X-Men Dice Throne: A Board Game Masterfully Utilizing Its License

These days, Marvel seems to be just about everywhere you look. From shows like X-Men ‘97 to the Marvel Rivals video game, the superheroes and villains from this universe have permeated every corner of media. Even in the realm of tabletop games, Marvel has made its mark through unique crossovers such as the team-based word game, Codenames, and the long-established Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Now, fans have something new to look forward to this Spring as Marvel’s X-Men make their way into the dice-rolling fighting game, Dice Throne. From what I’ve experienced so far, it preserves the familiar gameplay essence while introducing fresh characters and abilities, offering a novel spin for those seeking a different superhero tabletop adventure.

Initially rolled out on Kickstarter, the new X-Men version of Dice Throne presents some distinctions between its Kickstarter-exclusive and Battle Chest versions—which can be snagged from their website—and the editions available in retail stores. These differences largely pertain to the quality of tokens and game pieces, along with smarter organizational elements like individual storage trays for each hero. For retail buyers, there are two boxes to choose from, each housing four iconic X-Men. Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, and Jean Grey fill one box, while Iceman, Psylocke, Storm, and Wolverine occupy the other. Regardless of the box you pick, you’re treated to a classic mix of fan favorites. Each hero has an assigned difficulty level from one to six, clearly indicated on the back of the box. For newcomers, the Wolverine and Storm collection is perfect as none of their difficulty ratings exceed four. Conversely, the Gambit and Jean Grey set features characters with a difficulty rating of six, so it’s worth considering your group’s experience before making a choice.

The heart of Dice Throne remains intact, as players engage in dice rolls to dictate which abilities their character will deploy—be it against foes or to aid allies. On each character board, you’ll typically find eight abilities: one defensive, one passive, and several offensive skills. At the center lies the ultimate ability, notoriously challenging to execute in this game of chance. Accompanying each character are custom dice, a unique deck of cards, resource-tracking dials, and character sheets brimming with extra details. Understanding each character’s abilities and their synergies takes a bit of learning, but ultimately, the outcome boils down to your dice roll. The deck of cards can lend a hand in altering your roll or even interfering with your opponent’s moves to diminish their attack’s impact. Players alternate turns, rolling dice and trying to deplete opponents’ life points to zero. While the goal is fairly simple, the path you take is where the deeper strategy unfolds.

Playing different characters significantly enriches the game’s replay value. Take Wolverine, for example—he’s quite straightforward, gaining strength as he takes hits. So the more he gets attacked, the deadlier he becomes. Then there’s Storm, whose ability to supercharge her own powers to give them additional effects adds another layer of excitement. She also has the capability to borrow dice from others, enhancing her odds of rolling straights—a must for some of her more powerful offensive abilities.

In the realm of more challenging characters, Jean Grey offers a complex but compelling playstyle, switching between her regular and Dark Phoenix personas. This dual nature changes her passive skills each round, meaning one turn she’s amassing cards and resources, while during the next, she skips phases for amplified offensive power. Balancing these sides can be tricky depending on how other players impact your strategy. Gambit, another challenging figure, energizes his cards to unleash special effects in following turns. Mastering the timing of when to use these charged cards is a strategic puzzle. It’s fascinating how each character is steeped in their comic book heritage, so understanding their playstyles becomes key to smooth and enjoyable gameplay.

While Dice Throne can be played with just two participants, the game also recommends formats for more, such as a free-for-all King of the Hill for odd player counts, or even team-based matches. Given that players take their turns one by one, sessions can drag if players are unsure, making a one-on-one session a great way to get accustomed before diving into larger groups. If you’re familiar with trading card games like Magic: The Gathering, you’ll likely find Dice Throne intuitive. The dice rolls decide which abilities you wield, but the card usage will mirror the structure of traditional TCGs, with specified phases like upkeep, income, and main, alongside distinct timings for card play.

Although I’ve come across Dice Throne in stores before, it never truly caught my attention until I saw this Marvel twist. There’s an undeniable charm in dice-rolling games, but players tend to gravitate towards their preferred genres. As a Marvel and superhero enthusiast, this version of Dice Throne captured my interest, urging me to give it a closer look. If Marvel and its characters resonate with you and you’re seeking an enjoyable addition to your gaming nights, X-Men Dice Throne ticks all the boxes, particularly when shared with fellow fans of the characters and their world.