Fantasy Flight Games has introduced a major update to Marvel Champions: The Card Game with the release of version 1.7 of the Rules Reference, including a brand‑new system of game environments that reshape how players customize their decks and experience the game. These new Marvel Champions game environments determine which heroes and player cards are legal for deck building in a given game, giving players new ways to tailor their experience.
What Are Game Environments?
Game environments in Marvel Champions are frameworks that set boundaries on the player card pool you can use when constructing your hero decks. By selecting a specific environment before gameplay begins, you decide which expansions and packs are eligible in that session.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been building heroic decks for years, these environment rules give you flexibility in how you want to play. There are three distinct Marvel Champions game environments:
- Current Environment
- Legacy Environment
- Limited Environment
Why the New Game Environments Matter
The introduction of game environments gives the Marvel Champions community more choice and clarity in how they play:
- New players can ease into the game without being overwhelmed by legacy content
- Veterans can continue using every card they own, or craft unique themed limitations
- Casual groups can agree on a limited environment to add variety and challenge
Importantly, game environments only affect which player cards you can use. They do not restrict scenarios, modular encounter sets, or villain cards—so you can still face any threat, regardless of environment choice.
Current Environment: Best for New Players & Fresh Challenges
The Current Environment limits your card pool to the Core Set and the most recently released products. At the time of the v1.7 update, that includes expansions and hero packs such as:
- Age of Apocalypse
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Civil War
This format is ideal for players who:
- Are new to Marvel Champions
- Want to play with only the newest cards
- Enjoy testing creativity with a constrained set of cards
As new products release, the Current Environment will continually refresh to include only the latest sets, keeping gameplay dynamic and approachable.
Legacy Environment — Use Your Full Collection
If you prefer unrestricted deck building, the Legacy Environment is your choice. This environment allows players to include every hero and player card they own, giving the broadest possible card pool.
This environment is perfect for:
- Long‑time players who want maximum flexibility
- Competitive deck builders seeking powerful combinations
- Anyone who enjoys playing with their entire Marvel Champions collection without restrictions.
Limited Environment — Custom Challenges
The Limited Environment offers a highly customizable playing field. Here, players choose:
- Up to three expansion boxes, and
- Up to 10 hero packs
These selections define the card pool for that game. This environment strikes a balance between Current and Legacy, encouraging creative deck building and self‑imposed challenges.
For example, players might build themed subsets like:
- Mutant wave decks, focusing on Mutant Genesis, NeXt Evolution, and Age of Apocalypse products
- Avengers‑themed decks based on the Core Set, The Rise of Red Skull, and Mad Titan’s Shadow
This flexible approach invites experimentation and keeps gameplay fresh
New Marvel Champions Game Environments
The new Marvel Champions game environments system introduced in the latest Rules Reference provides structure without limiting player freedom. Whether you prefer the newest cards, your entire collection, or tailor‑made challenges, these environments help shape the kind of game you want to play.
As Marvel Champions continues to evolve with new expansions and rule updates, environments will offer accessible ways to balance the game and keep every session exciting—no matter your playstyle.
Browse the Round 2 Gaming – Marvel Champion category for great deals on Hero Packs and Scenarios. (LINK)