The wait is finally over for Marvel Champions players as the highly anticipated Magneto Hero Pack is set to release this November. Introducing Erik Lehnsherr, the iconic X-Men anti-hero with the power to control magnetism, as a new playable hero, this expansion promises to bring a powerful & strategic twist to the tabletop scene.
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“All that I’ve endured, & everything I’ve done, it was all to preserve mutantkind.”
– Fantasy Flight Games
Once the X-Men’s greatest foe, Erik Lehnsherr has now renounced his villainous ways & taken up his friend Xavier’s dream of peaceful coexistence between mutants & humans. As Magneto, he brings his incredible power over magnetism to the battle against the agents of Apocalypse in Marvel Champions.
Magnetic Pull: Magneto’s Core Ability
Magneto’s gameplay revolves around his unique “Magnetic Pull” ability, which allows him to search his deck for Magnetic cards once per round. This powerful mechanic gives Magneto unparalleled access to his best tools, as all of his signature cards bear the Magnetic trait.
Magneto’s arsenal includes potent upgrades like his Helmet, granting him steady & discounts on Magnetic cards, & his Armor, which can boost his stats based on discarded cards. The Asteroid M support helps mitigate deck depletion by allowing players to recover discarded cards, while Erik Lehnsherr’s alter-ego ability to shuffle three cards back into his deck ensures he can maintain a strong presence throughout the game.
Superpowers with a Kick
Magneto’s event cards showcase his versatility with powerful Superpowers featuring kicker effects. Electromagnetic Blast can remove threat from a scheme, & if it manages to clear the scheme entirely, it can also destroy an enemy attachment. Metal Shards deals a whopping 7 damage to an enemy, & if that enemy is defeated, Magneto gains a tough status card.
These potent abilities are further enhanced by Deft Focus, allowing Magneto to maximize the impact of his Superpowers & control the flow of the game.
Leadership & the X-Men
The Magneto Hero Pack includes a pre-built Leadership deck, allowing players to command both magnetic forces & X-Men allies right out of the box. This deck is designed to synergize perfectly with Magneto’s abilities, enabling players to leverage the strengths of their allies while maintaining control of the game.
Iconic team members like Phoenix & Cyclops join the fray with powerful enter-play abilities. Phoenix, with her incredible potential, can provide significant boosts to the team, while Cyclops offers tactical advantages with his attack capabilities. Once these allies inevitably leave play, players can utilize the upgrade Won’t Stay Down to return them to their hand, ensuring that the X-Men’s support is always within reach.
In dire situations, one of your allies could perform a Noble Sacrifice to prop you back up, helping keep Magneto in the fray when the going gets tough. This ability to resurrect fallen allies adds a layer of resilience to Magneto’s gameplay, making him not just a powerful hero but also a supportive leader.
New Recruits like Anole provide additional assistance, expanding Magneto’s options & allowing for flexible strategies. In dire situations, the Noble Sacrifice event allows an ally to make the ultimate play, potentially turning the tide of battle by giving Magneto a much-needed boost
The Hellfire Club: A New Challenge
In addition to his impressive abilities, the Magneto Hero Pack introduces a brand-new modular encounter set featuring the infamous Hellfire Club. This secret organization is known for its arrogance & ruthlessness, & its members reflect this in their abilities. The tough-as-nails Sebastian Shaw can only be attacked once per phase, creating a formidable obstacle for players. Meanwhile, the swift-striking Selene ignores the pitiful efforts of your allies, making her a constant threat on the board.
The Hellfire Club’s emphasis on boost cards & multiple obstacles ensures that they will make their presence known in any scenario, providing a significant challenge for players looking to test their skills. The modular nature of this encounter set allows it to be added to any scenario, increasing the difficulty & ensuring that players are always facing new challenges.
With his mastery of magnetism in his hands & the might of the X-Men at his side, Magneto is a powerful hero & a fantastic addition to any team. His unique playstyle, combining resource management, powerful effects, & team leadership, offers players new tactical depths to explore.
Prepare to bend the battlefield to your will when the Magneto Hero Pack arrives this November, bringing a magnetic new dimension to your Marvel Champions experience. Whether you’re a fan of the X-Men or simply looking for a hero that can control the flow of the game, Magneto is sure to be a thrilling addition to your collection. Get ready to command the forces of magnetism & lead your allies to victory against the forces of Apocalypse!
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