Nick's Sidekick

Against Non-Steady/Stalwart Villains: -1 #Ironheart, +1 Mockingbird

We're going to be loading up the stealth suit with threat with sidekick Maria Hill, then utilizing them in various ways. Typically, it will be Fury's Watch when you get it out or using your basic attack if there are minions that need to be dealt with. In the early game, you'll just be focused on surviving and building your economy. Survival can be through chump blocking with one of you non-Maria Hill allies, which can be recurred via Make the Call. You can also use the EM Shield to prevent damage and maybe multiples times via Practiced Plan.

Side-by-Side is less important in the first deck pass, while you're getting your economy (Avengers Mansion, Helicarrier, Clarity of Purpose, and Fury's Watch) setup. I'm not saying to never use it, but it's probably going to be less important than allies or economy. Speaking of Clarity of Purpose, you'll be taking some damage to help with your economy. Thankfully, Nick has a 4 recovery stat and seems like you can flip down without too much worry of threat when you have Professor X to confuse the villain or Intelligence Analysis out to cancel the a Scheme card. It can then be replayed if you have Practiced Plan in play.

Maria Hill as a sidekick should be your primary thwarter as she will add threat to your suit at a 1-to-1 ratio. Most of your other allies have a 2 thwart as well. There are other way's to get threat on your suit like Eyepatch Camera (with Practiced Plan), Secret Agent, Safe House #221, and Concentrated Fire. After the first deck pass, you can do Side-by-Side with Maria and the other cards to load up on threat and have Nick use that threat for big attacks. I would probably get Combat Specialist with the Specialized Training so Nick can attack for 6+ with Fury's Flying Car and threat on your suit.

Let me know what you think!