First Impressions - Marvel Universe Miniatures Game

Way back in April I along with my fellow gamer Aaron were attending Salute. We made a point of each buying a starter set for the Marvel Universe Miniatures Game; I picked up the Guardians of the Galaxy set, while he grabbed the Avengers set. Recently I finally managed to get both sets painted up.

This week we played a small test game using two characters each (Captain America & Iron Man against Star Lord & Rocket Raccoon) so that we could start to learn the basics of the rules.

 

Elliot was good enough to bring his newly purchased Battle Systems Sci Fi Modular Card Stock terrain for us to play on. This terrain is fantastic for the price and perfect for these sorts of skirmish games. It certainly looks better than any plastic or resin terrain that I'd have to paint for myself; it all slots neatly together once it's been punched out of the sheets. 

Scatter terrain plays an actual role in the Marvel Universe miniatures game (it can be thrown around!) so having access to a variety of chairs, crates, tables and consoles is fantastic.  

 

The game uses a d8 based system (a criminally underused dice!) to work out attacks and statistic tests; two d8s are rolled and compared to the relevant target numbers. For an attack to succeed a model rolls two d8s and adds their 'Attack' stat and compares it to the target models appropriate defence stat (of which there are 4 - Physical, Energy, Mental and Supernatural). If the total is higher than the defence value, the attack is successful. Statistics tests (e.g. agility, willpower, stamina) require the model to roll equal to or under the statistic on the total on two d8s.

The fundamental mechanic is the 'Power Point' system. This is very similar to many other games' action points systems; each model has a Power statistic that dictates how many things they can do in a turn. A model must spend these Power Points to move, perform attacks and activate special abilities. Every model has a range of attacks and abilities unique to them, along with a number of 'skill' keywords that are of a more generic nature (for example. fly) that can be found shared amongst different characters.

The Power Point system offers a number of tactical choices for the player: Movement is split into different distances dependent on how many points are spent (which differ between characters, some move faster or slower than others), Attacks and special abilities cost varying amounts of Power Points (more powerful attacks and abilities costing more) and are assigned a colour which informs the player how many times they can be used in a turn: green = repeatable blue = once per turn, red = once per game. Deciding when to use specific attacks and abilities can heavily influence the outcome of a turn, especially the one use per game red abilities!

 

The turn sequence is broken down into alternate activations (I activate a model, you activate a model and so forth), the initial activation in each turn determined by drawing counters from a bag. This blind drawing system is reminiscent of the method Bolt Action (Warlord Games) uses to activate individual units; it is mathematically more fair than rolling dice since the likelihood of going first in multiple consecutive turns is decreased as counters are removed from the bag (conditional probability). In contrast to Bolt Action, this system only determines the initiating player each turn, as opposed to the order unis are activated.

In addition to these basic rules the rulebook goes on to cover throwing objects, rules for destructible terrain, how to put together a team of models and details of three scenarios.

Currently there are three factions - Superhuman, Mutant and Cosmic. The rulebook mentions the Inhuman factions, but at the time of writing this has yet to receive any miniatures. These factions are further split into three alignments; Hero, Villain and Neutral. Each model is also given a 'Level', the equivalent of a points value in other games.

Sculpt wise, of the two sets I put together and painted, he detailing and quality varies somewhat. The Avengers set was very easy to put together, whilst the Guardians of the Galaxy set required a bit more work. Both Gamora and Drax needed some green stuff work (on the shoulder and hands respectively) to create a neat fit.

Detailing on some of the miniatures is very shallow. A heavy or dark undercoat could easily make some of the details hard to identify or simply disappear altogether. This was especially the case with Drax's tattoos and Captain America's shield (the painting of the which drove me quite mad).

These models would probably be quite daunting for a novice modeller or painter. I myself am unhappy with how I painted Drax, but Thor and Rocket Raccoon came out brilliantly.

Overall I'd say that I'm looking forward to playing more games of the Marvel Universe miniatures game. Any wargamers who happen to also be comic book fans should definitely consider having a look at it.

Oh, perhaps you're wondering who won our little game?

Aaron thoroughly destroyed me.

I think I need to get myself a Groot.