This review has been sponsored by the publisher. Read more Roll20 Reviews and watch the video reviews on my YouTube channel.

Support my content via Patreon.

Designed by: Matt Forbeck

Marvel Multiverse RPG is a brand new RPG system based on the mega-huge Marvel IP. The maps, tokens, and rulebook look great on Roll20, along with extra goodies like the newly expanded Character Vault character builder and dynamic lighting map.

The following is included in the Marvel Multiverse RPG: Core Rulebook Bundle ($49.99):

    • Marvel Multiverse RPG Core Rulebook
      • 300+ pages of creating characters and running games integrated into the Roll20 Compendium.
    • The Cataclysm of Kang Adventure Preview (Rank 1 adventure)
      • Two 5-ft square, full color battle maps.
      • One generic street battle map.
      • Five pre-generated Rank 1 heroes.
    • Marvel Multiverse RPG Art Pack
      • Over 1000 art handouts, including over 250 character tokens.
    • Marvel Multiverse RPG Token Marker Set
      • 44 new token markers.

marvel rpg battle pic

Coming from my D&D 5e background, the new Marvel RPG is pretty simple to understand. Instead of a d20, players roll 3d6 (or d616) for every skill check and attack, and apply their relevant stat modifiers.

One of the d6 is a special Marvel die, however, and has the Marvel logo in place of a 1. The Marvel logo acts as another 6, and also turns the result into a Fantastic success (if you succeed), granting additional benefits and bonuses depending on what you were doing.

Players can gain an Edge (advantage) to reroll a die for a better result, or may run into Trouble (disadvantage) and have to reroll a good die. Karma is like a mixture of hit dice and inspiration.

Rank denotes the hero’s power pool, stat distribution, and damage multiplier, as well as what kinds of adventures they should be taking on (busting up crime rings in a neighborhood? Invading Latveria to take on Doctor Doom? Defending the entire planet from Galactus?).

The Core Rulebook features 20 different power sets to mix and match (super-speed, telekinesis, ranged weapons, elemental control, etc) and each power set features over half a dozen powers that are easily re-flavored to your particular hero idea.

You can also play as one of the included hero or villain characters. Over 120 sheets with token art are available in the compendium and the new Character Vault character creator, including just about everyone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and beyond.

roll20 marvel character builder

Roll20 has expanded the Character Vault with a new Character creator (coming soon for other systems). Now players can create characters using a more attractive version of the Charactermancer, and you don’t have to be in a campaign. The created character is added to the Vault, ready to be imported into any game.

For Marvel RPG, it’s a simple manner of selecting rank, origin, traits, and powers, along with filling out any background notes and stories.

On the flip side, I couldn’t figure out how to implement equipment, as weapons are supposed to boost damage multipliers (though don’t stack with any passive powers that already boost them; the Hulk doesn’t need to wield a club). There’s also an entire section for Conditions that a player can mark, which is nice, but they don’t actually explain what the Conditions do without referencing the rulebook.

The chapter for Narrators (Marvel’s Game Master) is my favorite part of the rulebook. It goes over obvious stuff like tone, theme, and different styles of play, and tricky elements that you may run into, such as mind control, illusion, and time-travel. I daresay it does a better job of informing GMs than the 5e Dungeon Master’s Guide!

As part of this review, I checked out two different Marvel RPG adventures, The Cataclysm of Kang Adventure Preview (included in the Core Rulebook Bundle) and the Revenge of the Super-Skrull (available separately, and as part of the Launch Mega-Bundle).

The full version of The Cataclysm of Kang releases in November, and promises a lengthy campaign that takes players from Rank 1 all the way to the maximum Rank 6. It’s also part of the Launch Mega-Bundle as a pre-order.

The Adventure Preview offers the Rank 1 adventure only, and it’s pretty lame.

Rank 1 is not what people picture when they think of super-heroes; you’re basically a person with a gun, or maybe you’re slightly better at punching people. Minions in Marvel RPG such as Hydra Agents are Rank 1, for example.

The adventure involves battling some Maggia goons (Marvel’s version of stereotypical Italian-American mobsters) around a neighborhood. You soon uncover a plot to bridge two universes together, and it ends on an intriguing tease for future installments. But taken by itself, it’s a poor showing of the theme.

revenge of the super-skrull bank robbery

Instead, I’d highly recommend Revenge of the Super-Skrull as an excellent introductory adventure.

This adventure was designed for Roll20, and is particularly well-organized into Acts and Scenes, making it easy to read flip through and jump around, depending on the PCs’ actions. It’s also designed for Rank 2-3 heroes, and includes actual recognizable heroes as pre-gen options, such as Daredevil, Hawkeye, and Ms. Marvel.

The story involves bad and good skrulls waging a secret war on Earth, and includes a bank robbery and an infiltration of an AIM installation.

Both adventures feature full color battle maps, with a colorful art style that feels very comic book-y, and looks great on the VTT.

In addition to the usual token page and tips page, Roll20 has also added a new Dynamic Lighting page that provides excellent examples of how to implement and use the various lighting features that come with a Roll20 subscription.

I’m enjoying what I’m seeing with the Marvel Multiverse RPG. I quickly understood how to play, and could see myself running a game of Revenge of the Super-Skrull with my group. It will be interesting to see if longer campaigns such as Cataclysm of Kang can effectively tell a story in a world where the heroes don’t traditionally “level up.”

Pros:

  • Rulebook provides a wealth of world-building information and game mastering advice.
  • Character sheets are attractive and intuitive.
  • Character Builder is a nice evolution of the charactermancer.
  • Revenge of the Super Skrull (sold separately, and included in the Mega-Launch Bundle) is an awesome introductory adventure built for Roll20.
  • Colorful maps and huge reservoir of tokens and handouts.
  • Roll20 tips page and dynamic lighting example page are hugely helpful for new users.

Cons:

  • Rank 1 is pretty lame, and the entire preview adventure is designed for Rank 1 heroes.
  • Character sheets lack some important functionality, such as equipment and weapons.

The Verdict: Marvel Multiverse RPG doesn’t break much ground in the TTRPG genre, but should prove comfortably familiar to D&D 5e fans who want to play within the Marvel universe, and looks fantastic on Roll20.

A review copy of the module was provided. Read more Roll20 Reviews and watch the video reviews on my YouTube channel.

Support my video work via Patreon.