Winning Hand - A Marvel Champions Podcast

Con of Heroes DECKS - All Hands on Decks #13

In this episode of All Hands on Decks, Boomguy and Andyr discuss their experiences at the recent Marvel Champions con, focusing on the evolving trends in deck building, the impact of new cards, and the dynamics of multiplayer gameplay. They explore the noticeable decline in player side schemes, the underrepresentation of certain heroes like Nick Fury and Maria Hill, and the importance of damage output in multiplayer settings. The conversation also touches on the absence of team up cards and how players are adapting their strategies to enhance deck consistency and effectiveness. In this episode, the hosts delve into various Marvel Champions decks showcased at a recent convention, highlighting innovative strategies and community engagement. They discuss the clever use of Enhanced Awareness in resource management, the effectiveness of the Nightcrawler Injustice deck, and the unique playstyle of the Wildcard Iron Man deck. The conversation also explores a Colossus defense deck that emphasizes protection and the excitement of discovering new archetypes like alter ego only decks. The hosts celebrate the creativity of the community and encourage players to share their unique deck builds.
Here are the decks we discussed:
Phoenix Leadership (SDx)
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49481/phoenix-soul-queens-are-here-to-slay-your-side-schemes-1.0
Nick Aggression (LazyTitan)
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49689/overkill-em-1.0
Scarlet Witch Basic (Astrodar)
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49375/witch-doctor-1.0
Nova Leadership (TheDailyStrugle)
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/48382/sam-s-lan-party-1.0
Justice Ms. Marvel - Spike
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/48069/3-4-player-burst-thwart-unthreatened-team-is-a-happy-team-1.0
Justice Tony Stark - Johnny
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49445/tony-stark-director-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-1.0
Colossus Protection - Johnny
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49334/nyet-1.0
Gambit Protection - Timmy
https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/49305/fortune-favors-the-shy-coh25-3.0
Chapters
00:00 Post-Con Reflections and Deck Trends02:53 Player Side Schemes: A Shift in Strategy05:49 The Role of Allies: Nick Fury and Maria Hill08:56 Deck Consistency and Gameplay Dynamics11:46 The Evolution of Deck Building: Beyond Aspects14:49 Team Up Cards: Missed Opportunities17:45 Support Decks and Command Team Strategies20:49 Voltron Strategies and Standout Decks28:20 Deck Consistency and Trends30:14 The Importance of Damage in Multiplayer35:53 Underrepresented Heroes at the Con39:01 Innovative Deck Strategies48:22 The Alter Ego Iron Man Deck55:33 Colossus: A Defense Deck for the Table59:48 Deck Building Insights01:00:15 Exploring Other Players' Decks01:01:11 The Basic Witch Deck Breakdown01:04:04 Overkillem: A Damage-Focused Deck01:08:23 The Shy Deck: A New Legend Emerges01:13:42 Nova Leadership: Ally Heavy Strategy01:18:32 Ms. Marvel Justice: Thwarting Everything

E65 - Con of Heroes 2025 Recap

In this episode we wrap up all the goodness that was the Con of Heroes 2025 and we say good-bye to Leethus, who is leaving us for less-green pastures. 
 
As always, you can get in touch by email: winninghandpodcast@gmail.com

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 Podcast01:53 Content Creator Spotlight: MC Deck Discussions04:02 Trivia Time: Adam Warlock's Origins06:52 Exploring Adam Warlock's Abilities07:56 Card of the Day: Adam Warlock15:58 Thematic Consistency in Adam Warlock's Design21:40 Evaluating Adam Warlock's Strength as an Ally25:20 Return on Investment in Card Mechanics27:35 Building Around Adam Warlock30:45 The Aerial Trait and Its Implications32:37 Rules and Interactions with Adam Warlock36:41 Deck Building Strategies and Personal Experiences46:32 Final Thoughts on Adam Warlock56:48 Outro

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 Highlights05:38 Audience Question: Collecting Habits in LCGs08:37 Player Engagement and Content Acquisition11:52 Living Through the Game vs. Joining Later13:16 Deck Building and Collection Management20:03 Content Creator Recommendation and Con of Heroes Decks23:30 Deck Strategies and Themes31:38 Deck Lineup for Con of Heroes35:21 Hero Selection and Personal Preferences44:57 Con of Heroes Info47:24 Introduction to Daring Escape50:29 Art and Flavor Text Analysis53:11 Thematic Exploration of Star-Lord58:47 Card Power and Gameplay Dynamics01:05:50 Understanding Daring Escape's Role01:09:53 The Fun Factor of Daring Escape01:12:46 Star-Lord's Gambler Mentality01:18:17 Final Thoughts on Daring Escape01:21:46 Farewell to Lethus01:25:53 Outro

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 Decks02:42 Exploring Leadership Decks09:25 Diving into Aggression Decks16:39 What Makes a Good Multiplayer Deck?25:51 Key Cards for Multiplayer Success30:46 Multiplayer Mindset35:35 Deck Building for Multiplayer38:00 Exploring New Decks49:59 Wolverine and Team Dynamics57:00 The Joy of Multiplayer Gameplay

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 Podcast02:48 Content Creator Spotlight: My Name Jeff06:46 Star-Lord Protection10:50 Drax Protection14:41 Iceman Leadership, Protection, and 'Pool?17:17 X23 and Valkyrie: Powerful Hero Insights20:21 Captain America: Versatile Strategies23:22 Nick Fury: The New Spy on the Block25:20 Vision - Aggression, Protection, and Sidekick?27:47 Musical Inspirations in Deck Names29:06 Exploring the Danger Room Card30:27 The Evolution of the Danger Room42:11 Thematic Elements of X-Men Support48:23 Exploring X-Men Cards and Their Themes54:57 The Experience of Living Card Games01:00:06 Power and Strategy of Danger Room01:10:06 Final Thoughts on Danger Room and X-Men Cards01:18:03 Outro

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 Content03:06 Exploring the New Standard Set06:08 Symbiote Suits: Mechanics and Strategies09:06 Art and Design of the Custom Cards12:07 Flipping Mechanics: Allies to Minions14:54 New Keywords and Their Impact18:09 Conclusion and Future Insights22:15 Balancing Encounter Mechanics23:49 Introducing New Nemesis Mechanics27:15 Exploring Symbiote Attachments28:54 Understanding Suit Malfunction31:59 Logistics for Con of Heroes34:21 Packing Essentials for Attendees36:46 Custom Cards and Trading at the Con40:52 Outro

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 Heroes06:11 Panelist Introductions and Experiences08:57 What to Bring to the Con12:00 Deck Selection Strategies15:04 Playing Comfortably and Enjoying the Game20:12 Deck Preparation and Sleeving Strategies23:00 Borrowing and Sharing Decks at Conventions26:00 Unique Cards and Their Importance in Multiplayer29:03 Understanding the Multiverse Rule34:59 Casual Atmosphere and Deck Flexibility41:41 Deck Building Strategies for Conventions44:09 Adapting Decks for Multiplayer Dynamics51:48 Community and Inclusivity at the Con58:09 Surprises and Expectations at the Con01:08:47 Excitement for Upcoming Conventions01:12:00 Choosing Heroes and Decks for the Con01:19:48 Deck Strategies and Scenarios Discussion01:25:31 Final Thoughts on Heroes and Scenarios01:30:59 The Excitement of Deck Building01:32:29 The Pool Deck Dilemma01:34:58 Food and Fun at the Convention01:39:49 Community Engagement and Custom Content01:46:44 Final Thoughts and Farewell