STAND FREE OR DIE--A Marvel U. campaign featuring the Defenders

Okay, they’re not really a group and they don’t really like each other that much. But mess with one of the Defenders and you mess with ‘em all. When the Silver Surfer is kidnapped by a villain determined to gain access to the Power Cosmic, Doctor Strange, Namor and the rest jump to the front lines in order to help their comrade. But will they rescue the Surfer in time to ask his help against still another threat?


This is a series of scenarios involving the Defenders. One player uses figures with the Defenders, while his opponent will take control over several different sets of villains. Heretofore, the players will be called the Hero and the Villain respectively.


TEAM BUILDING: The Hero may use any figures with the Defenders keyword. He must, though, use the same version of a specific character throughout the campaign. (In other words, he must use either the Experienced or Veteran Valkerie—he may not switch back and forth between them.) He may rebuild his team out of his available characters for each scenario. He may not use the ICWO or “Lazarus Pit” Feat Cards, but otherwise may use Feat Cards freely.


In addition, each scenario lists a guest star that the Hero has the option of including on his team.


The Villain is given a different pool of figures from which to build his team in each scenario. Like the Hero, he may not use ICWO or “Lazarus Pit,” but otherwise may use Feat Cards freely.


Naturally, neither player may use multiple versions of non-generic characters.


A BFC card may be designated for certain scenarios. Otherwise, they are not used. These BFCs may not be cancelled.


SCENARIO #1: “Surf’s Up!”


Years ago, Doctor Doom used a device that drained the Power Cosmic out of the Silver Surfer and into himself. Like many of Doom’s plans, this backfired and nearly got him killed. Now another criminal scientist, Doctor Octopus, has stolen the power-draining device and believes he can successfully modify it to actually work. Recruiting some of his Sinister Syndicate allies to assist him, he has actually managed to capture the Surfer, holding him in a chamber that nullifies the Power Cosmic while he completes last-minute adjustments on the device.


But Doctor Doom does not care for the idea of someone else stealing his technology. He tracks Ock down to his lair and, accompanied by some Doombots, attacked. Simultaneously, the Defenders arrive, launching a rescue mission to free Surfer. Doom and Ock quickly make a truce in order to fight off the accursed heroes!


TEAMS: 500 point teams. The Hero may not use Silver Surfer. His guest star is either Spiderman or Daredevil.


The Villain must use any one non-Ultimate version of Doctor Doom, any one version of Doctor Octopus and at least two Doombots. He may use more Doombots if he wishes. The rest of his team can be any figures with the Sinister Syndicate Team Ability (other than Nighthawk).


MAP: Use the factory map that came with the Inside Adventures set. This is the abandoned factory in upstate New York that Ock was using as a headquarters. The Surfer is being held in a chamber buried beneath the floor, so does not physically appear in the scenario.


SCENARIO LENGTH: 10 rounds.


SET-UP: Roll for 1st player and set up normally.


VICTORY: Use normal victory point conditions. If the Hero wins, he frees Surfer from Ock’s control and is available for the remainder of the campaign. If the Villain wins, the Surfer remains Ock’s prisoner. He gets rescued in next month’s issue of Fantastic Four, but is removed from the Hero’s pool of available characters for this campaign.


SCENARIO #2: “HOME INVASION”


The Defenders return from their rescue mission just as Dr. Strange’s Greenwich village home is attacked by Baron Mordo. Strange’s nemesis has called up a variety of supernatural creatures to assist him in the attack.


TEAMS: 500 point teams.


The Hero has access to the Silver Surfer only if he won the previous scenarios. He must include Dr. Strange on his team this time. His guest star is Ghost Rider.


The Villain uses Baron Mordo, plus the following figures borrowed from Indy and DC sets: Hecate, Hellboy, Saurian Troopers, Arcane, Fury, Man-Bat, Swamp Thing, Solomon Grundy, Chemo, Demon, Cheetah, Clayface. All these minions are considered generic for this scenario, so multiple versions may be used.


MAP: Use the Mansion map from the Inside Adventures set.


BFC: The spell Mordo uses to summon his allies is causing weird side effects. The Astral Plane BFC is in effect for this scenario.


SET-UP: Roll for 1st player and set up normally.


VICTORY: Normal victory conditions apply. If the Villain wins, then Doctor Strange is captured by Mordo and taken to another dimension. Strange is rescued in next month’s issue of Millie the Model (don’t ask), but in the meantime he is not available for the remaining two scenarios. If the Hero wins, then he retains access to Dr. Strange.


SCENERIO #3: IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN.”


Soon after, the Leader makes yet another attempt to capture and gain control over the Hulk. Doctor Banner is taking a walk in Central Park when the villains attack.


TEAMS: 500 point teams.The Hero must use Hulk. Remember that his access to Surfer or Strange may have been cut off by losing one or both of the previous scenarios. His guest star is Captain Marvel/Photon/Pulsar.


The Villain must use the Leader and the Abomination. He may also use any figures with the Masters of Evil Team Ability except Ultron, Baron Zemo, Enchantress or Executioner.


MAP: Use the Park map from the Marvel Premiere set.


SPECIAL: After placing objects, the players alternately place 4 pogs each on the map. These are placed according to the same rules as objects, except they may not be placed adjacent to a starting area. These are innocent bystanders.The pogs affect Line-of-Fire and force breakaways normally. The Villain may target a pog to get it out of his way if he wishes, but the Hero may not do this. The Hero may also not use Energy Explosion or Pulse Wave is there is a chance of hitting a pog.


Pogs may be freely carried by either player. They may be TK’d if a successful attack roll is made.


VICTORY: Normal victory conditions apply. No points are earned for KO’d pogs. If the Villain wins, the Hulk is captured and taken to the Leader’s secret lair. He’s rescued in the next issue of The Incredible Hulk, but is not available for future scenarios. If the Hero wins, then Hulk is still available to use in the last scenario.


SCENARIO #4: “TROUBLE FROM ASGARD!”


At this point, the god of mischief Loki is up to his old tricks. He’s slipped Odin a sleeping potion, distracted the Avengers with a fake distress call, and teleported Manhattan into another dimension, determined to rule over it. Only the Defenders stand in his way.


TEAMS: 600 point teams.The Hero may be down as many as three figures: Surfer, Strange and Hulk, depending on how well (or poorly) he’s done so far. His guest star is, of course, Thor. He may also include any number of Gotham Police, here representing NYPD desperately trying to deal with a bizarre situation.


The Villain must use Loki. He may also use Enchantress, Executioner, Ulik, Fenris, Karnilla and Lorelie. He may also any number of Rock Trolls and Fire Demons. All these minions are considered generic for this scenario, so multiple versions may be used.


MAP: The battle rages across the streets of Manhattan as the island plunges through a dimensional rift. The 1st player may choose any map that represents an urban area. (Exception: Do not use the Metropolis street map.)


SET-UP: Roll for 1st player and set up normally.


BFC: The shaky passage through the dimensional rift has several side effects. The Debris and Low Gravity BFCs are in effect for this scenario.


VICTORY: Standard victory conditions apply. If the Hero wins, Manhattan is saved and Loki is sent running back to Asgard with his tail between his legs. If the Villain wins, then Loki rules over an enslaved Manhattan forever!!!!!