From Panel to Play: Thanos

06/01/2020

CP25 Thanos

This time on From Panel to Play, we’re going cosmic. That’s right, we’re taking a look at the madman with the fanciest glove in the universe. It’s Thanos!

The last of the Eternal Titans, Thanos is indisputably one of the most powerful beings in the universe. So great is his power that some choose to worship him as a god. So great is his menace that he counts almost every hero alive as his enemy.

If his personal might was not impressive enough, Thanos pursues a campaign of terror to secure all of the Infinity Gems, artifacts of unfathomable power that he can wield to reshape the very universe to match his twisted vision.

Thanos views freedom as a facet of chaos. Seeking to do away with both, he rules the Endless Resurgence empire with brutal leadership. Thanos’ empire sweeps across worlds, forcing them to be a part of his ruthless empire.

Thanos’ miniature conveys all the power, menace, and arrogance you’d expect from the Mad Titan. Posed in mid stride as he descends from his throne to put the hurt on a world’s defenders, Thanos’ expression is a haughty grin. He’s holding up the Infinity Gauntlet as if to show his foes the instrument of their demise. Each of the Infinity Gems picked out on its back are a perfect opportunity for painters to add the finishing touch to their paint scheme and beg for extra attention.

As you would expect from someone with Thanos’ bone fides, the Mad Titan’s rules make him a powerhouse on the tabletop. With sturdy defenses and plenty of Stamina, Thanos can confidently hold a battle line against other characters. His attacks also pack plenty of punch. His Cosmic Blast attack is a Range 3 Energy attack that Thanos can pump up to Strength 8, with the added bonus of the special rule Titan’s Will that can hurl an opponent back and leave them Slowed.

Thanos also has a full suite of powers to help him achieve his insane agenda. As the ruler of the Endless Resurgence, he has a leadership ability that affects all the members of the Black Order, granting them victory as they tally up their defeated foes, while the Death’s Decree power makes his minions fight with greater ferocity for the cost of 2 Power.

Of course, Thanos desires nothing more than to possess the Infinity Gems and wield their incalculable power. His innate superpower Being of Immeasurable Power represents not only his great personal strength but also his resolve and ability to control the gems. Being of Immeasurable Power reduces the damage Thanos would suffer from enemy effects by 1, as well as allowing the Mad Titan to take two Infinity Gems at once and use their active and reactive powers without paying the cost.

Perhaps even more terrifying is what happens when Thanos becomes injured. In his Injured state, the Mad Titan becomes even more horrifying to confront, gaining extra Stamina and modifying his Death’s Agenda Leadership ability to grant members of the Black Order affiliation the ability to reroll dice of their attacks—at a cost.

For those brave enough to face the Mad Titan’s full fury, keep an eye out for Thanos’ Ultimate Encounter, Infinity Gauntlet, coming out later this year. In it, Thanos, the Chosen of Death will put their strength and skill to the ultimate test.

That’s all for our look at the big, bad, purple menace from outer space. Be sure to check back when we take a look at our next Panel to Play focus, when we take a look at someone who isn’t a world-destroying space tyrant of incalculable menace.

Until then, Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off.