekinesis

Let’s face it; having Sidestep on your dial is never a bad thing. While it will combine nicely with most powers, I really love this grouping. It can be a highly effective way of catching even experienced players off guard. Great for setting up a surprise alpha strike, or getting the drop on those pesky stealthy characters hanging out in those bushes. Yeah, we see you.












#2 Hypersonic Speed & Super Strength

Hypersonic Speed is already one of the most spectacularly annoying powers in the game and for good reason. But when combined with Super Strength it jumps to a whole new level of YEESH. This combo is without a doubt one of the easiest ways to deal massive damage to the opposition in a single shot. About the only negative I can think of is that to pull this off, you’ll need to make sure you don’t forget to bring some objects for your build. Now where is that dumpster?









And #1 is…


















Pulse Wave and Running Shot

Was there really ever any doubt? Pulse Wave & Running Shot is the Occam's razor for dealing with most characters in the game. The ability to ignore most powers when attacking is what makes this power like no other. Combined with Running Shot, it makes positioning a snap; even when looking for that single target to drop all the damage on. While the other pairings mentioned have to deal with defensive powers, probability control or stealth, with these two all you need is one solid attack role and you’re in business. You just can’t beat a classic.


These picks are pretty obvious choices for sure, but with all the special powers and traits taking up the spotlight, it’s good to appreciate just how effective plain old standard powers can be.

So don’t be shy, share your opinions and let me know what power combinations you feel deserve a place on the list?

Until next time players, good gaming to you and yours!

-Slade

Great pairings and coverage!

Plasticity and Combat Reflexes is my favorite combo, followed by Sidestep and Poison.

B/F/C and Exploit Weakness.
Six Penetrating Damage.

Pulse Wave and Force Blast is a deadly combo

I have recently become a big fan of sidestep Ranged Combat expert.

Stealth and Combat Reflexes is nice

I'm surprised Charge and Flurry or Charge and EW wasn't in there, but if it were trios, I'm sure Charge, Flurry, and BCF (or Charge, BCF, and EW) would be at the top. ;-)

Flurry and Steal Energy, hmmmmmmmmmm.

Nice article topic and well presented!
I agree with all options pretend so far... I suppose it highlights the amazing flexibility of the HC power mechanics!
(My inner nerd needs to share the potential 20,736 power coupling options that are available - not including or Special Powers)
While they're not TOP 5 or 10 material - I always appreciate a good Energy Explosion/Pen-Psy Blast pairing (only available via special powers/trait) along with a Phasing/Outwit for that surprise support to make your attack stick!

Another great article. So many great pairings.

Yep, Shape Change/Super Senses is my fave. Also love Sidestep + Anything else.

Although I agree with this, seems there are way too many figs see into that stealth these days.

Great write up and all good posted suggestions.

I have really been fond of all the Charge + Flurry that has been appearing, especially with Empower becoming more common..

Sidestep/Poison and Sidestep/Leadership are both amazing for rearranging before adjacency is needed.