CMON has released an in-depth look at the core box contents for DC Super Heroes United, providing insights into the game’s mechanics, character abilities, & the intricate balance between heroes & villains.
The update meticulously details each of the playable heroes, villains, & locations included in the core set. This comprehensive overview promises to bring the DC universe to life on game tables across the world, offering players a chance to embody their favorite characters in a strategic & immersive tabletop experience.
Check out our review of Marvel United Here
Superman: The Man of Steel Takes Flight
Leading the charge is Superman, bringing the full might of his Kryptonian physiology to the tabletop. His unique abilities allow players to gain Wild tokens when needed, reflecting his versatile power set. Superman’s Starting Hand cards grant him constant flight capabilities, ensuring he’s never immobilized. These cards also provide invulnerability, allowing him to resist damage & counterattack effectively.
True to his comic book persona, Superman’s Heat Vision enables attacks on adjacent Locations, while his Super-Breath serves a dual purpose – rescuing Civilians or repelling Thugs. This design choice showcases CMON’s commitment to capturing the essence of each character’s powers within the game mechanics of DC Super Heroes United.
Batman: The Dark Knight’s Strategic Prowess
The World’s Greatest Detective lives up to his name in DC Super Heroes United. Batman’s abilities center around uncovering the Villain’s Master Plan, demonstrating his unparalleled analytical skills. His training manifests as a potent combat ability, allowing him to double Attacks from previous cards. Batman’s indomitable will is represented by his capacity to continue fighting when others would falter. In a nod to his vast resources, Batman can supply the team with Wild tokens, showcasing his role as both a fighter & a supporter.
A unique feature of Batman’s gameplay is his arsenal of bat-gadgets. Players can choose from various options before entering battle, including the versatile Batarang for knocking out adjacent enemies, a Grapnel for manipulating Civilian or Thug positions, Cape Wings for enhanced movement, Armored Gauntlets for increased protection, a Lie Detector to flip Thugs into Civilians (and vice versa), & an Antidote to remove Crisis tokens.
Wonder Woman: Amazonian Versatility
The princess of the Amazons brings a well-rounded approach to combat, with her cards offering a balanced mix of all Actions. Wonder Woman’s Amazonian Power keeps her in the fight & her bracelets charged, while her Invisible Jet grants superior mobility. Diana’s iconic Lasso of Truth serves as both an offensive & strategic tool, capable of subduing enemies or compelling the Villain to reveal their next Master Plan step.
Wonder Woman’s Bracelets of Submission offer defensive capabilities that extend to nearby Heroes, emphasizing her protective nature. Her Invisible Jet can also be used to transport another Hero, highlighting her role in team coordination. These abilities make Wonder Woman a versatile & indispensable member of the team in DC Super Heroes United.
The Flash: Speed Incarnate
The Fastest Man Alive lives up to his name with a unique mechanic that sees him gaining speed as the game progresses. His Speed Force Conduit cards accumulate Move tokens, allowing for increasingly rapid movement across the board. Moreover, The Flash can perform Attack or Heroic Actions in each Location he enters, simulating his ability to act at superhuman speeds.
The Flash’s Speed Force Aura provides protection scaling with the number of Conduit cards played, while his Charged card allows for instant teleportation & action. His Costume Ring Equipment ensures he always has access to a Speed Force Conduit card when needed, reflecting his preparedness & quick thinking. This design brilliantly captures the essence of the character in DC Super Heroes United.
Aquaman: Master of the Seas
The Lord of the Seven Seas brings his connection to marine life into play, allowing him to act through creatures in any Location. His Atlantean physiology grants him exceptional stamina, represented by healing abilities & Action token generation. Aquaman’s command over the oceans is embodied in his Tidal Wave ability, which can relocate Thugs or Civilians across different Locations.
The Trident of Poseidon offers players a choice of powerful effects, from self-healing to remote rescues or multi-location attacks. These abilities make Aquaman a versatile & strategic choice in DC Super Heroes United, capable of influencing the game state across the entire board.
Cyborg: The Living Arsenal
Victor Stone’s cybernetic enhancements make him a versatile powerhouse in DC Super Heroes United. His Mechano abilities allow for attacks on adjacent Locations, while his Charged card can be flipped for various Action combinations. This design reflects Cyborg’s adaptability & technological prowess, making him a formidable ally in any situation.
Cyborg’s Boom Tube generation not only facilitates his own movement but can also transport an accompanying Hero, emphasizing his role in team coordination. This ability, combined with his offensive capabilities, positions Cyborg as a crucial support character who can turn the tide of battle through strategic positioning & timely attacks.
Darkseid: The Apokoliptian Tyrant
In DC Super Heroes United, Darkseid’s relentless pursuit of the Anti-Life Equation forms the core of his character mechanics. Players must race against Darkseid as he collects Threat cards containing equation pieces. Heroes can temporarily hinder his progress by flipping these to their Life Equation side, adding a strategic layer to the confrontation.
Darkseid’s attacks are devastating, capable of striking across multiple Locations & growing stronger when Under Pressure. His BAM! ability shuts down Heroes’ cards in the Storyline, while his Master Plan cards deal powerful attacks not only in his Location but also in adjacent ones or even across the play area. This design captures the overwhelming threat that Darkseid represents in the DC universe.
The Joker: Chaos Incarnate
True to his unpredictable nature, The Joker presents a unique challenge in DC Super Heroes United. Heroes must investigate to reveal him among the Thugs, completing three Missions to make him vulnerable. His Joker Venom mechanic introduces Crisis tokens that can weaken Heroes or cause hallucinations, forcing them to treat Heroic Actions as Attacks & vice versa.
Harley Quinn serves as a formidable Henchman, immune to Heroes with Crisis tokens & potentially resurrectable by The Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime’s ability to spread Venom, neutralize Heroes’ cards, & decimate the Civilian population unless protected adds layers of complexity to the game, making him a truly formidable & thematic opponent.
Lex Luthor: The Mastermind
In a clever twist, Lex Luthor initially poses as a Hero in DC Super Heroes United to gain public support. Players must prevent him from completing Missions while contending with his Legion of Doom Henchmen. This unique mechanic reflects Luthor’s cunning & manipulative nature, challenging players to see through his deception.
Once Under Pressure, Lex’s true nature emerges, attacking Heroes & endangering Civilians. His War Suit provides significant damage absorption, & he can restore health to his Legion, making him a persistent threat. This design captures Luthor’s resourcefulness & adaptability, making him a worthy adversary for the heroes.
The Cheetah: Swift & Deadly
The Cheetah offers a more straightforward but no less challenging encounter in DC Super Heroes United. Her gameplay revolves around swift attacks & evasion, constantly moving away from pursuing Heroes. This design choice perfectly encapsulates The Cheetah’s predatory nature & superhuman agility.
Her Void Wind ability is particularly effective against Heroes with numerous Special Effects, adding a layer of strategic consideration to character selection & ability use. Once put Under Pressure, The Cheetah’s evasive tactics intensify, requiring coordinated efforts from the heroes to corner & defeat her, making for an exciting & dynamic confrontation.
Locations: Bringing the DC Universe to Life
DC Super Heroes United includes a variety of iconic locations, each with unique effects that influence gameplay. Central City grants Heroic tokens but remains crowded, while Smallville offers Hero recovery in a quiet setting. The Hall of Doom overflows with Thugs but reveals Master Plan steps, & the Watchtower allows Storyline card manipulation.
Atlantis provides Wild tokens in exchange for Crisis tokens, & Themyscira grants Action tokens when isolated from Thugs. Apokolips inflicts pain on visitors, while the Hall of Justice enables Heroes to act anywhere or remove Crisis tokens. Metropolis facilitates easy Civilian rescue, & Gotham City enhances Hero combat but empowers Henchmen. These diverse locations add depth & strategy to the game, ensuring each playthrough offers new challenges & opportunities.
Check out our previous coverage of DC Super Heroes United Below
DC Super Heroes United, with its Core Box, is a meticulously designed system that captures the essence of what makes each character unique in the DC pantheon. From Superman’s unwavering strength to Batman’s tactical genius, from Wonder Woman’s versatility to The Flash’s ever-increasing speed, each hero feels true to their comic book counterpart. The villains, too, are more than just obstacles to overcome – they’re fully realized threats with their own strategies and win conditions.
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