Marvel: Crisis Protocol – ‘Phoenix Unleashed’ Rules Previews
Atomic Mass Games is letting the Phoenix fly free. It’s time to take a closer look at what she can do on the tabletop!
This year at AdeptiCon Atomic Mass Games previewed the Phoenix. They were also giving out her card as part of the World Championships. Images of it haven been floating around the web already. However, I got a package from them and inside was one of the cards. And let me tell you, I’m still trying to wrap my head around what she can do!
We already knew a bit about her thanks to that smaller text. But honestly, it’s a little hard to read. So let’s check out the card they sent me.
Kicking things off, let’s talk stats. Jean Grey is back with a potent defensive stat line of 4/4/5 with 7 stamina. She’s also size 2 with a movement of medium and she’s also the X-Men’s Threat Level 6 character (for REALLY good reason). Oh and Phoenix has Flight, too.
Her builder is Bolts of Flame. This one clocks in at range 3 for 6 dice. It’s an energy attack that can also trigger Incinerate on a wild. This basic attack is already an impressive swing. However, her Firestorm attack is even more impressive. This attack is a massive A3 attack for 6 dice but it does require 6 energy. It can also trigger Incinerates on wilds, too. However, what I really like about this attack is that instead of pinging friendlies for 1 damage it actually heals them instead!
Cosmically Empowered Telekinesis is a 3 power throw. But you can fling enemies of size 5 or less or terrain that’s size 4 or less — both within range 2. They’ll be traveling Medium, as Phoenix cuts loose. Rejuvenating Flames is another power that costs 2. It allows you to spot heal an ally within range 3 for 2 damage and 1 special condition. It’s worth noting that a character can only be targeted by this power once per turn. However, you can target multiple characters with it!
Burning Resolve cost 3 but it shuts down any attempt to move an allied character via an Advance, Place, or Push from an enemy effect. That seems pricy but it can also prevent movement shenanigans. Psionic Nexus is the power that grants Phoenix 1 additional energy each turn and she’s also immune to Incinerate and Poison.
Okay, now we get into the big one: I Am Fire and Life Incarnate. Basically, any time a friendly non-Grunt character is dazed/KO’d she get a Phoenix Token. If she would ever be Dazed, she immediately gains 3 tokens. Those tokens aren’t good. When she has 3 or more Phoenix Tokens at the start of the turn, or if you would flip her card to the injured side, Phoenix Unleashed comes into play instead. Place the other miniature within range 2 of and move all energy, activated tokens, AND all Phoenix tokens over. Then remove Phoenix from the tabletop.
Meet Phoenix Unleashed
Okay…this is where things get weird. Stat-wise, she’s now 4/5/3 with a massive 10 stamina. She’s also now size 4 and moves short — but note she’s got a larger base. She’s still threat 6…but that’s not really important. And she’s also still got Flight and is now immune to Stagger and Stun in addition to still being immune to Incinerate and Poison.
Her first attack is NOT a builder. Yeah, you read that right. It’s range 4 and 6 dice still, but things get WEIRD. Destructive Force basically takes a terrain feature size 2, 3, or 4 within range 4 and destroys it. You then add that many dice to the attack. Size 2 = 2 bonus dice, etc. Additionally, if there are fewer than 2 Flame Pillars, you place 1 Flame Pillar within range 4 of this character. After the attack is resolved, she gains 1 Phoenix Token.
Molecular Disintegration is the attack that’s going to let you drop all those Phoenix Tokens (hopefully). It’s an impressive B4 for 8 dice — but it does cost 6 energy! But after each attack is resolved, you lose 1 Phoenix Token — provided she doesn’t Daze or KO the target. This attack is a costly release valve and it’s going to be the difference between her burning out or her staying on the tabletop.
Temporal Domination doesn’t cost any power. It allows her to reroll up to 3 dice in an attack or defense roll in exchange for taking another Phoenix Token. You can only use this once per turn.
All Are Beneath Me as passive power allows her to measure LOS from the Flame Pillars. Additionally, after the attacks are resolved, the targets gain Incinerate and the Flame Pillars are destroyed. This is going to be key for getting an good angle with Molecular Disintegration!
Now we get to the OTHER weird power: Untamed Cosmic Entity. First up, all those Phoenix tokens are going to generate her 1 power for each token she has. That’s good. She still gains those tokens when a friendly character is Dazed or KO’d. And she loses them when she Dazes or KO’s an enemy. That’s just the first part of the power…
Now, when she would flip her card to the Injured side OR if Phoenix Unleashed has 5 or more Phoenix Tokens at the end of her Activation, then she explodes. Literally. Roll a number of dice equal to how many Phoenix Tokens she has. each character suffers 1 damage for each hit, crit, or wild. You also destroy all terrain features within range 5 with a Size equal or less than the number of crits, wilds, and hits rolled. Then she’s officially KO’d.
A Flame That Burns Bright…
I legit can’t wait to try this character out on the tabletop. Phoenix is looking potent. But also she seems very risky. He weakness really lies within her ability to juggle those Phoenix Tokens. If you don’t clear them by the end of her activation, she’s going to nuke herself and anyone else caught in the blast radius.
If you’re fighting against her, you kind of want to take out her allies and really drive up those Phoenix Tokens. However, you’re also empowering her with more of them which equates to more energy for her to spend. However, she’s only got the 1 BIG blast for 6 energy — but that’s the only ability that spends that energy.
Phoenix Unleashed also doesn’t really have a lot of action economy on this side of her card either. But she might not need it. She’s got a massive range thanks to her base size and the Flame Pillars. She’s going to be able to blow up terrain and then combo that with a Molecular Disintegration shot. If you’re playing as her, you’re going to want to look for those angles.
Honestly she sounds super interesting to try and a tad dangerous, too. The Phoenix has a release date of June 13, 2025. Summers going to be a hot one!
Marvel: Crisis Protocol – Phoenix & Phoenix Unleashed $54.99
CP83 brings the legendary Phoenix to Marvel: Crisis Protocol. This story arc and character has been a mainstay in X-Men comics and is iconic in the Marvel Universe. This character pack brings exciting new mechanics to the table, a dynamic set of miniatures for hobbyists, and a fan favorite for die-hard and casual X-Men fans. This is a highly anticipated character pack that pairs well with existing X-Men Affiliation and Character Packs.
Can you contain the Phoenix?
