The Punisher's Death Squad: A Marvel Universe campaign

Frank Castle realizes his job of wiping out scum and villainy is a big one. So he decides to recruit his own private Death Squad—ex-military comrades who are willing to join the battle to mete out lethal justice to the ungodly.


Frank contacts various former Special Forces members and asks them to join his crusade. Each of those who accept then designs his/her own costume and individual weaponry. Then, together with the Punisher, they go into battle.


One player in this campaign will use the Punisher and members of the Death Squad, plus one superhero “guest star” in each scenario. The other player will operate the various bad guys that the Death Squad goes up against. Heretofore, the players will respectively be referred to as The Hero and the Villain.


THE DEATH SQUAD: The Death Squad will be made up of characters from the DC, Ultimates and Indy Universes. In this campaign, they represent the various military experts recruited by the Punisher. (This is important to keep in mind. Batman, for instance, isn’t Bruce Wayne, but a former Green Beret Psych Warfare expert who happens to design a bat-themed costume. Captain Cold isn’t Captain Cold, but an Artic Warfare expert who designs his own freeze gun. Jonah Hex is a small arms expert with an affectation for the Old West. And so on.)

The Hero picks 12 of the following characters—choosing one specific version of each: Batman, Green Arrow (any version), Sgt. Rock, Captain Cold, Captain Boomarang, Talia, Batgirl, Question, Joker (not Emperor Joker), Riddler, Penguin, Two-Face, Bane, Crimson Avenger, Jonah HJex, Rorscharch, Night Owl, Silk Specter, Ozymandias, Catwoman, Master Chief


These 12 plus Punisher form his pool of available characters. In each scenario, he forms a team using Punisher, whichever Death Squad members he wishes and the chosen “guest star.” He must use Punisher and the guest star in every scenario, but otherwise may use whichever of his available squad members he wishes.


The Villain’s available figures will be detailed in each scenario description.


SCENARIO SIZE, LENGTH, AND SET UP: Each scenario is 400 points and lasts 10 rounds. Players will roll dice for first player for each scenario and set up normally.


FEAT CARDS: Neither player may use the Lazarus Pit or ICWO. Otherwise, Feat cards may be assigned freely in each scenario.


GUEST STARS: Before building a team for the next scenario, the Hero picks any version of one of the following guest stars: Spider Man, Daredevil, Falcon, Moon Knight, Black Cat, Power Man, Cloak & Dagger (must use both), Black Widow, Shang Chi.


He may use any one guest star only once—so he’ll be picking a new guest star at the beginning of each scenario. Remember, he MUST include the guest star on his team.


MAPS: Each scenario will have a specific map designated. If the required map is unavailable, the players should be able to agree on a reasonable substitute. Roll dice to resolve any disputes.


BFC CARDS: Specific BFC cards are designated for certain scenarios. Otherwise, they are not used.


“HE’S… HE’S DEAD, FRANK”: At the end of each scenario, randomly pick a KO’d Death Squad member (other than Punisher). Roll a die. On a roll of 5 or 6, that character is permanently removed from the Hero’s pool of available characters.


VICTORY POINTS: Calculate victory points normally and keep a running total throughout the campaign.


THE SCENARIOS:


Scenario #1: THE KINGPIN OF CRIME


The Death Squad attacks a drug-manufacturing factory being run by the Kingpin.


The Villain’s team: The Villain must use any one version of the Kingpin and any figures with the Sinister Syndicate Team Ability. He may also use any number of Thugs, Lackeys, Henchmen and Criminals. He may use one Con Artist.


MAP: Use the Chemical Factory map from the Icons starter set.


BFC: In this initial effort by the Death Squad, they rush their assault. But the bad guys are also caught by surprise. The Rushed Assault BFC card is in effect.


Scenario # 2: “Cut off one head and another will grow!!!”

Although they dedicated themselves to wiping out organized crime, the Death Squad becomes involved in stamping out a Hydra terrorist cell.


The Villain’s team: The Villain uses either Baron Strucker OR the Red Skull. He also uses any number of Hydra generics (he may not use more than one medic) and any number of Dreadnaughts.


MAP: Use the Underground base map OR the Castle Ruins map. First player picks which one.


BFC: There is no BFC card in effect for this scenario.


Scenario #3: Snakes in the Grass


The Death Squad attempts to break up a kidnapping ring run by the Serpent Society, arriving just at the villains are attempting to kidnap Kirsten Dunst.


The Villain’s team: Use any character with the Serpent Society Team Ability, plus any number of Thugs, Lackeys, Criminals and Henchmen. The Villain may also borrow Kobra Fanatics from the DC Universe to use as Serpent minions.


SPECIAL RULE: After all other set-up procedures are completed, the first player sets up the Movie Star pog in one of the center four squares of the map. Either player may “capture” the pog (using the capture rules that came with the map sets) to either kidnap or rescue her. If a player controls her at the end of the scenario, he gets 50 bonus points.


Neither player may make an attack that endangers Ms. Dunst (which may limit Energy Explosion or Pulse Wave options) since both players have their own reasons for keeping her safe.


MAP: The first player may choose any urban environment map (except the Metropolis street map) or the Mansion map (Ms. Dunst’s home).


BFC: No BFC card is in effect for his scenario.


Scenario #4: Kingpin’s revenge.


Kingpin returns to take vengeance on the Death Squad. He also bribes a Death Squad member to switch sides.


The Villain’s team: The Villain uses the same version of Kingpin he used the first time. He uses any figures with the Sinister Syndicate Team Ability (he doesn’t have to use the same ones) plus any number of Henchmen, Thugs, Lackeys and Criminals. He also randomly picks one member of the Death Squad. He MUST use him on his team.


The Hero, of course, can not use the traitor on his team this scenario.


MAP: The first player picks one of the following maps: The Carnival, the Construction site, the Harbor or the Junkyard.


BFC: The traitor confuses the good guys, while the bad guys aren’t absolutely sure they can trust him/her. The Poor Teamwork BFC card is in effect.


FINAL VICTORY: Total up the victory points for all four scenarios. If the Hero has high score, then the Death Squad has taken a big bite out of crime. If the Villain has high score, then the Squad has failed in their mission.