Last edit: Jan-23-25 (Magneto)
(Note some comments may read funny since I've edited this over the years, including going from two to three tiers)
Deft Focus is one of the strongest, though most restrictive, non-hero resource generators in the game due to is low cost of only 1 resource. The majority of Superpower cards are hero cards, so whether or not to play it mostly depends on your hero, though there are a handful of Superpower aspect cards that can justify it too.
Here is a list of heroes ranked by how many of their cards can take advantage of Deft Focus. Obviously, this excludes cards like Fruition or Speed of Light that are Superpowers but zero cost. Some superpowers that are interrupts during the villain phase are also not counted since Deft Focus is used as an action, not a resource.
Tier 1: Auto-include
Quicksilver (13), Groot (12), Vision (10), Spider-Woman (9), Shadowcat (9), Iceman (9)
- These heroes' superpower cards are plentiful and strong, so you will activate it virtually every turn. Focus is one of the best cards in your deck. You can consider playing multiple copies just to make sure you see it early.
Tier 2: Usually include
Spectrum (8), Rogue (8), Adam Warlock (7), Colossus (7), Storm (7), Cable (7), Magneto (7)
- Deft Focus is still a very strong play for these heroes, though not quite the slam dunk as the Tier 1 heroes. I would still play 1 copy of Deft Focus almost all the time.
Tier 3: Might consider
Nightcrawler (6), Hulk (6), She-Hulk (5), Wolverine (5), Gambit, (5), Thor (5), Captain Marvel (5), Ms. Marvel (5), Scarlet Witch (4), Domino (4), Spider-Man (3), Iron-Man (3)
- While these counts may be low, remember it only takes 2 uses of Deft Focus to break even on resources. Some of the superpower cards are really powerful too, like Scarlet Witch's Hex Bolt or Iron-Man's Repulsor Blast, both of which you'll want to play many times in a game with those heroes. I would think about playing a single Deft Focus depending on the deck.
Special case: Nova (6)
- Nova's count is high enough that I might run Deft Focus, but if you consider how Nova plays, it is not actually necessary. Pot Shot and Lightspeed Flight get paid for easily by Supernova Helmet or Connection to the Worldmind...no need for a cost reduction of 1 if the resource you are paying gets doubled automatically. I personally would not play a Focus, but you wouldn't be crazy to.
Special Case: Jubilee (8)
- Lots of cards but massive awkwardness with all of them rewarding you for different resource types spent, which Focus doesn't give you. I would not play it here.
Bossted by non-hero Superpowers: Hulk, She-Hulk, Thor
- Limitless Stamina and Unshakable are basic Superpower cards that these heroes can play due to having at least 14 printed hp. This makes Deft Focus a much stronger card for them, especially since they each have a handful of hero card Superpowers already