From Panel to Play: Gambit

CP60 From Panel to Play: Gambit

If you’re a fan of spicy gumbo, zydeco music, and charmingly folksy sayings, then the subject of today’s From Panel to Play is going to be right up your alley. Just don’t play any card games with him. That’s right; we’re talking about the Ragin’ Cajun, none other than Gambit!

Remy LeBeau is Gambit, a dashing scoundrel with the mutant power to accelerate the molecular energy of an object, transforming mundane items into kinetically-charged explosives. Raised by a gang of New Orleans street thieves, Gambit is a master pilferer and former member of the Thieves’ Guild. He was forced to defend himself in a duel, leading to his eventual exile from New Orleans. Thrust into the employ of the Marauders, Gambit had an unwitting hand in the destruction of the Morlocks. His wandering life ended when he met Storm, who inducted him into his ultimate membership as one of the X-Men. As a loyal member of his new family, he dishes out punishment with his combat staff and trademark playing cards. Drop in a bit of kinetic enhancement and Gambit always has a winning hand.

Gambit can be unpredictable on the tabletop—and that’s a good thing! Every one of his three attack options has its own special rule triggered by a wild result, appropriate for a man who is so fond of games of chance. Whether he’s striking with his Bo Staff or throwing one of his signature playing cards, there’s the chance for the kinetic energy he controls to give the strike a little extra oomph.

His Bo Staff has the Push special rule that can affect characters of Size 3 or less. The Short push is enough to clear a pesky opponent off a critical objective or can be used to set up an attack angle for later in the turn. Meanwhile, his Kinetic Ace has the potential to detonate with the Explosive special rule, causing damage to enemy characters within Range 2 of his target.

When he wants to make a statement though, Gambit can toss out a storm of kinetic punishment with 52 Card Pickup. This flurry of cards is represented as a Strength, Range 4 Beam attack. As the cards strike everyone along their path, a few detonate with a bit more force, thanks to the Flurry of Cards special rule, which counts wilds as two successes.

Gambit can invest in his mutant power, overcharging his attacks to make them even more effective. The Accelerate Charge superpower lets him heighten the reaction of his empowered attacks and allows him to add 2 dice to his following attack action. And if Gambit wants to, ahem, stack the deck, he can pay 1 power to give it A Little Something Extra, a reactive power that allows him to convert one of his hits into a wild.

Of course, any card shark worth his salt will draw some unwanted aggression every once in a while. That’s why it’s fortunate Gambit has preternatural reflexes that can help him get out of a bad situation. Enhanced Agility is a reactive superpower he can use after an attack against him is resolved, dealing 1 damage to his attacker and letting him duck out with a Short advance.

That’s it for our look at this ragin’ Cajun!

Be sure to check back for yet another installment of From Panel to Play, the series where we give you your first look at how your favorite characters transition to the tabletop in Marvel: Crisis Protocol. Pre-order your own copy of the Rogue & Gambit Character Pack at your local game store or through our webstore here.

Until then, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off!