Victor Mancha

I use to include him in my Nightcrawler deck, along with Hangar Bay to stall two 1ATK minions, which slows the pressure for a team that still needs to build up or focus other things before dealing with minions. And NC deals with the villain, covering both types of most common damaging menaces. The said deck was on a team of three who also included Honorary X-Men to allow the X-Mansion to heal him when no other important character is wounded. That makes him cappable of walling a 2-Atk minion for 4+ turns, and also raises his HP to 5 which can result into even surviving a villain's attack. Ops Room can help him soak 2-ATK minions and reward you with threat removal for three turns at 6ER total.

matchet · 55
Common Criminal

This Card is...weird. It's basically just an opportunity for you to get absurdly crazy value...one resource for three threat removal is absolutely busted. It does nothing really bad, just surge which is not bad because this card for itself isn't bad...so sometimes drawing this is better than drawing only the card the surge gets you.

"Stop Hitting Yourself"

Just managed an 18 damage play with this card and Gambit in Protection...Had Natural Agility, 2 x Expert Defense cards, a double resource and "Stop Hitting Yourself" in my hand.

Gambit had 8 charge counters after playing Natural Agility...and with Expert Defenses and an Armor Vest...he was defending for 18!!

Actually ended up with those five cards in my hand the previous turn (after some card draws)....decided to just keep them at the end of the player phase...it felt GLORIOUS!

Ready for a Fight

Abilities that allow you to cheat form change have always felt super strong, and now having one such in Protection has increased the way I value the aspect.

It's a staple for many heroes that love to use defense events. The major problem with them has always been this: you end your turn in alter-ego and now suddenly your hand is full of defense events that are not playable. This card amends that, as it allows you to restock in alter-ego, then switch during the villain phase and do your protection job without the need to 'pass' a turn.

Don't sleep on Ready for a Fight.

MarTom · 10
Field Agent

This card should see some more mileage with the addition of S.H.I.E.L.D Deputy. One of the previous downsides of this card was SHIELD was a very niche trait and the allies that had it were often less impressive than many other allies. Now that any ally can get the SHIELD trait (must be played by a SHIELD identity), this card may replace Med Team for select ally strategies.