The Mutant Genesis

This is a set of eight hero decks from Mutant Genesis / Wave 6. These eight decks only require one Core Set, the Mutant Genesis Expansion box, and the six Wave 6 Hero packs. All eight can be built at once, and can be mixed and matched for multi-player games.

I learned a very valuable lesson from Sentinels of the Multiverse. Well, two lessons, if you include that I absolutely love superhero-themed, card-based, cooperative games that can also be played solo. The main lesson was this: Do not try to haul the entire collection to game night. More relevant to Marvel Champions - Never do deck building at game night.

Marvel Champions had just hooked me; I enjoyed playing it two-handed solo and wanted to try it out with my weekly gaming group. With these lessons in mind, I approached deckbuilding a little differently with Mutant Genesis and the accompanying wave of mutants. Armed with only a Core Set, Mutant Genesis, and the Wave 6 Hero packs, I constructed a series of grab-and-play decks that could be used interchangeably for 2-4 players (Probably solo, too, but I never tested them). These decks were tested against the Mutant Genesis Campaign, and all of the decks were successful in their pairings.

* Note: At this point in the comic books (early 1990's), Jean Grey was Marvel Girl, and Rachael Summers was Phoenix - confusing, right?

Phoenix, the Bright Light

This Phoenix deck sticks with its precon-suggested Justice aspect. It focuses on maximizing her high Thwarting potential, doubling down with Allies that are useful Thwarters, and utilizing her kit tools to help control the board. Once Phoenix has the board under control, she has a few very powerful opportunities to damage her enemies.

Burns Twice as Bright

Phoenix has ultimate Threat Control. Her "natural" 3 Thwart in Restrained makes her the best natural Thwarter in the game. Having a Heroic Intuition on the board means she runs circles around every other hero with just her basic action alone. Additionally, having two basic activations available with Phoenix Firebird, Phoenix becomes the BEST Thwarter in the game; with just her basic Thwart activation! With this deck, we are doubling down. We've added tools like For Justice! and the highly thematic and functional Psychic Manipulation. In multi-player situations, Phoenix can often single-handedly control the threat on the table, allowing her teammates to focus on the Villain and Minions.

Her allies, Daredevil and Storm, want to thwart. They should be the main targets for Mission Training, ramping up their Thwarting ability and giving them additional staying power on the board. Marvel Girl fills a more situational role; she can attack or thwart depending on what targets are available. Use Blindfold to try to pitch Shadow of the Past, as Dark Phoenix is one of the NASTIEST nemesis sets in the game. Avengers Mansion and Helicarrier help even out Phoenix's slightly higher cost-curve, and X-Mansion helps keep your minions on board longer. Cerebro makes sure your board is full of allies.

Mutant Peacekeepers is here just in case things get a little out of hand. A fully developed board with a couple of Mission Trainings should net 11-13 threat removal.

but Burns Half as Long

But Thwarting doesn't win you games (most of the time). Once you have the threat under control and are ready to bring the game to a close, Phoenix can switch to Unleased and trade her 3 Thwart in for 3 Attack. Phoenix's kit attack events, Psychic Blast and Telekinetic Attack, both have additional damage kickers when used in Unleashed. You can use Phoenix Firebird to keep up the pressure, or combine it with White Hot Room and Cyclops to flip Phoenix Force back to Restrained

Rise from the Ashes will always reset you in Unleased, so timing its activation is key to closing out the game on your terms.

The Mutant Genesis Deck Lists

• Colossus, the Immovable Object
• Shadowcat, Tiny, but Fierce
• Cyclops, the Commander
• Phoenix, the Bright Light
• Wolverine, Feral Rage
• Storm, Natural Leader
• Gambit, Ace in the Hole
• Rogue, Steel-Fisted Magnolia