Marvel Crisis Protocol: Top Characters to Build Around

Marvel: Crisis Protocol gives players access to an enormous roster of heroes and villains, but successful squad building requires more than choosing the strongest characters individually. The best rosters are built around characters that establish a clear strategy, solve important mission problems, and work effectively across several Crisis combinations.

Some characters are powerful leaders who define an entire affiliation. Others are flexible splash characters capable of improving almost any roster. There are also specialists designed to control objectives, extract assets, displace enemies, absorb attacks, or deliver enough damage to remove a priority target.

This strategy guide examines the best Marvel Crisis Protocol characters to build around, including leaders, splash characters, objective specialists, damage dealers, and durable centrepieces. It also explains which playstyles they support and what additional characters should be considered when constructing a roster around them.

Important: Marvel: Crisis Protocol receives periodic balance updates, revised character cards, affiliation changes, and format updates. Always check the current Atomic Mass Games rules documents before entering an organized event.

Browse character packs, affiliation packs, terrain, accessories, and other Marvel: Crisis Protocol products at Tistaminis.

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Quick Summary

• Best Beginner Leader: Captain America, Steve Rogers
• Best Aggressive Leader: Malekith, the Accursed
• Best Control Leader: Shadow King
• Best Flexible Leader: Baron Zemo, Citizen V
• Best High-Threat Centrepiece: Thanos
• Best Durable Brawler: Hulk
• Best Extract Specialist: Black Cat
• Best Affordable Splash Character: Baron Zemo
• Best Objective Utility Character: Toad
• Best Durable Four-Threat: Beta Ray Bill
• Best Defensive Three-Threat: Lizard
• Best Character for Displacement: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme
• Best Roster-Building Advice: Build around a mission plan rather than one powerful attack.

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What Makes a Character Worth Building Around?

A build-around character should do more than deal damage. The best centrepieces influence how the entire roster approaches missions.

Strong Build-Around Qualities

• A leadership ability that benefits several characters
• Reliable movement or displacement
• Strong interaction with Secure or Extract objectives
• Efficient use of power
• Defensive tools that keep the character active
• Multiple useful attacks or superpowers
• Ability to contribute in several Crisis combinations
• Clear synergy with affordable supporting characters
• A useful role even when the opponent avoids direct combat

A character can be extremely powerful and still be a poor roster foundation if its abilities function only in one narrow matchup. Flexible characters are generally safer investments for new players because they remain useful as the roster evolves.

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Top Marvel Crisis Protocol Characters to Build Around

Rank	Character	Primary Role	Best For
1	Captain America, Steve Rogers	Flexible leader	Beginners and Avengers rosters
2	Malekith, the Accursed	Aggressive leader	Damage-focused Cabal squads
3	Shadow King	Control leader	Disruption and positional play
4	Baron Zemo, Citizen V	Flexible leadership and tempo	Mobile, tactical rosters
5	Thanos	High-threat control centrepiece	Black Order and elite squads
6	Hulk	Durable brawler	Central Secure objectives
7	Black Cat	Extract specialist	Objective theft and evasive play
8	Baron Zemo	Low-cost offensive support	Almost any aggressive roster
9	Beta Ray Bill	Durable mobile bruiser	Secure control and attrition
10	Toad	Objective utility	Low-threat Extract play
11	Lizard	Defensive objective holder	Secures and attrition squads
12	Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme	Mystic control and displacement	Convocation and control rosters
13	Kingpin	Secure-focused leader	Criminal Syndicate objective control
14	Miles Morales	Mobile objective leader	Web Warriors and Extract play
15	Red Skull, Master of the World	Power and activation control	Cabal control rosters

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1. Captain America, Steve Rogers – Best Beginner Build-Around

Captain America, Steve Rogers is one of the easiest leaders to recommend to a new Marvel: Crisis Protocol player. His leadership improves the efficiency of allied superpowers, allowing a wide range of Avengers characters to use their abilities more easily.

This creates a forgiving roster foundation because the leadership does not require one exact character type or narrow combo. Almost any character with a useful active superpower can benefit.

Why Build Around Steve Rogers?

• Leadership works with a broad range of characters.
• Avengers have one of the largest affiliation lists.
• His defensive tools can protect nearby allies.
• He contributes through attacks, throws, defence, and leadership.
• The roster can be adjusted toward control, attrition, or objectives.
• Many Avengers characters are included in accessible sets and affiliation packs.

Characters to Pair with Steve Rogers

• Iron Man
• Captain Marvel
• Black Widow
• Hulk
• Vision
• Scarlet Witch
• Quicksilver
• Beta Ray Bill
• Black Panther

Best Strategy

Use Steve’s leadership to make movement, defensive, and displacement superpowers more efficient. Avoid filling the roster with characters that rely almost entirely on passive abilities and gain little from the power reduction.

Verdict: The best all-purpose leader for learning roster construction and exploring different playstyles.

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2. Malekith, the Accursed – Best Aggressive Build-Around

Malekith, the Accursed is built for players who want to pressure the opponent immediately. He combines exceptional mobility, powerful attacks, and a leadership that rewards an aggressive Cabal strategy.

Malekith is a major investment within a squad, so the surrounding characters must be selected carefully. He works best when affordable allies provide rerolls, objectives, power, or additional attacks while he concentrates on removing high-value targets.

Why Build Around Malekith?

• Excellent mobility
• High offensive ceiling
• Capable of threatening important characters early
• Leadership supports an attrition-focused game plan
• Large base and movement improve battlefield reach
• Can force the opponent to play defensively

Characters to Pair with Malekith

• Baron Zemo
• Red Skull
• Mystique
• Bullseye
• Lizard
• Toad
• Ulik
• Enchantress

Roster-Building Warning

Do not fill the entire roster with expensive attackers. Malekith already consumes a large part of the squad’s Threat Value. Include dependable two- and three-threat characters capable of scoring while he attacks.

Verdict: One of the strongest foundations for a direct attrition roster, but he rewards decisive and experienced play.

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3. Shadow King – Best Control Build-Around

Shadow King supports a style based on disruption, positioning, and denying the opponent efficient activations. Rather than relying entirely on raw damage, he interferes with how opposing characters move and operate around the crisis.

This makes him especially effective for players who enjoy controlling the centre of the table and forcing enemies into poor positions.

Why Build Around Shadow King?

• Strong control tools
• Mystic attacks pressure characters with weaker Mystic defence.
• Can interfere with enemy positioning.
• Rewards careful activation order.
• Works well with additional pushes, throws, and status effects.
• Creates difficult decisions for the opponent.

Characters to Pair with Shadow King

• Emma Frost
• Cassandra Nova
• Mister Sinister
• Omega Red
• Juggernaut
• Lizard
• Black Swan
• Doctor Strange

Best Crisis Types

Shadow King generally prefers missions where controlling a central area or displacing enemies from scoring positions is more important than chasing several widely separated objectives.

Verdict: A rewarding leader for players who want to win through control and positioning rather than a simple damage race.

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4. Baron Zemo, Citizen V – Best Flexible Leadership

Baron Zemo, Citizen V provides a foundation for mobile and tactically flexible squads. His leadership rewards careful positioning and allows characters to operate as a coordinated strike team.

He is particularly appealing to players who want a roster with several viable squad combinations rather than one fixed centrepiece.

Why Build Around Citizen V?

• Supports mobile squad construction
• Works with several character roles
• Can contribute personally without consuming extreme Threat Value
• Encourages coordinated attacks
• Provides a distinct approach to Thunderbolts-style rosters
• Leaves room for one expensive splash character

Characters to Consider

• Songbird
• Moonstone
• Taskmaster
• Ghost
• Winter Soldier
• Bullseye
• Black Widow
• Red Guardian

Verdict: An excellent roster foundation for players who value adaptability and medium-cost characters.

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5. Thanos – Best Elite Centrepiece

Thanos is one of the most recognizable centrepieces in Marvel: Crisis Protocol. He combines durability, control, displacement, and flexible threat ranges through the Infinity Gems.

Thanos is not simply a damage dealer. His greatest value often comes from moving characters, manipulating objectives, and creating favourable positions for the rest of the Black Order.

Why Build Around Thanos?

• Exceptional battlefield control
• Several Infinity Gem configurations
• Strong durability
• Useful attacks at multiple ranges
• Can support an elite Black Order squad
• Creates powerful activation sequences

Characters to Pair with Thanos

• Corvus Glaive
• Proxima Midnight
• Ebony Maw
• Black Dwarf
• Black Swan
• Supergiant
• Nebula

Best Strategy

Use Thanos to move enemies and assets into positions where the other Black Order characters can capitalize. Do not treat every activation as an attempt to maximize damage.

Verdict: The best build-around for players who want a small, elite squad with powerful control tools.

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6. Hulk – Best Durable Brawler

Hulk is an imposing centrepiece capable of absorbing enormous pressure while threatening characters and terrain across a large area.

He is especially effective on central Secure objectives where the opponent cannot simply avoid him.

Why Build Around Hulk?

• Exceptional durability
• Strong attacks and throws
• Powerful control over central objectives
• Can punish grouped characters
• Becomes increasingly dangerous as the battle develops
• Works in multiple affiliations

Characters to Pair with Hulk

• Captain America, Steve Rogers
• She-Hulk
• Doctor Strange
• Wong
• Shuri
• Luke Cage
• Baron Zemo
• Black Widow

Best Strategy

Hulk should be placed where the opponent must interact with him. On widely spread Crisis layouts, he may spend too much time moving instead of attacking or controlling objectives.

Verdict: A powerful centrepiece for players who want durability, throws, and direct battlefield presence.

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7. Black Cat – Best Extract Specialist

Black Cat is one of the most valuable objective-focused characters in the game. Her mobility, defensive abilities, and capacity to interfere with enemy-held assets make her a threat even when she deals very little damage.

Why Include Black Cat?

• Excellent mobility
• Difficult to attack efficiently
• Can threaten enemy Extract objectives
• Forces opponents to protect their carriers
• Provides value without needing to daze characters
• Fits several affiliations as a splash character

Characters That Support Black Cat

• Miles Morales
• Amazing Spider-Man
• Ghost-Spider
• Doctor Octopus, Superior Spider-Man
• Kingpin
• Shadowcat
• Toad

Best Strategy

Black Cat should threaten the opponent’s objective plan. Do not expose her to unnecessary attacks merely to produce modest damage.

Verdict: One of the best splash characters for Extract-heavy rosters and objective-focused players.

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8. Baron Zemo – Best Low-Cost Splash Character

The original Baron Zemo remains one of the most broadly useful lower-threat characters. He combines mobility, reroll support, offensive pressure, and the ability to contribute without requiring a complicated setup.

Why Baron Zemo Is So Useful

• Fast movement
• Helpful reroll aura
• Reliable attack profile
• Good mobility for scoring objectives
• Useful in affiliated and unaffiliated squads
• Easy to understand
• Supports expensive centrepieces efficiently

Best Roster Roles

• Supporting Malekith or Hulk
• Providing rerolls to attack-focused squads
• Collecting a distant Extract
• Finishing weakened enemies
• Filling a lower-threat squad slot

Verdict: One of the safest early character purchases for players who want a model that can be used in many rosters.

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9. Beta Ray Bill – Best Durable Four-Threat

Beta Ray Bill is a dependable character capable of moving quickly, surviving attacks, and contesting important areas of the battlefield.

His combination of durability and mobility makes him easier to fit into a roster than some larger centrepieces.

Why Build Around Beta Ray Bill?

• Strong defensive profile
• Good mobility
• Useful displacement
• Can hold Secure objectives
• Threatens meaningful damage
• Fits several affiliations
• Does not require the entire squad to support him

Good Partners

• Thor
• Valkyrie
• Loki
• Angela
• Captain America
• Hulk
• Heimdall

Verdict: One of the best choices when a roster needs a durable character without committing to a six- or seven-threat model.

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10. Toad – Best Low-Threat Objective Character

Toad demonstrates why low-threat characters matter. He is not expected to defeat the opponent’s centrepiece. His job is to collect objectives, reposition efficiently, and allow more Threat Value to be spent elsewhere.

Why Toad Is Valuable

• Low roster cost
• Excellent objective mobility
• Useful for retrieving distant Extracts
• Leaves room for expensive leaders
• Can escape unfavourable positions
• Works in many squad configurations

Best Uses

• Supporting Malekith
• Supporting Magneto
• Filling out elite squads
• Playing spread-out Extract missions
• Acting as a dedicated back-point scorer

Verdict: A roster should not be judged only by its highest-threat models. Toad is a valuable specialist who helps expensive teams function.

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11. Lizard – Best Defensive Three-Threat

Lizard is a durable and straightforward character who performs well on Secure objectives. He is difficult to remove efficiently and can punish enemies that move too close.

Why Lizard Is a Strong Roster Piece

• Excellent durability for his Threat Value
• Reliable physical attacks
• Can hold central or side objectives
• Works without extensive support
• Useful in several affiliations
• Easy for newer players to operate

Good Partners

• Kingpin
• Green Goblin
• Doctor Octopus
• Malekith
• Shadow King
• Red Skull

Verdict: One of the strongest practical choices for a roster that needs an affordable objective holder.

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12. Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme – Best Mystic Control Character

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme is built around controlling space, using Mystic attacks, and repositioning characters. He can change the shape of a turn without relying on a knockout.

Why Build Around Doctor Strange?

• Powerful Mystic attacks
• Strong displacement tools
• Can protect or reposition allies
• Provides answers to physically durable enemies
• Works well with Convocation characters
• Rewards careful power and activation management

Characters to Pair with Doctor Strange

• Wong
• Ancient One
• Doctor Voodoo
• Magik
• Clea
• Scarlet Witch
• Baron Mordo
• Black Cat

Verdict: A strong build-around for players who value control, Mystic damage, and creative positioning.

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13. Kingpin – Best Secure-Focused Leader

Kingpin is one of the clearest examples of a leader designed around mission scoring. His Criminal Syndicate leadership improves how the squad contests Secure objectives and can allow durable characters to score efficiently.

Why Build Around Kingpin?

• Leadership directly supports Secure scoring.
• Criminal Syndicate has a large and varied affiliation list.
• Durable characters become difficult to dislodge.
• The squad can win without maximizing damage.
• Works well on central and clustered Secure missions.

Characters to Pair with Kingpin

• Lizard
• Luke Cage
• Ulik
• Rhino
• Black Cat
• Bullseye
• Taskmaster
• Doctor Voodoo

Best Strategy

Choose characters that are difficult to push, throw, or remove from objectives. Kingpin rosters should force opponents to spend several activations contesting areas that Criminal Syndicate can score efficiently.

Verdict: One of the best leaders for players who prefer scenario control over pure attrition.

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14. Miles Morales – Best Mobile Objective Leader

Miles Morales leads Web Warriors through mobility, defensive positioning, and objective play. The affiliation is particularly effective when it can spread across the battlefield and make opposing attacks inefficient.

Why Build Around Miles Morales?

• Leadership supports defensive objective play.
• Web Warriors have excellent movement tools.
• Several affiliated characters specialize in Extract missions.
• The affiliation can avoid unfavourable fights.
• Strong displacement allows creative scoring turns.

Characters to Pair with Miles

• Ghost-Spider
• Black Cat
• Amazing Spider-Man
• Spider-Woman
• Moon Knight
• Spider-Man 2099
• Silk
• Spider-Ham

Verdict: One of the best leaders for players who enjoy mobility, extracts, and avoiding a direct damage race.

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15. Red Skull, Master of the World – Best Cabal Control Leader

Red Skull, Master of the World offers a more controlling Cabal approach than Malekith. He supports power generation, activation efficiency, and careful positioning.

Why Build Around Red Skull?

• Strong power economy
• Useful control effects
• Cabal offers a broad affiliation list.
• Leaves more squad-building flexibility than Malekith.
• Can support several expensive characters.
• Works well with movement and displacement specialists.

Characters to Pair with Red Skull

• Baron Zemo
• Crossbones
• Enchantress
• Mysterio
• Omega Red
• Malekith
• Ulik
• Lizard

Verdict: A strong alternative for Cabal players who want flexibility and control instead of building entirely around Malekith.

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Best Characters by Role

Role	Recommended Characters
Beginner Leader	Captain America, Kingpin, Miles Morales
Aggressive Leader	Malekith, Magneto, She-Hulk
Control Leader	Shadow King, Red Skull, Doctor Strange
Extract Runner	Black Cat, Toad, Ghost-Spider, Miles Morales
Secure Holder	Hulk, Lizard, Beta Ray Bill, Luke Cage
Offensive Splash	Baron Zemo, Valkyrie, Winter Soldier
Mystic Attacker	Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, Enchantress
Displacement	Thanos, Doctor Strange, Ghost-Spider, Shuri
Low-Threat Utility	Toad, Bullseye, Wong, Black Widow
High-Threat Centrepiece	Thanos, Malekith, Hulk, Dormammu

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How to Build a Roster Around One Character

Step 1: Identify the Character’s Main Role

Determine whether the character is primarily a leader, attacker, objective specialist, support piece, or defensive anchor.

Step 2: Choose Crisis Cards That Support the Plan

A central brawler such as Hulk wants different missions from a mobile objective leader such as Miles Morales. Your Crisis selection should create game states where the build-around character performs efficiently.

Step 3: Add Affiliated Characters at Several Threat Values

A roster needs enough affiliated characters to maintain its leadership while forming squads at different Threat Values.

Step 4: Add Low-Cost Objective Pieces

Characters such as Toad, Black Widow, Bullseye, or Wong help balance expensive centrepieces.

Step 5: Cover Weak Defence Types

Include attacks that target Physical, Energy, and Mystic defences. A roster relying exclusively on one attack type may encounter a difficult matchup.

Step 6: Add Displacement

Pushes, throws, and advances can deny scoring without requiring a character to be dazed.

Step 7: Include a Second Squad Plan

Your preferred leader will not be ideal on every Crisis combination. Include enough flexible characters to form a different squad when the mission requires it.

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Example Roster Foundations

Steve Rogers Avengers Foundation

• Captain America, Steve Rogers
• Iron Man
• Captain Marvel
• Black Widow
• Hulk
• Vision
• Beta Ray Bill
• Black Cat
• Baron Zemo
• One flexible final character

This foundation provides leadership efficiency, durability, mobility, objective play, and several possible squad sizes.

Malekith Cabal Foundation

• Malekith
• Baron Zemo
• Red Skull
• Mystique
• Lizard
• Toad
• Enchantress
• Bullseye
• One durable four-threat
• One matchup specialist

This approach surrounds Malekith with affordable scorers and attack support rather than additional expensive centrepieces.

Miles Morales Web Warriors Foundation

• Miles Morales
• Ghost-Spider
• Black Cat
• Amazing Spider-Man
• Spider-Woman
• Moon Knight
• Toad
• Lizard
• One Mystic attacker
• One durable Secure holder

This creates a mobile objective roster while adding enough durability and attack variety to avoid becoming overly specialized.

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Characters New Players Should Buy First

Captain America

Provides an accessible leadership and works with a broad Avengers collection.

Baron Zemo

Fits many rosters and teaches the value of mobility, rerolls, and efficient attacks.

Black Widow

Demonstrates how a low-threat objective character contributes without defeating major enemies.

Hulk

Provides a clear and satisfying centrepiece for players who enjoy direct combat.

Black Cat

Teaches objective theft, positioning, and winning without relying entirely on damage.

Lizard

Offers a simple, durable character suitable for holding objectives.

Beta Ray Bill

Combines durability, movement, and offensive pressure in one useful package.

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Common Roster-Building Mistakes

Choosing Only Favourite Characters

A thematic roster can be enjoyable, but it still needs objective runners, Secure holders, displacement, and attacks against several defence types.

Including Too Many Expensive Characters

A roster filled with five-, six-, and seven-threat characters may struggle to create legal and effective squads at lower Threat Values.

Ignoring Two-Threat Characters

Low-cost characters allow expensive leaders to fit into balanced squads. They are often essential rather than disposable.

Building Only for Damage

Marvel: Crisis Protocol is won by victory points. Removing enemies helps, but a roster must be able to collect and hold objectives.

Choosing Crisis Cards After the Characters

The roster and Crisis package should be built together. Missions determine which characters receive opportunities to perform.

Using Too Many Narrow Specialists

A character useful in only one matchup can occupy a valuable roster slot. Prioritize flexible characters until you understand your local field.

Forgetting Affiliation Requirements

Ensure enough characters in the selected squad share the affiliation required to use its leadership and affiliated Team Tactic Cards.

Using Outdated Character Cards

Check the official rules page for revised cards, FAQs, errata, affiliations, and format legality.

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Buying Tips

• Choose a leader whose playstyle matches your preferred way to score.
• Start with one affiliation before collecting several unrelated teams.
• Buy affiliation packs when they contain multiple characters you need.
• Add flexible splash characters such as Baron Zemo, Black Cat, or Beta Ray Bill.
• Include low-threat characters to support expensive centrepieces.
• Do not build a roster entirely around attacks.
• Select Crisis Cards that benefit your leader and affiliated characters.
• Include attacks that target several defence types.
• Use movement and displacement to solve objectives.
• Check current stat cards and affiliation lists before an event.
• Test several squad combinations rather than playing the same five characters every game.
• Buy characters you enjoy painting and playing, not only those currently considered powerful.

Browse character packs, affiliation packs, core sets, terrain, measuring tools, dice, and other Marvel: Crisis Protocol products at Tistaminis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts

The best Marvel Crisis Protocol characters to build around are those that establish a clear mission strategy rather than simply producing the highest attack dice.

Captain America, Steve Rogers is the best foundation for new players because his leadership works with a broad selection of Avengers. Malekith supports aggressive Cabal rosters, Shadow King enables disruptive control, Kingpin dominates Secure-focused missions, and Miles Morales gives Web Warriors an excellent objective game.

High-threat characters such as Thanos and Hulk can control the battlefield, but they need affordable allies capable of collecting objectives. Black Cat, Baron Zemo, Toad, Lizard, and Beta Ray Bill are valuable because they perform important roles without requiring the entire roster to revolve around them.

Begin with one leader, choose Crisis Cards that support that leader, and fill the roster with characters covering mobility, durability, displacement, attack variety, and objective control. A balanced roster will perform more consistently than a collection of individually powerful characters with no shared plan.

Browse the latest Marvel: Crisis Protocol products at Tistaminis and begin building your next roster.

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