Welcome back to Precon Recon, where this week, we're going to be updating Spider-Man's miserable Justice Precon into something a bit more manageable. If you want to see our breakdown of our thoughts regarding Spidey's kit and precon, check out our BGG article here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2712409/article/38312990#38312990

Web-Slinging Defender

If Spider-Man's known for one thing in the comics, it's fighting his hardest to make sure nobody else dies. He's seen so many of his friends and foes die over the years, it has become something of an overplayed trope that he'll fight his hardest to save anyone. Hence, Protection. It's the Aspect that not only plays to the character's mechanical strengths but makes a ton of sense thematically.

In this sense, this deck is chock full of great defense events. Desperate Defense and Side Step help you defend yourself while Preemptive Strike lets you jump in front of other people, saving them from potentially devastating damage. And of course, his Nerves of Steel will help keep the events coming. And assuming he doesn't take any damage, as he is wont to do, he'll make a nuisance of himself with 3 copies of Hard to Ignore, quipping at his enemies to distract them and throw them off their game. His Unflappable attitude will also fuel you with resolve and extra cards, always a plus. And since Spider-Man never stays down when there's work to do, Indomitable helps him take a punch and keep going.

Now, while they are SHIELD-themed, Spider-Man is a bit of a tinkerer, building plenty of equipment over the years to help him fight various baddies, such as the Spider-Armor MK II, a bulletproof suit designed to protect Peter after he temporarily lost his spider-sense. And in this sense, it's not so far-fetched to have Spidey put together a defensive tool to shock enemies that try to hit him. So, Armored Vest and Electrostatic Armor make a ton of sense for this deck.

In terms of who he's fighting alongside, Peter calls on a couple of his friends from his time with the New Avengers, team-leader Luke Cage and martial artist Iron Fist. Not to mention, both these characters served in the Heroes for Hire, as did Black Cat, Spidey's signature ally.

What remains is a variety of events that play into Spider-Man's need to protect, whether it be him giving a speech to Muster Courage, getting one over on his enemy with Momentum Shift, or simply finding his Second Wind. All in all, it's a deck that isn't perfect, but keys into the core tenants of Spider-Man that make me feels satisfied.

And before anybody asks (it's a reasonable question), the Spider-Man [Miles Morales] basic ally, while it could have been included here, is being saved for Ms. Marvel's deck down the road. Miles has had a close relationship with both heroes, but he feels more appropriately suited to Ms. Marvel's needs.

Give Me Everything You've Got

As you may have gathered, this deck wants you to block nearly every turn. It'll take a while to build up your engine, but once you do, you'll be removing 3 threat, dealing a damage, readying yourself, and drawing a card nearly every time you block. And for those especially punishing attacks, the various defense events have you covered. Spidey can pay for them more easily than most thanks to his Spider-Sense, but Nerves of Steel will make it easier than ever to make it worth your while.

Iron Fist and Luke Cage are primarily here to dish some damage; Cage can deal 12 damage over the course of the game, which is nothing to turn your nose up at, and Iron Fist can help keep your fellow player safe by stunning the villain when you're 2nd player in turn order.

There's not too much else to it; keep yourself healthy, stay in hero form as long as humanly possible, and do your best to shield the others at the table. This is one of the few Protection builds that rewards blocking regularly, so take advantage of it!

If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to let us know down below, and we'll see you next time, when we'll be taking a look at She-Hulk!