Marvel Strike Teams (2018) Board Game

Marvel Strike Teams is a board game released in 2018 by WizKids. It is a comic book-themed game that allows 2 to 5 players to take on the roles of iconic Marvel heroes and villains. With a runtime of 60 to 120 minutes, this game is designed for players aged 14 and up. The game features action points, dice rolling, grid movement, modular boards, and a push-your-luck mechanic to keep players engaged.

Game Components of Marvel Strike Teams

13 Pre-Painted Miniatures

99 Cards

30 Map Tiles

150+ Cardboard Tokens

80 Cubes

2 Command Dials

1 Custom Action Die

1 Rulebook

Figures not compatible with other HeroClix collectible miniatures games.

How To Setup Marvel Strike Teams

Setting up Marvel Strike Teams involves preparing the game environment and assigning roles. One player takes on the role of the villainous mastermind, while the others control individual heroes. The game board is constructed using the Map Tiles, and the necessary tokens and cards are distributed. Each hero is unique, with their own set of powers and abilities, which are represented by the HeroClix figures and corresponding cards. The villain player sets up the scenario by placing enemy soldiers and obstacles on the board, while the heroes choose their starting positions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Villain Control: The villain player manipulates the direction of each encounter.

Hero Coordination: Hero players work together, combining their powers and abilities.

Objectives: Complete various objectives such as infiltrating enemy warehouses and defeating enemy soldiers.

Environment Impact: The environment affects gameplay with obstacles and usable objects.

Campaign Mode: Players can improve their heroes over several missions.

Random Scenarios: Missions feature randomly selected scenarios and multiple Map cards.

Objective Points: Earned through completing objectives or defeating characters.

Player Experience

Marvel Strike Teams offers a dynamic gameplay experience where strategy and teamwork are key. Players must coordinate their hero characters’ actions to overcome the challenges set by the villain. However, the game has been criticized for its lack of real cooperative elements, as a single player could control all the heroes with similar effectiveness. The game’s objectives can sometimes feel unattainable or ignorable, leading players to focus more on skirmishes than strategic objectives.

Pros

Unique Heroes: Each hero has individual play styles and abilities.

Dynamic Environments: Map Tiles and obstacles create varied gameplay experiences.

Campaign Mode: Allows for hero improvement over multiple missions.

Marvel Universe: Set within the expansive Marvel Universe, offering a rich thematic experience.

Cons

Limited Settings: Initial settings are limited to Hydra bases and warehouses, which can become repetitive.

Unattainable Objectives: Objective cards can feel like an afterthought and are sometimes impossible to achieve.

Character Balance: Some characters, like Iron Man, are severely handicapped by their abilities compared to others.

Personal Thoughts on Marvel Strike Teams

Marvel Strike Teams is ideal for fans of the Marvel Universe and those who enjoy skirmish-style strategy games. While it offers a lot of potential with its unique heroes and dynamic environments, it falls short in terms of cooperative gameplay and character balance. The game is best suited for players who enjoy tactical battles and are looking for a game that can be played in about 40 minutes. However, those seeking a deeper role-playing experience or more varied settings might find the game disappointing.

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