One thing that the Marvel and DC Legends sets removed was the “legacy” card section (cards that fit into old teams and old strategies). With that in mind, we decided to reinstate the legacy in Marvel Universe, along with the regular unaffiliated and boutique characters. (“Boutique” is a term we use to denote teams that aren’t full sized, have a full curve, or any non-character support.) In Marvel Universe it was decided by “flava Flav” guru Billy Zonos that we try to include a lot of characters that have been conspicuously absent from the world of Vs. System. There are several very popular and/or historic characters that make their debut in this expansion. They include:
- Doc Samson
- Dum-Dum Dugan
- War Machine
- Red Skull (not the lame Syndicate one ;))
- James Barnes (Bucky/Winter Soldier)
- M.O.D.O.K.
- Mandarin
- Viper
- Mastermind Excello
- Beta Ray Bill
- Sasquatch
- Loki
- Abomination
- The Beyonder
- Death
- And finally . . . Fin Fang Foom!
The classic dragon alien villain is a longtime enemy of Iron Man, and he’s appeared more recently in Nextwave. His name means, in his own language, “he whose limbs shatter mountains and whose back scrapes the sun.” We originally intended on trying to fit that enormous name in his version line (Billy had the idea of having his version overflow into the borders or the art of the card), but sanity got the better of us.
In the game sense, Fin Fang Foom is not your average 8-drop. He has built into him a panic button mechanic, which means you can play him for 4 resources if you are willing to pay the price! And it’s quite a hefty price—you lose all your resources and characters from the table. In exchange, you get a 20 ATK/17 DEF body, but you had better use it wisely, as Fin Fang Foom only stays for one night if you play him this way. There are a few ways to ensure that this dragon-like alien gets the most bang for his buck. Firstly, using turn-duration ATK pumps ensures that when he hits, he hits hard. Cards like Flying Kick and Crackshot can be played in response to his “KO everything” trigger, and they aren’t combat phase sensitive. Also, cards that remove reinforcement for the turn, like Blind Sided, will ensure that the full force of the 20 ATK is planted straight in the face of an opponent. Also, though FFF’s power of returning everything to hand is a delayed trigger that cannot be removed (even if FFF isn’t there anymore), it may be possible to take advantage by substituting in a big guy, and with a character like Hulk, Strongest One There Is, probably only one turn is necessary!
As promised last week, I’m going to announce the Vs. Hero of the Month! This month’s hero will receive a full set of DC Legends. The winners this month are a couple of guys who have worked tirelessly for this game, seeing it through both good times and rough, but they’ve always found something interesting and positive to talk about. They have entertained us with hours-long discussions of the merits of each card from new sets, as well as stories from their Hobby League, and more recently, a Mega Weekend in Chicago. The winner is: The Ring Has Chosen! Cliff Parmenter and Squire Kershner are the pinnacles of Vs. fans, and for this I salute them. I’ve had a chance to work with both (and meet Cliff), and their enthusiasm for the game we play knows no bounds. Congratulations, guys!
Special mentions should also go to the guys at:
All these guys work really hard by giving the community some quality reading. I’ll be trying to put together a surprise for these guys who came so close. I’d also like to give special props to last month’s winners, Lost Hemisphere, for not resting on their laurels. They are still cranking out the best Vs. content on the web, and they do it with a passion.
This is the last full week of previews, so don’t miss out!
See you next week, when I wrap up the loose ends!
Good Games,
TBS