How to Use HeroClix in RPGs: Incorporating Clix Figures into D&D

Quick Answer

You can use HeroClix in D&D by treating the figures as physical miniatures while ignoring their dials. Rebase them onto standard 25mm bases, track all stats on paper or a VTT, and use HeroClix for RPGs when you need affordable, pre-painted monsters or NPCs. The Marvel HeroClix: Avengers War of the Realms Fast Forces set gives you six themed figures for about the price of one booster, making it a practical starting point.

HeroClix figures are pre-painted, durable, and often cheaper than comparable D&D miniatures. That makes them tempting for Dungeon Masters who want to fill a battle map without spending a fortune. The catch is the dial: each figure has a clickable base that tracks HeroClix stats, which do not translate directly to D&D rules.

The solution is simple. Treat the figure as a miniature and leave the dial alone. This guide walks through rebasing, stat tracking, encounter building, and the small adjustments that keep combat running smoothly when incorporating HeroClix into RPG sessions.

Why HeroClix Figures Work at the D&D Table

HeroClix figures are already primed, painted, and mounted on a base. They are scaled close enough to 28mm that most players will not notice a difference during play. The Marvel HeroClix: Avengers War of the Realms Fast Forces set includes Thor, Black Widow, Black Panther, Loki, Enchantress, and Executioner, all on the same scale and ready to place on a grid.

The main tradeoff is that HeroClix dials show combat values that do not match D&D ability scores or hit points. You cannot click the dial to track damage in D&D. Instead, use the figure as a visual token and keep all mechanical information on a character sheet, index card, or virtual tabletop.

• Check that the figure's base is not wider than one inch if you use a standard grid.
• Keep a small notepad nearby to track hit points for each HeroClix figure in play.

Step 1: Choose Figures That Fit Your Encounter

Start by picking HeroClix figures that match the role you need: a brute, a skirmisher, a caster, or a bystander. The Fast Forces set gives you a mix of melee and ranged characters, so you can assign each one a D&D stat block without much reskinning. For example, use Thor as a storm cleric, Black Widow as a rogue, and Executioner as an ogre or half-orc barbarian.

If you need monsters instead of heroes, look at D&D Icons of the Realms: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Box Set 1. It includes eight highly detailed miniatures that are already scaled for D&D, so you can mix them with HeroClix figures without rebasing. Use HeroClix for player characters or named NPCs and Icons of the Realms for generic monsters.

• Write the D&D monster name on a sticky note and attach it to the HeroClix base.
• Avoid using two figures with identical silhouettes in the same fight; players will confuse them.

Step 2: Rebase or Cover the Dial

HeroClix dials are bulky and can tip over on a battle map. You have two options: rebase the figure onto a standard 25mm base, or leave it as is and cover the dial with a label. Rebasing requires popping the figure off the dial, which can damage the paint if you rush. Work slowly with a thin blade and glue the figure to a plain base.

If you do not want to rebase, cut a small circle of cardstock or tape and write the D&D name and hit points on it. Place the label over the dial so players cannot see the HeroClix values. This keeps the figure intact and makes it clear that the dial is not part of the game.

• Test the figure on your grid before rebasing; some HeroClix bases are wider than one inch.
• Use a dab of poster putty instead of super glue if you want to reverse the change later.

Step 3: Assign D&D Stats and Track Them Separately

Pick a D&D stat block that matches the figure's appearance and role. A HeroClix figure with a sword and shield can use the knight or gladiator block. A figure with a staff can use the mage or acolyte block. Write the stat block on an index card and label it with the figure's name. During combat, roll attacks and damage as normal, but track hit points on the card, not on the dial.

For player characters, use the HeroClix figure as a physical miniature while the player keeps their own character sheet. The dial stays at its starting position and never moves. If a player wants to use a HeroClix figure that does not match their class, that is fine; appearance and mechanics do not have to align.

• Number the backs of your index cards to match the figures on the table.
• Use a dry-erase marker on a small laminated card to track hit points quickly.

Step 4: Build Encounters with Mixed Miniature Lines

You do not have to use HeroClix exclusively. Mix them with D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Special Edition Baldur's Gate 3 — Wyll & Karlach for player characters or important NPCs. Those figures are primed and ready to paint with deep cuts for easier painting, so they can match the pre-painted look of HeroClix if you paint them in similar tones.

For large battles, use HeroClix figures as rank-and-file soldiers and reserve detailed miniatures for bosses. The D&D Icons of the Realms Fangs & Talons Booster Brick contains 45 figures from a random assortment, which is useful when you need a crowd of monsters. Just remember that random boosters may not give you the exact creature you need for a planned encounter.

• Sort your HeroClix figures by role (melee, ranged, caster) before the session.
• Keep a few generic figures on hand for unexpected NPCs or summons.

Step 5: Handle Scale and Aesthetic Differences

HeroClix figures are sculpted in a slightly heroic scale, which means some characters are taller or broader than their D&D equivalents. This rarely affects gameplay, but it can look odd if you mix them with smaller miniatures. Place the larger figures in the back or use them for creatures that are supposed to be imposing.

If you want a consistent look, paint your unpainted D&D miniatures to match the HeroClix paint style. Magic: the Gathering Unpainted Miniatures: Kaya is a good example of a figure that comes primed and ready to paint with deep cuts for easier painting. A quick wash and drybrush can bring it close to the pre-painted HeroClix look without much effort.

• Use a wet palette to keep your paint colors consistent across figures.
• Do not repaint HeroClix figures unless you are comfortable losing the original paint job.

Step 6: Know When HeroClix Is the Wrong Choice

HeroClix figures are not ideal for every RPG. If your game relies on precise miniature-facing rules, the bulky dials can get in the way. If you need a specific monster that does not exist in HeroClix, you will have to proxy it with a different figure or use a proper D&D miniature. And if you play on a virtual tabletop, physical HeroClix figures add nothing to the experience.

For those cases, use the HeroClix figures as inspiration or tokens for online play, or switch to D&D Icons of the Realms or Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures for accurate scale and creature types. HeroClix works best when you treat it as a budget-friendly source of pre-painted fantasy and sci-fi figures, not as a rules replacement.

• Check whether your group cares about exact scale before buying HeroClix for a serious campaign.
• Keep a few official D&D miniatures for important story moments.

Quick Steps for Using HeroClix in D&D

1. Pick figures that match the encounter role: Choose HeroClix figures that look like the monster or NPC you need. A Fast Forces set gives you a balanced mix of heroes and villains. Checkpoint: Can you tell each figure apart at a glance on the grid?
2. Rebase or cover the dial: Either pop the figure onto a standard 25mm base or tape a label over the dial with the D&D name and hit points. Mistake to avoid: rushing the rebase and snapping the figure's ankles.
3. Assign a D&D stat block and track it on paper: Write the stat block on an index card. Roll attacks normally, but track hit points on the card, never on the dial. Checkpoint: Are all players clear that the dial is not used for D&D rules?
4. Mix with official D&D miniatures for important fights: Use HeroClix for generic enemies and reserve Icons of the Realms or Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures for bosses and key NPCs. Mistake to avoid: assuming random booster bricks will contain the exact monster you need.
5. Adjust for scale and aesthetics: Place larger HeroClix figures in the back, and paint unpainted D&D miniatures to match the pre-painted style if you want a consistent look. Checkpoint: Does the mix of figures look intentional rather than accidental?
6. Know when to switch to dedicated D&D miniatures: If your game needs precise scale or specific creature types, use D&D Icons of the Realms or Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures instead of proxying with HeroClix. Next step: keep a small set of official D&D miniatures for story-critical moments.

Product Facts

• Marvel HeroClix: Avengers War of the Realms Fast Forces: This Fast Forces set includes Avengers like Thor, Black Widow, and Black Panther, plus Loki, Enchantress, and Executioner, and is designed for someone getting started or looking to play a thematic team. It gives you six pre-painted figures with a mix of melee and ranged roles, enough to cover a small encounter or a player party without buying random boosters.
• D&D Icons of the Realms: Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Box Set 1: This box set includes 8 highly detailed miniatures representing some of Waterdeep's most terrifying foes and legendary heroes. These miniatures are already scaled for D&D, so you can use them alongside HeroClix figures without rebasing or worrying about scale mismatches.
• D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures: Special Edition Baldur's Gate 3 — Wyll & Karlach: Each pack contains two iconic characters from Baldur's Gate 3, primed and ready with deep cuts for easier painting. If you want player characters that match the pre-painted look of HeroClix, these are easy to paint and scale well with HeroClix figures.

Using HeroClix in D&D is a practical way to get pre-painted figures on the table without spending a lot. Rebase or cover the dial, track stats separately, and mix in official D&D miniatures when scale or accuracy matters. The Marvel HeroClix: Avengers War of the Realms Fast Forces set is a solid starting point for any DM who wants affordable, thematic figures for the next session.