

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

13 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 12min
E55.5 - Agents of SHIELD Reveals w/ Xander from FFG!
Xander Tabler, community manager at Fantasy Flight Games, shares his insights on engaging the Marvel Champions community. He discusses his gaming background and excitement for upcoming organized play. Xander reveals details about new cards like 'Intelligence' and 'Agents of SHIELD,' and talks about selecting heroes for casual gameplay. The conversation also highlights the importance of player feedback in game development and the thriving community culture surrounding Marvel Champions.

Jan 10, 2025 • 49min
What is a Timmy Deck? (All Hands on Decks #7)
In this episode, Boomguy and Andy explore the concept of Timmy decks in Marvel Champions, discussing their characteristics, strategies, and examples. They share their recent experiences with various decks, including Magneto Aggression, Hulk in Justice, and a unique Carol deck focused on allies. The conversation also covers Gamora's deck and a Vision minion control strategy, emphasizing the fun and engaging nature of Timmy decks.
If you have a deck you'd like to suggest, let us know: winninghandodcast@gmail.com
Deck 1 - Aggression: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45170/magneto-aerial-aggression-2.0
Deck 2 - Justice: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/14430/operation-hulk-and-fury-1.0
Deck 3 - Leadership: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45295/carol-goes-on-a-recruiting-spree-1.0
Deck 4 - 'Pool: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44868/gamora-the-perfect-host-1.0
Deck 5 - Protection: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/31780/minion-control-viz-3.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Timmy Decks
02:54 Defining Timmy Decks
05:54 Recent Gameplay Experiences
08:41 Exploring Magneto Aggression Deck
12:51 Hulk in Justice: A Timmy Approach
17:48 Carol Danvers: The Ally Recruiter
22:33 Energy Rechanneling and Timmy Decks
24:57 Exploring Gamora: The Perfect Host
35:15 Minion Control with Vision
48:19 Community Engagement and Deck Building

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
E55 - The Night Nurse (w/ The Marvel Chumpions)
Join the hosts as they dive into the vibrant world of Marvel Champions, sharing their favorite heroes and deck-building strategies. Discover the intriguing dynamics of the Night Nurse card, exploring its thematic depth and gameplay mechanics. Personal anecdotes add flavor as they discuss collaboration and character synergy in gameplay. Listeners will enjoy insights on maximizing the effectiveness of various cards, while embracing the unique power of teamwork in encounters. A celebration of creativity and strategy awaits!

Jan 3, 2025 • 28min
All Hands on Decks #6 - Sidekick decks!
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 the our mini-series, Boomguy and Andy explore two unique decks in the Marvel Champions game. The first deck, 'Drax Tank and Spank with Mantis Sidekick Healer,' focuses on utilizing Drax's strengths alongside Mantis as a sidekick healer. The second deck, 'Wasp and Ant-Man with a Great Equalizer,' aims to enhance Wasp's capabilities by leveraging Ant-Man's potential through various attachments and strategies. The hosts discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each deck, categorize them based on player archetypes, and share insights on deck building and gameplay strategies.
Drank "Tank and Spank" with Mantis Sidekick Healer: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/38888/drax-tank-and-spank-with-mantis-sidekick-healer-1.0
Wasp and Ant-Man with a Great Equalizer (fixed): https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44671/wasp-and-ant-man-with-a-great-equalizer-fixed-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:08 Exploring Drax Tank and Spank Deck
09:45 Reviewing Wasp and Ant-Man Deck
25:59 Conclusion and Future Deck Suggestions

Dec 31, 2024 • 1h 27min
E54.5 - 2024 Year in Review
In this episode of the Winning Hand Podcast, hosts Boomguy and LazyTitan reflect on the year 2024 in Marvel Champions, discussing the highlights of their podcast, the impact of reprints, the rise of mutants, and the re-introduction of Alliance cards. They also delve into the villains of the year, particularly focusing on the Age of Apocalypse and the Four Horsemen scenario, providing insights into gameplay mechanics and strategies. In this episode, the hosts delve into the mechanics of hit points and villain strategies in Marvel Champions, exploring various scenarios and modular sets. They discuss their favorite hero packs, aspect cards, and ultimately reveal their favorite heroes of the year, highlighting the evolving gameplay and strategies within the game.
Favorite decks of the year:
1. Blue Christmas: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44647/blue-christmas-1.0
2. Galactic Pool Cleaner: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/38503/galactic-pool-cleaner-1.0
3. The Superior Iron Man: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/38974/the-superior-iron-man-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Winning Hand Podcast
02:11 Recap of 2024 Episodes and Highlights
06:05 Exploring the Age of Apocalypse Wave
11:24 Reprints and Their Impact on Gameplay
15:26 The Rise of Mutants in Marvel Champions
19:22 Exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe
21:10 The Rise of Mutants in Marvel
23:48 Alliance Cards: A New Gameplay Mechanic
32:53 Villains of the Marvel Universe: The Age of Apocalypse
38:21 Hit Points and Villain Mechanics
41:12 Exploring Apocalypse and Dark Beast Scenarios
46:16 Modular Sets and Encounter Cards
49:13 Favorite Villains and Encounter Sets
56:21 Favorite Aspect Cards and Heroes
01:00:52 Exploring New Archetypes and Strategies
01:02:10 Best Basic Cards of the Year
01:05:12 Justice Aspect Highlights
01:07:24 Leadership Cards and Their Impact
01:11:03 Protection Aspect Innovations
01:19:53 Favorite Heroes of the Year
01:26:50 Signoff

Dec 27, 2024 • 30min
All Hands on Decks #5 - Beta Ray Bill decks!
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

Dec 24, 2024 • 1h 10min
E54 - "Welcome Aboard"
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

Dec 10, 2024 • 59min
E53 - Throg
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.

Nov 27, 2024 • 53min
E52.5 - Con of Heroes 2025 Announcement
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

Nov 26, 2024 • 59min
E52 - Spycraft
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