What are the best Marvel Champions expansions to enhance your deck-building and gameplay? ‘Marvel Champions: The Card Game,’ published by Fantasy Flight Games, is a cooperative, living card game where players control decks representing heroes from the Marvel Universe and work together to defeat a villain attempting to complete a ‘Scheme.’ In this article, we’ve listed them all for you, with links to our individual reviews of each hero pack, scenario, and campaign expansion. Whether you’re chasing new abilities, formidable villains, or compelling narratives, our guide cuts through the clutter and helps you identify the rich library of content this game has to offer.
This is meant to be a broad overview of everything that’s available. Check out our full reviews of each of these items if you are looking for more information.
Key Takeaways
Expansions build upon the core set by adding new heroes, villains, modular encounter sets for better customization, and unique abilities or strategies that cater to various playstyles.
Marvel Champions offers three primary types of expansions: hero packs that introduce new characters with unique decks, scenario packs with new villains and challenges, and campaign expansions that add narrative depth to the game.
Just one core set allows four players to team up with their own heroes and provides a complete game right out of the box.
Exploring Marvel Champions Expansions by Type
The beauty of Marvel Champions lies in its versatility and endless replay value. It’s a Living Card Game, which means there is content continually being released for the game, consistently introducing new ideas, challenges, and strategies. This keeps the game fresh and engaging, but with all the content out there it can be confusing jumping in, and trying to understand the various things you can buy.
There are three main types: hero packs, scenario packs, and campaign expansions. Each expansion type offers a unique opportunity to expand your Marvel Champions universe. The encounter deck represents the villain’s powers, tools, and minions, and includes the heroes’ unique obligation, which is shuffled in at the start of the game.
In this article, we’ll provide some quick context on each expansion type and then list out all available content. We have articles about almost everything you can buy for the game, and we’ll link to that content below, so you can dig in on any content you want more information about.
This is intended to be informative and comprehensive, so we won’t be making any recommendations here – if you are looking for advice on what specifically to buy and in what order, check out our complete buyer’s guide.
A Quick Note About the Core Set: You Have to Have It
This set lays the foundation for the epic adventure that awaits you with Marvel Champions. No matter how you slice it, you have to pick up this box, but the good news is that this comes packed with a lot of value.
The core set of Marvel Champions includes:
Five playable heroes: Iron Man, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk
Tokens, Dials, Rule book and reference guide
Three villains to test your mettle: Rhino, Klaw, and Ultron
Five Modular Encounter sets to tune difficulty and vary gameplay
Standard and Expert cards are added to every villain deck and are required to play the game
Each hero’s deck in the core set is customizable, allowing players to mix unique hero cards with cards from different aspects to create a 40-50 card deck.
Check out our full review of the core set here for detailed info.
Now that that is out of the way, let’s get to the fun part: buying new content and expanding your collection!
Marvel Champions Expansions
For players seeking more villains to face off against, along with an immersive narrative, the larger Marvel Champions expansions are the way to go. Each expansion includes two new playable heroes, five brand-new scenarios, and a handful of modular encounter sets. Additionally, they each come with a larger campaign linking the scenarios together and adding a rich layer of story to the gameplay. The game’s sixth campaign expansion, NeXt Evolution, features classic X-Force characters like Cable and Domino, along with new scenarios and challenges.
These are, without question, the best bang for your buck and, as a long-time fan of the game, I usually recommend starting with one of these as your first expansion when you’ve just started playing – even before hero packs. These just come with so much content to expand the game.
Here’s the comprehensive Marvel Champions Expansions list. We do have full reviews for all of them, so click on any that interest you thematically.
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
The Rise of Red Skull – September 2020 ⦿ Heroes included: Hawkeye – Leadership⦿ Spider-Woman – Aggression and Justice | buy The Rise of Red Skull |
The Galaxy’s Most Wanted – April 2021 ⦿ Heroes included: Rocket Racoon – Aggression⦿ Groot – Protection | buy The Galaxy’s Most Wanted |
Mad Titan’s Shadow – October 2021 ⦿ Heroes included: Spectrum – Leadership⦿ Adam Warlock – All Aspects | buy the Mad Titan’s Shadow |
| ⦿ Heroes Included: Spider-Man (Miles Morales) Justice ⦿ Ghost Spider – Protection | buy Sinister Motives |
Mutant Genesis – September 2022 ⦿ Heroes Included: Colossus – Protection⦿ Shadowcat – Agression | buy Mutant Genesis |
| ⦿ Heroes included: Cable – Leadership ⦿ Domino – Justice | buy NeXt Evolution |
Age of Apocalypse – March 2024 ⦿ Heroes included: Bishop – Leadership⦿ Magic – Aggression | buy Age of Apocalypse |
| Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – February 2024 |
Hero Packs
A hero pack includes a pre-built deck ready to play right out of the box, including a two-sided identity card (hero and alter-ego) allowing players to switch between alter-ego and ‘hero form’ to use their hero-specific powers and abilities. Along with 15 cards that are unique to that hero’s deck and can only be played when using them, there are 25 other cards that make up the pre-built deck. These cards can later be used with any hero and will be limited (in almost all cases) to basic cards and cards from a single aspect.
In addition to the prebuilt deck, these hero packs usually come with a few extra cards from the other aspects. The idea is that, since you can play the new hero in any aspect, these new cards can give you some options and ideas for building other decks. There is also a hero obligation card, to be placed in the villain’s deck, as well as a unique nemesis set that can show up to aid any villain if triggered during a game. ‘Allies attack’ is a crucial strategy in the game, emphasizing teamwork and the use of action abilities at the right moment.
If you like the deck construction element of Marvel Champions, you’ll ultimately want to get your hands on as many of these as you can to expand your card pool. Eventually.
But if that’s not your jam, they all come with a fully playable deck right out of the box, so just get your favorite hero and start playing. Having both options is part of what makes Marvel Champions so great.
Here’s the comprehensive list of hero packs and when they were released. If you want to dive in on a specific hero, we’ve linked to our review.
Wave 1
| Game Name | Buy Link |
|---|---|
| Buy Captain America | |
Ms. Marvel – Protection – December 2019 | Buy Thor |
Thor – Aggression – March 2020 | Buy Black Widow |
Black Widow – Justice – June 2020 | Buy Black Widow |
Doctor Strange – Protection – July 2020 | Buy Doctor Strange |
| Hulk – Agression – August 2020 | Buy Hulk |
Wave 2
| Game Name | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|
Ant-Man – Leadership | November 2020 | buy Ant-man |
Wasp – Aggression | January 2021 | buy Wasp |
Quicksilver – Protection | February 2021 | buy Quicksilver |
Scarlet Witch – Justice | March 2021 | buy Scarlet Witch |
Wave 3
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
Star-lord – Leadership – May 2021 | buy Star-lord |
Gamora – Aggression – May 2021 | buy Gamora |
Drax – Protection – June 2021 | buy Drax |
Venom – Justice – July 2021 | buy Venom |
Wave 4
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
Nebula – Justice – September 2021 | buy Nebula |
War Machine – Leadership – November 2021 | buy War Machine |
Valkyrie – Aggression – January 2022 | buy Valkyrie |
Vision – Protection – January 2022 | buy Vision |
Wave 5
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
Nova – Agression – May 2022 | buy Nova |
Ironheart – Leadership – May 2022 | buy Ironheart |
Spider-ham – Justice – July 2022 | buy Spider-ham |
SP//dr – Protection – July 2022 | buy SP//dr |
Wave 6
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
Cyclops – Leadership – September 2022 | buy Cyclops |
Phoenix – Justice – September 2022 | buy Phoenix |
| buy Wolverine | |
Storm – Leadership – November 2022 | buy Storm |
Gambit – Justice – February 2023 | buy Gambit |
Rogue – Protection – February 2023 | buy Rogue |
Wave 7
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
Psylocke – Justice – September 2023 | buy Psylocke |
Angel – Protection – September 2023 | buy Angel |
X-23 – Agression – November 2023 | buy X-23 |
Deadpool – ‘Pool – November 2023 | buy Deadpool |
Wave 8
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
| buy Iceman | |
| buy Jubilee | |
Nightcrawler – Protection – September 2024 | buy Nightcrawler |
| Magneto – Leadership – November 2024 | buy Magneto |
Wave 9
| Game Name | Link |
|---|---|
| Black Panther – Justice – April 2025 |
Scenario Packs
If new villains and challenges spark your interest, scenario packs are your perfect match. These packs expand the gameplay of Marvel Champions by introducing one to three brand new, standalone scenarios with new villains and modular encounter sets. Each pack offers a unique challenge, keeping the game fresh and exciting. The ‘Mad Titan’s Shadow’ expansion introduces new villains and scenarios, adding depth and challenge to the game.
That’s where their similarities end, because each one of these boxes is really unique and an excellent treat for anyone who enjoys Marvel Champions. We’ve come to expect these packs to be a source of innovation, pushing the game forward, since the designers often use these boxes to try different ideas – like an alter-ego form for the villain in the Green Goblin or the mini-campaign tied together by the thematic modular sets in Mojo Mania. In every case, there are lots of new ideas to explore.
We have full reviews for each of them, so dig in to see which one contains your next new villain:
Enhancing Your Game: Other Things You Might Consider
To elevate your Marvel Champions gaming experience, a variety of accessories are available that not only enhance gameplay but also add an aesthetic appeal to your sessions. These accessories not only help with organization and ease of play but also allow players to personalize their gaming experience. Here are some of the most common categories of accessories for Marvel Champions:
Card Sleeves
To protect your prized cards from wear and tear, card sleeves are a must-have. They come in various designs, including clear versions for a minimalist look or themed sleeves featuring your favorite Marvel characters. We like these from Gamegenic.
Playmats
A good playmat not only defines your play space but also provides a smooth surface for card handling. Marvel Champions play mats often feature vibrant artwork and designated areas for decks and discard piles, aiding in-game organization.
Storage Solutions
With the increasing number of expansions, storage has become a key concern. Custom storage boxes and organizers help keep your cards and tokens neatly sorted and easily accessible during gameplay.
Custom Tokens and Counters
Upgrading from the cardboard tokens that come with the game to custom acrylic or metal tokens can add a touch of class and durability to your game. These often come in various shapes and colors, representing damage, threats, and resources.
Deck Boxes
For players who like to keep their hero decks pre-built, deck boxes are a convenient way to store and transport individual decks. Deck boxes can range from simple plastic cases to elaborately themed boxes.
Card Dividers
When dealing with a large collection, card dividers help you quickly find the cards you need. They can be labeled by hero, villain, aspect, or any other categorization that suits your collection.
Villain and/or Encounter Deck Randomizer
Once you’ve faced off against the villains as many times as I have, you start to need some variety. That’s where an online scenario randomizer comes in. They offer up new play experiences each time, with the click of a button. Check out our top three picks here. These are all fan-built applications and totally free to use.
These accessories are just a few options available to Marvel Champions players looking to enhance their gaming experience. Whether you’re a collector, a competitive player, or just looking for more convenience, there’s an accessory to fit your needs.
Summary:
Marvel Champions offers an immersive and diverse gameplay experience, and its expansions take this to a whole new level. Each type of Marvel Champions expansion – hero packs, scenario packs, and campaign expansions – adds depth and diversity to the game, creating a universe of possibilities for players.
Whether you’re stepping into the shoes of a new hero, facing off against a formidable villain, or immersing yourself in a compelling storyline, Marvel Champions and its expansions offer countless hours of entertainment and strategic gameplay. Are you ready to dive into the Marvel Universe and make your mark?
Frequently Asked Questions
Marvel champions how many cards?
The Marvel Champions game includes a total of 343 cards, comprising 199 Player cards, 137 Encounter cards, and seven Reference cards. These cards all have a dimension of 63.5 x 88mm, making them compatible with cards from other games.
What types of Marvel Champions expansions are available: the Card Game?
The available Marvel Champions expansions are hero packs, scenario packs, and campaign expansions. These offer a variety of new content for the game.
What are hero packs?
Hero packs are packages that introduce new Marvel heroes along with prebuilt decks and extra Aspect cards for more customization.
How do scenario packs differ from hero packs?
Scenario packs provide new villains and encounter sets, offering fresh challenges and expanding gameplay, while hero packs introduce new playable characters with unique abilities.
What makes Marvel Champions expansions unique?
Marvel Champions expansions are unique because they offer new heroes, villains, and encounter sets, along with immersive narrative experiences.