Please see below the official changes to the Q1 2026 Watch List (Click HERE to see the original Q1 2026 Watch List post).

All changes are effective in all formats and are effective on March 23. Errata issued to game elements will be added to the WIN on that date, visible HERE.

WBX1-001 Betelgeuse

Result: No change.

Explanation: Betelgeuse has become a hot-button topic among fans and was the primary focus of the Rules Team with this Watchlist. Multiple errata were tested, and the possibility of a ban was weighed. Ultimately, the WizKids Team came to the conclusion that Modern is in a healthier state with Betelgeuse than without, and the potential confusion of a second errata to him outweighed the potential upsides of softening his anti-FREE trait. Betelgeuse will, however, be rotating out of Modern alongside the next rotation. Given that it is healthy for some restrictions on FREE actions to exist, future figures may explore a similar design space, but will not be as restrictive as Betelgeuse.

BP 036 Ares

Result: The trait FROM OLYMPUS: ARES’S ARMORY is errata’d as follows:

Old: SIDELINE ACTIVE—Once per game, when a friendly character that can use Blades/Claws/Fangs makes a close attack, they may target all adjacent opposing characters with that attack. If they do, they must use Blades/Claws/Fangs for that attack, and they roll a separate d6 for each hit character. When they do, if Ares is on the map, the minimum result is instead the character’s printed damage value +1. 

NEW: SIDELINE ACTIVE—Once per game, when a friendly character uses Blades/Claws/Fangs, before rolling they may choose that, after resolutions, they deal each adjacent opposing character other than the target damage equal to half the result for that Blades/Claws/Fangs. When they do, if Ares is on the map, the minimum result is instead the character’s printed damage value +1.

Explanation: The “Ares Bomb” strategy of an early game Ares-assisted strike was something that came up in playtesting, but had been ruled as an interesting high-risk, high-reward strategy that would probably not see much play. This proved to be a mistake, as Ares teams have become a dominant force in most formats. Coupled with the potentially confusing rules interactions Ares has with some Blades/Claws/Fangs-centered special powers, we’ve made the decision to significantly alter Ares. This new trait keeps much of the explosive potential of the original, without inviting as many rules questions. Typically, if a figure would require this degree of overhaul, we would ban it, but Ares has been enough of a fan-favorite build-around we opted to find a way to preserve him instead.

MoT 040 Per Degaton

Result: Banned in all formats.

Explanation: One of the great things in HeroClix is that teams with a limited number of members, from time to time, can go toe-to-toe with the teams with a large number of options because the benefits of playing that small cluster are so great. Per Degaton could have been that for the Time Stealers, but we missed the mark. Instead, it was a piece that discouraged players from using theme teams, and homogenized builds to often feel like 260 or 280 points plus Per Degaton. The problem is as bad, or worse, in Silver. Given the degree of change he’d need to be reigned in, and his direction being almost totally opposite to what would be fun for the format, the WizKids team has opted to simply remove him from the metagame.

S&D 031a Destroyer

Result: No change.

Explanation: Destroyer has become a staple equipment, giving access to penetrating damage, boosted close attacks, and, most frequently, potent defense buffs and consistent Willpower. The play rate of Destroyer is concerning, but there are answers to it in the current metagame and upcoming releases. We’ll continue to keep an eye on Destroyer, but for now, no action is needed.

While we strive to avoid making changes to figures after they have been released, if possible, our ultimate goal is to have a fun, friendly, and healthy game paired with a positive gameplay experience for both our casual and tournament players. We do reserve the right to revisit and make changes to any game elements highlighted in previous Watch Lists, especially as new game elements are released. Thank you to our players and play testers for providing your feedback on how we can further improve the game of HeroClix.

– The WizKids Team