X-Men Dice Throne: A Board Game that Expertly Leverages Its License

Marvel’s presence is undeniable these days, with its heroes and villains popping up across various media platforms, from the X-Men ’97 show to the Marvel Rivals video game. On the tabletop landscape, Marvel hasn’t been shy, either. It has joined forces with games like Codenames and Magic: The Gathering. This spring, we’re in for a treat with another Marvel collaboration that brings the X-Men into the fray with the dice-rolling combat game, Dice Throne. From what I’ve experienced so far, it mirrors past editions closely, but the introduction of new characters and distinct abilities spices things up, providing Marvel fans a fresh take on the superhero tabletop experience.

The X-Men-themed Dice Throne first made its debut on Kickstarter. While those versions, along with the Battle Chest set available on their website, offer different components than the retail editions I’ve tested, the variations largely lie in the quality of tokens and game pieces, along with improved organization with storage trays for each hero. For those exploring retail options, there are two boxes to select from, each featuring four different X-Men. One box comes with Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, and Jean Grey; the other showcases Iceman, Psylocke, Storm, and Wolverine. Whichever box you choose, you’re bound to get a mix of fan favorites. Each character is rated with a difficulty level from one to six, noted on the back of each box. The box containing Wolverine and Storm is great for beginners, as these characters have difficulty levels no higher than four. Conversely, the Gambit and Jean Grey box proves challenging, with heroes rated at difficulty six, making it wise to consider your group’s experience before making a selection.

Playing a game of Dice Throne involves players rolling dice to activate abilities for their characters to use against themselves or others. Every character board features eight abilities, generally including one defensive and one passive ability, alongside several offensive options. The centerpiece of each board is the ultimate ability, which is tricky to achieve due to the element of chance. Characters also come equipped with specific dice, a personalized deck of cards, resource-tracking dials, and relevant character sheets. Mastering a character’s abilities and understanding their synergies may take time, but ultimately it boils down to your dice roll dictating how your turn unfolds. The deck of cards can give you the edge by modifying your roll or even weakening your opponent’s. As you take turns, the goal is simple: knock opponents’ life down to zero. While that sounds straightforward, the strategy behind reaching that goal makes the game intriguing.

The game’s replay value lies in its diverse range of characters. Take Wolverine, for instance, who has an uncomplicated play style where taking damage builds up his rage, making his attacks more powerful. Then there’s Storm, capable of supercharging her abilities for added effects. She even has the option to borrow dice from other players, helping her form poker-like straights needed for certain offensive maneuvers.

On the more complex end, there’s Jean Grey, flipping between her native form and Dark Phoenix, changing her passive abilities each round. This character requires careful planning as she draws cards and collects resources one moment, then skips a phase to deliver powerful attacks the next. Gambit presents another challenge, as he charges cards with abilities for future use, adding another strategic layer as players decide when to unleash these effects. Each character’s design stays true to their comic book origins, making it a matter of understanding their unique playstyles for a smooth gaming experience.

Dice Throne can be enjoyed in one-on-one duels, but it also offers suggestions for other formats like a free-for-all King of the Hill when player numbers are odd, or even team competitions. Since players act in turns, games can extend in length, so starting with 1v1 matches might be the best way to get acclimated before diving into larger gatherings. If you have familiarity with trading card games like Magic: The Gathering, then you’ll probably find picking up Dice Throne quite intuitive. Beyond being at the mercy of dice rolls, the card play follows a structured turn order akin to TCGs, including phases like upkeep, income, main, and dice roll, along with when cards can be played.

I’ve come across Dice Throne before but I never gave it much thought when browsing the game sections in stores. While rolling dice can excite a lot of people, everyone has their preferred game types or genres. However, being a Marvel fan drew me to this version of Dice Throne, and it impressed me enough to give it a shot. For those who revel in Marvel lore and are on the lookout for an exciting new addition to their board game shelf, X-Men Dice Throne hits the mark, particularly when friends also cherish these iconic characters and universe.