by. BananaCrapshoot
updated 05/17/2022
Hello Champions! This is a buyers guide, we will update it after each release. The purpose of this is for new players or players with a tighter budget to see what value a pack offers so they can decide what packs they purchase for themselves. Now I will say upfront, scenarios offer better value than heroes. And for heroes generally if you aren’t buying all of them, buy the heroes you are interested in. There’s no one pack that is so insane it outclasses the others buy a huge margin.
Now how I’m ranking these or breaking them down isn’t so much the hero and hero cards but the aspect and additional cards the packs offer to widen the card pool. I looked at each card in the pack for the aspect and each off aspect card and looked at how many “good” cards are in each pack. I’m also going to list prices for each product based on US MSRP. I hope this is useful for some people.
I’m also going to give a quick idea how the hero deck functions then list the cards in the pack worth purchasing for for the aspect and off aspect cards.
-Core set - $69.95
Released Nov 2019
This has to be the first purchase. Not only is it 5 heroes and 3 scenarios but it comes with 2 additional modular sets in addition to the game commended scenario ones. As well as the standard and expert sets, which are needed in every scenario we have except wrecking crew. This also comes with the core aspect cards needed for deckbuilding. This is also the only product to come with a printed rule book, learn to play guide, and the token set for the game. Anyone looking to get into the game needs to start here. Every additional product requires the core set to play as the standard and expert sets have not been reprinted.
Out of the core set Leadership is the strongest aspect and Protection is the weakest so the hero pack rankings are somewhat affected by this fact.
The heroes in the box are Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man.
The villains in the box are Rhino, Klaw, and Ultron.
The modular sets in the box are Bomb Scare, Masters of Evil, Under Attack, Legions of Hydra, and Doomsday Chair, as well as the standard and expert modular sets.
-Rise of Red Skull Campaign Box - $44.95
Released Sep 2020
Next up is the first campaign expansion. The Rise of Red Skull comes with 5 new villains and 2 new heroes! The heroes come with pre made decks to play as soon as you open the box. The five new villains and additional modular sets basically doubled the amount of villain scenarios we had to play and great increased replay ability of every pack releases to this point. It also comes with comic panels to drive the story of the campaign.
The heroes in the box are Hawkeye with a Leadership Deck and Spider-Woman with a Justice/Aggression deck.
The villains included are Crossbones, Absorbing Man, Taskmaster, Zola, and Red Skull.
The modular sets in the box are, Experimental Weapons, Weapon Master, Hydra Assault, and. Hydra Patrol.
- Sinister Motives - $44.95
Released March 2022
The fourth campaign box released brings to the players a deadly host of spider foes. From sandman to venom, mysterious, the sinister six snd a terrifying final villain. It also adds miles morales Spider-Man along with ghost spider hero decKs.
Miles comes with a shield themed justice precon and ghost spider with a interrupt and response heavy protection deck.
the campaign system takes yet s other step forward and is equally rewarding and adds equal challenges to the player.
this is overall probably my favorite box and I’d a must have for any marvel champions player
-Mad Titan’s Shadow - $44.95
Released September 2021
The third box released brings us the Mad Titan along with the Black Order. 5 scenarios and the Infinity deck really add a lot of variety and depth to the card pool.
The heroes out of the box are Spectrum with a leadership prebuilt deck and Adam Warlock with a very unique deckbuild.
The campaign system takes another step in the right direction.
im not gonna spoil all the scenarios here because if you don’t know there’s some good surprises inside.
-Galaxy’s Most Wanted - $44.95
Released April 2021
The Galaxy’s Most Wanted campaign box once again brings great value. 5 different villain scenarios that really force the players to approach the scenarios differently fill this box. It is worth noting the difficulty took a couple notches up in difficulty.
Also headlining this box are Rocket (aggression) and Groot (protection) decks. the decks all have good cards and rocket really shines throughout the box.
FFG really flushed out the campaign system they built in Rise of Red Skull. Overall this box is a great value.
the scenarios included are: Drang, Infiltrate the Museum, Escape the Museum, Nebula, Ronin
modular sets included are: band of Badoon, galactic artifacts, kree militants, menagerie medley, space pirates, power stone, ship command, Badoon headhunter
-Green Goblin Scenario Pack - $22.95
Released December 2019
The first scenario pack releases for marvel champions was Green Goblin. This pack contains 2 separate fully playable scenarios. Risky Business and Mutagen Formula. In addition there’s also 3 modular sets to add to your collection.
Risky Business is an interesting scenario and if played as intended is fun and engaging. However this scenario is easy to cheese and allows you, not a tough time to defeat. It’s one of the weaker scenarios overall.
Mutagen Formula however is an excellent scenarios and still one of the best. It is a harder scenario as you can be overwhelmed by minions easily. A top tier scenario.
The modular sets included are Goblin Gimmicks, A Mess of Things, Running Interference and Power Drain.
This is a great value for $20, 2 scenarios and 3 modular sets!
- The Hood scenario Pack -$22.95
Released November 2021
Now we have The Hood Scenario pack. This is a great pack overall and it has something for everybody. It includes The Hood scenario itself and a bunch of modular sets I’ll list. The scenario itself is built to continually adding modular sets. Like a crime boss calling on favors from groups to fight his battle. The modulars vary greatly in variety and difficulty and theme. Making this an amazing addition to any collection. It even includes standard 2 And expert 2. A harder variant on those sets .The rules insert has the modulars listed in difficulty order.
modular sets included: Beasty Boys, Brothers Grimm, Mister Hyde, Wrecking Crew, Sinister Syndicate, Crossfire’s Crew, Ransacked Armory, State of Emergency, Streets of Mayhem, Standard 2, Expert 2
-Kang scenario Pack - $22.95
Released Oct 2020
Next we have the Kang scenario pack. The Master of Time comes to Marvel Champions. This is The Side Scheme’s favorite scenario in the game and the only reason Green Goblin tops in the rankings is the value of 2 scenarios vs 1 with kang.
Now the Kang scenario adds an awesome mechanic we haven’t seen before where it splits up the heroes as they each fight a version of Kang from throughout time before coming together to take on Kang the conqueror. This scenario is awesome, challenging, thematic and fun. It also comes with 3 modular sets.
The modular sets are the Anachronauts, Master of Time sets, as well as the T-Rex leading Temporal modular set.
- Nova - $16.99
Released May 2022
Aspect Aggression
Nova Unleashes onto the game field. He has a powerful and thematic hero kit interacting with wild resources and is synergistic with his nova corp helmet. He‘s able to fully unleash power of the nova force on his enemies.
aggression cards added: no quarter, one by one, fluid motion, honed technique, the locust, pitchback
off aspect cards added: moon girl, everyday hero, champions mobile bunker, height advantage (protection ), Yaw and roll (justice)
this pack also comes with the Armadillo modular encounter set
- Ironheart - $16.99
Released May 2022
Aspect Leadership
Ironheart brings us a new and unique hero ability, she has 3 identity cards, Riri Williams is the alter ego on all 3 and the hero side gets stronger and more powerful as you go. Showing her growth as a hero and her ability to build new armor suits.
she is really fun and versatile, she’s perfect for leadership and can have some crazy turns!
leadership cards added: Cloud 9, Falcon(Joaquin Torres), patriot, go all out, R&D facility, push ahead
off aspect cards added: Snowguard, Vivian, go for champions, ingenuiTy, agent 13, go for champions, pinpoint(protection), Wasp(justice), bombshell (aggression).
This pack also comes with the Zzzax modular encounter set
-Venom - $16.99
Released July 2021
Aspect Justice
Agent Venom flashes on the scene and man does this pack a lot of punch. He has an awesome hero ability, strong hero kit, and solid cards to add to your collection.
justice cards added: Jack flag, scare tactic, making an entrance, sonic rifle,
off aspect cards added: Star Lord (basic), crew quarters (basic), plasma pistol(basic), side holster (basic) shake it off (protection), (welcome aboard (leadership), fusillade (aggression).
-Vision - $16.99
Released January 2022
Deck Aspect: Protection
They really nailed the theme on vision! He has intangible and dense forms that you flip between that change Visions stats. He also has a bunch of cards that have improved effects if played while in the appropriate forms. He has a strong kit and a really solid protection precon, probably the best one so far. It has some great new cards and some solid Reprints.
Protection cards included: Jocasta, Victor Mancha, Flow like Water, Indomitable, Defience, Side Step, Get Behind Me, Preservation
Off aspect cards included: assault training(aggression), chance encounter (justice), joining forces (leadership), meditation (basic), reboot (basic), machine man(basic)
-Scarlet Witch - $16.99
Reased March 2021
Deck Aspetc: Justice
Scarlet Witch brings a very strong and cool play style, she manipulates the encounter deck, discarding cards from it to emulate her chaos magic. Shes very strong and comes with a bunch of good cards.
justice cards included: Wiccan, Speed, Turn the Tide, crisis averted, multitasking, swift retribution,
off aspect cards: Spiritual Meditation(basic), order and chaos(basic), last stand (leadership), browbeat(aggression), bait and switch(protection)
-Valkyrie - $16.99
Released Jan 2021
Deck Aspect: Aggression
Valkyrie herself offers a minion focused play style at the surface but when you dig deeper there’s more nuance to her once you figure it out she’s very good. Her pack if full of great aspect cards for everyone
aggression cards: Thor, Throg, Angela, hall of heroes, combat training, quick strike, smash the problem, the best defense, audacity,
off aspect cards: godlike stamina (basic), bifrost(basic), problem solvers (justice), leadership training (leadership), anticipation (protection), cosmic alliance (basic),
-Quicksilver - $16.99
Released Feb 2021
Deck Aspect: Protection
Quicksilver brings a ton of consistency and versatility with his ability to ready multiple times. He plays well in every aspect and I’d a blast to play.
Protection cards included: Warlock, Multipke Man, never back down, side step, nerves of steel.
off aspect cards included: Adrenaline Rush (basic), civic duty(basic), brute force (aggression), sense of justice ( justice), united we stand (leadership), beat em up (basic)
-Black Widow - $16.99
Released April 2020
Deck aspect: justice
Black Widow is an interesting hero that introduced Preparation cards. Those are a card type you play in the player phase and they stay on the table until a thing happens that triggers them. Very fun and solid hero to play.
Justice cards included are: Quake, Agent Coulson, Stealth Strike, Spycraft, Counterintelligence
Off aspect cards included are: Espionage (basic), Rapid Response (leadership), Counter Attack (aggression)
-Gamora $16.99
Released May 2021
Deck aspect: aggression
Gamora is a super cool and fun hero to play. She’s really solid and has a deckbuilding rule where she can include up to 6 attack/thwart events from aspects other than her chosen one. This adds a lot of flexibility and versatility to her.
Aggression cards included : Angela, Clobber, Godslayer, Plan of attack, uppercut, combat training
off aspect cards: impede(justice), first hit(protection), drax(basic), hit and run(basic), pivotal moment (justice), comms implant(leadership), true grit (protection)
-Ant-Man $16.99
Released Nov 2020
Deck aspect: Leadership
Ant-Man is all around a great pack. He’s a blast to play and the form change and responses and versatility are great.
Leadership cards are: Ronin, Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Stinger, call for aid, Moxie, power gloves, reinforced suit
off aspect cards: Lay Down the Law(justice), Muster Courage(protection), moment of triumph(aggression), team building exercise (basic)
-Star-Lord $16.99
Released May 2021
Deck aspect: Leadership
Star-Lord beings to the table a very high risk/high reward playstyle. He’s stronger based on the amount of encounter cards facedown In front of him. He’s a fairly high skill cap hero. he has a lot of fun and solid cards and combos at his disposal.
leadership cards included are: Adam Warlock, Yondu, Beta Ray Bill, Air Supremacy, Blaze of Glory, laser blaster, target practice, get ready
off aspect cards included are: cosmo(basic), CITT(basic), Knowhere(basic), pulse grenade(basic), dive bomb(aggression), agile flight (justice), ever vigilant(protection)
-Ms Marvel - $16.99
Released December 2019
Deck aspect: Protection
Our next hero we recommend purchasing is Ms Marvel, she adds some solid protection cards as well as some really good basic cards. The hero herself is probably the most fun/interesting to play as she’s the most unique.
The protection cards included are Preemptive Strike, Tackle, Nova, Energy Barrier, Get Behind Me
The off aspect cards in the pack are Melee(aggression), Concussive Blow(Justice), Endurance(basic), down time (basic).
-War Machine - $16.99
Released November 2021
Deck Aspect: Leadership
War Machine has his very own play style, making use of ammo counters to unload all kinds of damage on the villains. His kit includes some good utility leadership cards and sets up a new leadership archetype along the way.
leadership cards: Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Falcon, Goliath, Command Team, Sneak Attack, Save The Day, Go Down Swinging, Make the Call, Innovation,
off aspect cards: Quincarrier(basic), mockingbird(basic), two against the world(basic),
As one(aggression), vigilante training (justice), stand together(protection), sidearm(basic) -Wasp - $16.99
Released - Jan 2021
Deck Aspect: Aggression
The wasp pack is really solid. The hero herself has a higher skill cap to play efficiently than doctor strange or captain America, but she is very good and lots of fun.
Aggression cards included: Wasp, Thor, Into the Fray, surprise attack, boot camp, lie in wait.
off aspect cards included: Ironheart (basic), Spider-Man (basic), the power in all of us (basic), quincarrier(basic), running interference (justice), perserverence(protection), all for one (leadership), athletic conditioning (basic),
-Drax -$16.99
Rekeased June 221
Aspect: Protection
Drax is a very fun hero to play. His kit is very cheap and he can put out the hurt regardless of aspect.
The protection cards added are : Martyr, Moondragon , Deflection, hard knocks, leading blow, subdue
off aspect cards: regroup (leadership), bring it (aggression), think fast (justice) Gamora (basic)
-Hulk - $16.99
Released. August 2020
Deck aspect: aggression
Next up is Hulk, this hero is very straightforward gameplay wise. However he adds really solid aspect cards to make your card pool more deadly.
The aggression cards are: Drop Kick, Brawn, She-Hulk, Sentry, Toe to Toe, You’ll Pay for That.
The off aspect cards included are: Inspiring Presence(leadership), beat cop(justice), and Electrostatic Armor (protection).
-Thor - $16.99
Released March 2020
Deck aspect: aggression
If you are looking for a hero designed around minions then Thor is for you. His hero ability draws you cards when you engage minions. And he has cards in his kit that build on that.
Aggression Cards included are: Hall of Heroes, Mean Swing, Jarnbjorn, Battle Fury, Valkyrie, Hercules
Off Aspect cards included: Under Surveillance (Justice), Teamwork(leadership).
-Captain America - $16.99
Released December 2019
Deck aspect: leadership
Captain America introduced some good allies as well as his Alter-Ego ability reducing the cost of the first ally played each round. And his hero side allows him to ready himself. He’s one of the best all around heroes.
Leadership Cards included: Falcon, Squirrel Girl, Wonder Man, strength in numbers, avengers assemble
Off aspect cards included: Honorary Avenger(basic), Avengers Tower(basic), followed (Justice)
-Doctor Strange - $16.99
Released May 2020
Deck aspect : protection
The first recommended hero pack purchase is Doctor Strange. The reason is the 11 solid aspect cards he adds to the game. The hero itself is fun and powerful and comes with a 5 card invocation deck that you use in addition to your player deck.
The protection cards are: Momentum Shift, Clea, Brother Voodoo, Night Nurse, Unflappable, Iron Fist, SBD Desperate Defense.
The off aspect cards included are: Skilled Strike (aggression), Foiled (Justice), Iron Man(leadership), and Sorcerer Supreme(basic).
-Nebula - $16.99
Released September 2021
Deck Aspect: Justice
Nebula as a hero arrived shortly after the Mad Titans Shadow campaign launched. Her hero design mirrors the villain scenario from galaxy’s most wanted. Her prebuilt deck is ok, but none of the aspect cards are really that great.
Wrecking Crew - $22.95
Released February 2020
Wrecking Crew introduced the wild idea of the heroes fighting four villains at once. It’s a very unique and is well designed. It is easily gaged against as you can control too easily which villain is active. The reason it’s the least recommended is because it has the lowest replay value. You don’t use any modular sets or the standard/expert sets. This restricts the variety you get in the rest of the game with the ability to swap modular sets around.
-Special Consideration : Kree Fanatic
Released August 2020
Kree Fanatic is a free Print and Play modular set they released the last day of GenCon 2020. It’s not something you purchase so im adding this as a footnote because everyone should print this out and put in your collection.
It is my favorite modular set and can be brutal as it introduces Ronan as a legit mini boss gaining 9 health per player! This is a must have for every player!
Link for Kree Fanatic: https://images-cdn.fantasyflightgames.com/filer_public/af/e7/afe79820-8835-4503-b256-7208e425d769/ronan_modular_set.pdf
Highlights:
Best Value - Rise of Red Skull
Best Scenario pack- green goblin
best aggression pack- Nova
best justice pack- Venom
best protection Pack- Vision
best leadership pack- Ant-Man
We will update it as releases come. Hope someone finds this useful. Thanks!