Marvel Crisis Protocol event - Maximum Shenanigans

 I'm taking MCP out of the house and on the road!

I've been itching to get in a little more Crisis Protocol, so I was delighted to find an event running in my old haunt, Bristol Independent Gaming (and crucially, on a Sunday, so I could get a day pass).

The event was run by a local group, and titled 'Collateral Damage pt.12'. I'd missed the first eleven parts, but no matter. The special rules for this event was that everything was 'street-level' (so no characters above 4-threat) and each table would have some kind of shenanigans.

Game 1 - Brotherhood vs Avengers

Brotherhood of Mutants: Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Pyro, Sabretooth, Blob

Avengers: Captain America (First Avenger), Doctor Voodoo, Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Gambit, Luke Cage
Crisis: Inhumans Deploy Advanced Weaponry & Strike Team Secures Shield Relay

Threat: 17

My first opponent was Peter, who clearly knew his MCP (he went undefeated in the event). His Avengers were led by the third Captain America, who allowed dice to be modified, which really helped his other characters get their triggers (I could have done with some of that myself over the day)

The crisis involved rolling to control objectives (i.e. 'pay-to-flip'), so only Sabretooth and The Blob were able to reliably grab my objectives. On the left flank, Mystique ran afoul of Doctor Voodoo and his spectral helper Brother Daniel. 

On the right flank, Sabretooth made some good progress against Spider-Man and Gambit, although they kept squirming out of the way. Pyro used Asteroid M to teleport in and blast Miles (earning me a spot prize for the side-mission of having the first 3-Threat daze another 3-Threat). Both Gambit and Miles then grabbed objectives and scattered in opposite directions. Miles got the short straw and Sabretooth hunted him down.

The Blob surprised everyone by jogging the length of the field and grabbing the back objective. It almost paid off until Luke Cage backed up and used Heroes for Hire to displace him (so it appears some things can move The Blob).

At which point, my line was in such disarray, Captain America was able to walk up and take my back point. I'd been trailing points all game, but the Avengers scored big on the third round to close out 16-7.

Game 2 - Brotherhood vs Guardians of the Galaxy

Brotherhood of Mutants: Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Pyro, Avalanche, Blob, Gambit, Toad

Guardians of the Galaxy: Star-Lord, Gamora, Yondu, Nebula, Killmonger, Shang-Chi
Crisis: Unexpected Guests Crash Royal Wedding & Wedding Party Targeted In Terrible Attack

Threat: 21*

*Each board had special rules, which could alter the Threat Value of the crisis. In this case, one of the buildings contained a Chupacabra miniature that, if revealed, would rampage. For this, we got an extra Threat to play with.

This set of crisis was unusual in that there were only two Secures, but they'd be worth 2VP each. I felt this was going to favour me, as I was able to stuff my team with seven characters, so would be able to swarm the objectives (whereas my opponent, RickyRolls, only had five scoring characters plus Nebula).

The battlefield split into two flanks: The Blob, Lady Mastermind and Toad on the left facing Yondu and KillMonger. Mystique, Pyro and Gambit on the right facing Shang-Chi, Star-Lord and Nebula. Avalanche was facing Gamora, both holding the centre.  

My aim on the left flank was to use The Blob and Avalanche to shove away Killmonger and Gamora, who are both deadly up close (and Killmonger could score VPs by taking out Lady Mastermind) and that was working quite well. 

Yondu nearly upset that plan with a Yaka Arrow that nearly skewered everyone with one whistle. We also revealed the Chupacabra immediately, so that was running around causing damage. Luckily Toad was able to hop around all this carnage and ensure I kept scoring.

A rougher brawl had emerged on the right flank, which went in my favour when Shang-Chi whiffed his big attack (RickyRolls did tell me he earned his name with appalling dice rolls). Mystique and Pyro were able to put down both Shang-Chi and Star-Lord, which Nebula chased down Gambit to no effect.

I was losing the attrition battle, but I had scored high and early, so in a reversal of the last game, I won 16-7 in three rounds.

Game 3 - Brotherhood vs Web Warriors

Brotherhood of Mutants: Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Rogue, Colossus, Toad

Web Warriors: Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Spectacular Spider-Man, Scarlet Spider, Shang-Chi, Shuri
Crisis: Terrigen Canisters Fuel Doomsday Device & Deadline to Destruction

Threat: 17

No pictures for this one (blame the post-lunch slump), but it was a very exciting game against Monkeymoo's Web Warriors.

This crisis had objectives that gave out Slow and Poison, plus additional rules that allowed us to use derelict Sentinels to yoink enemy characters around. I was feeling optimistic about this, since I know Web Warriors rely on speed, position and power economy. It turns out that Web Warriors are really good at moving, and Poison messed up my power economy more.

Most of my game involved trying to pin down a Web Warrior long enough to daze them (I maybe got one of them), but I wasn't able to grab points or brawl as well as my opponent. The dice also abandoned me - Colossus got dazed with a single punch from Shang-Chi. And - while I'm making excuses - I probably picked entirely the wrong team, but I wanted to give all my characters at least one run on the board.

By the end of the game, all my team were in the dirt and Monkeymoo has the pick of the objectives. It ended with a landslide of 22-11 against me.

Game 4 - Brotherhood vs Inhumans

Brotherhood of Mutants: Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Rogue, Sabretooth, Pyro, Avalanche

Inhumans: Maximus the Mad, Medusa, Gorgon, Lockjaw, Quicksilver, Logan the Wolverine
Crisis: Ship Security Breached In Royal Rescue & Guardians Save Shiar Empress in Style

Threat: 21

Another chance to run a 21 Threat - the catch this time was that we were surrounded by ravenous zoo animals with a 25% chance of taking a bit from us every time we moved.

I'd never played against Inhumans before, and my opponent Rhys Pieces was an absolute gent. Having played Brotherhood himself, he was very sportingly helping me along with my rules. Although by this stage in the event, my main aim was to make sure Sabretooth got to face off against Logan.

The game started quite cagily (no pun), with all the teams taking up position on the objectives without wanted to get too far ahead (or too near the animals). Pyro, Lady Mastermind, Sabretooth and Mystique faced Medusa and Gorgon on the left; Avalanche and Rogue faced Maximus and Logan on the right. Quicksilver and Lockjaw just grabbed objectives and whizzed everywhere.

After bring soundly beaten up on the left, Sabretooth used Asteroid M to switch flanks to Wolverine, then used Happy Birthday Runt! for a free attack against Logan. Unfortunately, Sabretooth whiffed this, and proceeded to whiff his next two attacks (failing to roll Wilds was a running theme this game). 

This mean Rogue had to double back and finish off Logan, but when he woke up with full power, he took out both characters. No-one mentioned the elephant in the room. Even after Rogue threw it at him.

The left flank was holding up a little better, thanks to Lady Mastermind, who was able to mind-control Medusa to daze her own team-mate, Gorgon (an 8-range attack!) before dazing Medusa himself. Sadly, Pyro and Mystique weren't able to back this up and Lady Mastermind got rushed by Quicksilver, Lockjaw and a revived Gorgon.

By the end of the game, it was another 22-11 drubbing, but it was probably the most fun game of the event and great to see the Inhumans in action.

Of the whole squad, I would say Lady Mastermind was my MVP. Aside from Mystique (who had to be in the team), Lady Mastermind made every team and was a huge asset with long-range mystic attacks, laying down conditions and turning teammates on each other.

Of the affiliation, it was tremendous fun to play (even when I looked at other factions getting lots of lovely dice manipulation). Without restrictions, it will be interesting to see what big-hitters like Magneto, Exodus and Juggernaut will add to the mix.

The event itself was brilliant - well-run, lots of swag and friendly gamers. I also met my personal win conditions, which were:

• get recognised from being on YouTube
• be first in the queue to order the lunch chilli
• play four really fun games of Crisis Protocol

But as an added bonus, there were some awards to give out. I managed to pick up Best Painted, Best in Bracket (of the people who finished 1-3) and Best Underdog (for fielding one of the underappreciated affiliations). So that was nice.