So one of the questions I get asked by, typically younger, gamers about SuperSystem and Ultimate Alliance games is "who is the most powerful character?". Now, I'm actually far more interested in playing games with a strong narrative than playing the "who is strongest" game, but I wouldn't be a card-carrying nerd (I keep my Avengers membership card on me at all times... just in case) if I couldn't explain in excruciating detail why Daredevil would beat Batman in a fight. He totally would, by the way.
All that said, the idea of playing a miniatures game with superheroes at the higher power-levels is something I've dabbled in, fraught as it is. Having a contest between characters where every single one of them is capable of destroying everything on the table can be difficult to manage, but I think I've struck on a way to do it, and it's all thanks to Thor Ragnarok. The final battle in the film between "The Revengers" and Hella's forces actually gets there pretty well; you have a team of powerful heroes versus an even more powerful villain, her army of disposable goons and a couple of tough-but-beatable "mini-bosses" in Fenris and Scourge. In fact, the heroes can't even beat Hella in a straight-up fight, they have to play the objective to win. That's a masterful scenario right there, as the players get to have the big fight and roll all the dice but still have to be clever to win.
But who are these heroes and how do you build a team that powerful and still keep a feeling of difference between the characters?
The Revengers
Gods, warriors, monsters and a fun rock guy; The Revengers are the best the universe has to offer. Even their might, however may not be enough to stop Hella, Godess of Death from conquering the universe, but each and every Revenger is prepared to make that sacrifice. Ok, maybe not *all* of them, certainly not Loki. I'm not entirely sure that Hulk gets it either. Probably not Korg, I'm not sure he even knows the full story? Definitely Thor, Valkyrie and Heimdal though. At least they're all up for a big fight, because that's what's coming!
Thor - Lord of Thunder
Having lost his father, discovered that his erstwhile brother is still alive, discovered a long lost sister, been jerked around by Doctor Strange, losing his hammer and being made a slave all in the one day, Thor's more than a little pissed. His time on Earth has made him more humble and responsible, so Thor's ready to sell his life dearly for the people of Asgard if need be. Also, he's been manifesting some new powers lately, so that may come in handy.
Loki - Our Lord and Savior 
Loki's the bad boy, the black sheep, the one you don't bring home to mother; also, really just a selfish jerk a lot of the time, seeking after some form of power over others. Still, the God of Lies can be counted on in a pinch to fight the good fight. Well, sometimes. Maybe just this once because Hella's such a big threat. I mean, he's going to cosy up to Thanos to take a shot at the Infinity Gauntlet right? Well, for now he gets a cool entrance and can show off his stylish fighting moves. He kills a guy with his horned crown thing! How cool is that!
Valkyrie - Not going to stop drinking
For thousands of years, she hid away, but now she's back to stick her sword up Hella's arse, or die trying. But she's not going to quit drinking, what, are you going to argue? She can pin the Hulk and beat the crap out of Loki! Actually, she gets a great fight entrance too, with the Commodore and fireworks on the rainbow bridge before she wades through waves of undead Asgardian warriors. Valkyrie is the kick-butt warrior woman you want on your side in a tough spot, like Ragnarok itself.
Heimdal - Defender of Asgard
Even without his fancy golden helmet, Heimdal is a bad-arse Asgardian that you don't want to mess with. Sure, other Revengers have more raw power, but Heimdal protected hundreds of civilians for weeks with nothing but his wits and a magic sword. Yes, being able to see the future probably helped as well, but we can see that Heimdal still has the chops in a fight, even when outnumbered and overpowered. I'm guessing that, if we get more Thor films, we'll see Heimdal come into something of a Major Domo role for the new king of Asgard, which would suit him well.
Hulk - Strongest Avenger 
Hulk like fire, raging fire. How are the Revengers going to win the day? They have a Hulk. Hulk has come a long was since we last saw him fighting Ultron, having been living on Sakaar as a celebrity gladiator, with access to all the depths of sleaze that allows. Seriously, he has a rack of booze and a giant hot tub in his apartment, is the Grandmaster sending the Hulk women? I hope Sakaar has consent laws... and lube. Anyway, Thor needs Hulk's muscle to even up the fight with Hella's forces, so he needs to coax "jolly green" out of his successful career to get the band back together.
Korg - Hey bro! 
The most marketable revolutionary since Che Guevara, Korg is made of rocks, perishable rocks, but still. He's not that tough, just does the warm-up fights, but has great timing with spaceships to rescue people and may be the most pragmatic character in the MCU. As a member of the Revengers, Korg no longer has to worry about publishing too few pamphlets, because he has a walking revolution alongside him, in the form of his new allies. Korg can always bring Meik too, his bug-person friend with knives for hands.
I hope that there's enough inspiration in the above for you to build a "high-powered" team and run a big game for your local group or club. If you haven't seen Thor Ragnarok, which I assume came out like, two years ago by the time this entry gets published, check it out, it's a hell of a fun ride.
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