This February sees the newest release for WizKids‘ Dice Masters, Marvel Dice Masters: Iron Man and War Machine Starter Set. The first starter set has an Iron Man focus introducing new mechanics.

I’ll be reviewing a group of cards a day until the whole set is completed and then general thoughts on the whole set. But, beyond discussing the cards and how they fit into the Dice Masters game, I’ll also focus on the characters themselves and if the card reflects their comic history.

Up today is the rest of the set’s Basic Action Dice

Surprise Attack

Art: Gabriele Dell’Otto, Secret War #1

Card playability: For a card like this I’m not as impressed by the ability as the cost. To pay 2 energy to then be able to get 2 energy down the road is helpful, though if that’s your goal there’s some Basic Actions that only cost 1 to do that.

Generally, there’s a lot of cards that are similar and are either the same cost, or cost 1 die more and do much more.

“Shocking Grasp” which costs them same does 1 damage and if it KOs a character that die then goes to the Prep area. I like that a bit more than this, but there’s a chance of dealing 2 damage.

Overall, this card may become a bit more important once set rotation becomes the norm, but as is, there’s better options out there. This could become more valuable the more we see “Iron Will” crop up in the game.

Upgrade – Fortification

Art: Greg Land, Iron Man #1 variant

Card playability: I feel like there’s something missing when it comes to this Starter Set and the cards marked “Upgrade.” I’ve looked in the rules and there doesn’t seem to be anything specific regarding this wording. My gut says “Upgrade” basic action dice are meant to stay on the table like we saw dice being equiped with the D&D sets… but that’s another discussion.

“Iron Will” is a pain in the but ability in this game. The short version is a die needs to be damaged twice to be KO’d. So, to be able to give a character die that is pretty solid. But, looks like you’ll need to make sure it’s a SHIELD character or you’ll lose some life.

I like the idea of these upgrade Basic Action cards, I just want to see them actually be like equipment we’ve previously seen.

Upgrade – Proton Cannon

Art: Lan Medina, Iron Man: Rapture #4

Card playability: The card “Hulk Out” is the same ability and the same cost except that it’s until the end of the turn, but there’s no KO chance.

With that being said, that makes me think the “Upgrade” Basic Action cards are meant to stay on the board much like equipment in D&D.

If this card does stay on the table then it’s an improvement on “Hulk Out” and I might go with it over that card instead. Overcrush can be a big deal in this game, so to have a die that “permanently” gives the ability like equipping a character die that could be a pretty big deal.

I’d expect a clarification over these “Upgrade” Basic Action cards.

Upgrade – Smokescreen

Art: Salvador Larroca and Frank D’Armata, Iron Man 2.0 #10

Card playability: Again, a cheap Basic Action die and if this is meant to be like equipment, then I like it a lot more than if it’s just for one turn.

This is a pretty cheap way to give a character die a little bit of a boost for the attack and there’s the bonus of getting them through unblocked if they’re a level 1 MASK character die.

I like the concept, but again it’s a big deal if this die stays out there or goes away at the end of the turn. At a minimum at least you’ve got a die that has some uses and also can get you two generic energy.

Upgrade – Unibeam

Art: Roberto de la Torre, Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #26

Card playability: Similar to the card above, this one gives +2A instead of the +1A for the same cost. Instead of the possibility of bein unblockable this one possibly can give “Fast.”

Quite a few of the characters in this starter set are geared towards going on the offensive, so this is a die that adds to that focus.

Again, it’s not clear if this is supposed to be like equipment or not, but we’ll see if there’s further clarification. If it does stay like that, I’m much more gung-ho about this Basic Action card. If it’s for one turn only, I’m not quite there.

Final Thoughts: I expect “Upgrade” Basic Action card to get clarification or to be changed down the road to be like equipment which is something that’s not quite as present in the Marvel/DC aspect of the Dice Masters game. If so, the worth for all of these will increase.

WizKids provided Graphic Policy with FREE product for review.

This February sees the newest release for WizKids‘ Dice Masters, Marvel Dice Masters: Iron Man and War Machine Starter Set. The first starter set has an Iron Man focus introducing new mechanics.

I’ll be reviewing a group of cards a day until the whole set is completed and then general thoughts on the whole set. But, beyond discussing the cards and how they fit into the Dice Masters game, I’ll also focus on the characters themselves and if the card reflects their comic history.

Up today is some of the set’s Basic Action Dice!

Armor Wars

Art: Brandon Peterson, Ultimate Comics Armor Wars #3

Card playability: A Basic Action that’s very specific to this set it allows you to KO a target character die with “Suit Up.” Each player then loses 1 life.

Unless you’re playing a team with “Suit Up” or know you’re facing one, it just doesn’t feel like you’d really need this.

The situations are limited, but to KO your own character and deal damage then be able to role that character next round could be handy.

Cone of Cold

Art: Adi Granov, Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 #1 variant

Card playability: That’s a lot of damage to deal for a 3 cost Basic Action Die. To potentially knock out three different character dice in a turn is impressive.

There is a limitation in that you can only use this if there’s three different character dice, so you may need to do some damage to your own to really get a lot of use out of it.

But, to be able to do damage to a whole bunch of character dice and then also boost an attack for a blocked character is solid. This is all about offense and at a pretty decent price.

Hypervelocity

Art: Francesco Mattina, War Machine Vol. 2 #8

Card playability: New ways to do damage and get players to lose life is good by me. I like the idea of forcing players to attack and know that this being out could have greatly changed how things would have played out. Even forcing a Sidekick to die can really change a game, and if you were to wipe out their character dice, you’re guaranteeing two life gone each turn.

I have a feeling this card will get some clarification, but the way I read it, if you don’t role a star, this die is staying on the board and becoming a thorn in your opponent’s side (and yours potentially).

One Against Many

Art: Juan Doe, Iron Man: Legacy Vol. 1 #3

Card playability: Expensive by cool is what I think about this Basic Action Card.

To be able to do lots of damage easily, that’s a good thing. If this was a 4 cost die I’d be super excited about it, but the 5 reflects at potentially how big a deal this could be.

Though lots of games tend to go quickly now, to be able to do a lot of damage quickly and combo this with other dice that allow you to duplicate it, make this a Basic Action Die I expect to see in some builds.

Smash!

Art: Doug Braithwaite, Incredible Hulk Vol. 2 #74

Card playability: Similar to “Power Word Kill” but this one is just level 1 character with a possibility of a level 2 character. It’s two less to purchase so you take a chance on the level 2, but it’s cheaper to buy.

The global is interesting in that you can prevent a blocked character die from dealing damage. I like that and we see these Basic Action cards focused on that sort of function a bit. It’s a simple Global, but the simplicity will force your opponents to really think about attacking and blocking.

Final Thoughts: All five cards are pretty solid and for the most part introduce some new Basic Action Cards to the game. None are too specific to this set, and all could have their uses depending on one’s build.

WizKids provided Graphic Policy with FREE product for review.

This February sees the newest release for WizKids‘ Dice Masters, Marvel Dice Masters: Iron Man and War Machine Starter Set. The first starter set has an Iron Man focus introducing new mechanics.

I’ll be reviewing a group of cards a day until the whole set is completed and then general thoughts on the whole set. But, beyond discussing the cards and how they fit into the Dice Masters game, I’ll also focus on the characters themselves and if the card reflects their comic history.

Up today is War Machine, the second time the character has appeared, the first being Avengers vs. X-Men.

Art: Salvador Larroca, Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1 #513

Comic origin: War Machine refers to the Iron Man armor mostly worn by James Rhodes. A Marine, who eventually works for Tony Stark and Stark Industries.

When Stark had to step aside due to drinking issues, Rhodes stepped in to the role if Iron Man.

Rhodes wore the original outfit off and on for some time, and after Stark “died” the War Machine armor was created.

Rhodes’ role has been all over the place as War Machine, acting as an Avengers, working for the US government and military, to being a solo superhero.

Rhodes recently was killed while battling Thanos during the start of  the Civil War II storyline.

Live action version: James Rhodes and War Machine have been depicted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Terence Howard and Don Cheadle.

War Machine: Model 11

Card playability: A cheap version of War Machine the previous were all 5 SHIELD to purchase. A little cheaper to field, with stats that are a little weaker than the previous version, this War Machine is all about a cheap addition to the Iron Man team affiliation.

There is “Fast” which is a decent addition for a relatively cheap die which allows you to deal damage before non-Fast characters in combat. With ok stats for attack and defense, this is a card and die that you can get out on the field relatively easily.

Card vs. Comic: The Model 11 was the original version of this armor that Tony Stark wore before more weaponry was added in later models for Jim Rhodes. So, this card having little as far as capabilities fits really well. This is the “basic” version of the armor and the card reflects that.

War Machine: JRXL-1000

Card playability: A little more expensive to purchase than the “Model 11” card, this is still cheaper than previous versions of the character in the game.

Like the “Model 11” this version has Fast which reflects the offensive capabilities, but it also has “Suit Up” with Iron Man and  also if it’s at level 1 Sidekicks can’t block it.

That star ability is rather blah due to the fact that “Suit Up” places the die in at Level 2. But, there’s not too many Iron Man dice I’d want to “Suit Up” with. The 3 cost Iron Man has 4A and 4D at Level 2, so it’s a decrease in attack, but gaining Fast.

Card vs. Comic: “Suit Up” along gives the card an ability that works really well with the Iron Man character in comics where different suits are used based on needs. The inclusion of “Fast” fits the offensive capabilities and it’s Level 1 ability feels like it fits the character taking out lower level drones in a comic.

War Machine: Rhodey

Card playability: At 4 SHIELD to purchase, again this version of the character is cheaper than the previous set’s take on it.

I do like this version which again has “Fast” but also does damage to your opponent when you KO an opposing character die in combat. To be able to do 2 damage on top of KOing an opposing character is nice and at Level 1 the character die is now 3A instead of the previous version’s 2A.

This version is clearly about getting it in combat, doing damage first, and then doing additional damage to your opponent. Getting it out early to take on Sidekicks is solid and out of the three, this is one I really like.

Card vs. Comic: Like the other two this does have a lot that reflects the character in comics. Again it has “Fast,” but the additional damage really reflects how much firepower this character has and the damage he can do.

Final Thoughts: All three are interesting additions to the Iron Man world of Dice Masters. Each has their good and bad and all three are worth working with to see how they do in an Iron Man team. I particularly like “Rhodey” with the additional damage it does when you KO an opposing die. Any damage is a good thing.

WizKids provided Graphic Policy with FREE product for review.