So you're getting into HeroClix

Marvel has the deeper competitive community, and Avengers sets introduce a wide range of powers without overwhelming you on day one. The included map works for real games, the condensed rulebook is actually readable, and you get enough figures to understand team-building basics before spending more. Buy two sets if you want distinct rosters for two players.

Six specific named figures, a map, tokens, and rules for about $15. No random pulls, no surprise duplicates. Fast Forces packs are how the community recommends complete beginners enter: you know exactly what you are getting and every figure is playable right out of the box. Great way to build a themed team (X-Men, Justice League) from day one.

One booster, five figures, and you immediately understand why this game is both addictive and dangerous for your wallet. Buy one pack to experience the format, then decide if the randomness appeals to you or if Fast Forces and singles buying are your style. Most players end up mixing both approaches.

A gravity feed is a retail display box of 24 individual packs from one set. Buying the box saves $20-30 over buying individual packs at retail, and you get a near-complete common and uncommon set in one purchase. The right buy once you have decided on a theme and want to play it deep rather than dabbling.

Official maps are pre-marked with the terrain types the rules reference: blocking, hindering, elevated, water, and clear. No guessing which squares are which. They fold flat, store in any binder or folder, and cost about $5-10. If your starter set came with one, buy a second for the variety of having two battlefield layouts.

A vinyl mat gives you a stable, non-slip playing surface for any miniatures game you own. No official terrain markings, which means you draw your own or use terrain tokens, but the durability is far better than paper maps. Useful once you have a gaming group that plays multiple systems.

Official HeroClix dice and action tokens in one pack. The dice are weighted and logoed, which matters less than you think but feels better than borrowing from a Monopoly set. The tokens are the right size and shape for the bases. Buy this if your starter set's token supply runs thin after adding more figures.

Once your group has multiple games running simultaneously, dedicated dice per player eliminate the passing-across-the-table delay. Chessex Gemini blocks are well-made, easy to read, and sold in two-color pairs so each player can claim a color. Twelve dice per pack means you also have backups when d6s vanish under the couch.

The community favorite for HeroClix storage, and for good reason. Adjustable dividers let you size compartments for any base diameter. Figures stand upright without touching. The latch closes securely and the case stacks. At around $10, it costs less than three boosters and protects a collection worth hundreds. Buy two; you will fill the first one faster than you expect.

When you are taking a tournament team across town, Plano boxes shift. A foam-padded case holds each figure in a custom-cut slot so nothing touches and nothing snaps in transit. BCW's figure cases are the affordable middle ground between Plano and the high-end foam tray systems. Worth it once you have invested real money in specific chase figures.