This February sees the newest release for WizKids‘ Dice Masters, Marvel Dice Masters: Iron Man and War Machine Starter Set. The first starter set has an Iron Man focus introducing new mechanics.

I’ll be reviewing a group of cards a day until the whole set is completed and then general thoughts on the whole set. But, beyond discussing the cards and how they fit into the Dice Masters game, I’ll also focus on the characters themselves and if the card reflects their comic history.

Up today is Rescue, the second time we’ve seen this character/die. Rescue originally was featured in the Marvel Dice Masters: Civil War set.

Art: Salvador Larroca, Invincible Iron Man Vol. 1 #12

Comic origin: Pepper Potts might mostly be known as Tony Starks employee, but in Marvel comics, she also has taken on the role as a superhero herself donning the “Rescue” armor that Tony made her while on the run during the “Dark Reign” storyline.

This suit of armor designed by Tony Stark is mostly defensive with the focus on helping individuals with tools like electromagnetic fields and repulsors with little to no weapons systems.

Live action version: Gwyneth Paltrow has depicted Pepper Potts in the Marvel live action films but has not donned the Rescue armor.

Rescue: Catching a Jet

Card playability: I like the “Suit Up” mechanic as it brings in dice much quicker than going through the normal purchase, bag, draw, roll, and buy process. It gets characters out on the table quickly and in this case at a decent attack and defense value.

The ability of the card is similar to the “Pepper” card from the Civil War set, but also allows you to field any Iron Man affiliated dice you draw at level one instead of shield characters. Great if that’s the team you’re running.

Card vs. Comic: It fits well in that she isn’t offensive and is supposed to be support, so bringing out another Iron Man character just feels right and fits in a way.

 

Rescue: Mark 1616

Card playability: Straight and to the point, this character card is cheap to buy and relatively cheap to field for a decent character. The Iron Man team affiliation is a bit pricey at times so to be able to get an option that’s just 2 energy is a big deal.

The stats are good for the die, but I think it should be more defensive than offensive, but I’m not complaining.

She’s the cheapest version of Rescue that’s out there.

Card vs. Comic: There’s not much to really compare. She has higher attack values than defensive and that’s about the only thing to go off of here. It really should be flipped since that’s the type of comic character she is, meant more as a defensive option and one to help save folks than fight super villains.

Rescue: Resilient

Card playability: Not bad at a 3 cost die. It has “Suit Up” which above I explain is a nice new mechanic that I like.

This character die is similar to “Stark’s Equal” from the Civil War set, but the difference is with that card you gain a life and here your opponent loses a life.

I like the card more as it’s an easy way to knock some life off of your opponent and you get energy at the same time. This is my “Tim” to steal a Magic reference.

Card vs. Comic: Again this is a card that does damage which feels a bit odd considering the character isn’t meant to be that way. Rescue is about saving/helping people so doing some damage doesn’t quite feel right.

 

Final Thoughts: All three are improvements on the previous versions of the characters with either a little extra for the same cost or a slight twist to what we’ve seen. The stats aren’t as good, but the previous version was more expensive to field and definitely geared towards defense. So, maybe the stats are weaker to represent the weak offensive capabilities of this suit. We also get a nice cheap no-thrills version which is much needed. A definite add if you’re running an Iron Man team.

 

WizKids provided Graphic Policy with FREE product for review.