Marvel Champions: The Card Game

Setting up a scenario in Marvel Champions involves preparing three distinct decks. First, gather all cards with 'Villain' under their name to form the Villain's Deck. These cards often have Roman numerals or letters (e.g., Rhino I, Rhino II, Rhino III) indicating different stages of the villain. Next, identify all cards with 'Main Scheme' under their name to create the Main Scheme Deck; these are typically horizontal and double-sided. Finally, the remaining scenario cards, along with any specified Standard Encounter Set and Modular Encounter Sets, form the Encounter Deck. The first main scheme card will provide detailed instructions on which villain stages to use (based on difficulty), which Standard Encounter Set to include, and which Modular Encounter Sets (if any) are mandatory or recommended.

The primary objective in Marvel Champions is for all players to cooperatively defeat the chosen villain. This is achieved by reducing the villain's total hit points to zero. Simultaneously, players must work together to prevent the villain from successfully completing their main scheme, which would lead to a loss condition. The game is a race against time and the villain's escalating threats, requiring strategic planning and effective teamwork.

A game of Marvel Champions is structured into rounds, each comprising two main phases: the Player Phase and the Villain Phase. During the Player Phase, each hero takes their turn, performing actions such as playing cards, attacking the villain or minions, thwarting schemes, or activating abilities. In the subsequent Villain Phase, the villain and any minions activate, attacking players or advancing their schemes, and players draw encounter cards that introduce new challenges and threats.

Marvel Champions is a fully cooperative game, meaning there is no individual scoring. All players either win or lose together as a team. Success is measured by the collective defeat of the villain, while failure occurs if the villain's main scheme is completed or if all heroes are defeated and cannot be revived. The focus is entirely on shared strategy and mutual support rather than competitive scores.

The game concludes in one of two ways: either the players achieve victory or they suffer defeat. Players win immediately if they successfully reduce the villain's hit points to zero. Conversely, players lose if the main scheme accumulates enough threat to be completed, or if all participating heroes are defeated and there are no means to revive them. Some scenarios may also introduce unique win or lose conditions specified on their main scheme cards.