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Marvel Champions is a one to four-player superhero game where players take on the role of one of five Marvel heroes to battle it out against one of three villains. Play as Captain Marvel, Spiderman, She-Hulk, Black Panther or Iron Man and face off against Rhino, Klaw or Ultron. Each Hero is represented by a deck of cards made up of basic cards, hero specific cards and aspect cards (one of leadership, justice, aggression and protection). Each Villain is also represented by a deck of cards comprising villain specific cards, basic villain cards and a modular encounter set. This time, we'll be looking at the Marvel Champions: Wolverine Hero Pack
During a player's turn, they will play cards. (paying for the cost by discarding other cards from their hand). Then, activate cards and perform a number of actions all in an attempt to defeat the "big bad" and to thwart his schemes. Players can also switch from alter ego to hero form once per turn. And activate their character's special ability as well the basic recovery, attack or defend actions. Once a player has performed all of their actions it passes to the next player. They repeat the process until all players have performed their actions.
Bring The War
Next is the villain phase. During the villain phase, threat is added to the main scheme based on player count. Then the villain will either attack (if you are in hero form) or scheme (if you are in alter ego form). When they attack or scheme a boost card is revealed from the encounter deck and added to the Villain's base attack/scheme value. Each player (in turn order) is then dealt an encounter card. Any minions in play will also attack or scheme.
Players will need to manage the amount of threat tokens that are placed on a scheme as if a certain quantity is reached the scheme advances to the next stage and eventually the Villain will win by completing his scheme. In addition to the threat/schemes, players will also have to take out minions and deal damage to the Villain to reduce his health to zero and win the game.
Marvel Champions is a living card game (LCG) and as such the publisher Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) are supporting the game with new Hero & Villain packs to further expand the game, the combinations and replayability. Check out a full review & final thoughts of the core game here.
Regenerative Healing
His body is infused with adamantium claws, capable of cutting through pretty much anything.
Originally created and trained as a killer by Weapon X, Wolverine has turned away from this life and has dedicated his life to helping others as one of the X-Men. He is still angry at the world and spoiling for a fight. He is now ready to take the fight to the Marvel Champions villains.
Being a trained killer it is no surprise that Wolverine comes with a pre-built aggression deck with sixteen signature hero cards. The pack also comes with an additional modular encounter set, Lady Deathstrike.
Wolverine starts off the game with his Claws in play as a permanent upgrade. These can be exhausted to pay, with hit points, attack event cards. With a starting ten hit points Wolverine has a few to spare, top that off with his “Healing factor” hero ability that heals two damage at the beginning of the hero phase and Wolverine can pump them event cards out for maximum efficiency. However, if ten hit points are not enough for you, then upgrade yourself with an adamantium skeleton for an additional four hit points and +1 attack with piercing. A powerhouse of damage and destruction, but at what cost.
With the risk of taking damage for attack events and damage from the enemy “I Got Better” becomes a very cool card to have out. Any time that you would be defeated, gain five health, ready up and you are back in the game. A very thematic addition for sure. Berserker Barrage deals four damage and if it defeats an enemy you may take two damage to repeat the ability. Lunging strike is a super powerful card, a three cost event card that deals eight damage. If it is paid for using Wolverine’s Claws then it gains overkill. There is no doubt that Wolverine hits hard and fast, but at the cost of hit points. I love this risk reward and feeling of push your luck that Wolverine has.
Wolverine is not all about damage output though. Track by Scent removes three threat and draws two cards if it is the last threat on the scheme. Psylocke and Sunfire are two aggression allies making the way into the game, along with a couple of new aggression event cards such as Warrior Skill & Outta My Way.
It is fair to say that Wolverine is all about dealing damage quickly. However, there is more to him than just pumping out events. The risk reward of using his claws and the two healing at the beginning of the hero phase makes for some exciting and tension filled gameplay moments. With a hand size of five cards in hero form you are almost pushed (intentionally I feel) into using the claws. I love playing Wolverine, once again he feels thematic and true to his character. There are some additional deck building opportunities to be had with Wolverine I feel. Another great addition to the game and a another fun X-Men character to add to this cycle.
