Problem Solvers (Combo Deck with Doctor Strange)

Deck Concept:

Although these decks can be successfully played solo, they're meant to be played together. Star-Lord and Doctor Strange are the best candidates I've found to play the Alliance cards Stand Together and Problem Solvers found here https://hallofheroeshome.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/1-1.png?w=406&h=&zoom=2 . Concussive Blow takes the place of Problem Solvers in this deck since it won't release until Valkyrie comes out.

So far my son and I have destroyed Expert Taskmaster and Expert Red Skull with these decks together. The ability to build and manage threat, bring out allies, do damage, kill minions, get tough status cards and control the board is unparalleled. We're not the best Marvel Champions players, but we sure felt like it with these decks.

Here's the link to the Doctor Strange deck that pairs with this one.

Why are these Alliance cards so good in this deck? What are Alliance cards?

• Alliance cards are cards meant for a group of players (but can be used solo). Alliance cards costs can be split between players. The requirements for the card can also be split between the players. In both cases, the requirement is to exhaust an Avenger character and a Guardian character.

• Example for Problem Solvers: It's Star-Lord's turn. There are two side schemes out with 6 threat each. One was brought out by One Way or Another. The main scheme has 9 threat. Not ideal, right? Now, you play Speed and with Leader of the Guardians thwart for 3 on the main scheme and ready Speed. Then you use the combined thwart of Nick Fury (A Guardian since every Star-Lord ally is one) and Speed to thwart for 6 on every scheme. All schemes gone. Problem solved. Skilled Investigator and Turn the Tide triggers.

• Example for Stand Together: You're defending a Thanos attack with Charlie-27 on Doctor Strange. Thanos already had an extra boost card from the Infinity Stone deck. In his attack he gets a card that gives his attack piercing and overkill. The boost card also makes you flip over an Infinity Stone card. All tolled, Thanos is gonna hit for 11. He'll go right through Charlie-27's 4 HP, his toughness and retaliate, and hit you for 7. Killing you. But wait...you have Stand Together. You can exhaust Doctor Strange and Cosmo to prevent all damage, and deal 11 points to Thanos. You've just gone from losing the game to maybe winning it with one card play.

• The reason why these cards work so well in these decks is because of Star-Lord and Doctor Strange's high thwart, their ability to bring out and keep allies on the board, and their amazing Hero abilities. Star-Lord with What Could Go Wrong? which brings Problem Solvers cost down to zero with Sense of Justice. Doctor Strange with his wonderful Invocation deck which keeps allies on the board with tough status cards and his great card draw/resource generation.

Setup and Play:

• Star-Lord: - With Nick Fury, Ironheart, One Way or Another, Knowhere, Avengers Mansion, Daring Escape, Bad Boy and Skilled Investigator you will have so many cards. Sometimes 9 in a starting hand. With that, you should always have at least 2 allies on the board. Make at least one an Avenger. Use What Could Go Wrong? liberally. Do damage with Sliding Shot and both of your Element Guns.

• Doctor Strange: - Mulligan for your Cloak of Levitation. Get The Sorcerer Supreme, The Eye of Agamotto, Quincarrier and Avengers Mansion as quickly as you can. Use Ever Vigilant more for the extra ready, and Invocation play than the thwarting. Master of the Mystic Arts will help you draw extra cards, get more tough statuses out, stun and confuse. Magical Enhancements can really help with Problem Solvers. Cosmo is there for getting past Vapors of Valtorr, and to be a target for Stand Together.

Conclusion:

I love how much risk and reward happen with these two. You'll go from having a bunch of minions, multiple side schemes, and lots of encounter card each round to a fully-controlled board by the end of it. They're a rollercoaster duo, and I hope you have as much fun playing them as we did.