Cyclops
Marvel X-Men · Complexity: 4/6 · Health / CP (1v1): 50 / 2 CP
How to play Cyclops
Overview & game plan
A squad leader: Focus Fire on the target, tokens for the team – his damage grows with every marked hit.
If after roll 1 5× Blast for Optic Blast! are reachable. Keep 5× Blast and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Optic Blast! (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Never Back Down. Optic Blast! deals a documented 11 damage and applies focus-fire, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
Strengths
- Focus Fire: EVERY attack on the marked target deals +1 per stack (max 2, persistent)
- Support tokens give ANY player CP, rerolls, or cards
- Never Back Down: 8 damage + 2 tokens from 5 symbols
- Optic Blast!: 11–13 damage + 2 Focus Fire + 5 tokens
Weaknesses
- Hand to Hand starts small (4/5/7) – he needs the mark
- Recourse only prevents ~1 reliably
Dice & symbols
Most likely attack
Requirement: 3× ✊ Fist · Chance: 98.4%
Damage: 4 damage
Attacks & odds
| Ability | Requirement | Chance | Damage | Damage type | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand to Hand | 3× ✊ Fist | 98.4% | 4 damage | Normal | – |
| Target Acquired | 4× ✊ Fist + 1× ✸ Blast | 50% | 5 damage | Normal | focus-fire |
| Teamwork | 1× ✊ Fist + 3× ▣ Pouch | 71.8% | 5 damage | Normal | – |
| Never Back Down | 3× ✊ Fist + 2× ✸ Blast | 31.3% | 8 damage | Normal | – |
| Regroup | Small straight (4 in a row) | 58.7% | 6 damage | Normal | – |
| Strafe | 4× ✸ Blast | 10.4% | 5 damage | Undefendable | focus-fire |
| Assault | Large straight (5 in a row) | 24.9% | 8 damage | Normal | – |
| Optic Blast! Ultimate | 5× ✸ Blast | 1.3% | 11 damage | Ultimate | focus-fire |
How you defend
Recourse: 3 dice – prevent 1 per pouch (~1), each blast either 3 counter or 2 extra prevention.
Concrete dice decisions
- If after roll 1 5× Blast for Optic Blast! are reachable. Keep 5× Blast and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Optic Blast! (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Never Back Down. Optic Blast! deals a documented 11 damage and applies focus-fire, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 3× Fist + 2× Blast for Never Back Down are reachable. Keep 3× Fist + 2× Blast and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Never Back Down (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Optic Blast!. Never Back Down deals a documented 8 damage, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 a large straight for Assault are reachable. Keep a large straight and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Assault (5 dice). If fewer than 5 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Optic Blast!. Assault deals a documented 8 damage, so the 5 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 a small straight for Regroup are reachable. Keep a small straight and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Regroup (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Optic Blast!. Regroup deals a documented 6 damage, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
- If after roll 1 4× Blast for Strafe are reachable. Keep 4× Blast and reroll all dice not needed, aiming at Strafe (4 dice). If fewer than 4 matching dice remain after roll 1, switch to Optic Blast!. Strafe deals a documented 5 damage and bypasses the defence roll and applies focus-fire, so the 4 committed dice stay on the table.
Concrete playing rules
Late game
Keep Focus Fire at 2 and use the blast routes for Strafe / Optic Blast!.
Resources
- Battle Plan: Max 4, each once per turn: 1 = look at an enemy hand; 3 = dig top 3 deck cards for a Leadership Card; 3 = inflict Focus Fire. Regroup +2, Strafe +3, Assault +3, Never Back Down +1, ultimate +3. Priority: Focus Fire (3) on the main target as soon as 3 are banked – the rest is bonus.
Statuses & timing
- Focus Fire: negative, max 2 stacks, persistent, +1 damage per stack on every attack against the marked target.
- Battle Plan: max 4, each option once per turn (1 = look at an enemy hand, 3 = dig for a Leadership Card, 3 = inflict Focus Fire).
- Support: max 3 (1 = 1 CP, 1 = 1 reroll any time, 3 = 1 card).
- At 3 Battle Plan set Focus Fire immediately; beyond 4 the surplus is lost.
- Never stack Support past 3 – unused rerolls win no rolls.
- Battle Plan: Regroup +2, Strafe +3, Assault +3, Never Back Down +1, ultimate +3.
- Battle Plan: Priority: Focus Fire (3) on the main target as soon as 3 are banked – the rest is bonus.
- Support: Teamwork +2, Never Back Down +1, a Hand to Hand four-of-a-kind, ultimate +2.
Avoid these mistakes
Works well with
- Cursed PirateRank #1/37Cursed Pirate applies Cursed Doubloon (Cursed Doubloon, Cursed Form), Powder Keg (Powder Keg, Powder Keg); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Cursed Pirate adds Cutlass Strike (7 damage, normal), X Marks the Spot (6 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- MonkRank #2/37Monk applies Chi (Chi, Chi), Evasive; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Monk adds Fist Strike (8 damage, normal), Combo Strike (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- TreantRank #3/37Treant applies Barbed Vine (Barbed Vine), Wellspring (Wellspring); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Treant adds Splinter (7 damage, normal), Overgrowth (8 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Moon ElfRank #4/37Moon Elf applies Blind (Blind), Evasive (Evasive); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Moon Elf adds Longbow (7 damage, normal), Demising Shot (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- PyromancerRank #5/37Pyromancer applies Burn (Burn, Burn), Fire Mastery (Fire Mastery, Fire Mastery); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Pyromancer adds Fireball (8 damage, normal), Burning Soul (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
Partner rankings
- Cursed PirateRank #1/37 · Very good choiceCursed Pirate applies Cursed Doubloon (Cursed Doubloon, Cursed Form), Powder Keg (Powder Keg, Powder Keg); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Cursed Pirate adds Cutlass Strike (7 damage, normal), X Marks the Spot (6 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- MonkRank #2/37 · Very good choiceMonk applies Chi (Chi, Chi), Evasive; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Monk adds Fist Strike (8 damage, normal), Combo Strike (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- TreantRank #3/37 · Very good choiceTreant applies Barbed Vine (Barbed Vine), Wellspring (Wellspring); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Treant adds Splinter (7 damage, normal), Overgrowth (8 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Moon ElfRank #4/37 · Very good choiceMoon Elf applies Blind (Blind), Evasive (Evasive); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Moon Elf adds Longbow (7 damage, normal), Demising Shot (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- PyromancerRank #5/37 · Solid choicePyromancer applies Burn (Burn, Burn), Fire Mastery (Fire Mastery, Fire Mastery); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Pyromancer adds Fireball (8 damage, normal), Burning Soul (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Shadow ThiefRank #6/37 · Solid choiceShadow Thief applies Shadows (Shadows), Sneak Attack (Sneak Attack); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Shadow Thief adds Dagger Strike (8 damage, normal), Shifty Strike (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- HuntressRank #7/37 · Solid choiceHuntress applies Nyra's Bond (Nyra's Bond, Nyra's Bond), Bleed (Bleed); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Huntress adds Animalistic (5 damage, normal), Savage (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- NinjaRank #8/37 · Solid choiceNinja applies Delayed Poison (Delayed Poison, Delayed Poison), Smoke Bomb (Smoke Bomb); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Ninja adds Slash (7 damage, normal), Walk the Line (12 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- IcemanRank #9/37 · Solid choiceIceman applies dice-cube, ice-shard; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Iceman adds Frostbite (7 damage, normal), Ice to Meet You (2.5 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- RavenessRank #10/37 · Solid choiceRaveness applies feather, hex; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Raveness adds Peck (7 damage, normal), Murder of Crows (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- GunslingerRank #11/37 · Solid choiceGunslinger applies Reload (Reload), Bounty (Bounty); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Gunslinger adds Revolver (5 damage, normal), Bounty Hunter (1 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- PaladinRank #12/37 · Solid choicePaladin applies Crit (Crit), Protect (Protect); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Paladin adds Righteous Combat (7 damage, normal), Mighty Prayer (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- SeraphRank #13/37 · Solid choiceSeraph applies flight, blinding-light; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Seraph adds Holy Blade (7 damage, normal), Glorious (6 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- BarbarianRank #14/37 · Poor fitBarbarian applies concussion, stun; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Barbarian adds Smack (8 damage, normal), Sturdy Blow (4 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Scarlet WitchRank #15/37 · Poor fitScarlet Witch applies probability manipulation, reality warp; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Scarlet Witch adds Hex Bolt (8 damage, normal), Jinx (9 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Headless HorsemanRank #16/37 · Poor fitHeadless Horseman applies dreadful, grim-pursuit; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Headless Horseman adds Cleave (7 damage, normal), Reap (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- ArtificerRank #17/37 · Poor fitArtificer applies Synth (Synth, Synth), Nanite (Nanite, Nanobot); their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Artificer adds Spanner Strike (6 damage, normal), Eureka (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Doctor StrangeRank #18/37 · Poor fitDoctor Strange applies crimson bands, premonition; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Doctor Strange adds Augury (8 damage, normal), Astral Incursion (8 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- ThorRank #19/37 · Poor fitThor applies guard break, electrokinesis; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Thor adds Hammered (7 damage, undefendable), Odinforce (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- SantaRank #20/37 · Poor fitSanta applies cheer, egg-nog; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Santa adds Trim Your Tree (8 damage, normal), Festivities (9 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- SamuraiRank #21/37 · Poor fitSamurai applies shame, honor; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Samurai adds Katana Slice (7 damage, normal), Wakizashi (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Pale LadyRank #22/37 · Poor fitPale Lady applies moonShard, bleed; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Pale Lady adds Scratch (6 damage, normal), The Hunt (6 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Spider-Man (Miles Morales)Rank #23/37 · Poor fitSpider-Man (Miles Morales) applies combo, webbed; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Spider-Man (Miles Morales) adds Punch (6 damage, normal), C-C-C-Combo (5 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- WolverineRank #24/37 · Poor fitWolverine applies rage, alpha; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Wolverine adds Adamantium Claws (6 damage, normal), Regenerate (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Captain MarvelRank #25/37 · Poor fitCaptain Marvel applies cosmic-ray, cosmic-flare; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Captain Marvel adds Photon Punch (7 damage, normal), Inner Light (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- DeadpoolRank #26/37 · Poor fitDeadpool applies donut, onomatopoeia; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Deadpool adds Finger Guns (7 damage, normal), Donut Hole (4 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- RogueRank #27/37 · Poor fitRogue applies influence, ionic energy; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Rogue adds Brawl (6 damage, normal), Sass (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Black PantherRank #28/37 · Poor fitBlack Panther applies kinetic-energy, vibranium-suit; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Black Panther adds Vibranium Claws (6 damage, normal), Stealth Strike (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- GambitRank #29/37 · Poor fitGambit applies molecular-acceleration, dissolution; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Gambit adds Bo Staff (7 damage, normal), Bojutsu (2 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- LokiRank #30/37 · Poor fitLoki applies illusion, bag of tricks; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Loki adds Mockery (8 damage, normal), Confuddle (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- PsylockeRank #31/37 · Poor fitPsylocke applies paralyze, agility; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Psylocke adds Lunge (7 damage, normal), Devise (3 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- TacticianRank #32/37 · Poor fitTactician applies tactical advantage, constrict; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Tactician adds Saber Strike (6 damage, normal), Carpet Bomb (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Jean GreyRank #33/37 · Poor fitJean Grey applies force field, acuity; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Jean Grey adds Mind Attack (6 damage, normal), Psychic Multiplier (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- KrampusRank #34/37 · Poor fitKrampus applies coal, gift; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Krampus adds Swat (7 damage, normal), Bad Tidings (6 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Vampire LordRank #35/37 · Poor fitVampire Lord applies blood-power, mesmerize; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Vampire Lord adds Gouge (7 damage, normal), Glamour (4 damage, undefendable) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- Black WidowRank #36/37 · Poor fitBlack Widow applies covert ops, agility; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Black Widow adds Baton Strike (7 damage, normal), Widows Gauntlets (7 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
- NecromancerRank #37/37 · Poor fitNecromancer applies decrep-ify, resurrect; their recorded effects add pressure and control windows to Cyclops's existing routes.Necromancer adds Shear (5 damage, normal), Harvest (2 damage, normal) as an attack route; this concrete damage line attacks through a different route alongside Cyclops.
Not rated yet: Storm