Winning Hand - A Marvel Champions Podcast

All Hands on Decks is a series featuring Andyr that discusses community decks that we think deserve to be seen. We will discuss the decks, and categorize them into the Johnny-Timmy-Spike archetypes so that others can find decks they might enjoy, depending on the type of player they are.  Link to Spike, Johnny, and Timmy: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/timmy-johnny-and-spike-2013-12-03 In this episode of All Hands on Decks, Boomguy and Andyr explore community decks centered around the leadership ally Beta Ray Bill. They discuss various deck-building strategies, player archetypes, and analyze specific decks, including one from The Masked Hero and another featuring Valkyrie. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the creativity of deck builders, encouraging listeners to share their own decks and thoughts. Going Down Swinging: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44216/going-down-swinging-1.0 Valkyrie's Black Knight: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/42221/valkyrie-s-black-knight-1.0 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the series 03:07 Deck Building Themes and Player Archetypes 09:46 Exploring the Beta Ray Bill Deck 16:40 Valkyrie Deck Analysis 28:53 Community Engagement and Closing Thoughts    

In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, Boomguy, LazyTitan, and Leethus celebrate the holiday season by sharing their wishes for Marvel Champions, discussing their recent gaming experiences, and spotlighting community creators. They discuss the card of the day, 'Welcome Aboard', analyzing its art and thematic relevance while reflecting on character interpretations within the game. The conversation emphasizes community engagement and the joy of gaming during the holidays. In this conversation, the pod goes into the thematic elements and character dynamics of the Guardians of the Galaxy, discussing their downtime alter egos and the overall vibe of the characters. They explore the differences between the Guardians and Avengers, particularly in terms of teamwork and character motivations.  Here is the content creator we spotlighted: https://www.youtube.com/@MarvelChampionsHQ/featured Here is The Brandt's Agents of SHIELD release event: https://ti.to/the-portal/agents-of-shield-release-weekend The last giveaway of 2024 is still going through the end of December: https://forms.gle/gBQ9ZcKEbUpH7zQ37 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! Email: winninghandpodcast@gmail.com Discord: Boomguy / Leethus / LazyTitan421 Chapters 00:00 Holiday Greetings and Wishes 02:43 Marvel Champions Wishlist 05:42 Creator Spotlight and Community Engagement 08:38 Recent Gameplay Experiences 11:51 Deck Building Insights and Strategies 23:02 Excitement for Blue Thor Decks 23:40 Christmas 2024 Giveaway Announcement 25:04 Card of the Day Introduction 25:32 Welcome Aboard Card Overview 28:31 Art Analysis of Welcome Aboard 37:29 Thematic Discussion on Guardians of the Galaxy 40:32 Power and Utility of Welcome Aboard 44:22 Understanding Guardian Leadership Mechanics 47:39 Thematic Elements of Guardian Cards 52:19 Debating Card Limitations and Mechanics 55:06 Evaluating Card Fun and Utility 01:01:39 Final Thoughts on Card Effectiveness 01:09:29 Logo.mp3

The hosts dive into the intricacies of Throg, a unique aggression ally, examining his strengths and quirky backstory. Humorous trivia about his comic adventures keeps the conversation lively. They also discuss recent gameplay experiences, giving Throg high marks for versatility and fun. A spotlight on community engagement and a giveaway announcement adds excitement, encouraging listeners to connect and participate. Additionally, they reflect on evolving opinions about other Marvel champions, infusing strategy with personal insights.

In this special bonus episode, Boomguy and LazyTitan are joined by KennedyHawk and Hone to discuss the 2025 Con of Heroes, a gathering for fans of Marvel Champions. We discuss the evolution of the convention from its inception in 2022, highlighting themes, events, and community engagement. They share insights into past cons, the excitement surrounding the upcoming 2024 con, and the importance of community connections. The discussion emphasizes the cooperative nature of the game and the welcoming atmosphere of the con, encouraging listeners to attend and participate in the gaming community. Dates: May 2-4, 2025 Location: Gamezenter (Roseville, MN) Link to the con website: https://conofheroes.com/ Hotel info:  DoubleTree Roseville - 2540 N Cleveland Cr., Roseville, MN 55113 Link to hotel block reservation rate is here.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Con of Heroes 06:08 Highlights from the 2023 Con 24:21 Game Design Insights and Challenges 30:40 Innovative Legacy Mod Set Discussion 36:09 Con Attendance Growth and Community Engagement 45:14 Community Connections and Final Thoughts 53:07 Logo.mp3

Welcome back to the People's Podcast! Creator Spotlight: Marvel Chumpions Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarvelChumpions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3KARXuLDLFgXepYVIwWuHz Link for the giveaway: https://forms.gle/8i1iasRgSgkFdhvS9 In this Thanksgiving episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, hosts LazyTitan, Boomguy, and Leethus discuss their gratitude for Marvel Champions, highlight community creators, and introduce a new YouTube series. They also delve into the card of the day, 'Spycraft', exploring its mechanics and thematic elements. In this conversation, the participants delve into the mechanics of other spy-themed cards in the game, particularly focusing on the preparation cards associated with characters like Black Widow. They discuss the strategic implications of these cards, their thematic relevance, and how they influence gameplay dynamics. The conversation highlights the balance between fun and strategy, emphasizing the importance of card effects and player choices in cooperative gaming. In this episode, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about the mechanics and effectiveness of various cards in the game, particularly focusing on the Black Widow character and her unique abilities. They explore the themes of game mechanics, the fun factor of gameplay, and the strategic implications of card choices. The conversation culminates in a rating segment where each host shares their thoughts on the card 'Spycraft', highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in gameplay. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Winning Hand Podcast 01:05 Thanksgiving Episode and Community Engagement 04:30 Spotlight on Marvel Champions Creators 07:19 New Projects and YouTube Series 10:02 Thankfulness in Marvel Champions 16:14 Card of the Day: Spycraft 24:19 Exploring Spy Mechanics in Gameplay 27:42 The Power of Preparation Cards 32:41 Thematic Elements of Spycraft 36:49 Balancing Fun and Strategy in Card Play 39:35 The Nature of Game Mechanics 41:59 Debating Card Effectiveness 45:00 Fun vs. Strategy in Gameplay 48:57 Final Thoughts and Ratings

"This is a fun card." - VillainTheory In this episode of Winning Hand, Boomguy and Villain Theory discuss their experiences with various Marvel Champions heroes, including Fantomex, Nightcrawler, and Iceman. They delve into the mechanics and design of these characters, sharing their thoughts on what works and what doesn't. The conversation also touches on the challenges of card design, particularly for characters like Rogue and Valkyrie, and the evolution of multi-villain scenarios in the game. The episode culminates in a detailed discussion of the new card 'Come Get Me, Bub,' highlighting its thematic elements and artwork. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the intricacies of card design in Marvel Champions. They discuss its thematic consistency, mechanics involving minions, and how it synergizes with various characters, particularly in the protection aspect. The conversation also touches on the challenges of using certain characters like Valkyrie and evaluates the overall fun factor and gameplay experience provided by the card. The hosts conclude with their final thoughts and ratings, expressing high praise for the card's design and utility in gameplay. Here is a link to VT's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VillainTheory 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! Email: winninghandpodcast@gmail.com IG: @winninghandpodcast  Discord: Boomguy / Leethus / LazyTitan421 Facebook: Winning Hand Podcast

"Hulk is one of our top selling heroes." - Caleb Grace In this episode of the People's Podcast, Boomguy and Leethus sit down with Caleb Grace, the senior card game designer at Fantasy Flight Games, to discuss his journey in game design, his favorite heroes in Marvel Champions, and the intricacies of character design. Caleb shares insights into the development of the game, the importance of player experience, and how his background in education influenced his approach to game mechanics. The conversation also touches on the transition from designing for Lord of the Rings to Marvel Champions, highlighting the thematic elements that make each character unique. In this segment of the conversation, the speakers delve into various aspects of game design for Marvel Champions, focusing on the development of protection-focused heroes, the importance of community feedback, and the challenges of understanding player preferences. They reflect on the evolution of the game's release model, the design of iconic characters like Hulk, and the overall success of the game over its first five years. In this conversation, Caleb discusses the evolution of game design, particularly focusing on the Marvel tabletop game and the challenges faced in character development and licensing. He reflects on the success of the game over the past five years, the excitement surrounding new characters, and the importance of community feedback. The discussion also delves into the design process for Magneto as a capstone character in the X-Men wave, and Caleb shares insights on the future of the game and the potential for more characters to be introduced. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Caleb Grace and Marvel Champions 03:01 Caleb's Journey in Game Design 05:55 Favorite Heroes and Player Counts 09:06 Designing Encounters and Mod Sets 12:04 Transitioning from Lord of the Rings to Marvel Champions 15:05 Character Design Insights 18:08 Thematic Elements in Game Design 20:52 Favorite Characters and Their Mechanics 25:48 Exploring Protection-Focused Heroes 30:06 Community Feedback and Game Design 34:46 The Challenge of Understanding Player Preferences 38:40 The Evolution of the Release Model 42:07 Reflecting on the Hulk's Design 50:40 Five Years of Marvel Champions: A Reflection 54:34 The Evolution of Game Design and Character Development 57:27 Success in Game Development: Reflections and Future Plans 01:00:01 The Challenges of Licensing and Character Inclusion 01:01:01 Passion Projects: Designing Heroes and Community Feedback 01:08:36 Magneto: The Capstone of the X-Men Wave 01:12:30 Reflections on the Mutant Wave and Future Aspirations  

"We have people in Singapore that listen." - Boomguy We are celebrating our 50th episode, and welcoming back one of the founding fathers of the podcast, Kaeko! He joins us to talk about the king of Player Side Schemes, Build Support. "I'm excited to be back!" - Kaeko In this milestone episode 50 of the Winning Hand podcast, Boomguy, Lazy Titan, Leethus, and returning guest Kaeko discuss the evolution of the podcast, Kaeko's life updates since leaving, and the latest speculations surrounding new Marvel Champions heroes, particularly focusing on Silk. The episode also highlights listener engagement through reviews and suggestions for improving the podcast experience. In this episode, the hosts engage with listener feedback, reflecting on the global reach of their podcast and the diverse audience they have attracted. They introduce the card of the day, 'Build Support,' and delve into the mechanics of player side schemes, discussing their impact on gameplay. The conversation highlights the thematic elements of the card and evaluates its power within the game, emphasizing its significance in various deck strategies. In this episode, the hosts delve into the dynamics of deck building in Marvel Champions, focusing on the impact of support cards and the strength of basic cards. They discuss the fun factor of the Build Support card, its thematic relevance, and how it influences gameplay decisions. The conversation culminates in final thoughts and ratings on the Build Support card, highlighting its utility and appeal to different player styles. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Episode 50 01:39 Keiko's Return and Life Updates 04:15 Speculation on New Heroes 11:07 Deep Dive into Silk 18:07 Listener Reviews and Community Engagement 21:48 Engaging with Listener Feedback 23:41 Global Reach of the Podcast 26:56 Introduction to Card of the Day 27:26 Understanding Player Side Schemes 30:44 Impact of Build Support Card 34:34 Deep Dive into Build Support Mechanics 40:55 Thematic Analysis of Build Support 42:57 Evaluating the Power of Build Support 44:41 Deck Building Dynamics 47:49 The Role of Support Cards 50:52 Basic Cards and Their Strength 54:34 Fun Factor of Build Support 01:01:28 Final Thoughts on Build Support

"This is a good card and wins." - LazyTitan In this episode of the People's Podcast, the hosts discuss the new Marvel Champions card, Kid Omega, provided by Fantasy Flight Games. They explore the card's abilities, speculate on the character's backstory, analyze the artwork, and discuss the thematic elements and power of the card. The conversation is filled with humor and insights into the Marvel universe, making it an engaging listen for fans of the game and comics alike. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the card Kid Omega from Marvel Champions, discussing its abilities, potential strategies, and overall impact on gameplay. They explore the card's strengths, weaknesses, and how it fits into leadership decks, particularly within the X-Men trait. The discussion also touches on the fun factor of playing with Kid Omega and concludes with the hosts sharing their final thoughts and ratings on the card. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the People's Podcast 01:08 Unveiling Kid Omega: The New Card 02:46 Speculating on Kid Omega's Backstory 05:47 Analyzing the Art of Kid Omega 11:40 Thematic Elements of Kid Omega 13:32 Power and Synergy of Kid Omega 14:58 Exploring Kid Omega's Abilities 19:24 The Fun Factor of Kid Omega 24:09 Final Thoughts and Ratings

"This is the People's Podcast." - Boomguy In this episode of the People's Podcast, the hosts delve into the intricacies of Magneto's hero card and the newly revealed Magnetic Bubble card. They discuss the mechanics, thematic elements, and artistic representation of the cards, while also engaging in light-hearted banter about the character's history and powers. The conversation highlights the strategic implications of the cards in gameplay and the excitement surrounding their release. In this episode, the hosts delve into the mechanics and thematic elements of Magneto's powers in a card game context. They discuss the implications of the retaliate mechanic, the thematic representation of Magneto's abilities, and evaluate the power and fun factor of the Magnetic Bubble card. The conversation highlights the strategic depth of gameplay and the potential for unique deck builds centered around Magneto's unique character and signature cards. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the People's Podcast 01:00 Exploring Magneto's Hero Card 06:49 Unveiling the Magnetic Bubble Card 09:57 Art and Theme of the Magnetic Bubble 13:50 Discussion on Card Mechanics and Strategy 14:51 Understanding Retaliate Mechanics 19:43 Thematic Exploration of Magneto's Powers 25:38 Evaluating the Power of Magnetic Bubble 30:11 Final Thoughts and Ratings