Marvel: Crisis Protocol is a tabletop miniature wargame released in 2019 by Atomic Mass Games. This game allows players to take on the role of their favorite Marvel superheroes and villains, battling it out on the tabletop in epic showdowns.
Game Components of Marvel: Crisis Protocol
Miniatures: The core set includes 10 characters such as Captain America, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Crossbones, Ultron, Red Skull, Doctor Octopus, and Baron Zemo.Terrain: Buildings, vehicles, and other city terrain pieces are provided.Crisis Cards: These cards determine the scenario objectives and threat levels.Team Tactics Cards: One-time use effects that can be activated by specific characters or affiliations.Stat Cards: Each hero has a card detailing movement speed, defense, attack, and superpowers.Dice: Custom eight-sided dice with hit, block, and wild symbols.Movement Tools: Three different length-hinged movement tools for easy measurement.Assembly Required: Miniatures come in gray plastic sprues and require assembly with a craft knife and polystyrene cement.
How To Setup Marvel: Crisis Protocol
To set up the game, players start by selecting crisis cards randomly, which determine the scenario objectives and the threat level of the mission. Each player drafts a team of heroes based on the mission’s threat level, with each hero costing a certain number of threat points. The game space is a 3x3ft area filled with themed terrain, and tokens are placed according to the crisis cards. Heroes are deployed at opposite sides of the game space.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Turn Structure: Players alternate turns, activating one hero per turn who can perform two actions: move, attack, use a superpower, or shake off special conditions.Objective System: Crisis cards set the objectives, such as rescuing civilians or collecting parts of the Cosmic Cube.Threat Level: Determines how many units can be brought into the game.Dice Rolling: Custom dice are rolled to resolve attacks, with hit and block symbols determining success or failure.Superpowers: Heroes have unique powers and passive abilities that can be activated during the game.Team Tactics Cards: Can be used to boost attacks, heal heroes, or gain other advantages.Game End Conditions: The game ends after six rounds, when one side reaches 16 points, or when one side is completely eliminated.
Player Experience
Marvel: Crisis Protocol offers a dynamic and thematic experience, capturing the essence of Marvel superheroes in a tactical miniatures game. Players must strategize and adapt to the randomly selected crisis cards, making each game unique. The game requires a balance of tactical decisions and luck from dice rolling, which can lead to unpredictable and exciting outcomes.
Pros
Thematic Integration: The game seamlessly integrates Marvel characters and themes.Flexible Team Building: Players can mix and match heroes to create diverse teams.Dynamic Objectives: Crisis cards ensure each game is different and challenging.Well-Designed Rule Book: Clear and concise rules with plenty of illustrations.High Replayability: Multiple characters, tactics cards, and crisis cards offer endless combinations.
Cons
Dice Rolling: The game is heavily reliant on dice rolling, which can lead to unpredictable and sometimes frustrating outcomes.Complexity: Managing multiple characters, powers, and tokens can be overwhelming, especially for new players.Assembly Required: Miniatures need to be assembled, which can be time-consuming and require patience.
Personal Thoughts on Marvel: Crisis Protocol
Marvel: Crisis Protocol is ideal for fans of the Marvel Universe and those interested in tactical miniatures gaming. It’s a great introduction for newcomers to the genre due to its relatively straightforward rules, but it also offers enough depth and complexity for experienced players. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer games with minimal randomness or those who are averse to assembling miniatures. Overall, it’s a game that combines strategy, theme, and fun in a way that will keep players engaged and coming back for more.
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