Sometimes it's hard to improve on a HeroClix game piece when you think it's already good. I felt that way with Captain America in the Marvel HeroClix: Ultimates collection. But the one detriment to that is not having the real Captain America. Instead it's his Ultimates counterpart that comes into play. When will the real McCoy step up to the plate? It has taken a while (and a changing of the guard) as NECA takes over the HeroClix line and introduces its first set under the new banner. Marvel HeroClix: Hammer of Thor presents a Captain America that leaves a lot of jaws dropping because he's that good.

Rookie Captain America doesn't have much in terms of longevity. He is only six clicks deep before he bites the big one. However, he is not an easy mark to be taken out in one fell swoop. In fact I think this is really the ultimate Captain America game piece to have for only 72 points.

His Speed dial is pretty basic starting with two clicks of Running Shot and a running start of 10 movement. This makes good sense because Cap is all about action. He can mix it up in both fisticuffs and short-ranged attacks. This is where his trusty shield comes into play allowing him to projectile it at enemies. His 8-range combined with Running Shot allows him to get a good shot off with a combined range of 13-squares. He is definitely going to hit someone and not miss his target. Given the fact that he can target two different opponents at once is going to cause headaches for his enemies.

The Attack dial is going to delight those fielding Captain America and making opponents cringe. Cap has always been excellent when using his shield as a projectile weapon and has mastered bouncing it off walls or people to get the job done. This hasn't been properly reflected in the HeroClix game until now. His Special Powers allows him to accomplish this feat without having his line of fire blocked by people. Oh yes, Cap's shield can now hit his target through a bevy of opponents blocking his view. He has this special ability for the first three clicks on his dial with a starting +10 attack value.

**Deflection Trajectory (Special Powers - Speed Dial): Captain America's line of fire is blocked only by walls and indoor blocking terrain.

It's going to be hard for enemies trying to penetrate Captain America's Defense slot. The first three clicks are dedicated to Energy Shield/Deflection. This is huge considering that Cap starts of with 18-defense. This ability kicks in when Captain America is the target of any ranged attacks, as his defense stats gets a +2 boost. That means anyone trying to "shoot" at him has to contend with +20-defense instead of only +18-defense. The remaining three slots are dedicated to Willpower.

The Damage slot is pretty decent with three clicks of base-3 damage for the first three clicks and base-2 for the remaining three. Leadership fills up the first two slots while Close Combat Expert takes up the last three. So this means that Captain America should be utilized for his ranged abilities in the beginning and leading his team as a master tactician would in battle. Then he's ready to do some hand-to-hand combat near the end, as the Close Combat Expert ability increases his damage output by +2.

Leadership is a bit different with an added bonus. At the beginning of your turn, give the character a free action and roll a d6. If the result of the roll results in 5 or 6, you add one action to your total for that turn. In addition, you may also remove an action token from one of your team members if that character is adjacent to Captain America and has a lower point value. This is a huge turn of events for this ability and gives you the tactical advantage of "freeing" up your players to attack.

The Avengers team ability allows Captain America to have free movement on the board without using up one of the designated action moves.

While I like the pose, I'm not too fond of the sculpt. A lot of the sculpts aren't done as nicely when WizKids was in full control of its product. The detailing looks great but it's the finish that is poorly done. Captain America looks more zombie-like.

Rookie Captain America is worth his point value in any game and makes a huge difference in battle. Do not underestimate hi slow point cost because he is a very effective game piece that will definitely cause a lot of headaches for his opponents. This is Captain America stripped to his basic form and it's the best representation of the Star-Spangled Avenger.


Product Details
Set: Marvel HeroClix: Hammer of Thor
Rank: Rookie
Point Value: 72
Collector's Number: 040
Rarity: Super Rare
Team Affiliation: Avengers


_____________________________________________________________


Related Reviews 
DC HeroClix 
Hypertime: Starter Set  ||  Experienced Harley Quinn (#035)  ||  Veteran Nightwing (#063)  ||  Veteran Doomsday (#096)  ||  Veteran Flash (#105)  || Unique Parasite (#121)  ||  Unique Darkseid (#123)  ||  Unique Commissioner Gordon (#124)  ||  Unique Catwoman (#127)  ||  Unique Superman (#130)  ||  Limited Edition Arthur Curry (#138) 
Cosmic Justice: Veteran Green Arrow (#039)  ||  Veteran Green Lantern (#084)  ||  Unique Martian Manhunter (#085)  ||  Unique Bizarro (#086)   ||  Unique Amazo (#088)  ||  Unique Eclipso (#090)  ||  Unique Despero (#091)  ||  Unique Mordru (#092)  ||  Unique Catgirl (#093)  ||  Unique Batman (#095)  ||  Unique Superman (#096)  ||  Limited Edition Donna Troy (#214)  ||  Limited Edition Zatanna Zatara (#219)  ||  Limited Edition Phasing Green Lantern (#221)  ||  Limited Edition Plastic Man (#223) 
Unleashed: Booster Packs  ||  Veteran Doctor Fate (#072)  ||  Veteran Black Adam (#081)  ||  Veteran Green Lantern (#084)  ||  Unique The General (#086)  ||  Unique Shazam (#088)  ||  Unique Wonder Woman (#093)  ||  Unique Batman (#094)  ||  Unique Superman (#095)  ||  Unique Magog (#096)  ||  Unique Bat Sentry (#097)  ||  Limited Edition Hector Hall (#216)  ||  Limited Edition Shazam! (#221)  ||  Limited Edition Catwoman (#222)   
Legacy: Unique Wonder Woman (#087)  ||  Unique Ultraman (#089)  ||  Unique Red Robin (#094)  ||  Unique Green Lantern (#094)  ||  Unique Flash (#095)  ||  Fortitude Feat Card (#F004) 
Icons: Unique Lex Luthor (#051)  ||  Limited Edition Professor Zoom (#209) 
Collateral Damage: Limited Edition Kyle Rayner (#205)  ||  Limited Edition Krypto (#217)  ||  Limited Edition Parallax (#219)  ||  Limited Edition Ultimate Clayface (#220)  
Green Lantern Corps: Veteran Arisia (#004)  ||  Experienced Katma Tui (#005)  ||  Unique Ganthet (#006)  
Origin: Veteran Steel (#069)  ||  Veteran Green Lantern (#078)  ||  Veteran Shazam! (#081)  ||  Unique Batman (#095)  ||  Unique Superman (#096)
Justice League: Experienced Wonder Woman (#037)  ||  Unique Batman and Robin (#038)  ||  Rookie Shining Knight (#049)  ||  Unique Power Ring (#050)  ||  Unique Amazon (#052)  ||  Veteran Green Lantern (#055)  ||  Experienced Wonder Woman (#059)  ||  Experienced Barry Allen (#107) 
Crisis: Experienced Captain Marvel, Jr. (#050)  ||  Veteran Supergirl (#056)  ||  Unique Kingdom Come Superman (#105)
Batman Alpha: Veteran Alfred (#014)  ||  Veteran The Clown Prince of Crime (#027)  ||  Veteran The Boy Wonder (#028) 
Arkham Asylum: Unique Superman Prime (#060) 
Brave and the Bold: Alter Ego Bruce Wayne (#001)  ||  Alter Ego Clark Kent (#002)  ||  Rookie The Atom and Hawkman (#009)  ||  Alter Ego Superman (#017)  ||  Experienced Martian Manhunter (#036)  ||  Experienced Black Flash (#044)  ||  Experienced Batman and Green Arrow (#046) 

Marvel HeroClix 
Infinity Challenge: Starter Set  ||  Booster Pack  || Sentinel  ||  Unique Vision (#139)  ||  Unique Spider-Man (#150)  
Xplosion: Booster Pack
Critical Mass: Unique Dormammu (#092)  ||  Unique Nova (#093)  ||  Unique Beta Ray Bill (#094)  ||  Unique Hulk (#095)  ||  Unique Silver Surfer (#096) 
Universe: Rookie Paramedic (#022)  ||  Rookie Destiny (#028)  ||  Rookie Kingpin (#067)  ||  Experienced Kingpin (#068)  ||  Rookie Vulture (#070)  ||  Experienced Vulture (#071)  ||  Rookie Jean Grey (#073)  ||  Rookie Sabretooth (#079)  ||  Veteran Annihilus (#090) 
Ultimates: Booster Pack  
Mutant Mayhem: Limited Edition Tsunami-Relief Hulk (#218)  ||  Limited Edition Gamma Radiation Hulk (#222)
Armor Wars: Booster Packs   
Supernova: Limited Edition The Mighty Thor (#224)  
Mutations and Monsters: Unique Iron Man (#200) 
Secret Invasion: Experienced Grey Gargoyle (#010)
Classics: Fantastic Four vs. Dr. Doom Battle Pack  ||  Fantastic Four vs. Mole Man Battle Pack  ||  Marvel Heroes Battle Pack  ||  Spider-Man Battle Pack 
Hammer of Thor: Experienced Thor and Loki (#057) 

Indy HeroClix
Indy: Unique Hellboy (#087)  ||  Unique Hecate (#088)  ||  Unique Judge Death (#092)  ||  Limited Edition Arwyn (#223)
Invincible: Collector's Set
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: Unique Hellboy (#001)


_________________________________________________________


***This is part of my 2011 Funny Pages Write-Off. Let your inner geekdom out. You have until the end of July.




Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1.00
Type of Toy: Game
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens