Clix It Up- Superman

Greetings HeroClix fans! Continuing on with our title character previews from the upcoming DC HeroClix: World’s Finest set we have another special Clix It Up article highlighting 4 Superman figures featuring the Shifting Focus trait just like his crime fighting partner, Batman. Like the Batman pieces, there are two common Superman figures, one uncommon Superman figure, and one rare Superman figure in the set with the Shifting Focus-Superman trait. Each Superman is 90 points and represents a different aspect of Superman’s powers and fighting style. Conveniently for team building they have the same 4 keywords; Justice League, Kryptonian, Metropolis, and Reporter.

The Shifting Focus-Superman trait reads: “Give Superman a free action if he began your turn on the map. Replace him with another character with this trait on the same click number.”

90 points is a pretty low point cost for a Superman so let’s see what options you get with all 4 figures.

First up is the first figure in the set, #001 Superman. This is your defensive and team supporting Superman. He starts off with Sidestep and a solid 19 defense value with a special power called Defending the Helpless which grants him Invincible and gives a +1 defense boost to adjacent friendly characters. Deeper into his 7 click dial he trades in the special power for Invulnerability and gains Empower to coach some extra damage out of his teammates. This is the sturdy Superman; he either ignores or reduces damage on every click. This is the Superman to shift to when his friends need a defense bump— or perhaps after making an attack with another Superman you shift to this Superman to be able to avoid or absorb the retaliatory attack (even Sidestep-ping away to avoid a close attack).

In the next common slot is #002 Superman. This version represents his super speed with high speed values and Hypersonic Speed on his opening clicks. Rounding out his first click, he has 11 attack, 3 damage, and a 17 defense with Super Senses to dodge incoming attacks. He keeps Hypersonic Speed for four clicks transitioning into a combination of Charge and Combat Reflexes. Flying hypersonic pieces are always useful and at 90 points this Superman is no exception, this is the Superman that will allow you to get into position quickly, make hit-and-run attacks or even beat a hasty retreat.

Next up we have the uncommon #017a Superman. Here we have the super strong, building lifting, truck throwing Superman. He has a full dial of Super Strength and move and attack options with Charge transitioning into Sidestep. He also has Improved Movement that grants him the ability to not only to ignore blocking terrain when moving but also to and destroys it when he moves through it. His trait Using My Strength increases his damage dealt by 1 when he attacks with an object and allows him to destroy blocking terrain to have a chance to gain an object— so he can potentially (with good die placement and die rolls) always have an object in hand for his attacks. This Superman does not have the ability to fly (he is too busy picking up objects), but he does have the Superman Ally team ability which will allow him to move through hindering terrain— so he won’t be hindered by all the debris he will be making as he is tearing down walls and blocking terrain. With his starting click of 9 movement with Charge, 11 attack, 18 with Toughness, and 3 base damage made higher by carrying an object and his trait, this Superman will be hitting hard and hopefully often. Late dial he switches to Sidestep, Willpower, and Close Combat Expert so he can still lay on heavy damage even if he can’t grab an object.

Lastly, in the rare slot we have #033 Superman. This Superman brings the heat with a whopping 8 square range value, hindering terrain ignoring Superman team ability, Running Shot, and Burn which gives him Penetrating/Psychic Blast that increases the damage dealt by 1 if the target has 2 action tokens. With the Running Shot, he has an impressive 12 square reach, 14 if you started the turn with #001 Superman and Sidestepped up before Shifting Focus to this one. His attack value starts at 10 and actually peaks mid-dial with an 11 before finishing at 9. Late dial he is more suited to picking off softer targets with Sidestep, Toughness, and Range Combat Expert with 2 damage.

If you note, these figures were carefully selected to represent the set and type of powers displayed on the combat dial and character card of each piece so that even at a glance you can pick which Superman you want to be Shifting Focus to during your turns. By the numbers, for 90 points Superman has access to the Flight and Carry combat abilities, Improved Movement that ignores and destroys blocking terrain, a team ability that ignores hindering terrain for line of fire and movement, 16 different standard PAC powers, and two abilities that can increase damage dealt; you have a dedicated brick wall, a hypersonic speedster, a damage powerhouse tank, and an armor piercing sniper. Teamed up with any of the 4 Shifting Focus Batman figures from our last Clix It Up article, they have an unparalleled access to almost any powers you need on any given turn; the Powers and Abilities Card will be their menu. For 150 points these two can join forces and leave plenty of room to fill out a solid Justice League themed team. Just as with the Batman pieces, the spread of rarities; two commons, an uncommon, and a rare, it is very possible to have a few Shifting Focus options pulled in a sealed booster tournament event, like the DC HeroClix: World’s Finest Pre-Release Events that kicked off today, January 27th. Check the WizKids Event System to find and register for a World’s Finest Pre-Release tournament near you!

Thanks for joining us today to Clix It Up. Until next time, just push ‘em all!

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