Champions 2020 (2011) Board Game

Champions 2020 is a sports board game released in 2011 by designer Corné van Moorsel and publisher Cwali. The game is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of 40-60 minutes. The game features a roll/spin and move mechanism, as well as simulation elements, making it an engaging and strategic experience for players.

Game Components of Marvel Champions

Hero decks

Villain decks

Double-sided hero cards (representing hero and alter-ego forms)

Player cards (including basic and signature cards)

Villain scheme cards

Threat tokens

Hit point tokens

Dice (for resolving some card effects)

How To Setup Marvel Champions

To set up the game, each player chooses a hero and their corresponding starter deck. The villain and their scheme are selected based on the scenario. Players start with their hero in alter-ego form and a set of basic cards. The villain’s deck is shuffled, and the game begins with the villain’s scheme in play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to defeat the villain.

Double-Sided Hero Cards: Heroes can switch between their hero form and alter-ego form, each with different abilities and interactions with the villain.

Deckbuilding: Players build their decks using a variety of cards, each with unique effects.

Resource Management: Players manage their hero’s hit points and the villain’s threat points.

Objective: Reduce the villain’s hit points to zero before the villain’s scheme reaches its maximum threat points or the players’ hit points reach zero.

Player Experience

Playing *Marvel Champions* involves strategic decision-making, particularly in choosing when to switch between hero and alter-ego forms. The game captures the thrill of being a superhero, with each hero having a distinctive gameplay style. However, games with four players can be slow due to the time each player takes to make decisions.

Pros

Thematic Engagement: The game is very thematic, making players feel like Marvel heroes.

Easy to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it accessible to new players.

Distinctive Heroes: Each hero has a unique playstyle and deck-building requirements.

Cooperative Fun: Players enjoy working together to defeat the villain.

Full Playsets: The core set includes full playsets of each player card, facilitating better deck construction.

Cons

Expensive Expansions: The game follows a Living Card Game (LCG) model, which can be costly for ongoing expansions.

Potential for Slow Games: Four-player games can be slow, especially with new players.

Complex Deck Interactions: While the basic rules are simple, card interactions can become complex.

Personal Thoughts on Marvel Champions

*Marvel Champions* is ideal for fans of Marvel and cooperative card games. It serves as a great entry point for those new to card games due to its relatively simple rules and thematic engagement. However, it requires a commitment to buying expansions to fully enjoy the game’s depth and variety. It is particularly suited for couples or groups who enjoy cooperative gameplay and are willing to invest in the game’s ecosystem.

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