HeroClix Masterminds! It’s no secret to HeroClix players that there are huge advantages to acting from a distance instead of up close. This isn’t just talking about range combat, it also means utilizing Hypersonic Speed (maybe even with Barrier to keep your opponents away after) or even utilizing buffs like Perplex and Krakoan Revival while out of range of opposing threats.

One of our goals in this set of rules updates is to help level the playing field between close and range attackers. We tried to do this by strengthening close attackers and removing some obstacles they face. We’re going to start off with a quick summary of the changes, followed by some details on our thought process.[...]

Well I can see people complaining for some reason about this.
Though honestly these are good and needed changes.

Some I don't particularly care for but don't care that much and don't think it will hurt anything. I like multiple bolts for close attacks, don't care all that much for KNOCKBACK damage going completely away. Force Blast KNOCKBACK was a useful tactic. Figured Hindering for movement was leaving. Don't think it makes sense logically but as a melee fiend I'm fine with easier movement.

What does this do to the other hindering subtypes of terrain (water and obscuring)?

Given how huge the other articles have been, this is fine. Nothing too controversial. Close attackers getting multiple bolts is neat. Not stopping in hindering is perfectly fine, that's why most superheroes wear boots, sometimes you gotta run through bushes. Knockback damage going away... I mean, I didn't see a problem there, but whatever, its fine. All of this is fine.

I don't understand why they'd remove knockback damage. Knockback damage always makes for a great Clix story. It helps out a character with 1 or 2 damage defending themselves while in a compromised position.

for close attacks is a fun idea. I like it.

Free movement through hindering is something I'll have to try out, to see if I like it or not. And what happens to water terrain?

Knockback is always 3. Less variability is less interesting, but not a big deal.

No knockback damage. I don't like this. It should hurt to slam into a wall or fall off a ledge. Also, poor Frog-Man. I realise that one character is not reason enough to oppose a change like this, but he has such a funny design, and now it's broken.

This one isn't totally terrible compared to some of the others. Losing Knockback damage kind of sucks but it was always a weird sequence to figure out. When do I check for Charge/Combat Reflexes? My character has Improved Movement Hindering/Elevated.. do I stop or take fall damage? If it's a critical hit does that change things? Most of these experienced players could answer but trying to get newer players to understand it got strange.

Not bad for 30. Pts.

Charge with 11 attack and 4 damage with the new rules.
Giant so Dragon Man can access more target with Giant reach. Divide up the damage by 3.

So can you shoot while in base contact? No right? or am I stuck in Mage Knight Rules.
Speaking of other ways to handle hindering terrain, Dungeons made hindering cost 2 movement points to move onto unless you had flight. That was a cool way to handle it without having to stop then half next turn.
I'll miss the once in 200 games knockback damage KO caused by Hulk.

Welp, there's always home games with house rules I guess... At least I got a Krakoa-themed set before the game imploded. Hope all of you who stick around continue to have fun but, the 2021 rules and dumbing the game down just ain't for me.

I understood it as bolts being usable with close attacks (they mention Flurry in an example). Not range attacks out of adjacency.

Having started playing with the first set, close combat has needed a boost since day one with this game. While hindering terrain has somewhat unfairly impacted melee, I don't really think completely removing the movement portion of it is great. Requiring 2 movement points to move through it would have been the ideal solution, giving a boost to grounded characters but also leaving room for using terrain to control the flow of the game, and letting Smoke Cloud still have at least some value.

Somehow I am willing to bet that you still won't be able to put a Barrier in Hindering Terrain.

Is it bad that I'm pretty much numb at this point?

I'd be upset, especially about Force Blast, but really at this point whats the use.

I've spent a year alone looking forward to finally getting to play Heroclix again only for it to change too much to be called Heroclix anymore ( At least looking at the new packaging WizKidz seems to agree on that point ).

There isn't a local clix scene where I live so I have to drive two hours to get to the nearest venue....so there won't be any home games for me.

So unless the nearest venue decides to ignore the new rules ( and they won't they're a chain store ) that's it for me.

I'm going to miss my little superhero strategy game.