This episode features Andyr, a strategic card player and social media aficionado. He shares his insights on Valkyrie, a new card in the Marvel Champions universe, and the exciting dynamics it introduces. The conversation takes a turn as Andyr reflects on his surprising journey through social media, noting the challenges of being a card game celebrity. They also delve into the mechanics of zero-cost strategies and the intricate decisions behind card placements for maximizing effectiveness in game play.
Andy R shares his journey into Marvel Champions, highlighting the community's role in enhancing the gaming experience since 2019.
The discussion focuses on the new card 'Take That,' emphasizing its powerful potential and situational limitations within diverse deck strategies.
Hosts reflect on the need for innovative card designs that promote versatile gameplay, enhancing deck-building and strategic depth in Marvel Champions.
Deep dives
Introduction to Andy R and Marvel Champions
The guest of the episode, Andy R, discusses his journey into playing Marvel Champions starting in 2019, just before the pandemic. He quickly became passionate about the game, enjoying its mechanics and the Marvel IP, particularly the thrill of playing as Spider-Man. Andy highlights his excitement for engaging with a community during the Con of Heroes 2024, where he played numerous games and connected with fellow fans. Their conversation emphasizes the camaraderie and the social aspect of gaming, which enriches the overall experience.
Deck Building Styles and Hero Preferences
The conversation delves into Andy's unique deck-building style, where he employs a diverse range of characters and aspects. He recounts how he fell in love with Black Widow and later gravitated towards Spider-Man due to the character’s thematic playstyle and flexibility. Andy mentions how different heroes, like Captain America and Vision, evoke nostalgia and serve distinct gameplay purposes, contributing to his enjoyment of the game. This exploration illustrates how personal preferences shape the gaming experience and influence deck creation.
The New Card: Take That
The episode introduces a new card called 'Take That,' which has a cost of three and deals seven damage to an enemy with an upgrade attached. The hosts discuss how this card's mechanics require players to set up specific conditions to maximize its effectiveness, which can sometimes be limiting. Their conversation reveals that while this card is powerful in the right decks, such as those featuring Cyclops or Rogue, it can be underwhelming for heroes without reliable ways to attach upgrades to enemies. The importance of deck synergy and card interactions becomes a central theme as they analyze the card's potential.
Power and Fun Factors of Take That
Throughout the discussions, the hosts examine the card's power level, comparing it to other aggressive cards in the game. They note that while 'Take That' offers higher damage potential, its situational nature can lead to dead draws in certain scenarios, particularly when played outside of optimized decks. Despite its limitations, they express enjoyment when the card is successfully integrated into a strategy, highlighting the satisfaction that comes with achieving powerful plays. The overall sentiment reflects a nuanced appreciation for how fun card dynamics can enhance the gaming experience, even when not universally applicable.
Looking Ahead: Future Card Design
The hosts contemplate the future of card design within Marvel Champions, particularly the need for more versatile upgrades to support archetypes that require attaching effects to enemies. They discuss the potential for new cards that could encourage deeper strategies and a broader range of gameplay styles. By contrasting current designs with older, simpler mechanics, they express hope for more innovative approaches that enrich deck-building opportunities. The conversation ends on a positive note, showcasing their shared enthusiasm for the game's evolution and the community's engagement with new content.
This time, Boomguy welcomes Andyr to the show to discuss a newer card in the card pool. People say Boomguy doesn't like new cards, so Take That! Join us as we discuss Valkyrie, what it's like to be a celebrity, and Andyr's new realization that social media exists.
Here is Andyr's deck for the episode: https://marvelcdb.com/deck/view/748440
We are looking for feedback from the community that listens to this show, so please get in touch to let us know what you think of the podcast, and please take time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it really makes a difference!
