Winning Hand - A Marvel Champions Podcast

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

E61 - Spider-Ham (Hero)

On this day three years ago, Fantasy Flight launched their biggest April Fool's joke yet: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2022/4/1/hamming-it-up/
Was it real? Was it fake? We may never know. 
Join Boomguy, LazyTitan, and Leethus as they break down their least favorite cartoon pig! 
We also spotlight a content creator you should check out:  ⁨@ZiggyZ55Z⁩ 
He also has a new book out: https://youtu.be/wwAJThY2hFA?si=N8apcqaRqgwXormG
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Winning Hand Podcast03:00 Content Creator Spotlight: ZiggyZ5505:59 Recent Gameplay Experiences08:49 Exploring the Deadpool Aspect11:54 Iceman and Jubilee: Heroes in Focus15:00 Thor and Groot: Recent Favorites17:58 New Heroes: Maria Hill and Nick Fury21:04 Card of the Day: Spider Ham27:44 The Quirky World of Spider-Ham29:09 Unpacking Spider-Ham's Origins30:49 The Villains of Spider-Ham36:39 Art and Aesthetics of Spider-Ham39:33 Thematic Elements of Spider-Ham43:12 Game Mechanics and Balance of Spider-Ham46:52 Exploring Spider-Ham's Unique Mechanics49:50 The Power of Spider-Ham: A Hero's Strength53:20 Ranking Spider-Ham Among Heroes59:30 Fun Factor: Playing as Spider-Ham01:03:32 Final Thoughts and Ratings

E60.5 - Black Panther Spoiler Cards!

In this episode, we discuss two new spoiler cards from Fantasy Flight Games for the upcoming Black Panther (Shuri) hero pack. You can see the original reveal article here.
Join us as we break down the art, theme, power, and fun for these cards!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to New Cards03:03 Analysis of Dora Milaje and Allies06:06 Art and Theme Discussion09:11 Synergy and Gameplay Mechanics12:00 Final Thoughts on Card Package17:48 The Power of Allies in Gameplay20:12 Strategic Use of Leadership and Healing22:40 Design and Flexibility of the Dora Milaje Package24:40 Overall Impressions and Ratings of the Package30:14 Future Potential and Trait Development32:28 Outro
 

All Hands on Decks #11 - Multi-Aspect Heroes!

Talking all about multi-aspect heroes! In this episode, Boomguy and AndyR explore the theme of multi-aspect heroes in Marvel Champions, discussing various deck archetypes and showcasing specific decks centered around characters like Adam Warlock, Spider-Woman, Cable, Gamora, and Cyclops. They delve into listener comments, the dynamics of different player archetypes, and the unique challenges and strategies involved in building multi-aspect decks. We highlight the creativity and fun that can arise from these unique deck-building opportunities while also acknowledging the complexities they introduce.
1. Children of the Atom (Warlock): https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44735/children-of-the-atom-warlock-1.0
2. Jess & Carol Kill the Marvel Universe: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/39819/jess-and-carol-kill-the-marvel-universe-1.0
3. Maria Maria (Do your friends love cards?): https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45479/maria-maria-do-your-friends-love-cards-1.0
4. Psy-Kickin' It: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44648/psy-kickin-it-1.0
5. Rogue+Pete=8+ Gunboat every time!: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/44997/rogue-pete-8-gunboat-every-time-1.0
6. What if we used 100% of Gamora's ability? [True Solo]: https://marvelcdb.com/decklist/view/45030/what-if-we-used-100-of-gamora-s-ability-true-solo-1.0
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Winning Hand and Deck Building
01:07 Understanding Spike, Johnny, and Timmy Players
04:19 The Timmy Player Dilemma in Marvel Champions
09:06 Nomenclature for Deck Archetypes
13:10 Exploring Multi-Aspect Heroes
17:43 Deck Showcase: Adam Warlock
23:46 Deck Showcase: Spider-Woman
29:29 Deck Showcase: Cable
32:13 Exploring Psionic Strategies
34:46 Deck Building Insights and Recommendations
37:02 Maria Hill: The Card Draw Engine
39:58 Gamora's Solo Deck: A Unique Approach
50:34 Cyclops and Gunboat Diplomacy
01:02:52 Reflections on Multi-Aspect Heroes