X-Men Dice Throne: A Board Game That Perfectly Captures Its License

These days, Marvel seems to be popping up everywhere you look. From the upcoming X-Men ’97 show to the Marvel Rivals video game, the heroes and villains of this universe are taking center stage across all kinds of media. Even the tabletop world isn’t immune, with Marvel’s influence shining through in popular games like Codenames and Magic: The Gathering. This spring, fans have something new to look forward to: a fresh collaboration between Marvel and the dice-rolling battle game, Dice Throne, featuring the X-Men. As someone who has gotten my hands on it early, I can say it’s similar to previous editions, but the introduction of new characters and their unique powers offers a fresh spin for those seeking a different kind of superhero experience on the tabletop.

This new X-Men themed edition of Dice Throne initially launched as a Kickstarter campaign. The version backed by Kickstarter and the Battle Chest version available on their website differ slightly from the retail editions I tried out, primarily in token and game piece quality, with enhanced organizational elements like hero-specific storage trays. If you’re opting for the retail version, you have two boxes to choose from, each containing four distinct X-Men characters. One box features Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, and Jean Grey, while the other highlights Iceman, Psylocke, Storm, and Wolverine. No matter your choice, you’ll be treated to some fan-favorite characters. Each comes with a difficulty rank from one to six, noted on the back of the box. For newcomers, the Wolverine and Storm box is recommended, as none of the heroes present have a difficulty exceeding four. Conversely, the Gambit and Jean Grey box packs a challenge with both characters at a difficulty level of six, so it’s wise to consider your group’s experience level before deciding which to pick.

At its core, Dice Throne remains true to its roots, with players rolling dice to activate character abilities against themselves, opponents, or allies. Each character board has eight possible abilities – typically including a defensive and a passive one, among other offensive options. The center of the board features the ultimate ability, challenging to execute due to the element of luck. Accompanying each board are dice, a character-specific deck of cards, dials for tracking resources, and associated character sheets with additional details. While grasping a character’s abilities and their synergies can take a bit, your dice roll dictates how your turn plays out. Your deck of cards can help you modify your roll and even tweak your opponent’s roll as you navigate through strategies like weakening attacks. The goal is clear-cut: roll the dice, outmaneuver your opponents, and eliminate them by reducing their life to zero. However, the strategic path you choose to achieve this victory is where the game truly shines.

The simple gameplay becomes increasingly engaging thanks to the various characters you can embody. Take Wolverine, for instance, whose straightforward style lets him gather rage as he’s attacked, resulting in more powerful strikes. Then there’s Storm, who can supercharge her abilities for added effects and even borrow dice from other players to enhance her chances of rolling combinations like in poker, needed for some of her offensive strikes.

On the more challenging end of the character lineup, Jean Grey offers complexity by shifting between her regular form and the Dark Phoenix, altering her abilities each turn. This dynamic means she might draw extra cards and resources one turn and then face reduced phases but increased offensives as the Dark Phoenix in the next. Balancing these shifts requires skill, especially when countered by opponents messing with your strategies. Gambit is another tricky character, skillfully charging cards with abilities to utilize future turns’ added effects, demanding careful management and timing. Each character is crafted to capture their comic book essence, so understanding their unique playstyle is key to mastering them.

While Dice Throne can be played one-on-one, it also supports other modes like a free-for-all King of the Hill for odd-numbered groups or team matches. Because turns can extend and slow the pace for newer players, starting with 1v1 matches could be a wise move before tackling larger gatherings. If you’re familiar with trading card games like Magic: The Gathering, adapting to Dice Throne might be easier. Apart from dice rolls determining ability use, the way cards function resonates with what TCG players know. There’s an orderly turn process involving phases like upkeep, income, main, and dice rolls, alongside specific timings for card use during these phases.

Although I’ve encountered Dice Throne before, it never really caught my attention while browsing through board game aisles. Dice-rolling games can be enjoyable, but they often compete with personal genre preferences. However, my love for Marvel and superheroes compelled me to give this X-Men edition a shot, and I’m glad I did. If you’re a fan of Marvel and seeking an exciting addition to your game nights, X-Men Dice Throne promises to deliver fun new experiences, particularly if your companions share your appreciation for the characters and stories.