Marvel: Crisis Protocol – May 2025 Card Update Summary

Wow, lots of exciting news on the way for MCP fans!

Rules & Documents

  • A fresh Print-and-Play update is now available.
    • Includes updated Team Tactic Cards and character stat cards.
    • FAQ and Errata have been revised to support the new changes.
  • All documents are live on the Marvel: Crisis Protocol Rules page.

Repackaging and Rebalancing

  • The repack initiative announced during AdeptiCon 2025 is underway.
  • Older character packs are being reorganized into multi-character affiliation boxes.
  • Goals of this shift:
    • Streamlined SKU management.
    • Support for multilingual packaging.
    • Improved value and affordability for players.

Why the Rebalance?

  • Each reissued pack gets a design review.
  • Characters are adjusted if:
    • Their playstyle doesn’t match the design team’s vision.
    • They’re over- or underperforming in the current meta.
  • All updates go through full playtesting, just like new releases.

Release Schedule

  • The repack and rebalance effort will roll out over the next few years.
  • Expect more frequent, smaller updates instead of massive overhauls.
  • Print-and-Play files will lead the way—players get access to updates immediately, without waiting for physical releases.

Key Gameplay Adjustments

Rule Timing Improvements

  • Several abilities now resolve after attacks, so characters can gain power first.
    • Affects characters like X-23, Angela, and Carnage.

Balance Pass

  • Some characters received buffs to better fit the game’s power curve.
    • Carnage now has 8 Stamina and stronger follow-up attacks.
  • A few characters were toned down to reduce dominance at low Threat levels.
    • Toad and Bullseye are the main targets here.
  • Doctor Strange received a more comprehensive rework, with a new Leadership ability and improved defensive tools.

Detailed Change Log

Team Tactic Cards

  • Updated for clarity:
    • Seven Suns of Cinnibus
    • Vapors of Valtorr
    • Magnetic Crush
    • Astral Ring
    • Mutant Traitor (now only damages Bishop once, and only after all attacks are resolved)

Character Updates

  • Bullseye – Throwing Knives range reduced (4 → 3)
  • Doctor Strange – New Leadership (Judgment of the Vishanti), improved stamina and defense tools
  • Clea – Health increased, damage risks added to abilities, new superpower added
  • Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme – Can now reroll dodge rolls
  • Cosmic Ghost Rider – No changes; just reaffirming the current version
  • X-23 – Frenzy timing updated; Adamantium Skeleton removed
  • Angela – Angelic Assassin now resolves after attacks
  • Heimdall – All-Seeing Eyes range increased
  • Bishop – Overload triggers during the Cleanup Phase
  • Colossus – Strike and X-Slam abilities changed; Big Brother now varies by range
  • Magik – Stamina boosted, Hex added, gains immunity to Incinerate
  • Nightcrawler – Timing cleaned up on abilities
  • Agent Venom – Project Rebirth 2.0 now requires a Shake action
  • Gambit – Strength and attack type adjusted; gains new superpower and reposition option
  • Toad – Health slightly redistributed; Tongue Lash now inflicts Poison instead of Push
  • Carnage – More Stamina and stronger “Paint the Town Red” effect

Final Notes

  • The May 2025 Print-and-Play document represents the first wave of many coming changes.
  • More frequent updates mean a more balanced and dynamic game experience.
  • Be sure to download the new files and test out the latest changes in your games.
author avatar
Reece Robbins President
Co-founder of Frontline Gaming, and creator of the ITC, Reece Robbins has been a pillar of the tabletop community for over two decades. From developing Blood Throne to launching industry-leading hobby products and major events like the LVO, his career is defined by innovation and a lifelong passion for gaming since the 80s. Today, he remains a very active community organizer and business leader dedicated to the growth of the hobby.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top