Hello HeroClix Masterminds!<\/strong><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>Behind the scenes, the HeroClix team has been working on some big picture changes to improve our tournament formats and processes. We wanted to share these changes after US Nationals to avoid any confusion about whether or not these changes would impact that event.<\/p>\n
Also:<\/p>\n
\n- General Tournament Changes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Errata\/Watch List Updates<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Extending Modern<\/strong><\/h1><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Patrick Frazer<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>WizKids has given me the go-ahead to announce a major update: rotation is being extended by an extra year for most pieces. This marks one of the most impactful changes to Modern HeroClix since the shift in map size. Let\u2019s break down what this means for everyone who loves HeroClix.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Modern format operated on a shorter rotation window, typically after 2 years of appearances at the World Championship. With this new update, figures from main sets will now remain Modern legal for three years, which will more closely align to that of Convention Exclusive and other Promotional Figures that have typically had a longer life in Modern.<\/p>\n
This extension offers players more time to experiment with strategies, refine competitive builds, and a larger figure pool should lead to more viable builds in the metagame. In particular, players who are clamoring for a team they love (Great Lakes Avengers?) are more likely to see the lineup in Modern.<\/p>\n
For retailers, we want to make sure that they\u2019re able to restock and sell HeroClix product for months after its release to support their communities who are still building collections and teams. WizKids doesn\u2019t want retailers to feel like aligning with our goals for availability should be introducing inventory risk for them when the product shifts from Modern to Silver legality. As much as all of that is true for sealed product, it is extra true for the retail partners who support their HeroClix communities with a robust inventory of single figures.<\/p>\n
One of my favorite parts of a three-year Modern window is the ability of the team to intentionally design EVEN MORE set-to-set connections. Rather than operating in relative isolation, main sets can now interact with future sets in a more meaningful and sustained way.<\/p>\n
This opens the door to:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Keyword synergies that last longer<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Thematic mechanics that evolve over multiple sets<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Characters and teams receiving extended support<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Strategies that develop over time<\/p>\n
As a competitive player, I\u2019ve spent many hours building teams that just didn\u2019t have the goods. Maybe it was missing that secondary attacker or didn\u2019t have the support needed to shine on the big stage. Now instead of throwing the build in the garbage, I can place it on the backburner, knowing that help could very much be on the way, more so than ever before.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, this means a team built today may still receive new tools a year or two from now. That level of continuity strengthens both gameplay depth and narrative cohesion from set to set. Longer legality means designers can think in arcs rather than snapshots.<\/p>\n
For example, a mechanic introduced in one release can be revisited, refined, or expanded upon in a later set which I think will be. Teams that may have felt incomplete before rotation will now have additional opportunities for support.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re already seeing hints of this interconnected philosophy in recent design choices. Themes are carried forward while certain mechanics appear positioned for future reinforcement. Let\u2019s take Beast Boy for example.<\/p>\n<\/div>
We saw a couple iterations in Masters of Time<\/strong>, a few more in Lantern Legacy<\/strong>, and we can expect even more in the upcoming Batman: Fight for Gotham<\/strong>. Now Beast Boy (MoT024)<\/strong> has the trait: \u201cTIME TO GO JURASSIC-SIZED When Beast Boy hits, after resolutions you may give him a Transform token and roll a d6, adding the number of his Transform tokens to the result. 7+: Remove any Transform tokens from Beast Boy, then replace him with a character named Beast Boy on the same click number\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/wizkids.com\/heroclix\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Beast-Boy-MoT024-400x165.png\" "\\"Beast")
<\/span><\/div>This version of Beast Boy was designed to synergize with his set mate, MoT070<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/wizkids.com\/heroclix\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Beast-Boy-MoT070-400x244.png\" "\\"Beast")
<\/span><\/div>But also with future versions of Beast Boy like the ones we saw in Lantern Legacy<\/strong> that have almost the exact same trait. Fight for Gotham<\/strong> brings us another handful of Beast Boy options, more than doubling what we had in Masters of Time<\/strong> and Lantern Legacy<\/strong> combined, although with a different trait.<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/wizkids.com\/heroclix\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Beast-Boy-FFGC024-400x165.png\" "\\"Beast")
<\/span><\/div>The new batch brings us the trait: \u201cCONDUIT OF THE RED: At the beginning of your turn, you may replace Beast Boy with a character named Beast Boy of equal or less points on the same click number. If you don\u2019t, heal him one click.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the traits aren\u2019t the same, almost every Beast Boy in Modern is 60 points allowing them to synergize across all three DC sets that will be Modern Legal for the 2026 World Championship. We don\u2019t know how many DC will be legal for the following year, but we can certainly assume it will be more than 3. And even if we don\u2019t get more Beast Boys, this guy will make sure every set brings us even more options to tinker with.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/wizkids.com\/heroclix\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/Beast-Boy-FFGC-511-400x165.png\" "\\"Beast")
<\/span><\/div>Now this is just one character, but Wizkids announced at the Championship Clix Open that we\u2019d be seeing a theme for the HeroClix sets released this year, with the theme being Anti-Heroes and the Thunderbolts<\/strong> set releasing later this year. Among those sets we\u2019ll see connected mechanics, new terrain types, and add some of the bad boys to your favorite teams.<\/p>\nWith the announcement of the extension of modern, comes a need for a more vigilant watchlist. We plan to release a watchlist quarterly, with me personally taking a leadership position and being more hands on and proactive with the results. If you think there\u2019s something worth keeping an eye on, please e-mail us at gamefeedback@wizkids.com.<\/p>\n
As a player I\u2019m incredibly excited for the extension of rotation as I expect a more diverse competitive scene, longer running design trends, and more complete rosters for keywords that could use a bit more love. Who doesn\u2019t want more time with their figure? I\u2019m excited to hear what you guys think, so let me know!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>Fresh Pulp<\/strong><\/h1><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Jimmy O\u2019Brien<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Pulp is a format that we love internally, and we\u2019ve been working on improving.<\/p>\n
The first step that we took was to begin having a playtest team specialize in playtesting with a focus on the Pulp format. The results of that first step are likely to impact future product, but we wanted to see improvements to the Pulp format faster than that, so players can enjoy this format more at their local venues, sooner.<\/p>\n
Before I get into it too much, I want to dispel one of the misconceptions of Pulp with an opinion shared by most of the HeroClix team: The target audience for Pulp is HeroClix players that love when the game is minis-based, and less add-on based. When we say \u201cadd-ons\u201d we mean all the different things HeroClix has let you add to your force over the years that have been fun to collect and often incredibly powerful: ID cards, Resources, Tarot Cards, Equipment, and more. Those items, in aggregate, are a key part of the HeroClix experience, but sometimes it\u2019s fun to take a break from them. Players that are looking to return to HeroClix, perhaps after 5 or 10 years, will enjoy a \u201csoft landing\u201d by returning via Pulp or Battle Royales instead of Modern.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Structurally, the team identified a few different areas of improvement for Pulp.<\/p>\n
1) Bring \u201ceasy-to-collect\u201d Product Into the Format<\/p>\n
Players who begin playing HeroClix with a Starter Set or return to the game with a 400 are likely to want to play those figures often as they work on mastering the game. If their local venue seeks to mix up the formats offered during a month (Battle Royale, Modern, Battle Royale, Pulp) players might only be able to utilize some of these pieces on a very limited basis. Allowing these isn\u2019t going to break the format, usually.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Pulp has traditionally been limited to the four-or-five figure booster sets. Going forward, Pulp is being opened up to include any set with dial information printed on the card. Combined with the next point, this will allow players to experiment with some older, but fan-favorite, fast forces and gravity feeds previously not allowed in Pulp.<\/p>\n
2) Extend Pulp through Silver Age<\/p>\n
Since Pulp isn\u2019t usually targeting brand new players, allowing teams to be legal longer and letting teams accumulate more combo potential leans into a lot of what makes the format fun and minis-driven.<\/p>\n
When a game piece asks for a character named \u201cVision\u201d or has the Avengers Team Ability or has Phasing\/Teleport, players will enjoy selecting among a wide pool of choices to find the perfect puzzle piece for their next force.<\/p>\n
3) Ban More Minis<\/p>\n
Sometimes the team will intentionally design a piece or two as part of our introductory SKUs to be significantly above the curve in terms of efficiency and power level. The HeroClix team wants players to be able to continue to use some of these pieces as they grow their collection. These aren\u2019t usually the strongest pieces in the metagame, but they tend to do a great job of muscling out commons or uncommons that might fill the same role.<\/p>\n
If it turns out that such a piece feels unchecked, or disproportionately narrows the number of viable theme teams available, then we will move to ban that piece quickly.<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes, the HeroClix team has been working on some big picture changes to improve our tournament formats and processes. We wanted to share these changes after US Nationals to avoid any confusion about whether or not these changes would impact that event.<\/p>\n
Also:<\/p>\n
- \n
- General Tournament Changes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Errata\/Watch List Updates<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Extending Modern<\/strong><\/h1><\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Patrick Frazer<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>
WizKids has given me the go-ahead to announce a major update: rotation is being extended by an extra year for most pieces. This marks one of the most impactful changes to Modern HeroClix since the shift in map size. Let\u2019s break down what this means for everyone who loves HeroClix.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Modern format operated on a shorter rotation window, typically after 2 years of appearances at the World Championship. With this new update, figures from main sets will now remain Modern legal for three years, which will more closely align to that of Convention Exclusive and other Promotional Figures that have typically had a longer life in Modern.<\/p>\n
This extension offers players more time to experiment with strategies, refine competitive builds, and a larger figure pool should lead to more viable builds in the metagame. In particular, players who are clamoring for a team they love (Great Lakes Avengers?) are more likely to see the lineup in Modern.<\/p>\n
For retailers, we want to make sure that they\u2019re able to restock and sell HeroClix product for months after its release to support their communities who are still building collections and teams. WizKids doesn\u2019t want retailers to feel like aligning with our goals for availability should be introducing inventory risk for them when the product shifts from Modern to Silver legality. As much as all of that is true for sealed product, it is extra true for the retail partners who support their HeroClix communities with a robust inventory of single figures.<\/p>\n
One of my favorite parts of a three-year Modern window is the ability of the team to intentionally design EVEN MORE set-to-set connections. Rather than operating in relative isolation, main sets can now interact with future sets in a more meaningful and sustained way.<\/p>\n
This opens the door to:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Keyword synergies that last longer<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Thematic mechanics that evolve over multiple sets<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Characters and teams receiving extended support<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Strategies that develop over time<\/p>\n
As a competitive player, I\u2019ve spent many hours building teams that just didn\u2019t have the goods. Maybe it was missing that secondary attacker or didn\u2019t have the support needed to shine on the big stage. Now instead of throwing the build in the garbage, I can place it on the backburner, knowing that help could very much be on the way, more so than ever before.<\/p>\n
In practical terms, this means a team built today may still receive new tools a year or two from now. That level of continuity strengthens both gameplay depth and narrative cohesion from set to set. Longer legality means designers can think in arcs rather than snapshots.<\/p>\n
For example, a mechanic introduced in one release can be revisited, refined, or expanded upon in a later set which I think will be. Teams that may have felt incomplete before rotation will now have additional opportunities for support.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re already seeing hints of this interconnected philosophy in recent design choices. Themes are carried forward while certain mechanics appear positioned for future reinforcement. Let\u2019s take Beast Boy for example.<\/p>\n<\/div>
We saw a couple iterations in Masters of Time<\/strong>, a few more in Lantern Legacy<\/strong>, and we can expect even more in the upcoming Batman: Fight for Gotham<\/strong>. Now Beast Boy (MoT024)<\/strong> has the trait: \u201cTIME TO GO JURASSIC-SIZED When Beast Boy hits, after resolutions you may give him a Transform token and roll a d6, adding the number of his Transform tokens to the result. 7+: Remove any Transform tokens from Beast Boy, then replace him with a character named Beast Boy on the same click number\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>This version of Beast Boy was designed to synergize with his set mate, MoT070<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>But also with future versions of Beast Boy like the ones we saw in Lantern Legacy<\/strong> that have almost the exact same trait. Fight for Gotham<\/strong> brings us another handful of Beast Boy options, more than doubling what we had in Masters of Time<\/strong> and Lantern Legacy<\/strong> combined, although with a different trait.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>The new batch brings us the trait: \u201cCONDUIT OF THE RED: At the beginning of your turn, you may replace Beast Boy with a character named Beast Boy of equal or less points on the same click number. If you don\u2019t, heal him one click.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the traits aren\u2019t the same, almost every Beast Boy in Modern is 60 points allowing them to synergize across all three DC sets that will be Modern Legal for the 2026 World Championship. We don\u2019t know how many DC will be legal for the following year, but we can certainly assume it will be more than 3. And even if we don\u2019t get more Beast Boys, this guy will make sure every set brings us even more options to tinker with.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Now this is just one character, but Wizkids announced at the Championship Clix Open that we\u2019d be seeing a theme for the HeroClix sets released this year, with the theme being Anti-Heroes and the Thunderbolts<\/strong> set releasing later this year. Among those sets we\u2019ll see connected mechanics, new terrain types, and add some of the bad boys to your favorite teams.<\/p>\n
With the announcement of the extension of modern, comes a need for a more vigilant watchlist. We plan to release a watchlist quarterly, with me personally taking a leadership position and being more hands on and proactive with the results. If you think there\u2019s something worth keeping an eye on, please e-mail us at gamefeedback@wizkids.com.<\/p>\n
As a player I\u2019m incredibly excited for the extension of rotation as I expect a more diverse competitive scene, longer running design trends, and more complete rosters for keywords that could use a bit more love. Who doesn\u2019t want more time with their figure? I\u2019m excited to hear what you guys think, so let me know!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>Fresh Pulp<\/strong><\/h1><\/h2><\/span>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>Jimmy O\u2019Brien<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>
Pulp is a format that we love internally, and we\u2019ve been working on improving.<\/p>\n
The first step that we took was to begin having a playtest team specialize in playtesting with a focus on the Pulp format. The results of that first step are likely to impact future product, but we wanted to see improvements to the Pulp format faster than that, so players can enjoy this format more at their local venues, sooner.<\/p>\n
Before I get into it too much, I want to dispel one of the misconceptions of Pulp with an opinion shared by most of the HeroClix team: The target audience for Pulp is HeroClix players that love when the game is minis-based, and less add-on based. When we say \u201cadd-ons\u201d we mean all the different things HeroClix has let you add to your force over the years that have been fun to collect and often incredibly powerful: ID cards, Resources, Tarot Cards, Equipment, and more. Those items, in aggregate, are a key part of the HeroClix experience, but sometimes it\u2019s fun to take a break from them. Players that are looking to return to HeroClix, perhaps after 5 or 10 years, will enjoy a \u201csoft landing\u201d by returning via Pulp or Battle Royales instead of Modern.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Structurally, the team identified a few different areas of improvement for Pulp.<\/p>\n
1) Bring \u201ceasy-to-collect\u201d Product Into the Format<\/p>\n
Players who begin playing HeroClix with a Starter Set or return to the game with a 400 are likely to want to play those figures often as they work on mastering the game. If their local venue seeks to mix up the formats offered during a month (Battle Royale, Modern, Battle Royale, Pulp) players might only be able to utilize some of these pieces on a very limited basis. Allowing these isn\u2019t going to break the format, usually.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Pulp has traditionally been limited to the four-or-five figure booster sets. Going forward, Pulp is being opened up to include any set with dial information printed on the card. Combined with the next point, this will allow players to experiment with some older, but fan-favorite, fast forces and gravity feeds previously not allowed in Pulp.<\/p>\n
2) Extend Pulp through Silver Age<\/p>\n
Since Pulp isn\u2019t usually targeting brand new players, allowing teams to be legal longer and letting teams accumulate more combo potential leans into a lot of what makes the format fun and minis-driven.<\/p>\n
When a game piece asks for a character named \u201cVision\u201d or has the Avengers Team Ability or has Phasing\/Teleport, players will enjoy selecting among a wide pool of choices to find the perfect puzzle piece for their next force.<\/p>\n
3) Ban More Minis<\/p>\n
Sometimes the team will intentionally design a piece or two as part of our introductory SKUs to be significantly above the curve in terms of efficiency and power level. The HeroClix team wants players to be able to continue to use some of these pieces as they grow their collection. These aren\u2019t usually the strongest pieces in the metagame, but they tend to do a great job of muscling out commons or uncommons that might fill the same role.<\/p>\n
If it turns out that such a piece feels unchecked, or disproportionately narrows the number of viable theme teams available, then we will move to ban that piece quickly.<\/p>\n
- Errata\/Watch List Updates<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>