New Marvel expansion & Starter set coming this JuneThe mining of fans' wallets continues!
Nine days from now (February 15th) the next Heroclix espansion, the DC comics themed Collateral Damage, hits the streets, so it's time to light the next beacon on the Heroclix path by announcing the next Marvel set and the new starter set.
(Oh, before moving on from Collateral Damage, I want to note that along with the promise that they've ironed out problems at the brick level - which so upset many fans when they debuted the marketing tactic in Armor Wars - so that a much broader, more pleasing sample will come from buying a shrink-wrapped brick, I've also been informed that this will be the first expansion where they've gotten the shipping schedules well enough in hand that they won't be shipping in waves. Reportedly, if a retailer ordered ten cases he should have ten cases by release day, not 20% of that. So, if nothing else, there shouldn't be any shortages. With this being the first set where brick buys lead not only to ordering a special limited edition figure, but that in turn opens the door to buy the first of the collectors' sets - the DC Giants - the push to buy bricks as soon as possible may be strong.)
A little earlier in the day than expected, Wizkids has announced Sinister, the next Marvel expansion and a themed starter set: X-Men Danger Room.
First is the next expansion, which they've given us a cluster of five characters from to look at:
(Oh, before moving on from Collateral Damage, I want to note that along with the promise that they've ironed out problems at the brick level - which so upset many fans when they debuted the marketing tactic in Armor Wars - so that a much broader, more pleasing sample will come from buying a shrink-wrapped brick, I've also been informed that this will be the first expansion where they've gotten the shipping schedules well enough in hand that they won't be shipping in waves. Reportedly, if a retailer ordered ten cases he should have ten cases by release day, not 20% of that. So, if nothing else, there shouldn't be any shortages. With this being the first set where brick buys lead not only to ordering a special limited edition figure, but that in turn opens the door to buy the first of the collectors' sets - the DC Giants - the push to buy bricks as soon as possible may be strong.)
A little earlier in the day than expected, Wizkids has announced Sinister, the next Marvel expansion and a themed starter set: X-Men Danger Room.
First is the next expansion, which they've given us a cluster of five characters from to look at:
Pictured here, left to right and starting at the top are Daredevil, Wolverine, Electro, Stilt-Man and Rhino. Something of a retro theme here, ranging from the original colors on DD's costume (probably just painted that way for the rookie, and then all red for the exp and vet -- unless that's a unique)to the colors of Wolverine's costume (though I believe he's going back to those now that his memory's been fully restored) and, well, Stilt-Man --- a character conceptually silly enough that we often thought he'd never show up in clix form.
Product info is as follows:
Marvel™ HeroClix®: Sinister Booster Pack
Product InformationStock Number: WZK3228
Title: Marvel HeroClix: Sinister
MSRP: $7.99
Expected Release: June 2006Bring on the bad guys! Marvel™ HeroClix®: Sinister is the villainously evil expansion for the Marvel HeroClix game! With a cavalcade of corrupt criminals at your command like Rhino™, Stilt-Man™, Bullseye™, and Trapster™, your HeroClix game just got a little more sinister! More than a dozen debut villains not enough for you? Marvel HeroClix: Sinister also features the first special object tokens in the Marvel HeroClix universe, giving players even more options for their 3-D superhero combat!
Customers who “Buy It by the Brick” can mail in for an exclusive Venom™ HeroClix figure. This Venom has a new, unique sculpt and dial, and it is available only to collectors who buy their Sinister bricks through a brick-and-mortar (non-Internet) retail store. ClixBrick buyers are also eligible to purchase HeroClix Collector’s Sets early and at a substantial discount! But the goodies don’t stop there. The Marvel HeroClix: Sinister New Guy Night tie-in promotion offers an exclusive Limited Edition Spider-Man™ figure!
Each Sinister Booster contains four preassembled, prepainted miniatures and one feat card, battlefield condition card, or bystander token.
Contents4 figures 1 bystander token, battlefield condition card, object, or feat card 1 rules sheet
A new Bullseye will be interesting to see, and we're finally getting a Trapster? Nice! Another of those villains of low-esteem we've often wondered if we'd see in clix form. I wonder if fellow Fright Four member the Wingless Wizard will make the cut, too? I'm not expecting a new Sandman until roughly a year later, since that's one of the characters in 2007's Spider-Man 3.
How compelling the brick buy will be here isn't certain, as much depends upon whether or not one's interested in a Venom of any stripe. Indeed, whether or not some people buy into this may be more a function of how much they want to be able to buy into one or both of the collectors' sets coming out after this: The Invincible set and/or the Alien Green Lantern set. Since buying a brick of Sinister and sending away for the Venom LE will be the gateway to being able to order either of these sets sooner, surer and less expensively, I could see some people do it and then either give the Venom away as a gift or sell it to recoup some of the outlay.
Similarly, the New Guy Night Spider-man has me wondering what they'll do with him to make him especially attractive. Will he have the Avengers TA? Some new, impressive combination of powers and stats, perhaps to show him as he is following the developments in The Other -- including the "Iron Spider" costume Tony Stark's created for him?
Right around the same time we'll be getting a new starter set, and since this will be the first time a starter's been released without a same-named set attached to it, they've decided to create one with a theme to it.
How compelling the brick buy will be here isn't certain, as much depends upon whether or not one's interested in a Venom of any stripe. Indeed, whether or not some people buy into this may be more a function of how much they want to be able to buy into one or both of the collectors' sets coming out after this: The Invincible set and/or the Alien Green Lantern set. Since buying a brick of Sinister and sending away for the Venom LE will be the gateway to being able to order either of these sets sooner, surer and less expensively, I could see some people do it and then either give the Venom away as a gift or sell it to recoup some of the outlay.
Similarly, the New Guy Night Spider-man has me wondering what they'll do with him to make him especially attractive. Will he have the Avengers TA? Some new, impressive combination of powers and stats, perhaps to show him as he is following the developments in The Other -- including the "Iron Spider" costume Tony Stark's created for him?
Right around the same time we'll be getting a new starter set, and since this will be the first time a starter's been released without a same-named set attached to it, they've decided to create one with a theme to it.
With X-Men 3 coming out in the interim it made sense that they'd go for an X-Men theme for the starter, packaging it as a Danger Room scenario that someone could buy as a stand-alone game if they wish.
The info for this new starter is as follows:
Marvel™ HeroClix®: X-Men Danger Room Game
Product Information
Stock Number: WZK3234
Title: Marvel HeroClix: X-Men Danger Room
MSRP: $14.99
Expected Release: June 2006
X-Men™, prepare for battle! Just in time for the summer movie extravaganza comes the Marvel™ HeroClix® X-Men Danger Room Game! The mutants are training, and it’s a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself—or a friend—to HeroClix!
The Marvel HeroClix X-Men Danger Room Game contains everything you need to enter the world of 3-D superhero combat. Two preconstructed teams and simple rules make learning HeroClix a snap. There are six exclusive X-Men figures in all, including Cyclops™, Jean Grey™, Angel™, Beast™, Colossus™, and Storm™! New 3-D objects and a new Danger Room map round out the game with updated rules and a new powers and abilities card.
The eye-popping diorama of the Marvel HeroClix X-Men Danger Room Game is a showpiece display in its own right. Providing a personal command window over the training exercises of your X-Men, it’s a must-have for any X-Men fan! Whether you’re looking to beef up your X-team, want to join the exciting HeroClix game, or want to introduce your friends to HeroClix, training in the Danger Room is the way to go!
# Contents 6 prepainted, predetermined figures
# 2 3D Objects
# 1 rules book
# 1 rules quickstart
# 1 Powers and Abilities Card
# 2 Battlefield Condition cards
# 1 token sheet
# 2 dice
# 1 Clix ring
I'm hoping these won't form two, 100 point teams, because then the characters will have to be so neutered as to border on the ridiculous. Hopefully they'll be 200 point teams, or else the likelihood that any of these versions will see much play in open games is low.
Including a couple 3D objects in the set is a nice touch, and I suppose this tells us that at least one side of the 36 x 36 square map will be the Danger Room.
Including a couple 3D objects in the set is a nice touch, and I suppose this tells us that at least one side of the 36 x 36 square map will be the Danger Room.
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Comments
This looks to be a much better set than AW... although I'm thinking those looking for heavy hitters may be disappointed. Still, it's about time we got something as Silver Age oriented as CRITICAL MASS, and this looks like what we've been waiting for.
Thanks for the post!
Mid-March's GAMA convention's likely too soon to expect the set to be on display, but the set's only four months off and we'll likely have a great deal more of the roster in hand a month from now.
No one in the opening selection is a vast powerhouse, though, as you've noted. All we have so far is a vague inference that this will be a villain-heavy set, which is cool with me. I know the design focus has been on improved team-building, so I'm all for a diverse fighting force. Seeing whether or not any of the cosmic characters about to be featured over at Marvel around this time (from Thanos to the Super Skrull and Nova) will make their way into the mix will be one of the things I'm watching for.
As for the quality of the sculpts, I'm taking all good points as given and most rough spots as side-effects of these being early mock-ups. While the X-Factor costume for Cyke is glaring I believe he'll look more dynamic in the final form. The biggest concern about those starter X-Men for me remains the point values of the teams. If those six form two, 100 point teams, we're likely to see some weak versions.