Marvel’s influence is undeniably pervasive these days, making its presence felt across an array of media platforms, from the animated X-Men ’97 series to the buzzworthy Marvel Rivals video game. The realm of tabletop gaming is no exception, boasting unique collaborations such as Marvel’s merger with the popular word game Codenames and the timeless Magic: The Gathering. Joining this exciting lineup this spring is a fresh Marvel collaboration featuring the iconic X-Men alongside the engaging, dice-rolling combat game, Dice Throne. Based on what I’ve experienced so far, this version maintains the core mechanics of its predecessors, yet introduces new characters and unique skills that offer a refreshing perspective for fans eager for a novel superhero tabletop escapade.
This X-Men themed version of Dice Throne began its journey on Kickstarter. Both the Kickstarter and Battle Chest versions, available for order on their website, differ significantly from the retail sets that I’ve tested. The key distinctions lie in the enhanced quality of tokens and game pieces, alongside superior organizational features like individual storage trays for each hero. Retail editions offer two enticing box sets, each containing four different X-Men: one set includes Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, and Jean Grey, while the other showcases Iceman, Psylocke, Storm, and Wolverine. Whichever set you choose, a mix of fan-favorite characters is guaranteed. Each hero is associated with a difficulty level from one to six, information conveniently displayed on the box’s reverse. For newcomers, the box featuring Wolverine and Storm is ideal, as neither character exceeds a difficulty level of four. Conversely, the Gambit and Jean Grey set features two characters with a top difficulty rating of six, warranting thoughtful selection based on your gaming group’s expertise.
Sticking to the core Dice Throne gameplay, each participant rolls dice to decide on abilities that can impact themselves, adversaries, or teammates. Each character board boasts eight distinct abilities, typically comprising one defensive and one passive ability, while the rest are offensive. Centerstage is the ultimate ability, a rare feat due to the chance element inherent to the game. Accompanied by dice for each character are cards specific to them, resource-tracking dials, and character sheets chock-full of extra details. Mastering a character’s abilities and their synergistic potential may take time, yet your actions ultimately hinge on your rolls. The card deck serves as a tool to influence both your and your opponent’s rolls, potentially weakening threats or nullifying attacks. The aim is simple: roll the dice and diminish your opponents’ life points to zero. Yet, reaching this goal demands strategic planning.
Replay value hinges on the diverse roster of characters available. Take Wolverine, for instance, whose straightforward gameplay sees his attack strength increase as he takes damage. Other characters, like Storm, can enhance her abilities for added effects. Her unique ability to borrow dice from fellow players ups her chances of rolling valuable combos like straights, crucial for certain offensive moves.
On the more complex end, we have Jean Grey, who transforms into Dark Phoenix in alternate turns, consequently modifying her passive abilities. This transformation enables her to amass cards and gain resources as Jean Grey, while skipping phases to wield enhanced offensive might as Dark Phoenix. The balance can be tricky if your opponents actively counter your strategies. Similarly, Gambit’s play style centers on kinetically charging cards to bolster future abilities, adding yet another tactical layer. Every character embodies their comic book counterpart, with success hinging on familiarizing yourself with their play style.
Though Dice Throne is primarily a one-on-one game, it also proposes alternatives like King of the Hill for odd player counts or team-oriented matches. With players taking consecutive turns, games can drag if participants aren’t yet at ease, making one-on-one play an excellent starting point. For those familiar with trading card games like Magic: The Gathering, Dice Throne’s mechanics should be relatively accessible. Beyond the dice-related abilities, the cards follow a similar structure to TCGs, featuring organized phases like upkeep, income, and main phases, alongside precise card usage timings.
I frequently encountered Dice Throne in store game sections, but never paid it much heed. While dice games vary in appeal, I’m largely influenced by thematic preferences. However, as a Marvel enthusiast with a penchant for superheroes, this particular edition piqued my curiosity. If you share an affinity for Marvel characters and seek an engaging board game experience, X-Men Dice Throne is a fantastic addition to any game night, particularly for fans invested in the franchise’s rich universe.
