Marvel Crisis Protocol: Yondu & Nova Review — A Cosmic Gumbo

I love how much love Comic Marvel is getting. From the first time I read Annihilation, I was in love with the heavy sci fi, wormhole-ridden atmosphere that the cosmic side of Marvel brings. F4 opens this week, and while I’m still waiting on Atomic Mass to give us the Future Foundation, I can have both Nova and Yondu, representing both sides of the law in the universe.Let’s dig in.First off, these models are from the latest versions of MCP models, so they’re exceptionally easy to put together.  So easy, I almost forgot to get some photos of my assembly!  Yondu’s model looks exceptionally cool, utilizing a bow and psychic arrow, made famous by the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.

Nova, on the other hand, is pretty easy, and while they went for Richard Rider, I really want to see an entire Nova Corp, especially with Sam Alexander, the nameless (but cool looking) aliens, and of course, the famous blue Pikachu (from Nova #7)...cmon, AMG! Do it!

When assembling these models, use a sharp pair of snippers to free the parts from the sprue, then follow up with some sanding sponges to help reduce mold lines. For my models, I’m also going to leave Yondu in a sub-assembly (that’s where you don’t build the model fully), as I want to ensure I can give him a proper paint job.

In the box, you’ll also get the expected character and tactics cards, in multiple languages, along with 4 bases! 

How do they play?

So, taking a look at the cards that come with the models,  Yondu comes in at 4 and Nova comes in at a 5 threat level. So, if you’re building up a force, these slot into fairly affordable positions, with Nova easily filling out a “medium” hard hitter. Pay special attention to his defenses. 4’s across the board, 7 staminia, and a size 2 with a movement of long…he’s fast. Because of the long movement, you’ll want to move Nova in close, hit your opponent with the Nova Burst (which can cause a throw on a wild). His Gravimetric Cannon is the standard range attack. Range 4 and you get 6 dice to roll, also causing a push.  

Rudely (for your opponents), if you get that wild, you also hit the target with Judgement, which causes the target to not gain Power from attacks. You can basically shut down a core enemy with this. 

All of this stacks up to his big attack, Lightspeed Lance. For 5 energy (which is a lot), you get a beam 5 that will do 7 dice of damage, along with short Pushes and placing Nova within 1 of them. RIDICULOUS.

His super powers are standard, flight and immunity to incinerate damage, and he has a defensive booster and a movement power which are fun, but the real deal on this card is Nova Force, which feels broken and mean and I’m all for it. He gains 2 energy for moving, and can remove all special conditions after the move, and then adds 3 more dice to the next burst of lightspeed attack. I feel like this is going to get nerfed, so do it while you can!

Yondu is a whole different beast altogether.  He sits at 3/4/3 for defenses, and 6 stamina, so he can take a few hits. His main attack, the Yaka Arrow, does range 5 and 5 dice. And, because it’s not just a normal arrow, cover doesn’t work. Once again, AMG’s designers really understand these characters and make their powers work.

If he scores wilds, it slows down the enemy. Pair this with Whistle While You Work, and you have an awesome combo. If you get a wild, you can do this AGAIN, for free, and hit someone within 3 of the original target.

Follow up with a Hit and Run (attack and move action), and you’re causing damage all over the board.  He has the Ravager Code, which allows you to steal objective tokens; Quickdraw, which allows you to reflect 2 damage back on your opponent; and then The Pirate Way. If you use Yondu to grab objectives or contest, this allows him to reroll a die. 

Great build for a pirate. 

For the tactic cards, you get 3 in the package, Plundered Goods, Call for Backup, and Veterans of the Annihilation War. 

Plundered Goods allows Yondu to assist an ally, and if Yondu attacks an enemy contesting or holding an objective, he gains more power. Nice!

Call for Backup allows Nova to secure an Objective within, and allows for a short push of enemies (similar to his other powers), and then when it comes to Extract objectives, he can slow the enemy carrying the objective.

Veterans of the Annihilation War requires a team-up with Gamora, which will provide her with a defensive re-roll and Nova gets a way to change dice results to a wild. Not bad, but really more for flavor than anything else.

You can get this awesome 2 pack right now, either from Asmodee’s website or your favorite LGS!

Look forward to our painting Tutorials on both Nova and Yondu!