The Mutant Genesis

This is a set of eight hero decks from Mutant Genesis / Wave 6. These eight decks only require one Core Set, the Mutant Genesis Expansion box, and the six Wave 6 Hero packs. All eight can be built at once, and can be mixed and matched for multi-player games.

I learned a very valuable lesson from Sentinels of the Multiverse. Well, two lessons, if you include that I absolutely love superhero-themed, card-based, cooperative games that can also be played solo. The main lesson was this: Do not try to haul the entire collection to game night. More relevant to Marvel Champions - Never do deck building at game night.

Marvel Champions had just hooked me; I enjoyed playing it two-handed solo and wanted to try it out with my weekly gaming group. With these lessons in mind, I approached deckbuilding a little differently with Mutant Genesis and the accompanying wave of mutants. Armed with only a Core Set, Mutant Genesis, and the Wave 6 Hero packs, I constructed a series of grab-and-play decks that could be used interchangeably for 2-4 players (Probably solo, too, but I never tested them). These decks were tested against the Mutant Genesis Campaign, and all of the decks were successful in their pairings.

Colossus, the Immovable Object

This Colossus deck sticks with its precon-suggested Protection aspect and leans into its sustained Defense and Tough status design by focusing on Upgrades that provide extra readies and events that trigger during Defense. This Colossus deck is a hybrid control deck that manages enemy aggression with defensive triggers, tough status cards, and extra readies, while contributing to threat removal and damage with a few key burst opportunities.

Tough Status Cards Are a Resource

Colossus is fueled by Tough status cards. Any time Colossus has one (or especially two), you should be looking for ways to use them. They are a resource to be used, not collected. Bait and Switch and Not Today! turn a Tough status into thwart. Unflappable turns a Tough status into card draw. Cards in Colossus's Hero kit also convert Tough status cards into useful things, such as villain activation control (Steel Fist), burst damage (Made of Rage), extra readies (Bulletproof Protector), and card draw (Iron Will).

Defense Is the Best Defense

Tough status cards can also be converted into Hit Points. Indomitable provides Colossus an extra ready after defending that can be used to defend again, or used for an activation during the hero phase. Tenacity is Indomitable's less efficient cousin, and should be used only when necessary. Both will give you the extra readies that you'll need to maintain tempo and keep the table safe.

Pinned Down is fantastic. Because the Tough status is checked AFTER damage is calculated, you can save yourself a Tough status card by either reducing a smaller minion's Attack to zero, or reducing a bigger minion's Attack to a level where Colossus's Defense is enough to take zero damage. Using Pinned Down properly can effectively remove a minion from consideration, and oftentimes you can ignore it completely until you have damage to spare.

The Tough Status Engine

Arguably, the two most crucial cards in Colossus' hero kit are Armor Up and Organic Steel. Mulligan for at least one of these. Both of these will grant you steady access to Tough status. Piotr Rasputin's AE ability should always be used to recur one of these cards. If you happen to have both Armor Up in your hand, hold the other for the next turn. This is one of the rare times holding onto a card is a good play.

Ideally, you want to end Colossus' hero phase flipping to Alter-Ego, using Piotr's Studio, and have an Armor Up in hand. This will allow you to maximize your resources for the Villain Phase and your next turn. You can also perform a Recovery basic action if you've taken some damage to your health.

The Mutant Genesis Deck Lists

• Colossus, the Immovable Object
• Shadowcat, Tiny, but Fierce
• Cyclops, the Commander
• Phoenix, the Bright Light
• Wolverine, Feral Rage
• Storm, Natural Leader
• Gambit, Ace in the Hole
• Rogue, Steel-Fisted Magnolia