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AZS
02/25/2003, 12:59
This article and content are property of the Author and is not to be redistributed or reposted in whole or in part without the Author's approval. However, feel free to link to the list page here (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16280) Thank you.


I am Frank Schlichting’s review of heroclix.

Welcome to Thug Club.
The first rule of Thug Club is that you don't talk about Thug Club.
The second rule is something along those same lines.
And the third rule well, that’s something all together different.
Fourth rule is: when someone yells "Owww", gives up, or clicks out, the game is over.
Fifth rule is: only 200 or 300 pts to a game.
The Seventh rule says: only one game at a time. Unless it’s a tournament.
The eighth rule goes something like: No shirts, no shoes unless they are molded to you.
The Nineth rule of Thug Club is: Fights go on until Firelord kills you (or your mom comes to pick you up.)

But the last rule, the last rule is that if you’ve never been to a Thug Club figure review before, you must post a reply. Everyone posts their first time, no exceptions.

We all come to Thug Club for different reasons, but one thing is always the same;
You are not defined by your supervillian career.
You are not how much stolen money you have in the bank.
You are not the contents of someone else’s wallet.
You are not your #%@*ing underwear on the outside of your costume.
You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake (making supervillian).
You are the all-singing, all-dancing garbage of the superhero world.
That’s why you are here. You are a Thug.

And I see in Thug club the strongest and smartest men that have ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see it squandered. Damm it, an entire generation, shooting ray guns and getting beat up; slaves with capes. We're the middle children of this continuity. No purpose or place. We have no Super Powers. No Secret Wars. Our Secret War is a spiritual war... our Super Powers are our lives. Advertising has us chasing cars and adventure packs, working jobs we hate, so we can buy super weapons we don't need and won’t work. We were raised on violent television to believe that we'd all be millionaires, Norse gods, movie adaptations, Uniques, and foil covers, but we won't. And we're starting to figure that out.

We weren’t all born into ‘Bullseye’ like perfection. We can’t all hit like Hercules and hide like Elektra. Some of use have to make do with what we were given. Like me being overpriced thanks to too many clicks of Incapacitate. But I can still brawl with the best of them. Heck, I can even damage the big guns! Lets see the appropriately named WASP do that.

Just look at the Mighty Firelord over there. Smug and superior in his ability to deal five clicks of damage with impunity. But hit him once and he screams like a sissy “AAAHHH! Paper cut! MEDIC! MEDIC!” He ought to be banned.

Look at Hercules swilling his ale, bench pressing buicks and flirting with She Hulk. He doesn’t change, he’s as old as time, but still from one click to the next there’s no difference, no growth or variation. He just plugs along move after move without ever growing (weaker), but he is still just like the rest of us slowly moving towards KO.
This is your life, and its ending one click at a time.

I was talking with Thug the other day and it got me thinking.

“If you could fight any figure one on one, who would it be?”
“I'd fight Prof X.”
“Good answer.”
“How about you?”
“Slim Summers.”
“Cyclops?”
“Big guy, big reach. Skinny guys fight 'til they're burger.”

Ultimately, life is a big game and it doesn’t matter who we play off against because eventually we all end up KOed and in the same green tackle box in the trunk.

While we’re here though, we try to make the best of it that we can. I fight like the rest of them. I started out as a rookie, taking my lumps and clicking out quickly. I was weak then, as a rookie, soft in the middle and not nearly worth the points. I clicked out too fast and couldn’t have even stood against some of weak new guys like rookie Aim Agent or Rookie Logan. Logan. That man is a fighter, its like he’s ferrel, he’s tapped some animal deep inside him. Me, I just started out with a belly full of incapacitate, an attack value that couldn’t hit the broad side of a Blob, and a deep desire to seriously click some a**. I had a long reach, well, for a melee character anyway I thought it was long. 4 inches. But it turns out that even a rookie Avalanche has a range of 4 inches.

I got better though. Drive and determination. I worked at it, took my bruises and wore them like trophies, like a prize fighter. I got Experienced, I got better stats and joined a team. The self proclaimed Masters of Evil. We had a plan, a goal, a mission. We were supposed to work together. We called our goal Project Snausages. But it just didn’t work out. Being able to all attack one socially significant monument together, but only using one action seemed like a good idea, but we could never pull it off effectively. It was wasted points. And they were all just as weak as me. And that wired one, Vet Whirlwind, man you have never seen a guy with a worse case of attention deficit disorder. First he’s here, then he’s way over there, he attacks one guy then in the same turn attacks someone else. He just couldn’t focus, maybe if he could he might have been able to pull his attack value out of the toilet and up above an 8. But as it was, these Masters of Evil were barely even Masters of their own domain.

Still Thug club persisted. I was starting to hear rumors of Thug clubs in other universes. I heard of a Thug club over in DC run by some fishy guy. They fight at a Gas Station and sometimes in a natural history museum. They had a smaller initial turn out, but it was growing. Growing faster than I could keep up with. The independents are starting a Thug club too. All of them, from Dark Horse and Crossgen to Image and 2000AD. They have their Sojourners and Lady Deaths, their Judge Dreads and Johnny Alphas. They start up where they can and soon they’ll all have expansions too.

Thug club is just growing and growing. And even though I reached Veteran Status, it always seemed like LE Frank Schlichting was one step ahead of me. Whatever tournament I went to, I could feel it, Frank was a prize there before me.

Now that I’m a Vet though, I know I can win and get him. Most people underestimate me, but I know I’m a force. Incapacitate seems over priced, but I have a good attack value now to back it up. And Jon Leithusser insists its an underrated power.
My short range may seem like a hindrance, but it just means that my opponent doesn’t pay attention to me, then I can grab hold of Vulture’s talon for a ride and sneak up on them. Yeah, I may be ‘overpriced’ but I like the notoriety. And now that I’m a vet, I get to choose when and where I fight, and I’m not too well known, I get to keep my private life private. You don’t hear Bakija complaining endlessly that I’m broken or Brazil telling everyone I’m ‘unfair.’ I’d get pretty sick of hearing about that over and over (and over and over) if it was all directed my way.
For now, I get to stick to the shadows, mold my Thug club army into Mods of my own design, and quietly work on Project Mayhem.

Check out my other reviews at these links:
Marvel Reviews (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16280) . . . DC Reviews (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14015)

This review was inspired by the thread "Sick of Firelord Rants, here's my Anti-Contrictor Thread" and the many humorous posts there that were the precursor to the 4F and the Halls. Thanks to all you guys and gals.

Random
02/25/2003, 13:06
funny guy azs, and good review

rotru
02/25/2003, 13:08
you mean there was a review in there? eh...

Random
02/25/2003, 13:09
sarcasm. learn it live it love it

jolt
02/25/2003, 13:11
azs: Is it okay to laugh now? :)

Loved the review! Seriously though, I agree with Jon, Incapacitate is great.

jolt

JacinB
02/25/2003, 13:11
Um, I don't get it. :rolleyes:

Just kidding, azs. Great review as always.

Clikzilla
02/25/2003, 13:19
Azs...love your reviews. I've always found them both entertaining and useful.

I actually fielded the "Thug Club" team a while back...pretty much the entire Sinister Syndicate: Constrictor, Boomerang, Whirlwind, Bullseye, and a handful of others. Ol' Frank managed to sneak up and do a bit of damage before he got pulverized.

I think a lot of the (to use wrestling jargon) mid-card figs get neglected. The Sinister Syndicate guys are not that effective on their own, but they can be a pretty effective group, as long as you play them as such. The trick is figuring out the combinations to maximize the SS team ability.

I want to get some "Thug Club" soap...it's high quality stuff, made from the liquified remains of shape-changing skrulls. Nothing better to get rid of those wrinkles...

EvilGenius
02/25/2003, 13:21
Heh!

At least Constrictor doesn't have big man boobs! ;)

Clikzilla
02/25/2003, 13:29
Hmm...I think Mr. Hyde is a better candidate for those...he's got the look of a man who has done too many steroids, for sure!

shin-goji
02/25/2003, 13:33
By far, your most creative yet!

Spidersense
02/25/2003, 13:45
As Elise from SSX Tricky would say, "Ex-cell-an-te!"

I have been trying some of my underused figures lately, but I cant seem to commit to the hour it would actually take to play a game using him.

Clikzilla
02/25/2003, 13:52
I'm with you on using underused figures, SpiderSense. I figure: I've bought all these figures, I may as well play them all!

It's actually become a bit obsessive. I have checklists for all 3 sets. and I have been checking off the ones I've used, with the expressed goal of using *all* of my figs once each. I build my teams from the ones I haven't yet used. So far, I'm only recycling taxis and goons (medics, that is).

The results have been interesting. It's definitely forced me to focus more on making the best team out of what I've got remaining to pick from on my lists, and also to really think out the possible strategy and tactics my band o' neglected clix is capable of.

I love this game! :D

LoneWolf21
02/25/2003, 13:55
Very interesting review. Although I think the only Constrictors I have are two rookies.

So if you're doing the "regular" clix now (in comparison to the big names like Doom, Rogue, Flash, etc), does that mean we'll see a Wolfsbane review at some point?

bizzaro
02/25/2003, 14:00
Did I miss the scene where you try to incapacitate yourself? :D

A nice fun surreal review!

gelf13
02/25/2003, 14:04
...And on the day he broke the mold, the HCrealms populous stood up with one voice and proclaimed "Now he is Super-Azs! Now he has surpassed all previous reviews and ecsalated above the plane of the mere 'review' and risen to the unheard of heights of COMEDY!" (Remember: Dying is easy, Comedy is HARD.)
In other words: ROFLOL!!
Very well done.
Thanks for the laugh, I needed it today.
Gelf

Grinner
02/25/2003, 14:10
Twisted. Totally twisted.

Like I'm one to speak, though. I actually use Constrictor from time to time, teaming him up with his old partner Sabretooth.

Doctor Strange
02/25/2003, 14:23
::sniff::
That was bruteafull! Azs, I promise that the next tourny I enter will have a Constrictor! (providing of course that the LE prize isn't a Dr.Doombot) ;)

ChicagoAvenger
02/25/2003, 14:32
I'm a big fan of the Syndicate. But even I have trouble finding room for Long Frank (what?) on a team. After I got my second LE I figured I'd hold onto it. It is still one of the cooler sculpts in the game. And no one wants to trade for it anyway.

Great review, looking forward to more in this vein.

DS-00-0, FSD
02/25/2003, 14:41
Okay, maybe this would be funnier if I'd seen Fight Club, but it's totally lost on me.

Maybe if I understood the jokes, it would make for an easier read, but as it is it's too mumbled and incohearant. He's not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. The exp version would be nice if there were more MOE figs at a lower cost.

This one's a miss in my book, azs. Nothing personal, just gave me a headache trying to get thru all the jokes.

Beetle
02/25/2003, 15:03
yeah he mentioned that to me and i told him to post anyway....the number of people that have seen fight club i would say far outweigh the people that haven't. And you can't please everyone all the time either. This was actually a blast from the past....look up the Anti-Contrictor Thread for more. Great job azs!

PMMJ
02/25/2003, 15:15
Azs, you've outdone yourself.

dolemite199
02/25/2003, 15:45
DS-00-0, FSD wrote,

Okay, maybe this would be funnier if I'd seen Fight Club, but it's totally lost on me.

You have not lived until you see fight club!

Azs,

Does Constrictor and the "Thug Club" plan on causing massive mayhem in the clix universe through fraternity like pranks? Very funny review. By the way, Constrictor has a huge advantage other figures do not. He is unparralled when it comes to candidates for mobile blocking terrain!

Pip the Troll
02/25/2003, 15:53
lol i loved this review it was hilarious
lol keep up the good work and keep the reviews coming as they are thoroughly enjoyed by all.

cheers

AZS
02/25/2003, 15:56
Originally posted by DS-00-0, FSD
This one's a miss in my book, azs. Nothing personal, just gave me a headache trying to get thru all the jokes.Much like Doom and Doombot, this was not actually intended to be a serious review, even though there were 'review elements' in there.
So...
1. Tonight, rent Fight Club. The DVD is recomended.
2. Come back and re-read review.
3. Edit previous post.

:)

Thanks to everyone who read and posted. :cool:

AZS
02/25/2003, 16:00
Originally posted by dolemite199
Does Constrictor and the "Thug Club" plan on causing massive mayhem in the clix universe through fraternity like pranks? They plan on filling the Soda Machine with blue dye, put kryptonite in the dumpster, ants in all the hindering terrain, and swapped all the gumballs in the gumball machine with jawbreakers.
That, and the last person to roll a critical hit has to eat the pizza.

Valandar
02/25/2003, 16:02
Alright, that bit about the pizza was just totally WRONG...

JacinB
02/25/2003, 16:05
Originally posted by azs
They plan on filling the Soda Machine with blue dye, put kryptonite in the dumpster, ants in all the hindering terrain, and swapped all the gumballs in the gumball machine with jawbreakers.
That, and the last person to roll a critical hit has to eat the pizza.

Um, I still don't get it. :rolleyes:

Annihillus
02/25/2003, 16:56
Funniest review yet, azs. Hope you throw in some more humor in your other reviews, too. I wouldn't post but after reading the "rules" I felt I had too.:p

Nevest
02/25/2003, 17:13
Fight Club is truly a modern classic. If you haven't seen it you really should. Heck with renting DVDs up to over $4 in most places I would just suggest going out and buying the DVD for $12 used at Blockbuster or $15 at WalMart. It is definitely worth owning because you'll need to watch it 2 or 3 times to really catch everything.

Azs, wow, great review. You really outdid yourself on this one. Glad I could finally get the site to work today so I could read it.

Styrix
02/25/2003, 17:31
It wasn't comedy so much as tradgedy.

Oooh, I'm a bitter dude.

Grumble grumble grumble. . . .

Spookythecat
02/25/2003, 17:53
That was freaking funny. I was wondering what their was to say about Constrictor but "What a huge pile of suck." Great parody, great review.

Mr. Pilkington
02/25/2003, 23:17
This is your thread... and it's ending one minute at a time. :D

Next time I play Constrictor I'm going to walk him up to a heavy hitter and say "I want you to hit me as hard as you can!". :D

I actually want Shocker and Jack-o-lantern to get released so that I can make the screw-ups team from The Hood mini-series. If you haven't read it I HIGHLY recommend it. It's Frank at his best!

EVIL CAP
02/26/2003, 13:30
EVER! :D

I cant until the end ::Spliced in scene from MK:: Where they blow up all molds for all the other figures

the itsy bit
02/27/2003, 06:56
I've never seen fight club and I liked the review !
yes I recognized some of the lines, so I though it was a parody like thing but you don't need to see fight club to find it funny !

I actually like the Sinister Six/syndicate teams very much (1 of the stronger team abilities !!) they also made for great reading when Spiderman rolled them up !

I hope the designers bring out more SS figs !!

Badger
04/13/2003, 23:58
Funniest review yet ... I loved it !!
I don't often post (just slide under the radar) but felt obligated to follow the rules here.
Heck I probabally will go ahead and rent fight club based on it.
And as Frank was my first LE ever (traded him for a Vision when I first started this game) I've always had a soft spot for him.



Go ahead Click me... Click me as hard as you can !

GreenLantern73
04/15/2003, 00:18
Great combo: LE Constrictor & the Bullseye w/ Sinister Syndicate. Position Frank behind Bullseye & Bullseye's defense will get beefed up while Frank gets a boost in his AV.

Doctor Strange
04/15/2003, 05:53
Aren't we forgetting our buddie LE Hobgoblin?

Heimdall
04/15/2003, 07:00
@GreenLantern73: Good idea but do not forget to place Bullseye in hindering terrain to get a defense of 19 against ranged Attacks.


I really like Frank but most of the time i just use V Constrictor because i need the points. I mostly use his AV to boost up the AV of Whirlwind, Sandman, Boomerang or Hobgoblin if Bullseye is not available, or Incapacitate big bruisers. Incapacitate lead me to a victory over the Avengers (featuring U Wasp, R Black Panther, V Iron Man, V She-Hulk etc.) in a 500pt. game.

Heimdall (Supporter of Incapacitate)

GreenLantern73
04/15/2003, 09:47
Originally posted by Doctor Strange
Aren't we forgetting our buddie LE Hobgoblin?


My idea with LE Constrictor is to keep Bullseye alive longer & shooting. LE Frank has Defend on his very first click & a slightly stronger defense than Bullseye but the 2 together are a very strong combo.

Gentlegamer
07/20/2004, 11:40
This is too good to be forgotten! Now that Thug is retired, should the Moloids start a club?

Mr. Pilkington
07/20/2004, 11:42
I'm thinking it won't work as well. Moleman never lets them have *any* fun.

Gentlegamer
07/20/2004, 13:00
I guess the Moloids are too busy wishing they were Morlocks . . .

chrysalis
07/21/2004, 04:00
Great review!

I wish I could read more of this kind!

And by the way, I now have 15 Masters of Evil!

AZS
07/21/2004, 14:50
Originally posted by chrysalis
Great review!

I wish I could read more of this kind!Check out:
Criminal
Dr. Doom
Doombot
Brood Queen
Ultra Humanite
And Eclipso.

They are more of my "parody" reviews.

GroovyBoy
07/22/2004, 04:02
Yeah, but this one was king (Doom was a close second, but don't tell Doom I called him second in anything). I printed out a copy of this and showed it to Jon L. last convention season. he loved it!

DKnight
07/22/2004, 05:22
Great work! This post is sublime

AxeBomba
07/22/2004, 05:32
Originally posted by Mr. Pilkington
I'm thinking it won't work as well. Moleman never lets them have *any* fun.

Moleman: The sign on the cave says "Rupert's cavern". I'm f***ing Rup, who the f*** are you?

;)

Noman
07/22/2004, 06:30
azs, that is the best thing I have read on the site in WEEKS !!

Well done, brilliant article / great review / huge entertainment.

WMCYPW ??

LoL

All the Best

Noman

meatloafhmself
04/14/2005, 07:57
My first time at Thug Club....and since I bear the name of a "character" in a similar "tit-led" movie, I have to post...but hey..My name is Mike Holman....not Robert Paulson

AZS
09/12/2006, 16:16
Now that Constrictor is retired, I think the new leader of Thug Club is Stilt-man!

Trader2699
09/12/2006, 17:33
Agreed.

Just dangerous enough to be stupid on a map. Have some rep.

GreenLantern73
09/12/2006, 19:51
Actually, I wonder what Frank thinks about his new ability to push to attack over & over & over. Does he enjoy the new ability to lay the beat down?

olcottr
09/13/2006, 09:57
Actually, I wonder what Frank thinks about his new ability to push to attack over & over & over. Does he enjoy the new ability to lay the beat down?
He's thinking he should have stayed with the Masters of Evil rather than teaming up with those Sinister Syndicate chumps!:cheeky: