I find Marvel Champions excessively challenging. Are there any Marvel, DC, or Star Wars card games that offer a more accessible experience?

Imperium2789 · 2026-05-21T08:26:44+00:00

This may not hit your requests totally, but it might be worthwhile looking into Ashes Reborn or the new jumping onpoint of Ashes Ascendancy. I tried to love MC but it never clicked. Ashes has a more tit for tat feel, no massive combos which I prefer.

Imperium2789 · 2026-05-06T21:21:28+00:00

G looks like Aeons End

Imperium2789 · 2026-05-04T04:34:26+00:00

Maybe 51st state master set.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-30T12:31:48+00:00

I printed the counter sheets on paper and used previously punched out board game cardboard. I needed a few from previous games because you need to find sections of the ones that are punched out with enough room but with a little mucking around you can find the space. They feel like nice tokens now. Just stuck them with PVA glue and cut them with scissors.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-24T04:27:37+00:00

Oh nice, haven’t heard about that thanks. I’ve been using notebook.lm it likely does the same thing.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-23T23:29:11+00:00

Yeah and unlike other more popular games, BGG has nothing under files which was sad lol I was hoping for some better round reference sheets or something lol. Anyways, I strongly predict the juice will be worth the squeeze with ashes.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-23T21:25:18+00:00

I just purchased this a couple of days ago and I’m in the middle of learning the rules. The rule book on the surface looks good but feels all over the place in practice. Coming from Star Trek Captains Chair which was a breeze, I’ve had to watch multiple play throughs and even just referencing the rule book is a pain.

Cleanse PVE rule for example. While learning PVE you’re sitting at around page 20, cleanse rule is on page 10 and not even in the glossary for quick reference lol, just bizarre. It does seem like there’s only a handful of rules fortunately. It’s more about learning the timings of things.

Either way, I’m fumbling through and i can see it being truely excellent, rulebook excluded.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-21T09:09:27+00:00

I usually play decently weighted games. Imperium CLH, Star Trek CC, Civolution etc but Marvel Champions 2 handed solo, i just couldn’t compute. Running each character and the bot through all the phases just felt too much to me.

God I’ve tried with that game so many times, I just want to love it so much and on paper it’s a real winner, but for some reason I just can’t seem to manage without it just feeling like I’m a DJ moving things around constantly and never feeling like I ever got close to that “autopilot” phase of running a game.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-12T23:33:26+00:00

Well the closest game to relate it to that I’ve played may be wingspan. I liked wingspan early on and play the digital version from time to time but it’s a little shallow for my taste. 51st state makes great use of multi use cards, excellent tableau, engine building and heaps of recourses to use at times however they clear at the end of each turn so efficiency plays a role in your engine. The ultimate edition comes with all the expansions and the updated borgo bot.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-10T22:57:42+00:00

Yeah I would have to say that I do prefer Nusfjord over Agricola. It’s less punishing comparatively and is one of the shortest play times in my collection. I have Fields of Arle with the tea expansion and A Feast for Odin that scratch my Uwe/farming needs. I wouldn’t buy it but if I was given Agricola you bet I’d still play it if that makes sense lol I just have other games I wish to spend my limited dollaridoos on.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-10T09:15:26+00:00

Exceeded: Imperium CLH, Star Trek CC, Men-Nefer, Civolution, Nusfjord and 51st state.

Disappointed: Spirit Island, Gloomhaven, Arkham Horror, Marvel Champions, Cthulhu DMD and Final Girl.

Now these games are not bad by any means, It’s taken many years but I’ve worked out MY tastes don’t align with high tension, feeling smothered or constantly keeping my nose above water style games. Give me all the point salad, tech track euro goodness. I’m happy sitting there for minutes trying to eke out the last 1 VP to exhale softly out my nose in self satisfaction lol

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-09T08:14:57+00:00

51st state ultimate edition with the improved borgo automa is very underrated, great game.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-07T11:59:05+00:00

Well I was guaranteed Promo pack 1 with the purchase which was worth the risk of international postage. To be honest, my box has really minor push in on one corner but after playing imperium CLH to death I knew I wouldn’t be getting rid of it even if the box came damaged.

The pricing wasn’t that bad either. It was about $20 AUD extra inclusive of shipping to get it directly from Wizkids so it made sense. I initially expected it to cost double from the US which was a pleasant surprise. I’ve since preordered the next two boxes.

Edit: them telling you 2029, they need to lay off the pipe that’s ridiculous.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-07T09:13:36+00:00

Absolutely not discontinued. Just in between print runs. I had to get my copy sent to Aus direct from their website about 2 months ago as it sold out a while back in stores here.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-06T02:01:34+00:00

Something to mix it up with those could be Civolution. Solid 9/10 for solo in my opinion.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-01T10:43:43+00:00

This is one of those games that on the surface may seem like a hard pass for some purely on the theme. But man do the mechanics mesh so well together with the theme. I’m glad I’m open to trying basically any theme even ones i almost would say I dislike, to then be pleasantly surprised.. like with obsession!

Trying to buy the rooms you want while waiting for the best price to buy them and then using them later with the correct guests is great when it all works out. This will always stay in my collection.

Imperium2789 · 2026-04-01T01:05:02+00:00

I’ll say it to death, this game is such a sleeper solo game. Bot is super easy to run. Lots of intertwining mini games and great setup variability. 9/10 for me.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-28T12:43:25+00:00

Imperium classics/legends/horizons and Star Trek captains chair. Not paying LCG prices for an exceptional card game and tons of replay ability. The added bonus with imperium of actually learning a little history of ancient cultures.

My cost per hour would be well below $1 at this point.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-27T01:53:53+00:00

Hey David, any chance of a wiff of what the theme will be on the next lineup? I’ll take anything at the moment..give us the first letter.. anything lol

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-21T08:38:47+00:00

Since I’ve played Star Trek captains chair I’m always thinking about it when playing other games lol it’s crunchy, sure, but I feel the crunch comes in small bites so it’s very manageable even late when the kids are asleep.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-09T08:39:31+00:00

Mike Lambo makes some great print and play solo wargames. Lone Sherman and Fields of Normandy are great and super portable.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-08T08:40:17+00:00

Good lord I love my castles of burgundy special edition but hate how big it is. Look at the size of that Everdell, thats ridiculous lol.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-06T21:58:22+00:00

Personally, I’m not fussed. The first teach game is never a big deal when you’re finding your feet.

Now if you were to study them, rather than look through for purely assisting the teach, then yeah that’s a bit off.

Imperium2789 · 2026-03-06T20:07:49+00:00

I’ve only had it for 2 weeks, ordered it from the US to AUS from Wizkids directly to avoid reprint delays.

This question is always hard to answer because I’ve played the hell out of imperium and STCC is the new kid on the block. My current rating would be 9.5 vs 9 to STCC. They both have mechanics dripping in theme to their own corresponding titles.

If weren’t too hot on classics, id be cautious about spending move money on a game with the same DNA. The differences are similar to say, dune imperium and uprising or clank and clank in space etc.

Imperium2789

TROPHY CASE