Unmatched
Doctor Strange
Overview
Doctor Stephen Strange first appeared in Marvel’s Strange Tales #110 comic in 1963. Soon after, he headlined his own series and became a supporting character in various other comics. Doctor Strange has joined forces with the Avengers, Defenders, and Illuminati. In 2007, he was featured in the animated film Doctor Strange, The Sorcerer Supreme, followed by his live-action portrayal by Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange (2016). He continued to make appearances in other Marvel Studios films like Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).
Once a brilliant, arrogant, and egotistical neurosurgeon, Doctor Stephen Strange’s life took a turn when a tragic accident damaged his hands, preventing him from practicing surgery. Refusing to accept his new reality, he embarked on a global quest in search of alternative healing methods. This journey led him to the Ancient One, who eventually became his mentor. Driven by his determination, Strange dedicated himself to the study of the mystic arts, amassing a collection of magical artifacts such as the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation. Now known as the Sorcerer Supreme, he resides in the Sanctum Santorum, safeguarding innocent lives from mystical and otherworldly threats. In Unmatched, Doctor Strange harnesses his vast knowledge of the Mystic Arts to adapt and overcome any adversary.
Doctor Strange is included in Unmatched: Brains and Brawn
Hero Stats
Health: 14 / Attack: Ranged / Movement: 2
Special Ability:Â Dark Pact
After each combat, if Doctor Strange played a card, you may deal 1 damage to him. If you do, put that card on the bottom of your deck and draw 1 card.
Sidekick: Wong
Health: 6 / Attack: Ranged / x1
Strategies and Tips
Doctor Strange is not some conjurer of cheap tricks. His deck is brimming with special effects that provide him with remarkable versatility. With these abilities, he can manipulate both his own deck and his opponent’s, restore his health, enhance his mobility, and boost his attack strength. Moreover, his unique special ability allows for effective card recursion, although it doesn’t extend to his scheme cards as it only activates after combat. His special ability granting him the additional ability to draw cards further aids his offensive strategy, and while utilizing his special ability means taking damage, he has opportunities to regain lost health.
Primary Strengths
Can choose which cards to return to his deck
High damage potential
Maneuverability
Primary Weaknesses
Forced discarding
Risky card abilities that could give his opponent the advantage
Must take damage to return cards to his deck
Tip #1: By the Eye of Agamotto!
To secure victory with Doctor Strange, it is crucial to make the most of his special ability. By sacrificing 1 health point, you can return a previously used card to the bottom of your deck after combat. This includes both played cards and cards used to boost attacks. The following cards are generally the best choices:
- Cloak of Levitation
- Bolts of Balthakk
- The Mists of Munnopor
- The Rings of Raggadorr
- Seven Suns of Cinnibus
Carefully consider each matchup and determine which of these cards serves as the best counter to your opponent, then prioritize returning it to your deck.
Cards that remain at the bottom of your deck won’t be of much help. Fortunately, Doctor Strange possesses means to bring them closer to the top:
The Winds of Watoomb is a Doctor Strange attack with a value of 4. It allows your opponent to place Doctor Strange in a starting space while you place the opposing fighter in another starting space. Following this, all players shuffle their decks. Utilizing this card after returning some cards to the bottom of your deck increases the chance of accessing them sooner during the match.
Eye of Agamotto is a Doctor Strange scheme that enables you to shuffle your hand into your deck, draw 5 cards, and gain 1 action. It proves especially useful when you possess a lower hand size than 5 or when you already have more than seven cards in your hand, leading to discarding at the end of your turn.
Tip #2: By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!
Doctor Strange possesses powerful attacks that can be further enhanced through blind boosting. His special ability allows him to maintain an aggressive playstyle, keep a sizeable hand of cards, and continuously cycle cards back into his deck, increasing his chances of outlasting his opponent’s deck size.Â
Here are some key cards and strategies to keep in mind:
Bolts of Balthakk is an attack with a value of 2 that both Doctor Strange and Wong can use. It enables blind boosting during combat. If you win the combat, you gain 1 action.
Seven Suns of Cinnibus is a versatile card exclusive to Doctor Strange with a value of 3. If the value exceeds 7, it is disregarded. During combat, you can blind boost this card up to two times. Boosting it once is generally safe since the highest boost value in his deck is 3 (Eye of Agamotto and Bolts of Balthakk). Boosting twice carries a risk With a total of 6 cards in the deck having a boost value of 3, blind boosting twice may result in a null value. Using this card for any attack may be worth this risk, but I advise against blind boosting twice for defense.
While I previously mentioned prioritizing certain cards to return to your deck using his special ability, it doesn’t mean those are the only cards you should consider. It is a delicate balance as you don’t want to sacrifice too much health, but I recommend using it every time you blind boost. The choice of which card to return depends on which of the two cards you believe will provide the most value in the matchup.Â
Other excellent attack options include:
Cloak of Levitation is a Doctor Strange exclusive versatile card with a value of 2. During combat, it ignores the value of your opponent’s card if Doctor Strange is adjacent to the opposing fighter. This card is excellent for defending against melee fighters and launching an attack when your opponent ends their turn adjacent to you.
Master of Kamar-Taj is a versatile card both Doctor Strange and Wong can use. Its value becomes a 4 during combat when Doctor Strange and Wong are adjacent to each other.
Steadfast Disciple is the only Wong exclusive card in the deck. As a versatile card with a value of 2, it allows you to deal 1 damage to the opposing fighter after combat and draw 1 card if Wong is adjacent to the opposing fighter.
While Wong may not be the most crucial sidekick, he can utilize many of the same attacks as Doctor Strange; however, his one exclusive card is easily predictable. Consider using Steadfast Disciple when your opponent attacks Wong and ends their turn adjacent to him. Given this card, it is advisable to keep Wong and Doctor Strange close together at all times.
Tip #3: By the Mystic Moons of Munnopor!
Doctor Strange offers several excellent defensive options. The following defensive cards have been covered in previous tips:
- Cloak of Levitation
- Master of Kamar-Taj
- Seven Suns of Cinnibus
The following cards serve as more excellent defensive options:
The Mists of Munnopor is a Doctor Strange exclusive defense card with a value of 2. When played, it allows you to immediately discard your opponent’s card. They must then reveal cards from the top of their deck until they find an attack or versatile card they can play. They play that card and randomly place the remaining revealed cards at the bottom of their deck. This card is useful for ridding your opponent of a powerful card and gaining insight as to what remains in their deck.
Feint is a versatile card that can be used by either fighter and has a value of 2. When played, it immediately cancels all effects on your opponent’s card.
Doctor Strange also possesses cards that grant healing, allowing for more utilization of his special ability:
The Rings of Raggadorr is an attack card that can be used by either fighter and holds a value of 4. After combat, if you win, your fighter and each adjacent friendly fighter can recover health equal to the damage dealt. With three of these cards in your deck, it is recommended to prioritize returning this card to your deck whenever possible. It is important to note that this is the only healing card that can be returned to your deck using his special ability.
No, Really, I’m a Doctor is a scheme card exclusive to Doctor Strange that enables you to reveal a card from your hand and place it on the top of your deck. As a result, Doctor Strange or a friendly fighter adjacent to him recovers health equal to the revealed card’s boost value. Keep Eye of Agamotto and Bolts of Balthakk in mind for this strategy, as both possess a boost value of 3.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Strange possesses a wide array of abilities that make him highly effective against various opponents. While he may have limited movement, his range compensates for it. His sidekick Wong might not be the most impactful fighter, but he offers opportunities to diversify your gameplay and act as a barrier between your opponent and Doctor Strange. As the game progresses, decision-making becomes more challenging as you’re left with only the cards you’ve chosen to return to your deck, increasing the risk of blind boosting.
For new players, it can be challenging to determine the optimal usage of Doctor Strange’s special ability and which cards to prioritize; however, in the hands of experienced players, he can compete against any hero in the game. Doctor Strange serves as another valuable addition to the Unmatched roster, introducing a versatile ranged hero to the mix.
