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Artwork for Critical Encounters

Critical Encounters - A Marvel Champions Podcast

Vardaen, bigfomlof, Lexicon
Marvel Champions
X-Men
Apocalypse
Con Of Heroes
Marauders
Thunderbolts
Fantasy Flight Games
Marvel Comics
Loki
Civil War
Magneto
Mojo
Age Of Apocalypse
Juggernaut
Mr. Sinister
Hope Summers
Deadpool
Black Widow
Enchantress
Morlocks

Critical Encounters is a podcast about Marvel Champions, a Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight Games. Here we take a good look at that most critical piece of the game, the Encounter Sets. We'll discuss those poorly understood characters, unfairly labeled Villains, and their various plans to shape humanity and benefit the planet, as well as those so-called heroes intent on thwarting them.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes413Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GamesHobbiesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Critical Encounters

Latest Episodes

Welcome to Issue 343 of Critical Encounters, a podcast about Marvel Champions, a Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight Games. Here we take a good look at that most critical piece of the game, the Encounter Sets. We'll discuss those poorly understood cha... more

Welcome to Issue 342 of Critical Encounters, a podcast about Marvel Champions, a Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight Games. Here we take a good look at that most critical piece of the game, the Encounter Sets. We'll discuss those poorly understood cha... more

Welcome to Issue 341 of Critical Encounters, a podcast about Marvel Champions, a Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight Games. Here we take a good look at that most critical piece of the game, the Encounter Sets. We'll discuss those poorly understood cha... more

Welcome to Issue 340 of Critical Encounters, a podcast about Marvel Champions, a Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight Games. Here we take a good look at that most critical piece of the game, the Encounter Sets. We'll discuss those poorly understood cha... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Tony Fanchi
Senior Game Designer at Fantasy Flight Games
Fantasy Flight Games
Episode: Critical Encounters - Issue 337 - Interrogation Room - Tony Fanchi - Agents of SHIELD Campaign
Molly Glover
Senior game producer in the LCG Vertical at Fantasy Flight Games
Fantasy Flight Games
Episode: Critical Encounters - Issue 331 - Interrogation Room - Molly Glover
Josh Weenkster
Glorious, smooth-talking guest
Episode: Critical Encounters - Issue 316 - MODOK - Part II

Hosts

Steve
Host of Critical Encounters podcast; regular contributor with deep knowledge of game mechanics and lore; longstanding voice on the show
Chris
Co-host; long-running contributor providing deck reads, lore context, and design commentary
Maka
Host/participant; active in discussing encounter sets and game strategy
Lex
Host with emphasis on mechanical insight and server-side lore integration
Daniel
Co-host and frequent contributor; provides lore and mechanical analysis

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • Happy 300!

    I’ve never met you guys but I’ve been with you for the past 5 years. I legitimately teared up during the “We didn’t Start the Podcast” song. Thank you guys for all you do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hiruma Shigure
    United States9 months ago
  • My Favorite Marvel Champions Podcast

    I never thought I’d speak so highly about a podcast dedicated to evil. The hosts get along amazingly well for a group of villains, and go out of their way to mentor and highlight up-and-coming evildoers. Each episode is chaotically funny and informative. The show has a loose format, but that goes out the window if the hosts come up with something more interesting and thematic. Out of all the gaming content I listen to, there’s nothing quite like this.

    Most importantly, it gets me excited to pl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Challah of Heroes
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not only a consumer, but also a client, this is my favorite podcast about one of my favourite board games. They present the villain cards with googs, humour, I sight and personal experience.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jim Roberts
    a year ago
  • Host called suburban Minnesota racist.

    In one of the latest episodes, ep. 282, one of the hosts called suburban Minnesota racist. I find this completely untrue and offensive. I don’t have time for a podcast like this. I came here for Marvel Champions, not insults.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Media Teacher Mike
    United Statesa year ago
  • The humorous banter and great depth of information is just part of what makes this podcast so great! I've quit all other podcasts just to listen to this one! MC enthusiasts definitely need to listen to this one. Now, if only they could learn to pronounce Incite.... 😉

    Audible
    5
    Travis Bonczkowski
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise banter, deep game knowledge, and villain-focused analysis.
Many appreciate the behind-the-scenes production and design discussions.
The show is described as a top-tier Marvel Champions podcast with strong community vibes.
Fans highlight consistency, weekly cadence, and engaging guest insights.
Some criticism exists around controversial opinions and moments of tension between hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#247
United Kingdom/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#242
Australia/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#58
Chile/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#65
Finland/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#96
Russia/Leisure/Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Critical Encounters - Issue 331 - Interrogation Room - Molly Glover
Q: What are the biggest production challenges right now?
Rising costs, tariffs, and global shipping issues, balanced with the need to keep product quality high and affordable for players.
Critical Encounters - Issue 331 - Interrogation Room - Molly Glover
Q: What is Molly's day‑to‑day as the Marvel Champions producer?
She acts as the project manager and main interface with licensing, coordinating schedules, approvals, and everything for sale, including promos, with a heavy emphasis on QA and studio processes.
Critical Encounters - Issue 323 - Thunderbolts - Fixer
Q: Is there more we need to know about Fixer?
Not a lot, honestly. It's largely the tale of man versus machine and how Fixer reinvents himself to be a better hero, including his mind storing in computer systems and becoming a cybernetic organism.
Critical Encounters - Issue 320 - Thunderbolts - Joystick
Q: What makes Joystick stand out in the Thunderbolts compared to other modular sets?
Her high health with guard, frequent boosts, and the option to draw extra cards after each activation create a persistent, decision-heavy threat that remains interesting across different scenarios.
Critical Encounters - Issue 320 - Thunderbolts - Joystick
Q: Chris, does Joystick's identity and those decision points reflect her adrenaline-junkie character?
Yes—every card presents a choice that aligns with an impulse for speed and thrill, making the identity feel like a constant risk-reward loop.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Encounters

What is Critical Encounters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- A deep-dive show focused on Marvel Champions encounter sets, with analysis of card mechanics, lore, and strategic implications for both cooperative and PvP play. Regulars break down main and side schemes, discuss thematic elements, and weave in humor, banter, and community anecdotes. Guests often include designers, producers, and expert players who provide design insights and production context, making it valuable for players who want practical deck-building tips and narrative context for the game.

- Noteworthy for its villain-centric perspective, emphasis on encounter cards, and a willingness to engage with political and ethical themes within the game world. The format blends rigorous mechanics discussion with entertaining banter, audien... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Critical Encounters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critical Encounters:

1. Winning Hand - A Marvel Champions Podcast
2. Marvel Chumpions Podcast - A Marvel Champions Podcast
3. Stunned and Confused: A Marvel Champions Podcast
4. Sidekicked: A Marvel Champion Podcast
5. D20 Woodworking

How many episodes of Critical Encounters are there?

Critical Encounters launched 7 years ago and published 413 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Critical Encounters?

Recent guests on Critical Encounters include:

1. Tony Fanchi
2. Molly Glover
3. Josh Weenkster

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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