First Impressions: Winter Soldier Precon Deck in Marvel Champions

I finally got a chance to sit down and play the new Winter Soldier hero for Marvel Champions, and I have to say—this is one of the most enjoyable precons I’ve played in a while. The deck is built to get you right into the action, and Bucky himself feels strong and rewarding to play.

The first thing that really stood out to me was his ability to remove threat whenever he takes out an enemy. In Marvel Champions, managing both minions and threat can feel like a juggling act, so having a hero who ties those two aspects together is a huge advantage. It feels satisfying and efficient—you deal with board control and manage the scheme almost at the same time.

Now, I know some people are already calling the Winter Soldier precon “super strong.” I get it: his kit is full of solid, straightforward cards that do exactly what you want them to. His upgrades and events are all about dealing damage, removing threat, and keeping the board clear. There aren’t any tricky combos or conditional effects; you just play strong cards and watch the board tilt in your favor.

But here’s the thing: while Winter Soldier is definitely strong, I don’t think he’s overpowered or S-tier. The power in the precon comes from how direct and easy his cards are to use, which might give the impression that he’s above the curve. In reality, a lot of his strength comes from just how streamlined his kit is—you always feel like you have something impactful to do.

That said, I do think the precon is a good starting point for new players, or for anyone who likes heroes with a clear gameplan. You won’t spend a lot of time digging for combo pieces or hoping to draw into the right cards at the right time. Winter Soldier just gets the job done.

After a few plays, I started to notice that while the precon handles most scenarios well, it’s not invincible. Against certain villains or schemes that really ramp up the threat or don't give you villains to trigger your special ability, you’ll still need to think carefully about your plays. The deck is strong, but it doesn’t play itself.

Overall, I really enjoyed my games with Winter Soldier. He brings a fun, aggressive playstyle with just enough threat management to feel versatile. If you’re looking for a hero who’s easy to pick up but still offers interesting decisions, I think Bucky is a great choice. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for some custom upgrades pretty quickly—there’s a lot of potential here to explore beyond the precon.