Greetings HeroClix Masterminds! 

In the last Design Insights article, we discussed how Marvel Studios HeroClix: Next Phase draws inspiration from a wide variety of Marvel Studios shows. However, we left one show out…

Today we are letting our second Design Insights article fly with Hawkeye and HeroClix’s newest keyword, Marksman!

Archers are nothing new to HeroClix, so why are they only getting a dedicated keyword now? Well, the show Hawkeye centers on Clint Barton mentoring (sometimes begrudgingly) up-and-coming archer Kate Bishop. We knew going into design that we'd want to capture that element of mentorship and teamwork, and keyword-linked effects were a great way to do so. 

Historically, archer-type characters were given the Martial Artist keyword, and for some time in development that was the keyword we had associated with the Hawkeye characters. As the set made its way through playtesting, the design team began to get feedback that it felt odd when the Hawkeye characters were used with characters from outside Hawkeye. Martial Artist is also the keyword used for brawlers, boxers, and kung-fu masters, and many of them played poorly with the range-focused gameplay of the Hawkeye characters. The design team tried a couple of fixes, but ultimately decided it was time to split Archers off from the Martial Artist keyword, and "Marksman" was the new keyword made to hold them, so we could also group them with other characters that rely on precise ranged attacks. For the next few sets, all characters with the Marksman keyword will also have the Martial Artist keyword so that new archers will still be able to theme with the old, but as time goes on we'll be putting more distance between the two keywords. 

Splitting Marksman off from Martial Artist also gave up more room to explore with keyworded equipment, which the design team was eager to target. In some boosters of Next Phase, players will find a Trick Arrow equipment with three random cards in place of a common figure. Trick Arrows are unlike any equipment we've done before; rather than having a single card, a single Trick Arrow has three cards, kept secret from your opponent. The first time a Trick Arrow is equipped, you choose any three Trick Arrow cards and set them face down to create a quiver of surprises for your opponent. You can even include multiples of the same Trick Arrow card, if you choose. Then, when the equipped character hits with a range attack, you may reveal one of your face–down Trick Arrow cards to perform that Arrow's ON REVEAL effect. 

The ON REVEAL effects of the Trick Arrows can potent, but there's a limit on how many times they can be used. Once all three Trick Arrows have been turned face-up, your Marksman is going to have to stick to regular ranged attacks. Unless, of course, you've got a little help from a certain pizza-loving good boy: 

Thanks for sticking around! We hope this article hit the target and keeps your games on point.