(Editor’s Note: A�Join the NoobA�as he defiles yet another strategic game with his own special brand of ignorance.)

We recorded Episode 6 of the podcast this past weekend. A�We also tried to record some videos of Heroclix openings. A�I got a new computer, so the videos aren’t of the best quality and we will try again next month. A�It also took us a few tries to figure out how the microphone interacted with the new PC and I’m not sure we completely did. A�If the audio is bad this month, I apologize. A�Bear with us as we iron out all of these wrinkles. A�I can’t keep using that excuse indefinitely, but I’ll take any slack you offer. A�We’re not professionals, after all, just 2 guys gaming.

Speaking of gaming (how about that segue), we took a break from Magic to play some Heroclix. A�One of us suggested the game as both a topic for the show and to offer some variety during our monthly game nights. A�It served both purposes well. A�Due to time restrictions, we only got to play one game. A�Still, I can say with confidence that it was the first game of many. A�Personally, I can’t wait to play again.

We decided to initiate ourselves into the world of Heroclix with a booster draft. A�I brought my Guardians of the Galaxy pack that my four year old pried open, already putting Chris in a suspicious mood. A�This mood will pay off with actual shenanigans on my part, so stay tuned. A�Chris provided one from the Amazing Spider-Man series. A�On first glance, none of the characters in my pack looked terribly impressive. A�I should probably mention that I have been very busy with finals at school lately and have not been able to research the game at all. A�Even so, the characters in the other box looked way cooler. A�I think that it was mostly just Man Thing that had me all hot and bothered…no comments, perverts. A�As I found out, he is a bad ass, but I had no way of knowing that. A�Hell, while we played, I checked all of their abilities on the chart every single turn. A�The model just looked amazing and boy, was that Man Thing big….okay, I’m done.

Now, on to the draft. A�I will give the picks that Chris made each round after my picks and admittedly ignorant analysis. A�Maybe Chris can give his thought process in another article. A�*hint, hint* A�A final warning: A�Seeing as how neither of us ever played the game before, we probably did not adhere to time limits during the draft process. A�No one pick ever took longer than a few minutes. A�Still, we gave one another ample time to consider each choice. A�As with most of our gaming, we just took a more casual approach.

Pack 1, Pick 1: A�My pack consisted of Captain Marvel (the Carol Danvers version), Crystal, Recorder, Deathurge, and Dire Wraith. A�This pick was easy. A�I took the most expensive–and strongest, I hoped–character. A�She took up so many points, but I figured she’d be worth it. A�Chris took Dr. Druid, a solid first pick.

Pack 2, Pick 1: A�Chris passed me Man-Thing, Werewolf, Spider-Girl, and Manphibian. A�I briefly considered Werewolf and Manphibian, but ultimately picked Man-Thing. A�He is just too strong. A�Plus, he has the flexibility of multiple point values. A�(I need to mention now that, at the time, I mistakenly read Captain Marvel as 100, not 150 points. A�Yes, a math teacher who can’t do math. A�’Merica! A�My team was illegal for a 300 point game. A�Dang. A�I tried so hard to put together the best team given the quota. A�All for naught.) A�Chris, not a cheater, picked Crystal.

Pack 1, Pick 2: A�After picking what I considered to be the core of my team, I started looking for support. A�Of the three remaining, Recorder had the strongest ability in that capacity, as far as I can tell. A�Chris takes Werewolf. A�Had I not been a cheater, I’d probably have taken him instead of Man-Thing, but who knows.

Pack 2, Pick 2: A�Left with Manphibian and Spider-Girl, I take the chance that we might play an outside map with water so that he will have a movement bonus. A�I consider Spider-Girl for her support power, but I take the chance. A�Chris takes Deathurge, who I now notice has a point value of 140. A�He might be actually be strong. A�I will have to look at him again.

Leftover: A�I pass Chris Spider-Girl and receive Dire Wraith. A�Before this game, I had no idea that it was even a thing. A�If I read Captain Marvel’s point value right, he’d have become an integral part of my team. A�You can all see and understand why I cheated now, right?

I will write another article for post on Friday that discusses my strategy in putting together my team. A�I will also talk about the game that we played in that article. A�Tonight and tomorrow are reserved for editing the podcast. A�Until then, Excelsior and best of luck in your Mini Marvel adventures!