by PJ Bolin
Hello there Apex Insiders and welcome back! 2019 has officially came to an end, and boy what a year it was for Heroclix! While I personally took the 2nd half of the year off, the game most certainly didn’t wait around for me. Today, I will be going over the impactful pieces (immediate or long term) that released in 2019, as well as event results to kind of recap the entire year!
Earth X:
The first set of 2019 brought us Marvel’s Earth X! What a way to start the year!
019b Vulture
A piece that many people hate the existence of, but it sure did have an immediate effect on the Modern competitive scene. While its play amount has waned, it does have a National Title under its belt! The ability to grab the Ock Arms and stack Charges is, and always will be, very good. I would be shocked if his reign of terror was over.
030 The Skull
Another piece that has been played a bit less as of late, but was immediately utilized when the set first released. Infinite Range Mind Control and quite durable for 40 points, as well as a top dial Leadership. Great kit for the value.
052 Captain America, Resilient
This guy saw immediate play with various Hulk and/or Shredder builds in order to get extra movement triggers. He can still be utilized with Hulk(s) in Modern today. They even share a keyword! He still remains, to me, as one of the top Title characters that we have seen.
054 Daredevil
The 6-man! If you play him, it’s a guarantee that he will get crit hit 3x in the event. Okay, not really, but that’s been my luck so far! Excellent Mystical keyword with great values throughout his different dials. If they cannot roll 6s, then he can truly become a problem for opponents. I very much like equipping him with Venom Harness since he doesn’t mind the unavoidable damage.
056 Iron Man
Another one that saw immediate play, but has since fallen off the radar. He will likely see some play on the sideline for Jason Wyngarde, but are his main force days over?
062 Captain Venom
Ugh, obviously Monsters needed to get better right? Well, this guy was a bit overhyped by many (myself included). Making Monster a named keyword is great, but I’m not sure if its 50 points great. He will see play until he retires most likely, but will likely never be a dominant piece.
Skull Camp Map
The maps! This set brought some good ones! This particular map is utilized more so for its consolation than the Bonus. Giving out -1 Defense vs Incap, Mind Control, and Telekinesis means that it really is a great fit for some builds i.e. Jason, Onslaught, Starro.
Stark Tower Map
Saw play day 1, will see play up until the day it rotates and then on into Bronze Age! Both the Bonus, and the Consolation are a phenomenal use of 5 points. The consolation, for a non-theme, ensures that you have access to at least 1 Prob.
Wakanda Map
Just gotta hit them roll-outs! Extra chances to roll Super Senses is always nice. The map has hardly been utilized to reroll Blades from my experiences. This map really helps good builds become great.
S004 Octopus Arms
Thus far, these have exclusively seen success being used with Vulture. They certainly are a major reason that he has been great so far.
Captain Marvel Movie Feed:
018 Phil Coulson
I am really just mentioning this here because of how much I used this piece myself before the rotation. I played him at a Qualifier, States, and U.S. Nationals, doing very well at each event. He is an excellent taxi for 75 points, since he has access to all of the damage powers while also being quite hard to kill.
019 Korath
He has seen much more Bronze Age success than Modern, but he is essentially just a combo piece. Paired with Hulk, you are able to attack repeatedly until you miss.
021 Captain Marvel
I’m mainly only speaking of this piece because of how many people tried to make her good, but failed miserably, because she isn’t. Sorry guys.
Rebirth:
Widely regarded as the worst set of the year, and I can’t quite say that I disagree.
011a Duke Thomas
Though he hasn’t seen much play as of yet, I really expect him to pop up any time now. He doesn’t something very unique by giving his attack bonus to all friendly characters on a map wide basis. Keep an eye out!
014 Prez Rickard
Leadership with some range that doesn’t break theme. He is obviously great and will continue to see play!
026 Billy Batson
Eyyyy World Champ piece! This one is quite playable as well. 20 points for Perplex, the Mystical Keyword, and a STOP click!
037b Black Adam
Many people argued with me about the playability of this piece when it was spoiled. It appears as though I was right! I played him to success in an online Win-a-Map (check it out on the Majestix Youtube Channel). He also recently was piloted by George Massu to a win at a Regional in Michigan!
052 Mister Oz
The best piece in Rebirth. His effect on the entire board, while also having a very long range Prob, definitely make up for his lack of dial depth. Expect to see many of these throughout the life of this set!
Avengers: Black Panther and the Illuminati:
This is, in my opinion, the best set of the year!
005 A.I.M. Red Squad
Pauper gold, but also playable in Modern. Avengers keyword is obviously good, so its easy to play theme here.
010 S.H.I.E.L.D. Diplomat
Not super popular right now, but I believe it should see play. 18-Defend, SHIELD TA, and Perplex (albeit with a downside that isn’t that relevant) is great on a 20 point piece.
017 Voyager
Great taxi for Cosmic and Avengers! She has a moderately deep dial for a 50 pointer. She will typically start with Outwit, 14-Move Phasing, and that amazing TK power. Absolutely worth playing.
022 A.I.M. White Squad
Same stuff as AIM Red. Good use of the points.
027 Everett K. Ross
+2 Perplex for 30 points! Obvious inclusion on any non-theme team that you would consider playing.
030 Medusa
The most oppressive piece in the pre-States Pauper format. She has seen some fringe play in Modern and should be regarded as a top alpha strike piece because of her pog making capabilities.
048 Astronomer
Hasn’t seen much play lately, but he definitely had an immediate impact on the meta game when he first released. Massive range, excellent Improved Targeting, and access to RCE make him an absolute threat on the field, so long as you don’t get put onto an overly blocked up map.
049 Gardener
The best Elder of the Universe. He already won a World Title and will likely still be a front-runner for long to come. Paired with the Nightbringer Ring, he has a great amount of reach, but even without it, he can zone out areas of the map with ease.
050 Trader
Errata worthy piece that Wizkids put a small hindrance on! Top dial Perplex, access to any Infinity Gem, and an easily abused Attack power make for a kit that is not matched by many.
064 Collector
Seeing much less play now, but obviously still very good. Easton Brock took him deep into Nationals (2nd place). I would expect to see more of him as time moves along.
069 Kobik
Likely the best piece in Heroclix at the moment. Only 115 points to start with a Cosmic Cube assigned. She has high Defense, a rollout, Power Cosmic, the ability to take TAs away from others, and (not for nothing) 2-target Mind Control.
074 Thanos
The Ultra Chase! It’s an okay piece. It has been tried and tried since its released. While it hasn’t taken home a big win yet, I wouldn’t be overly shocked if it did before its time ends.
Infinity Gems
Reality, Time, Power, Space, Soul, and Mind. All, but the last two, are used very frequently either on the map, or assigned to those that begin with gems.
Cosmic Cubes
Used exclusively with Kobik, and that is how they’ll remain. 30 points is too much to pay for them, but they are just way too good on Kobik to not mention.
Wolverine vs Cyclops Regenesis:
003 Kitty Pryde
Strictly used on the ID as a cheap option that gives you a permanent Energy Explosion pog.
005 Beast
Also used exclusively on the ID, but is likely included on each and every build. He is just way too good for 40 points. 11 attack, 4 damage, Charge, Quake, Battle Fury.
Star Trek Away Team: Resistance is Futile:
Not much to talk about here.
021 Wesley Crusher
Cheap Perplex where the upside clearly outweighs the downside. Excellent piece.
029b Q
I, admittedly, thought this piece was not good, up until the rules team said that the die replacement happens after all Prob was used. Once that happened, this guy jumped up to the top of the pack. Die replacement was already powerful, but this rule made it so much worse. Too bad he is so expensive, or you’d likely see a lot more of him being used.
X-Men the Animated Series: Dark Phoenix Saga:
I am going to be a bit pickier on this set than what would be assumed, but that just because we don’t have enough results in with these sets to truly determine what is going to have long term utility in Modern.
036b Legion
Banned in Bronze Age! That’s the only reason I am mentioning him here. While on the sideline with Jason, its too easy to make infinite pogs.
047 Jean Grey
After playing this piece myself, the hype was definitely right for this piece. Utilizing friendly Mind Controls to get her into position and make extra attacks, then following up with either an additional attack by her, or a call in. I got so many people off guard when they realized that her explosion on her STOP click isn’t something that she has to activate (like Angel). She’s a great piece, both on the main force, and the ID card.
048 Jason Wyngarde
My personal favorite piece in all of Modern Age. He can just do so many different thing with all of the things he brings to the table. Map wide Leadership, Hawkeye-like Mind Control with a better targeting mechanic, and the capability to have access to most powers through the pogs he can bring in as FREE.
G001b Stealth Sentinel
Likely the best dedicated tentpole in Modern at the moment. Excellent piece with a deep dial. Keep an eye out!
G003 Nimrod
Not sure how I personally feel about him, but he needs to be talked about. A little bit of luck, and them not having Pulse Wave access means that each game is winnable!
G004 Proteus
Great inclusion for Monster teams. FREE Barrier is always good!
G006 Onslaught
Pauper king! He was one of the 2 most winning archetypes for the 2nd round of States. In Modern, he has some interesting interactions that keep him as a viable option!
G010 Phoenix
Only seen success thus far as a call in option for the Rachel Summers ID, but a dang good one. 2×2 Poison!
G014 Proteus
Errata’d so hard! This would have went down as the 2nd worst piece ever made by Wizkids if it didn’t get fixed so promptly. Good job listening to everyone, Wizkids!
015 Magneto
My personal favorite 2×2 in the set. He can just do so much for 25 points. TK, placing people 1 square away, Leadership, and good combat values! His retal is also exceptional, since it’s a ranged attack and you can utilize the 8-Range he has when you place him, and then immediately make a follow up attack. Being standard sized is also deceptively good, as its much harder to get line of fire to him than one would expect.
G018 Wendigo
This is the most used piece in the set so far. Easily. For good reason though, he is certainly capable of winning games if ignored, and being on 15 points, that’s a great thing to look to include on Monster or Mystical themes.
G020 Dark Phoenix
Another great piece for 30 points. She doesn’t even need to have the ability to retal to be effective in my opinion, it’s just a big perk. Being able to heal past her starting line makes her an absolutely problem that must be dealt with immediately.
G022 Mojo
Works well in Modern, as shown by Tylor Spees. He also works well in Bronze Age, as shown by Dustin Seeders. Bored tokens are MVP!
G025 Iceman
Another piece that is used exclusively as a call in, but he can be truly oppressive to some builds. At 100, he can easily mow through entire teams if they’re based around colossals and giants.
Star Trek: Boldy Go
No. Just no.
WWE
Last, and likely least, is the WWE set. I haven’t really given this set much love when it comes to Modern, because I think Kobik is just too good against them, but there is still one piece that will likely be a mainstay for a while.
Eddie Guerrero
He works well because of everything he has going for him. The WWE Team Ability is obviously good, he has Super Senses, a STOP click that he heals off of the first time he hits it, and the best part of it all, would be his Prob that effects a single die. That effect is just so incredible, that the downside of playing him against Kobik is easily outweighed.
Alright! That wraps it up for pieces we have seen release throughout 2019, but now lets get into some events! I won’t go too into detail about everything here, just consider this a reminder of how the year went!
Bronze Age – Majestix Open Series 1k
Click Here for the Tournament Report
Winner – Tony Rodriguez
100 Undertaker
70 Finn Balor (starter)
30 Tri-Sentinel
25 Alex Wilder
10 Mjolnir
5 Zero Ring
5 Spin Ring
34 Star Sapphire Power Battery:
-Ring
-Wall
-Stop Sign
-Sniper Rifle
20 ID Cards:
-Storm (Bounty)
-Storm (Faculty)
-Green Arrow
-Nightwing
Sideline: EW049 Green Arrow, MP19 Storm, MP19 Storm, XDPSG023b Storm, D15-008 Nigthwing, WFFF004 Nightwing
Troubalerts: Firestorm, Firestorm, Green Lantern
Maps: The Mound, Underground Caverns, WWE Arena
States – Modern
I am proud to say that at this point, when these events ran back in April (I think), we actually had an incredible diversity in the field. ABPI wasn’t out yet, rotation hadn’t happened yet, but it was great. Vulture, Uni, Panther, Soldiers, Don’t Die, and many more! The one I’m going to list, will be my personal favorite (that wasn’t mine)! Nate White’s Grandgog team from Indiana States!
(Cosmic Theme +5)
Grandmaster 75
Starfox 80
Unseen 65
Groot 20
Mangog 30
Jean Grey ID 5 (Marvel Girl)
Jean Grey ID 3 (Chase Jean Grey)
Cyclops ID 3 (SR Cyclops, Chase Cyclops)
Mjolnir 10
Joker’s Gas Canister 3
Iceburg Lounge map bonus 5
U.S. Nationals:
Click Here for the Tournament Report
My last event (pretty much) of the year! While I made a good run, finishing 3rd in the event, I lost to the eventual winner, Pat Frazier!
50 Vulture Prime
65 Hawkeye
65 Unseen
15 Big Tony
15 Big Tony
40 Mister Oz
20 Groot
3 Joker’s Gas Canister
10 Octopus Arms
5 Iceman Faculty ID
5 Harley ID
3 Jean Grey Student ID
3 Cyclops Student ID
Sideline:
Chase Iceman
Title Harley
Chase Jean
SR Cyclops
Batman
Green Lantern
Wonder Woman
Flash
Apache Chief
Maps:
Amok Time
Underground Cavern
ADW Wakanda
Canadian Nationals
Sad I wasn’t there to defend my title! However, the best news is that a Canadian finally won their own Nationals! Good job Devin!
Click Here for the Tournament Report
Trader w/ Gem 50
Trader w/ Gem 50
Gardener w/ Gem 50
Collector w/ Gem 60
Mangog 30
Groot 20
Flora Colossus 10
Pym Pocket Tank 8
Nightbringer Ring 5
Cyclops Faculty w/ SR 5
Cyclops Student w/ SR 3
Rusty Student w/ FF 3
Wolverine Faculty w/ SR 5
World Championship
An event that I was very sad to miss, but a major congrats to Isaac! Establishing himself as the dominant force in the game and such a young age.
(Cosmic Theme +6)
2019 World Champion – Isaac Arnold-Berkovits
80 Astronomer + Bearer of an Infinity Gem
50 Trader + Bearer of an Infinity Gem
50 Gardener + Bearer of the Time Gem
50 Trelane
30 Q (prime)
20 Groot
5 Boxing Ring
15 ID Cards:
-Jubilee
-Iceman (Student)
-Beast (Student)
-Jean Grey (Student)
-Cyclops (Student)
Sideline: WCR003 Beast, WCR Iceman, XXS052 Cyclops, XXS065 Jean Grey, Jubilee
Troubalert: Superman, Wonder Woman
Maps: Amok Time, Underground Caverns
Team World Championships
Yes, I know its sealed, but a win is a win! Congrats Adam Friedman, George Massu, and Matty G for winning!
Other National Titles
Unfortunately, at this time, I am having issues finding any of the other Nationals Championship teams from around the globe. Those are always so much more interesting to talk about, since they are typically much different than what we see stateside.
Pauper States:
Not much to mention here to be frank. This format was completely dominated by Onslaught and Avengers.
Post-XDPS Modern:
We have only had 2 events thus far, but I may as well touch base on them! We had the Chicago Clix Championship, won by Matty G using Kobik, and a ROC Regional up in Warren, MI won by George Massu using a non-theme Black Adam team!
Well everyone, I suppose that is everything for 2019! I am definitely looking forward to being back in the swing of things in 2020! I certainly hope that everyone had as good of year as I did, and hope that you can enjoy this coming year with me!
