by. Chip Justoe
Hello Champions!
The Rise of Red Skull release is almost upon us and I haven’t been this obsessed with a female spider since reading Charlotte’s Web in elementary school. Jessica Drew’s Double Agent ability allows us to push the boundaries of one of the core tenants of the game and construct our deck with two aspects. This powers her Superhuman Agility that gives Spider-Woman a +1 boost to her basic THW, ATK, and DEF abilities for every aspect card you play per round until the end of that round (note: round not just the hero phase).
Spider-Woman gives the deck-builder a blank canvas. The more low-cost combos we build into our deck the more we can capitalize on her Superhuman Agility and the more painful web we weave for the villain. So in the arachnid spirit, here are 8 combinations (plus one bonus) using different aspect. This is only scratching the surface because we don’t even have the full hero deck or the entire campaign box yet. This article will focus on cards outside of Spider-Woman’s signature set. What combos have you been spinning? Leave em in the comments below.
Leadership + Aggression
Leadership is considered by many to be the strongest aspect. Whether or not you agree, the 0-cost foursome of Get Ready, Make the Call, Strength in Numbers, and Teamwork are a boon to maximizing superhuman agility. There are plenty of combos to list with these four cards but I’m not getting paid by the word.
Hulk + Teamwork. A 2-cost ally and a 0-cost event from two different aspects is Spiderwoman’s sweet spot with her hero hand size of 5. Playing Hulk gives us a +1 then we play Teamwork for an additional +1 to Spiderwoman’s basic ability. Not only do we get to Hulk on next turn we can now make a basic attack for 6. * John Stewart chef’s kiss gif *
Iron Man + Enraged. While far from the cheapest cost combo we have the makings of the “vultron” ally archetype. Adding +2 attack for 1 resource plus a +1 to Spider Woman the round you play it may give the oft neglected enraged a consideration to include in your deck. Throw in some inspiring presence, honorary avengers, first aids, and a free Inspired and you got yourself a stew goin.
Protection + Leadership
Iron Fist + Rapid Response. If I were to describe a cycle of reliably stunning the enemy is that something you’d be interested in? It’s going to be a beautiful thing.
Justice + Aggression
Followed + You’ll Pay for That. We know that Red Skull specializes in side schemes so this allows us to turn his own attack against him, thwart a side scheme, and do damage in the process.
Interrogation Room + Relentless Assault. This is a bit of a minion special, but we play interrogation room for 1, we can still afford relentless assault for 2, then we’ve buffed Spider Woman by +2 and get a 1 thwart in perpetuity from Interrogation room when we defeat a minion. A similar minion patrol combo could be Stealth Strike and Chase them Down.
Protection + Justice
Defensive Stance + Great Responsibility. Going for a bit of a deeper cut here. This combo would be especially helpful in multiplayer when your partner flips to alter ego. Defensive stance would give you a +1 in the hero phase then great responsibility gives you +1 in the villain phase. You discard defensive stance to block three damage, meaning you’re netting only 1-2 damage in most situations. Then when the villain activates against Spider Woman you have the option to DEF for 3. Even better with an armored vest, indominable, or an unflappable already down.
Aggression + Protection
Toe to Toe + Desperate Defense. Do 5 damage with toe to toe, exhaust to defend the forced villain attack, play desperate defense to DEF for 5. In most situations, stand back up, attack for 3.
Skilled Strike + Counter-Punch. Again we focus on low cost events. ATK for 4 during the hero phase with skilled strike. Then during the villain phase DEF for 3 and do 3 damage.
Leadership + Justice
Make the Call + Agent Colson. Both Jessica Drew and Spider-Woman have the spy keyword. This opens up the spy preparations- spycraft and espionage. Colson can fish these out along with other preparations like target acquired, counterintelligence, or rapid response. This could effectively make his cost 2, or you could stash your target acquired cards for card draw in the future. All the while this combo gives you +2 for the round.
I hope these combos get your web spinning in anticipation of the first campaign box. Let us know what broken combos you come up with and as always, stay scheming!