I don't play tournys, so I have some questions about em

[sherwizzle]

I have been playing heroclix since it came out, but I have exclusively played with my brother in friendly games. We have a few house rules (we never bothered to read the rule book too thoroughly) and generally don't pick overly annoying teams, and we often select our characters randomly by rolling for members from lines (just to keep things interesting). Anyway, I just wanted to see how different things are in the tournaments.

1. What are the average size teams? Ours almost always above 600 points and will often reach 1500+. Are the point values set for an entire tournament or does it change with each new match and how is the value selected?

2. How often are the sealed events? While I understand the interest in getting a random team to have to work with, I would think the boosters can be extremely variable leading to some very unbalanced games. On a side note, my local comic book store said they weren't selling anymore GSX boosters so that they can play more sealed events- I found this very annoying as a costumer considering I only got a half brick of the set, and they sold out within a week.

3. When people select a team for the tournaments are the teams just full of the same characters every time? For instance does everyone field the scarlet witch (or multiples) to have a ton of probability control or a bunch of outwitters etc.? This is something my brother and I avoid so as to not be dicks to one another.

4. Lastly, are the events rather friendly and about how many people show up? I'd be interested in playing, if just to see how bad I get beat. Also, do they have maps for sale there? I'm so sick of the maps I have now and hate how none of the new sets come with maps.

Sorry for the overly long post, but thanks in advance for any answers.

[HunterSkunter]

Most of your questions depend on your venue. I recently played my first tournament and the teams ranged from competitive to fun and all in between. Not reading the rulebook isn't a good start for any tournament though, you want to be aware, even if its a casual tourney, of all the rules at play. I can't really tell you how your venue does it though, if its more competitive or more casual.

[vampricyoda]

1: Depends on the venue. Most places don't go higher then 500. With the avrage around 400 or 300.

2: Again depends on the venue. But it's not as if you play with all your figures. You build a point based team on what you pull.

3: I repeat myself again. Depends. I find players that play teams that are filled with prob and Bencralwer and so forth. But other most players lean towards fun teams.

4: Depends. Again. I've seen trorneys as small as 3 players and as high as 50. Both are extremes. It's generall between 5-10 where I play. Most events I go to are friendly. But if you're a new player. Keep a mind of what figures are worth in trades. I've seen many a new player get scammed in trades for there first few events.

[Faster Than Flash]

I have been playing heroclix since it came out, but I have exclusively played with my brother in friendly games. We have a few house rules (we never bothered to read the rule book too thoroughly) and generally don't pick overly annoying teams, and we often select our characters randomly by rolling for members from lines (just to keep things interesting). Anyway, I just wanted to see how different things are in the tournaments.

1. What are the average size teams? Ours almost always above 600 points and will often reach 1500+. Are the point values set for an entire tournament or does it change with each new match and how is the value selected?

2. How often are the sealed events? While I understand the interest in getting a random team to have to work with, I would think the boosters can be extremely variable leading to some very unbalanced games. On a side note, my local comic book store said they weren't selling anymore GSX boosters so that they can play more sealed events- I found this very annoying as a costumer considering I only got a half brick of the set, and they sold out within a week.

3. When people select a team for the tournaments are the teams just full of the same characters every time? For instance does everyone field the scarlet witch (or multiples) to have a ton of probability control or a bunch of outwitters etc.? This is something my brother and I avoid so as to not be dicks to one another.

4. Lastly, are the events rather friendly and about how many people show up? I'd be interested in playing, if just to see how bad I get beat. Also, do they have maps for sale there? I'm so sick of the maps I have now and hate how none of the new sets come with maps.

Sorry for the overly long post, but thanks in advance for any answers.

1. 300 points. Sometimes 400 points. Lots of places have restrictions as well (such as theme team)

2. Completely variable. Takes almost no skill.

3. If the tournament is offering a prize, the teams will be as unfriendly and abusive as possible. Short answer, yes.

4. Actually, yes, some places do have multiple maps and would sell you one. You can also ask for them in the Sales section of this forum.

[Rurouni KJS]

I have been playing heroclix since it came out, but I have exclusively played with my brother in friendly games. We have a few house rules (we never bothered to read the rule book too thoroughly) and generally don't pick overly annoying teams, and we often select our characters randomly by rolling for members from lines (just to keep things interesting). Anyway, I just wanted to see how different things are in the tournaments.

1. What are the average size teams? Ours almost always above 600 points and will often reach 1500+. Are the point values set for an entire tournament or does it change with each new match and how is the value selected?

2. How often are the sealed events? While I understand the interest in getting a random team to have to work with, I would think the boosters can be extremely variable leading to some very unbalanced games. On a side note, my local comic book store said they weren't selling anymore GSX boosters so that they can play more sealed events- I found this very annoying as a costumer considering I only got a half brick of the set, and they sold out within a week.

3. When people select a team for the tournaments are the teams just full of the same characters every time? For instance does everyone field the scarlet witch (or multiples) to have a ton of probability control or a bunch of outwitters etc.? This is something my brother and I avoid so as to not be dicks to one another.

4. Lastly, are the events rather friendly and about how many people show up? I'd be interested in playing, if just to see how bad I get beat. Also, do they have maps for sale there? I'm so sick of the maps I have now and hate how none of the new sets come with maps.

Sorry for the overly long post, but thanks in advance for any answers.


The "official" build total is 300. But a majority of venues probably have higher-point games and it will change week to week.

Sealed events are usually announced ahead of time. Usually, when a set first releases, expect some sealed events. Sealed games are actually some of the most balanced tournaments, as no one has the opportunity to build a min/max force (minimal weaknesses with maximum effectiveness) given the randomness of the booster pulls...it's all about actual skill of play (and, of course, the dice).

It depends on the player and the venue. Some, like me, relish the chance to play every single piece in their collections and so won't use the same stuff every week. Others, like me, have some favorite characters they'll use week in and week out if the scenario and build total/restrictions allow. Finally, some folks are just concerned with winning and love to build the most min/max teams using the same old 20-30 figs over and over again. A good judge will discourage this with creative build restrictions, to at least force them to change their cheese.

At a real tournament, you will finally learn how to play the game. House rules make you weak. :cool:

[sherwizzle]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm not sure how much I like the idea of 300 or 400 point games; I just love our giant slaughterfest battles too much.

And in response to "house rules make you weak" I must retort that we changed leadership to it's current rules about 5 years ago. So sometimes house rules are merely advanced thinking.

[JDKenada]

1. The "average" build is 300. It's pretty much the status quo for HeroClix, however most venues mix it up. Change the build total, pre-requisites and so forth.

2. Number of sealed events will vary by store. You can almost guarantee the tournaments scheduled for right after a release date usually are sealed in an effort to move the new product. After that, it depends.

3. Honestly, determine the kind of player you are. As you said, you and your brother aren't dicks. That in mind, stick to the kind of teams you like to build and play and ignore what the other guys are doing. Unless of course, you are the dick for some reason and the rest of the players are there for fun. If you're getting an ego boost from crushing people on a weekly basis where that's not the style, perhaps you could just find a seal to club.

4. For the most part, yes, it's a friendly environment. You're going to get douches no matter where you go but some venues do a good job of limiting such individuals. Even if they don't, there's usually enough decent folk not to worry about it. As for maps...most venues have them as prize support or possibly for sale. You can also find tonnes of maps online either on this site or others. Personally I think I have close to 80 maps at the moment.

[WakandaMan]

As others have said, most of your questions will depend on the venue. Some venues will have extemely competitive players who bring the same figures (or even multiples of them) over and over to try and get the prizes. Others are friendly to new people and most players bring fun themey teams. And everything in between. So go and try and if you don't like it find somewhere else.

Speaking for my particular experience though:


1. What are the average size teams? Ours almost always above 600 points and will often reach 1500+. Are the point values set for an entire tournament or does it change with each new match and how is the value selected?

300 is standard, but 400 is also very common. Our venue has tournaments ranging from 200-600, and sometimes we'll even do events where the build size increases each round as you suggest. We mix up formats to keep things interesting. A lot of places do the same, but not all would. Games over 600 at tournaments would be unusual because of time restrictions- it often takes a lot longer per turn with higher builds.

2. How often are the sealed events? While I understand the interest in getting a random team to have to work with, I would think the boosters can be extremely variable leading to some very unbalanced games. On a side note, my local comic book store said they weren't selling anymore GSX boosters so that they can play more sealed events- I found this very annoying as a costumer considering I only got a half brick of the set, and they sold out within a week.

We have one sealed event when a new set releases, but again this depends on the venue.

3. When people select a team for the tournaments are the teams just full of the same characters every time? For instance does everyone field the scarlet witch (or multiples) to have a ton of probability control or a bunch of outwitters etc.? This is something my brother and I avoid so as to not be dicks to one another.

And just like your brother and you avoid doing that, at good venues like mine the players usually avoid that as well. But it just depends on the culture at that particular venue.

4. Lastly, are the events rather friendly and about how many people show up? I'd be interested in playing, if just to see how bad I get beat. Also, do they have maps for sale there? I'm so sick of the maps I have now and hate how none of the new sets come with maps.

The prize packs for each set include lots of maps, so often maps are used as participation prizes. Depends how many the venue got though, and how many tourneys they have to stretch the prize kit over. And again, friendliness will vary but most players are happy to see some new blood in my experience. As for how many people that varies wildly, anywhere from a couple of guys up to 20! I guess most places that run tournaments would get about 6-10 players.

[tyroclix]

If you are really curious, read my tournament reports:

http://hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192465

I've been documenting tournaments at my venue for 4 years now. If you skip to the last pages and go in reverse you'll see I've posted the actual teams of every player at every event.

Reading the event descriptions, you'll see the types of sealed teams as well as constructed.

Enjoy.

[CowboyBebop]

1. Average is 500pt Golden Age but we mix it up quite a bit. Sometimes we run events like "Magnificent 7" bring 7 figures, no point total. Or sometimes 300pts no figures over 60pts.

2. Sealed events are usually twice a set. Once when the set comes out and once a couple weeks later.

3. We have a really cool group at our venue. No prize sharks. No one brings the same team week after week. Rarely see abusive teams. Everyone at my venue plays for fun first, winning second. We have a great group of players, a great judge, and a great owner where I play.

4. We average about 8-10 players but we seem to be growing. I don't know if we have any maps for sale. I don't play home games so it isn't a concern for me.

Playing tournaments really allows you to stretch out and try new things. Hopefully you will find a group of like minded players.

[gambitrmp]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm not sure how much I like the idea of 300 or 500 point games; I just love our giant slaughterfest battles too much.

And in response to "house rules make you weak" I must retort that we changed leadership to it's current rules about 5 years ago. So sometimes house rules are merely advanced thinking.

I played in tournies for a couple years but started to get annoyed with some players lack of diversity, the time & points limits. If home play suits you, it's probably best to stick with that. Most of my battles are 800-1200 points a far cry from 300-400 tournies.

As for house rules making you weak, only if you plan on playing at tournies because you'd be that much more unfamiliar with the rules you're playing under. If you only play at home with your brother, that's your business. One of my "house rules" is that all battles are to total elimination of one side. No turn limit, no time limit, one side goes down or it isn't over.

Most important - if you're having fun - you're doing it right. Some players at some venues seem to forget that IMO.

[Suttkus]

Most important - if you're having fun - you're doing it right. Some players at some venues seem to forget that IMO.

Fun? FUN? This is a game about plastic miniature superheroes beating each other up for points! FUN? I question how seriously you are taking this! Do you realize what playing for fun could lead to? More players! More players could even lead to higher sales! Perhaps, at the extreme, it could lead to players being polite and courteous at the gaming table. MADNESS!

[WakandaMan]

I think there's a lot of value in being involved in a tournament scene. Not for the LE prizes so much, but being part of a greater community of players. It's a great way to make new friends and exercise those social skills.

[clameire]

3. If the tournament is offering a prize, the teams will be as unfriendly and abusive as possible. Short answer, yes.

Where i play (a big town north of France near Belgium in Europe) tourneys have prices and the teams are usually not too much abusive, some are a little cheesy, but not all of them and certainly not most of them, and best of all, the more skilled players who wins aren't the ones that comes with the cheesiest teams. Anyway, cheesy teams or not, everything is always friendly. Now i've heard of people going to (French Capital) Paris and the competition was fierce, unfriendly, and the teams mostly cheesy ones. Even if i'm lucky living in a friendly tourney area, i'm not good enough at this game to be able to compete and win prizes most of the times, so i just don't go often to tourneys, and i buy the LE on secondary market when i need them (not too often, since i collect only x-men)- Anyway, the point is : it really depends on *people* most than venues. And casual, friendly play, outside of tourneys with nothing to win is usually more friendly and less cheesy. But there are some very friendly venues, with nice people, playing fair.