Unmatched
Spider-Man
Overview
Spider-Man is an incredibly popular superhero. He first appeared in the Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #15 comic in 1962 and has gained immense popularity ever since. He has appeared in many different comic series and made guest appearances in others. Spider-Man has been a member of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-men. He has also been adapted into various animated TV shows, video games, movies, plays, and films. In 1977, he made his live-action debut in The Amazing Spider-Man series; however, it wasn’t until the 2002 film Spider-Man that special effects were able to accurately showcase his amazing abilities. Recently, he appeared in several Marvel Studios films: Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2012) with Tom Holland playing the role of Peter Parker / Spider-Man. Also deserving a mention is the stellar Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) which features not only Peter Parker, but many other “Spider” people from alternate universes.
Peter Parker, a regular high school student and orphan from New York City, lived with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben. One fateful day, he was bitten by a radioactive spider, granting him incredible superhuman abilities. This spider granted Peter extraordinary strength, speed, durability, and agility. He can effortlessly stick to solid surfaces and has a sixth “spider” sense that warms him of imminent danger. Utilizing his scientific intelligence, Peter invented web shooters, which allow him to shoot webs from his wrists. Taking on the alias “Spider-Man”, he uses his newfound power and web-slinging abilities to gracefully swing between New York City’s buildings and apprehend criminals. In Unmatched, Spider-Man cleverly utilizes his athleticism, agility, and spider-sense to gain the upper hand in combat.
Spider-Man is included in Unmatched: Brains and Brawn
Hero Stats
Health:Â 15 / Attack:Â Melee / Movement: 3
Special Ability: Spider-Sense
When an opponent attacks Spider-Man, before you play a defense card, they must tell you the printed value of their card.Â
Strategies and Tips
Spider-Man is equipped to handle any situation that comes his way. His special ability grants him knowledge of the printed value of every card used to attack him, giving him a significant advantage; however, it is crucial to bear in mind that numerous cards possess effects that can alter their printed value. Additionally, Spider-Man’s remarkable mobility sets him apart as a hero. With a base movement of 3 and a plethora of card effects that enable him to maneuver across the board unhindered, he exhibits extraordinary agility and freedom of movement.
Primary Strengths
Spider-Sense
High attack power
Maneuverability
Primary Weaknesses
Card effects that change the value of attack cards
He has no cards with cancel effects
Tip #1: Spider-Sense
With his special ability “Spider-Sense”, Spider-Man possesses the unique ability to discern the printed value of any card used to attack him. This grants him a significant advantage, but you should still proceed with caution. Many cards possess effects that can alter their printed value. Spider-Man thrives when the player is knowledgeable of the opponent’s deck, even if it is a general understanding. This knowledge allows him to anticipate if the opponent intends to utilize a card that will modify its value through an effect. In such instances, the following cards can prove invaluable:
Spider-Sense Tingling! is a versatile card with a value of 2 that, after combat, allows you to draw 2 cards if the value of your opponent’s card is 4 or higher. You can utilize this card when your opponent informs you they are attacking with a 4 or higher value, but I prefer using it to counter their attempt at outsmarting Spider-Sense. You can also use it as an attack to tempt your opponent into defending with a high-value defense card.Â
Counter-Attack is a defense card with a value of 3 that, after combat, permits you to deal 2 damage to the opposing fighter if the value of your opponent’s card is 4 or higher. Similar to the previous card, this can be utilized when your opponent informs you they are attacking with a 4 or higher value card. Alternatively, if you can accurately predict cards like Momentous Shift or others that alter attack values, retaliating with damage can help offset any lost health.
Snark is a versatile card with a value of 3 that lets you draw 1 card after combat if Spider-Man is adjacent to the opposing fighter. While it lacks a specific synergy with Spider-Sense, its solid block value makes it a reliable option when aware of the incoming attack value. Defending against melee fighters can make Snark an excellent choice, providing both a defensive block and a bonus card draw.Â
Overall, Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense, combined with these strategic card choices, ensures that he remains a formidable force in combat, adapting to his opponents and capitalizing on their card values and intentions.
Tip #2: Improvisational Freestyle
Spider-Man is renowned for his extraordinary acrobatic prowess and athleticism. These remarkable qualities are showcased in his deck design:
Swinging Kick is an attack with a value of 6 that grants you the ability to move the opposing fighter a number of spaces up to the inflicted combat damage after combat. This card not only serves as a formidable attack option but it also enables you to create distance at the end of your turn or pursue your opponent if they attempt to flee after combat.
Thwip! is an attack card with a value of 4 that allows you to relocate Spider-Man to any space in his zone after combat so long as you win the combat. The versatility of placing Spider-Man wherever desired cannot be understated. You can retreat to recover or chase down your opponents. Given its high value, you are likely to emerge the winner of combat more often than not.
Wall Crawler is a versatile card with a value of 3 that allows you to place Spider-Man in any space in his zone after combat. Although confined to his zone, the absence of any conditions makes this effect particularly useful for defensive maneuvers when faced with a dangerous situation.
Momentous Shift is a versatile card with a value of 3 that becomes a value of 5 during combat if Spider-Man started this turn in a different space. This serves as an excellent offensive option, especially when following Swinging Kick, Thwip!, and Wall Crawler.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a scheme that lets Spider-Man recover 3 health and relocate to any space within his zone. Like the previously mentioned cards, this scheme proves great for setting up future attacks or retreating further to regroup.
With Great Power is a scheme that increases all of Spider-Man’s attacks for the current turn by 1, lets you draw 1 card, and grants an additional action. This card adds decent strength to your attacks, while the card draw enables you to replenish our hand. Moreover, it increases your likelihood of winning combat.
Tip #3: Web Shooters
Spider-Man features a few cards centered around his skilled utilization of webs. These cards serve as excellent tools for disrupting your opponent’s strategies:
Disarming Shot is an attack with a value of 4 that lets you draw a number of cards equal to the amount of combat damage dealt to the opposing fighter after combat. This card has excellent synergy with “With Great Power”.Â
Right in the Face! is a versatile card with a value of 4 that immediately keeps your opponent from drawing any more cards this turn. With its solid value and effect, this card is an excellent choice for defense.
Web Shooters is a defense card with a value of 3 that restricts Spider-Man’s potential combat damage to a maximum of 2 during the combat phase. This is incredibly powerful when confronted with decisive, game ending attacks like Dracula’s Beastform, Jekyll and Hyde’s Forever Hyde, and Sinbad’s Voyages.
Final Thoughts
Spider-Man possesses remarkable agility, adaptability, and unique card effects, making him a formidable contender against any hero in the game. Although his special ability is exceptional, his deck lacks overwhelmingly powerful cards. The key to victory for those using Spider-Man lies in their understanding of the opponent’s deck and their ability to use the insight provided by Spider-Sense. While Spider-Man is one of the world’s most beloved superheroes, he may not be the best choice for newcomers to Unmatched. His deck remains accessible enough for newcomers to enjoy, but it is in the hands of more experienced players where his true potential shines. Spider-Man is yet another excellent addition to the game, introducing a hero with an extraordinary special ability to the ever-growing Unmatched rosterÂ
