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Are there any existing games where comic book villains (or similar) battle it out to be the greatest?

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Griff Glowen
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Joined: 07/13/2016

I am aware of games like King of Tokyo - does anyone know of any thematically similar games, particularly any using comic book villains rather than monsters?

Zag24
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Legendary Villians
Willem Verheij
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Joined: 06/08/2016
There might be many

There might be many possibilities with this kind of theme though.

Due to licenses you could make your own unique super villains for that too.

Might make for a great game with a traitor mechanic, it seems perfect for that.

All players could take controll of a different villain trying to take over the world, and an archetypical superhero thats part of the game could be trying to stop the players from doing that.

Players could form temporary alliances like cartoon villains often do to stop this hero.

There could even be more heroes, as the game progresses, more could be added to the game. Heroes could also be killed off or temporary disabled.

Either way I see lots of opportunities there if you are looking to persue this idea.

let-off studios
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Gladiators

Any gladiator or arena-themed game can be an extension of this, and doesn't force the player to think of themselves as menaces to society. When you mention "villains," there seems no reason to worry about a traitor mechanic. It's taken for granted that villains will think nothing of the possibility of betraying the rest of the players. It's simply an "everyone out for themselves" scenario.

A traitor mechanic implies that teamwork is going to be involved. When you mention villains, a traitor is pretty much assumed. It's only a novel mechanic when those who typically trust one another are betrayed, not those who don't trust the others in the first place.

You could even say that games featuring explorers, adventurers, or dungeoneers could fit this category. Saying they're villains outright simply puts a nasty/nastier edge to the characters. If you want to go that route then sure, but traitor mechanics would (thematically) be a waste of time.

Willem Verheij
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I gues temporary alliances

I gues temporary alliances might be a better way to put it then. It could make for a fun cutthroat game though when villains compete with each other for dominance.

Wether it's mobsters trying to rule a city, bond like villains trying to rule the world or sith lords who want to rule the galaxy.

Temporary alliances could really help you, but when treachery is almost certain it could lead to a nice amount of paranoia. Again, fitting for a villain theme.

Griff Glowen
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Joined: 07/13/2016
Thanks for the responses. I

Thanks for the responses. I am quite a long way into the design and am excited about the possibilities that have been mentioned. Am doing the first playtest this evening.

At the moment I am keeping it quite a light simple game (just because it's my first and I don't want to be over ambitious) so no traitors. I did think of a possible expansion called 'Dark Alliance' or something similar though... But that's probably getting way ahead of myself when the Base game isn't even playtested yet.

I am hoping to call the game Supervillain. I see there is an old RPG called Supervillains with just a couple of ratings on BGG. What do people think about whether the name is legit?

WhtANightmare
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Joined: 10/02/2015
VS System - 2PCG

VS System the rebooted version of an earlier form, currently has both marvel super heroes and super villains in its catalogue of cards. its similar style to MtG in some respects, play cards for a mana (energy) cost, action cards (similar to instants and spells) difference is they have alleviated a few of the issues MtG has for newer players, you can't pay to win, the core set has ALL the cards you will need to play against your friends, the expansions are also really good. Mana curve (the ability to get more cards out quicker or slower than your opponent) is balanced by allowing any card to be placed face down to utilise as an energy source.

Personally i love it, but wish i knew more people into that genre of game to play against.

denseboy
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Joined: 08/04/2016
Super Powered Smash Masters

Hello! I'm actually working on a Super Hero-themed deck building card game right now. It's called 'Super Powered Smash Masters' and we're gearing up for a Kickstarter in the next several weeks. You can check it out here:

BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/204657/super-powered-smash-masters
Web: http://www.darkunicorngames.com

Right now, the game features all heroes (battling it out in the way that comic book heroes do), but if we get the chance, we want future expansions to include villains as well.

Soulfinger
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Griff Glowen wrote:I am

Griff Glowen wrote:
I am hoping to call the game Supervillain. I see there is an old RPG called Supervillains with just a couple of ratings on BGG. What do people think about whether the name is legit?

From a trademark perspective, "Supervillain" is weak. It's like you designed a digital camera and have opted to market it as "Digital Camera." For your reference:

http://www.fwlaw.com/news/355-information-regarding-trademarks-service-m...

Dralius
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As an aspiring super villain,

As an aspiring super villain, you are trying to make your mark in the world. In Villainy you are trying to be the first villain to complete three plans to beat Fantastiman, that pesky super-hero who watches over the city day and night. You must hire minions to aid you in your quest for world domination. You will have to do crimes and go to work as your alter ego to learn the skills necessary and gain the cards required to see your great plans through to their triumphant end.

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/158316/villainy

larienna
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I saw a game video review

I saw a game video review yesterday that fit exactly into your theme:

https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/130911/batman-gotham-city-strate...

You basically play one of the 4 villains (Joker, Penguin, 2 face, and another guy I do not know) and you try to control the city, but bat man jump in to kick your but and disturb your area of control.

Designing your own character is also interesting. I like how they did this in Sentinels of Multiverse.

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