Marvel HeroClix: Ultimates
New Game Mechanic - New Team Abilities
by Aaron Schantz

Ultimates, the new Marvel HeroClix expansion debuting this summer, introduces four new team abilities. Two are new to Marvel and two are brand-new to the HeroClix game – and all of them will change the face of Marvel HeroClix in a big way!

Morlocks: When it makes a close combat attack, a member of this team gets +1 to its attack value for each friendly character that is both adjacent to this team member and the target character.

There aren’t a lot of Morlocks in Ultimates, and they might not be the most powerful characters in the game, but their team ability shows how strong they can be when they work together. This isn’t just “+1”; it’s +1 for every qualifying teammate, which can add up to a nice increase in a swarm.

Ultimate X-Men: At any time during the game, choose an opposing team or character for this team member; once this choice is made, it may not be changed. This team member gets +1 to its attack value against the chosen team or character.

The Ultimate X-Men are very determined, and when they set their sights on opponents, they aim to take them down.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to declare this team ability at the beginning of the game. You can wait to see who will be the biggest threat and then assign the target at any time.

Serpent Society: Give a member of this team a power action. Move it any number of squares up to its speed value, ignoring the effects of all characters and terrain, including elevated terrain, on movement. This team member may not end its move in blocking terrain.

Yes, you read it right; this team ability essentially gives every member of the Serpent Society the Phasing/Teleport power! This is in part to represent Sidewinder’s ability to teleport (like how he used it to keep his teammates out of prison) and also to represent the fact that these are slippery snakes that you just can’t pin down!

Serpent Society members can slither anywhere they want, and because it’s a team ability, they can still have other movement powers.

Ultimates: Members of this team ignore the effects of hindering terrain on movement, combat, and powers and team abilities.

Last, but most certainly not least, the Ultimates are the namesake of this expansion, and they get the royal treatment.

This team ability is often called “anti-Stealth” because it is best known for use against hidden characters. But it is also useful for grounded characters, who will not have to stop in hindering terrain during their Running Shot or Charge attacks! Even without this spectacular team ability, the Ultimates are a force to be reckoned with. They have some really big guns that can lay down damage, and even the lower-point characters are extremely useful. Thanks to their team ability, however, don’t be surprised when lots of Ultimates team members see play, as armies unto themselves, as big guns, or just as lone characters helping out the rest of the team.