Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game – Secret Wars, Volume 1
Official Description:
Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game – Secret Wars, Volume 1 is a major expansion for the Legendary deck-building game series, set within the Marvel Comics universe. This expansion introduces content inspired by the Secret Wars storyline, featuring playable characters from the Illuminati, Cabal, and various alternate universes. Players can expect to encounter heroes such as Black Panther, Dr. Strange, Namor, and Miles Morales, among others, as they navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of Battleworld.
The expansion adds new game mechanics and elements, including Sidekicks, multicolored cards, and the living dead, which enhance the strategic depth and replayability of the Legendary experience. Players must build their teams and work together to overcome powerful Masterminds and Schemes that threaten the Marvel multiverse. The inclusion of characters and settings from alternate realities provides fresh challenges and opportunities for creative gameplay.
Secret Wars, Volume 1 is designed to be integrated with the base Legendary game and other expansions, offering both cooperative and solo play options. With its thematic focus on the Secret Wars event and a diverse roster of heroes and villains, this expansion broadens the scope of the Legendary series and delivers new adventures for fans of Marvel and deck-building games alike.
Secret Wars, Volume 1 sits in the collection as the expansion that fundamentally retools Legendary’s core engine. The addition of heavy hitters like Thanos and the Black Order into the hero pool, plus the Sidekick stack, finally addresses the early-game drag that used to bog down sessions. For groups that have already wrung the base set dry, this box is the inflection point—where the game stops being a casual deck-builder and starts demanding real table presence. It’s not nostalgia that keeps this one in play; it’s the way it patches the system and raises the ceiling for what a session can throw at you. After years of managing tables, I can say this is the expansion that made Legendary a recurring headline, not just a warm-up.
Physically, you’re wrangling a lot of cardboard. The oversized, full-art boxes look impressive but are a logistical dead end for anyone who actually wants to organize their cards. Most hosts will end up condensing everything into a single crate, but you’re still left with the shelf-candy packaging. Setup and teardown are a commitment—expect at least 20 minutes to get everything sorted, especially if you’re mixing in other expansions. This isn’t a filler; it’s a main event that commands the table for a solid hour, and you’ll want to plan your night around it. If you’re running multiple tables, be ready to dedicate space and time—this isn’t a game you can squeeze in between lighter fare.
Teaching this expansion is a hands-on affair. The spike in keyword complexity and the sheer volume of new mechanics mean you can’t just drop the rulebook and walk away. Players will need guidance through the first few rounds, especially as the board state gets crowded and the competitive edge ramps up. The interaction level is high—expect table talk, tactical debates, and the occasional rules check as new effects hit the table. Once everyone’s up to speed, the energy stays sharp, but you’ll still need to keep an eye out for confusion as the game’s procedural layers stack up. For groups that want a challenge and don’t mind a little hand-holding up front, this is the expansion that keeps Legendary feeling fresh and demanding.
MY score
8
Our Total Plays
119
Last PLayed
12 Oct 24
🏛️ Legacy
Player Count
1-5
Playtime
60 mins
