Cult Of Games XLBS: What Makes A Good Superhero Miniatures Game?
February 23, 2025 by brennon
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“It kills creativity” … This a thousand times over. It’s probably why I am not into superhero games because there is no room for your own spin on things. There’s no “What if” moment to be had (other than putting traditional enemies in a single team, but even that is discouraged because you don’t get to have the synergies that the officially sanctioned teams get). It’s why I am so sad that the Ork clans are gone completely, Spacemarines always appear to be one of the official sanctioned chapters and every other faction has lost its unique traits. I like… Read more »
You want a superhero battle game? You need civilians on the table too with their own AI. Heroes must protect. Bad guys don’t care. This is the next step up from interactive terrain. You can make the heroes more powerful because they can’t use their powers. Either AoE kills civilians that are in the way, or they’re too buys getting spods out of the way to actually attack the baddies.
I’m also up for a tabletop take on the Marvel Ultimate Alliance computer games.
I think wargames in general could do with additional npc’s (potentially hostile everyone?) on the table.
Of course in a proper warzone most innocent npc’s will have ran away ages ago, but there’s always a chance not all of them have gone due to various reasons.
Perhaps the best way to go with superheroes is to use an RPG like Champions (which works well on a hex grid). You can design your own characters or make copies of comics characters – that was pretty common in the campaign I used to play in – and you can mix universes to your heart’s content – Batman, Spider-Man and Judge Dredd could team up with no problems (apart from personality clashes).
The only superhero gaming I’ve been doing recently is the Marvel Champions card game, which I highly recommend.
Election Sunday 00:00 No, we can’t. And I base this of the fact that most videos that are titled with a question mark usually end up with a no. Next! 01:30 rivers will be cried? 03:10 Banaanaaaaa-man for scale! 08:45 A hooker bit your tongue of? 10:30 You’ve been Dazzled! 13:15 Never really got the hang with superheroes. I read Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Green Lantern from time to time but it never really stuck with me. 19:15 Flash comes fast. Oh a typo. 20:50 Batman… bah, humbug. Batmetal! 25:45 Nothing wrong with cat-lady display pieces! 30:05 Live-buy! 40:00 I’ll… Read more »
Interesting discussion about supers games. By and large I’ve no interest in superheroes except Batman but having recently jumped into Pulp Alley for TMNT, the “make your own character” thing came up. I think the issue with a lot of games is that, as a new player, you have no idea how they are going to actually play. Which powers would be fun? Which are a waste of points? I went looking for fan-made versions of the character from someone who had played the game a lot and playtested the stat blocks – if I’m only going to get a… Read more »
Happy Sunday.
Thanks for the golden button. I’m working on the many, many, transfers now.
Heroclix… play dc or marvel.. been around since the early 2000’s. It’s pre-painted so great for getting people interested in the hobby without starting off with primer and paints. Grab a couple of booster boxes, slap it down on the table and play!! Heroes can start with their stats.. at different power levels. I played with inter city kids back in 2006 at my youth center, and played in a tourney in 2020. Wizkids continues to release new sets based on Comic book events There is some Great strategic play in this game. Don’t know why it gets overlooked.. maybe… Read more »
@brennon I have a lot of DC heroes from Knight miniatures, so I usually play ‘DC Miniatures Game’ which is very similar to MCP, but I also play ‘Power Legion’ by Ganesha Games. It uses poly dice to determine the strength of the power being used. You might like it – but I don’t think it is as good as MCP.
I like the idea of cards though. Maybe someone can make it happen.
Ahh, you mentioned Power Legion!
Also, Pulp Alley is great for ‘low-level power’ heroes like ‘The Phantom’, Flash Gordon, Batman etc.
I am loving your MCP progress, Ben. I would suggest your Gundam liner pens on Spidey’s black line wedding if you want it to pop. I just touch a corner and it fills in the lines nicely with capillary action. Your collection is looking great!
Yeah, Super hero games can be made better by not making any….
Bam 💥
Thank you for the Sporks mention. They’ve now been used in anger in a few games of Grimdark Firefight.
Sporks? Hmm.. old school chunky Co-Orcs (Cosmic Orcs) over at Badger Games seem to fit in nicely from what I saw this weekend at a local convention
https://badgergames.com/product/regiment-games/cosmic-empires/cosmic-orcs/
Pulp City has scratched my super hero itch for a decade now. Recently taken over by Kitbash Games, it has a solid base now with 100+ characters and a rules update on the horizon. Good range of power levels, interesting unique abilities, and a backstory and narrative that lets it stand on its own. (Plus civilians on the maps with AI behaviour).
I did a project a few years back that breaks down the game basics and has a battle report or two. Look for Pulp City under Projects.