[Clix] Questions about Sets

[Gaelinic]

Ok, I haven't played Heroclix in about 2 years. I'm thinking of coming back. The X3 movie and the upcoming Danger Room set got me excited. Back around the time I quit, Wizkids was announcing that Infinity Challenge figs were no longer permitted at tourneys. And I think Clobberin Time also was being barred. I wanted to get back into it but feel intimidated by all the changes since I left. I have a bunch of questions that follow:

My question to all of you is, which figs are no longer allowed at tourneys? Is there a list somewhere? Could I use my uniques from Infinity Challenge, Hypertime, Clobberin Time, Xplosion, and Critical Mass at unrestricted tournaments?

What is a restricted tournament?

What is DC Icons and Marvel Universe? To me, they looked like reprints of Infinity Challenge and Hypertime.

How far back should I bother collecting sets? Should I get Marvel Ultimates? Mutant Mayhem? Fantastic Forces? Armor Wars? Collateral Damage?

Which set has an updated rule book and power card?

What are Collector Sets? Is that like the X-men Danger Room? Which Collector sets are available right now? How do I purchase them?

Can I purchase DC Giants?

Thanks.

[Corinthi]

My question to all of you is, which figs are no longer allowed at tourneys? Is there a list somewhere? Could I use my uniques from Infinity Challenge, Hypertime, Clobberin Time, Xplosion, and Critical Mass at unrestricted tournaments?
Depends on the Tourney. Unrestricted allows everything. With the release of Danger Room, everything up through Ultimates will be retired. There is a list of retired and active sets available on the WizkidsGames webpage under 'Rules for our games'. It's in the Comprehensive Tournament Document, which I can't reference right now because of work's firewall. So yes, you can use your older figs in unrestricted events. Also, Retirement can now be houseruled by an envoy, so check with your local venue and see if they even worry about Retirement. My venue only /rarely/ runs a restricted event.
What is a restricted tournament?
It's a tournament that doesn't allow 'retired' figs.
What is DC Icons and Marvel Universe? To me, they looked like reprints of Infinity Challenge and Hypertime.
Universe was a reprint set with a mix of Infinity Challenge and XpPosion figs with some odd changes, like the Hand Ninja loosing thier archenemy base because the XPlosion Daredevil wasn't reprinted.
ICONS was an all new set made from familiar characters with all new dials and sculpts. It was a smaller set, with only 60 figures, but the figures were rather potent. ICONS is pretty much considered overpowered in a number of circles, but if you're looking for a good set to pick up some newer, tournament worthy figures, ICONS is a nice one to look at. The Infamous Vet Superman is out of ICONS, the starter figures are pretty good, and the ICONS map is beautiful. Plus it has the 'current' rules, which will become a touch outdated with Danger Room.
How far back should I bother collecting sets? Should I get Marvel Ultimates? Mutant Mayhem? Fantastic Forces? Armor Wars? Collateral Damage?
Just depends on your play style and collecting habits, plus the viability of retired figures at your venue. Personally, I'd cherry pick figures I wanted off the secondary market for Ultimates, Mutant Mayhem, and Fantastic Forces, and buy boosters of newer stuff. If you have an active venue, you'll likely have older player who'd be more than happy to trade off some of thier older Nons (Non Unique/LE Figures) to a returning or starting player.
Which set has an updated rule book and power card?
ICONS until Danger Room releases.
What are Collector Sets? Is that like the X-men Danger Room? Which Collector sets are available right now? How do I purchase them?
They are sort of like X-Men Danger Room, but Danger Room is the new Starter.
Collector Sets are limited print runs containing 5-7 thematically linked characters. DC Giants is the current set, that can be purchased through the Buy it By the Brick Program. Basically, you buy a 'Brick' of 12 Shrinkwrapped boosters from a local store, save the UPCs, then mail them and a coupon into Wizkids. In return, Wizkids will mail back a special LE that can only be garnered through this method, and a coupon code for buying the Collector's set off thier website. The Current Promotion is for Collateral Damage. Buy a Brick, get a Krypto, and you can buy the Giants. Future announced sets are Kirkman's Invincible, Alien Green Lanterns, and Marvel 2099.

Please note, Heroclix collation has come a /long/ way. A brick of Collateral Damage should net you 4 Uniques, and a good variety of figures with a low number of duplicates. I opened two cases worth of boosters, (8 Bricks) and received 4 uniques in each one, and nearly three complete sets of figures.

[thele]

Corinthi covered all the bases!

The DC ICONS starter is indeed the current set of rules. The starter itself is very nice as it comes with figures you cannot find anywhere else, and the Powers + Abilities card (PAC).

Yes, the MARVEL DANGER ROOM starter will be available in June, and this will have the newest and updated rules and PAC.

That being said, you may want to wait for the MARVEL DANGER ROOM set for these new rules. Not to mention they have some fabulous exclusive figures.

However, the DC ICONS set is also real nice, and you would not regret getting that too.

Also know that the latest rulebook and PAC are always available for FREE DOWNLOAD at http://www.wizkidsgames.com/. Just go to the the "Quick Links" section, listed on the left. As such, you really won't "need" to get MARVEL DANGER ROOM for the rules and Pac, since it will be available online.

I own a DC ICONS starter, but I am going to pick up DANGER ROOM anyway, because X-Factor was always my favorite comic book (during the Simonson run).

http://www.wizkidsgames.com/heroclix/images/danger_room.jpg

~Le