

Winning Hand - A Marvel Champions Podcast
Boomguy
A podcast all about Marvel Champions…one card at a time.
Marvel Champions the Card Game is a Living Card Game from Fantasy Flight Games. Every episode we use one card as the focus of the episode but we discuss a range of topics, news, tips, and decks for the game we love! Join us as we journey through Marvel Champions one card at a time.
Marvel Champions the Card Game is a Living Card Game from Fantasy Flight Games. Every episode we use one card as the focus of the episode but we discuss a range of topics, news, tips, and decks for the game we love! Join us as we journey through Marvel Champions one card at a time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 6, 2025 • 53min
E64 - Adam Warlock (Ally), feat. Josseroo!
"Google it yourself." - Josseroo
In this episode of the Winning Hand podcast, host BoomGuy and Jossaroo dive deep into the Marvel Champions card game, focusing on Adam Warlock. We discuss his background, do some lore and trivia, and then dive into the art, theme, power, and fun like always! The conversation also highlights the importance of building around specific cards and the fun aspects of deck building.
Here is a link to Josseroo's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Myl3bGjwYzLzF3nUeg7Xd
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Winning Hand Podcast
01:53 Content Creator Spotlight: MC Deck Discussions
04:02 Trivia Time: Adam Warlock's Origins
06:52 Exploring Adam Warlock's Abilities
07:56 Card of the Day: Adam Warlock
15:58 Thematic Consistency in Adam Warlock's Design
21:40 Evaluating Adam Warlock's Strength as an Ally
25:20 Return on Investment in Card Mechanics
27:35 Building Around Adam Warlock
30:45 The Aerial Trait and Its Implications
32:37 Rules and Interactions with Adam Warlock
36:41 Deck Building Strategies and Personal Experiences
46:32 Final Thoughts on Adam Warlock
56:48 Outro

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 26min
E63 - Daring Escape
In this episode of the Winning Hand podcast, we discuss the decks we are bringing to the upcoming Con of Heroes, recommend a content creator, and talk about our thoughts on how much of the collection most people own. We also, of course, discuss Daring Escape, before discussing Leethus' own daring escape in his penultimate episode as a co-host.
Here is the content creator of the day: https://www.youtube.com/@longshipgaming7384
Here are the decks we are planning to bring to the con:
Groot Camp: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49143/groot-camp-con-of-heroes-2025-1.0
The Indomitable Iceman: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/48991/the-indomitable-iceman-con-of-heroes-2025-1.0
Fist Bump: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49064/fist-bump-con-of-heroes-2025-1.0
Spaceman: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/48809/spaceman-con-of-heroes-2025-1.0
Basic B!tch: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/48363/basic-b-tch-1.0
Overkill 'em: https://marvelcdb.com/deck/view/930716
90 Degrees of Righteousness: https://marvelcdb.com/deck/view/592428?deck_name=90%20degrees%20of%20righteousness
High School Crush: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49288/ms-marvel-high-school-crush-1.0
(The Villain is a) Cornered Animal: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49253/x-23-the-villain-is-a-cornered-animal-1.0
Big Hero Moment: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49255/star-lord-big-hero-moment-1.0
Nibelung Valesti: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45910/valkyrie-nibelung-valesti-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:32 Marvel Champions Overview and Episode Highlights
05:38 Audience Question: Collecting Habits in LCGs
08:37 Player Engagement and Content Acquisition
11:52 Living Through the Game vs. Joining Later
13:16 Deck Building and Collection Management
20:03 Content Creator Recommendation and Con of Heroes Decks
23:30 Deck Strategies and Themes
31:38 Deck Lineup for Con of Heroes
35:21 Hero Selection and Personal Preferences
44:57 Con of Heroes Info
47:24 Introduction to Daring Escape
50:29 Art and Flavor Text Analysis
53:11 Thematic Exploration of Star-Lord
58:47 Card Power and Gameplay Dynamics
01:05:50 Understanding Daring Escape's Role
01:09:53 The Fun Factor of Daring Escape
01:12:46 Star-Lord's Gambler Mentality
01:18:17 Final Thoughts on Daring Escape
01:21:46 Farewell to Lethus
01:25:53 Outro

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 2min
Multiplayer Deck Discussion - All Hands on Decks #12
In this episode, Boomguy and Andyr discuss the intricacies of building multiplayer decks for Marvel Champions. They explore various deck types, including leadership and aggression decks, and emphasize the importance of supporting other players at the table. The conversation highlights strategies for enhancing multiplayer experiences, the significance of unique cards, and the overall joy of cooperative play. The hosts encourage listeners to embrace the multiplayer aspect of the game and share their insights on deck building for larger player counts.
Deck 1: The Highstorm: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44731/the-highstorm-1.0
Deck 2: Bridge Four: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44732/bridge-four-1.0
The Alter-Ego Chronicle Deck write-up: https://alteregochronicle.wixsite.com/alter-ego-chronicle/post/the-stormlight-decks-highstorm-and-bridge-four
Deck 3: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44943/uncanny-x-men-roster-2024-gambit-multiplayer-deck-1.0
Deck 4: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44941/uncanny-x-men-roster-2024-jubilee-multiplayer-deck-1.0
Deck 5: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44944/uncanny-x-men-roster-2024-nightcrawler-multiplayer-deck-2.0
Deck 6: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44945/uncanny-x-men-roster-2024-wolverine-multiplayer-deck-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Multiplayer Decks
02:42 Exploring Leadership Decks
09:25 Diving into Aggression Decks
16:39 What Makes a Good Multiplayer Deck?
25:51 Key Cards for Multiplayer Success
30:46 Multiplayer Mindset
35:35 Deck Building for Multiplayer
38:00 Exploring New Decks
49:59 Wolverine and Team Dynamics
57:00 The Joy of Multiplayer Gameplay

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 18min
E62 - Danger Room
"How they chose this as the art is inexplicable to me; it looks like it's a card from East Germany." -Boomguy
In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, the hosts discuss various aspects of the Marvel Champions game, including the upcoming Con of Heroes, content creator recommendations, and their favorite hero and aspect pairings for the event. They delve into specific heroes like Drax, Iceman, X23, Captain America, and Nick Fury, sharing insights on deck strategies and personal experiences. The episode concludes with a discussion on the Danger Room card and its lore within the Marvel universe. In this episode, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about the art and mechanics of the Danger Room card from the X-Men card game. They critique the artwork, explore the thematic elements of X-Men mechanics, and evaluate the power and strategy involved in using Danger Room effectively.
Here is the deck Leethus mentioned: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45910/valkyrie-nibelung-valesti-1.0
Here is the featured content creator: https://www.youtube.com/@MaNemJeff87
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Winning Hand Podcast
02:48 Content Creator Spotlight: My Name Jeff
06:46 Star-Lord Protection
10:50 Drax Protection
14:41 Iceman Leadership, Protection, and 'Pool?
17:17 X23 and Valkyrie: Powerful Hero Insights
20:21 Captain America: Versatile Strategies
23:22 Nick Fury: The New Spy on the Block
25:20 Vision - Aggression, Protection, and Sidekick?
27:47 Musical Inspirations in Deck Names
29:06 Exploring the Danger Room Card
30:27 The Evolution of the Danger Room
42:11 Thematic Elements of X-Men Support
48:23 Exploring X-Men Cards and Their Themes
54:57 The Experience of Living Card Games
01:00:06 Power and Strategy of Danger Room
01:10:06 Final Thoughts on Danger Room and X-Men Cards
01:18:03 Outro
Apr 11, 2025 • 41min
E61.7 - Con of Heroes 2025 HYPE
"Every good thing comes at a cost." - KennedyHawk
In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, Boomguy and KennedyHawk discuss the upcoming Con of Heroes, focusing on the custom content and card spoilers for Marvel Champions. We delve into the new Symbiote Standard Set, its mechanics, and the exciting new keywords introduced. We also highlight the artistic design of the cards, the logistics for attendees, and essential packing lists for a successful con experience.
See here for more reveals from the MCM team.
Click here for the print and play files for the con (and previous cons!).
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Con and Custom Content
03:06 Exploring the New Standard Set
06:08 Symbiote Suits: Mechanics and Strategies
09:06 Art and Design of the Custom Cards
12:07 Flipping Mechanics: Allies to Minions
14:54 New Keywords and Their Impact
18:09 Conclusion and Future Insights
22:15 Balancing Encounter Mechanics
23:49 Introducing New Nemesis Mechanics
27:15 Exploring Symbiote Attachments
28:54 Understanding Suit Malfunction
31:59 Logistics for Con of Heroes
34:21 Packing Essentials for Attendees
36:46 Custom Cards and Trading at the Con
40:52 Outro
Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 43min
E61.5 - Con of Heroes Panel Discussion
This panel discussion revolves around the preparation and experiences related to the Con of Heroes 2025. I am joined by Andy N, AndyR, Astrodar, Caldias, MrSelfDestruct, and VJakson.
We discuss their personal experiences with previous conventions, and provide insights on what to bring, including decks, scenarios and tokens. We emphasize the importance of comfort and enjoyment throughout the weekend, encouraging attendees to bring decks they are familiar with and to be prepared for a fun, social gaming experience. The panel delves into the nuances of preparing for a gaming convention, focusing on deck preparation, the importance of sleeving strategies, and the benefits of borrowing and sharing decks. We discuss the significance of unique cards in multiplayer settings and the multiverse rule, which allows for flexibility in games with so many people traveling in; we are here for a casual atmosphere, and we encourage players to be flexible with their decks and to prioritize fun over strict adherence to rules.
This conversation delves into the strategies for deck building and adapting to multiplayer dynamics at conventions, emphasizing the importance of community and inclusivity. We share our experiences and surprises from attending the Con of Heroes, highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and the diversity of gameplay. They also touch on the food options available at the con and the various custom content that attendees can look forward to.
Chapters
02:59 Introduction to the Con of Heroes
06:11 Panelist Introductions and Experiences
08:57 What to Bring to the Con
12:00 Deck Selection Strategies
15:04 Playing Comfortably and Enjoying the Game
20:12 Deck Preparation and Sleeving Strategies
23:00 Borrowing and Sharing Decks at Conventions
26:00 Unique Cards and Their Importance in Multiplayer
29:03 Understanding the Multiverse Rule
34:59 Casual Atmosphere and Deck Flexibility
41:41 Deck Building Strategies for Conventions
44:09 Adapting Decks for Multiplayer Dynamics
51:48 Community and Inclusivity at the Con
58:09 Surprises and Expectations at the Con
01:08:47 Excitement for Upcoming Conventions
01:12:00 Choosing Heroes and Decks for the Con
01:19:48 Deck Strategies and Scenarios Discussion
01:25:31 Final Thoughts on Heroes and Scenarios
01:30:59 The Excitement of Deck Building
01:32:29 The Pool Deck Dilemma
01:34:58 Food and Fun at the Convention
01:39:49 Community Engagement and Custom Content
01:46:44 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 11min
E61 - Spider-Ham (Hero)
On this day three years ago, Fantasy Flight launched their biggest April Fool's joke yet: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/4/1/hamming-it-up/
Was it real? Was it fake? We may never know.
Join Boomguy, LazyTitan, and Leethus as they break down their least favorite cartoon pig!
We also spotlight a content creator you should check out: @ZiggyZ55Z
He also has a new book out: https://youtu.be/wwAJThY2hFA?si=N8apcqaRqgwXormG
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Winning Hand Podcast
03:00 Content Creator Spotlight: ZiggyZ55
05:59 Recent Gameplay Experiences
08:49 Exploring the Deadpool Aspect
11:54 Iceman and Jubilee: Heroes in Focus
15:00 Thor and Groot: Recent Favorites
17:58 New Heroes: Maria Hill and Nick Fury
21:04 Card of the Day: Spider Ham
27:44 The Quirky World of Spider-Ham
29:09 Unpacking Spider-Ham's Origins
30:49 The Villains of Spider-Ham
36:39 Art and Aesthetics of Spider-Ham
39:33 Thematic Elements of Spider-Ham
43:12 Game Mechanics and Balance of Spider-Ham
46:52 Exploring Spider-Ham's Unique Mechanics
49:50 The Power of Spider-Ham: A Hero's Strength
53:20 Ranking Spider-Ham Among Heroes
59:30 Fun Factor: Playing as Spider-Ham
01:03:32 Final Thoughts and Ratings

Mar 31, 2025 • 33min
E60.5 - Black Panther Spoiler Cards!
In this episode, we discuss two new spoiler cards from Fantasy Flight Games for the upcoming Black Panther (Shuri) hero pack. You can see the original reveal article here.
Join us as we break down the art, theme, power, and fun for these cards!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to New Cards
03:03 Analysis of Dora Milaje and Allies
06:06 Art and Theme Discussion
09:11 Synergy and Gameplay Mechanics
12:00 Final Thoughts on Card Package
17:48 The Power of Allies in Gameplay
20:12 Strategic Use of Leadership and Healing
22:40 Design and Flexibility of the Dora Milaje Package
24:40 Overall Impressions and Ratings of the Package
30:14 Future Potential and Trait Development
32:28 Outro

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
All Hands on Decks #11 - Multi-Aspect Heroes!
Talking all about multi-aspect heroes! In this episode, Boomguy and AndyR explore the theme of multi-aspect heroes in Marvel Champions, discussing various deck archetypes and showcasing specific decks centered around characters like Adam Warlock, Spider-Woman, Cable, Gamora, and Cyclops. They delve into listener comments, the dynamics of different player archetypes, and the unique challenges and strategies involved in building multi-aspect decks. We highlight the creativity and fun that can arise from these unique deck-building opportunities while also acknowledging the complexities they introduce.
1. Children of the Atom (Warlock): https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44735/children-of-the-atom-warlock-1.0
2. Jess & Carol Kill the Marvel Universe: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/39819/jess-and-carol-kill-the-marvel-universe-1.0
3. Maria Maria (Do your friends love cards?): https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45479/maria-maria-do-your-friends-love-cards-1.0
4. Psy-Kickin' It: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44648/psy-kickin-it-1.0
5. Rogue+Pete=8+ Gunboat every time!: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44997/rogue-pete-8-gunboat-every-time-1.0
6. What if we used 100% of Gamora's ability? [True Solo]: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45030/what-if-we-used-100-of-gamora-s-ability-true-solo-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Winning Hand and Deck Building
01:07 Understanding Spike, Johnny, and Timmy Players
04:19 The Timmy Player Dilemma in Marvel Champions
09:06 Nomenclature for Deck Archetypes
13:10 Exploring Multi-Aspect Heroes
17:43 Deck Showcase: Adam Warlock
23:46 Deck Showcase: Spider-Woman
29:29 Deck Showcase: Cable
32:13 Exploring Psionic Strategies
34:46 Deck Building Insights and Recommendations
37:02 Maria Hill: The Card Draw Engine
39:58 Gamora's Solo Deck: A Unique Approach
50:34 Cyclops and Gunboat Diplomacy
01:02:52 Reflections on Multi-Aspect Heroes

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 9min
E60 - Dazzler
In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, hosts Boomguy and LazyTitan dive into Marvel Champions, focusing on the justice ally Dazzler. They share their excitement for the upcoming Con of Heroes, talk about a new content creator, and explore their top hero picks for the event. The conversation also includes a detailed analysis of Dazzler as a card, her abilities, and her place within the game, highlighting the importance of art and design in card games.
The Masked Hero: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMaskedHero
Con of heroes: https://conofheroes.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dazzler and the podcast
01:25 Content Creator Spotlight: The Masked Hero
03:54 Con of Heroes Deck Planning
05:39 Hero Selection for Con of Heroes
13:28 LazyTitan's Hero Picks: Colossus and Ironheart
20:20 Boomguy's Hero Picks: Angel and War Machine
22:59 Exploring Thor's Versatility
26:59 Cyclops: The Tactician's Choice
30:58 Shadowcat: The Ultimate Defender
36:54 Vision: The Autopilot Hero
39:12 Drax: The King in Green
40:53 Captain America: The Versatile Leader
44:24 Exploring Dazzler's Powers and Art
46:53 Thematic Elements of Dazzler's Card
48:51 Analyzing Dazzler's Power and Cost
52:51 Dazzler's Role in Justice Archetypes
01:02:47 Final Thoughts on Dazzler's Design and Fun Factor
01:08:49 Outro


