Yesterday I attended a MCP event run by our good friends Curtis and Grant of the Throwing Dice Podcast. It was so much fun and I feel like I am starting to get the hang of how the game plays and some of the nuances when facing different affiliations. I thought I would do a quick breakdown of my games, along with some of the lessons I learnt.
Game 1: Hydra vs Winter Guard
Crisis Cards: Hammers and Mayor Fisk
For my first game I played against Jon and his Winter Guard. This was a really fun game and I was able to utilise a sneaky play on turn one with the World Domination tactics card to gain an early advantage in VPs. I had the benefit of numbers too which came in handy, especially as Red Skull really performed – dazing Hela in one activation and just putting out damage consistently. We ran out of time to finish all the rounds but I was ahead on VPs when the game ended.
Game 2: Hydra vs Defenders
Crisis Cards: Montesi Formula and Mayor Fisk
My second game was against Curtis, one of the event organisers, and his Defenders list. Once again with priority and Mayor Fisk I was able to claim World Domination and the extra VP and power which came in handy, but overall I was unable to capitalise on the advantage and some great plays from Curtis (especially his combo of Elektra, ninjas and Daredevil) proved too sneaky and he held enough books to get a healthy advantage in victory points. Couple this with Wolverine just slicing Red Skull to bits and victory was Curtis!
Game 3: Hydra vs Web Warriors
Crisis Cards: Skrulls and Super-Powered Scoundrels
This game was really over before it started as I chose the wrong kind of list to go up against Cris’ super nimble and mobile Web Warriors. I took a taller list, including a Sleeper Agent Hulk, but lacked the mobility to catch the Web Warriors and stop them holding the Skrulls and running away with them. Additionally, Strucker’s leadership did not come into effect much as I wasn’t suffering damage so did not need the healing ability from handing out conditions. Still it was a fun game and one where I feel I learnt loads on how to play the game.
Game 4: Hydra vs Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Crisis Cards: Skrulls and Gamma Wave
My final game was against Josh’s Magneto-led Brotherhoods list and boy was this a fun game! We both had loads of conditions to hand out, which mean Strucker was working hard to transfer them back to the mutants with his leadership ability. This also mean that Strucker was a priority target so looking back I should have worked to keep him better protected. That said, Sleeper Agent Hulk worked really well this game, his ability to shut off reactive superpowers and team tactics cards really hampered Josh’s counter-Hulk strategies. This super bloody game ended with a narrow victory for me which I was really happy about as it felt super back and forth all throughout.
Lessons Learnt
As all of my games were against affiliations that I had not faced before, it was interesting to see how differently they all played. From the Winter Guard getting up and close for a brawl to Web Warriors just running circles around me, it is important to seriously consider what your opponent’s game plan will be as much as your own game plan.
I ran Zola in all my games over the weekend and was underwhelmed by him each time. Maybe I am not playing particularly well with him, but his gainer is not that particularly impressive and his 2 physical defence really leaves him vulnerable. Perhaps he is better as a back board support character or maybe I should run next to some sort of bodyguard piece – I am welcome to suggestions on how to run him better!
Mutant Snake Eyes 