My Smash Up Expansion Purchase Guide

[@skrcmama]

I got sheep’s free… there was a little flyer in the base set when I got it like 10 years ago 😂 had a code to enter on a website and then it arrived in the mail paid nothing 😅

[@lonansmashup5830]

This is a really interesting list. I would probably make a distinction with "first purchase" being a 8 faction set. All you can do with a four or even 5 faction expansion by itself is play a 1v1 game. For this reason alone, I would have either marvel or the core game in the essential category. Personally, I think the core needs a little more love. It's a classic and many of its factions are really good. It's also simple for beginners (if marvel were made first I would probably pick it since everything might be modifiers etc.). I'm surprised Big in Japan got demoted so far for its complexity when culture shock got away relatively unscathed. I feel the same about culture shock as you though. It is a little more complicated but has so many good factions (definitely one of the best releases). On another note, thanks for making another video. I was beginning to worry that you had wandered off to another interest or something.

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

If someone were jumping in today, and they don't mind Marvel theme, I'd recommend that over the Core Set to start. While the Core Set as a whole is reasonably simple, I think some of the inconsistencies in terms of terminology, ability text, power level etc haven't aged well and can cause confusion. It's really showing its age which is understandable. I didn't mention complexity in relation to Big in Japan. It got put in wait for a sale for titans. No worries thanks, it's just time, I haven't had a lot of it recently.

[@alchemygal3285]

I agree with the munchkin. It’s not necessary. It over complicates the game with the extra treasure and monster cards. It’s also not good for beginners... it’s definitely only for ppl who are completionists. If I was to suggest a buying order, I’d suggest it to be the last one anyone buys. However, There are a few factions in it that don’t need the treasure and monster decks to work well. Treasure cards, monster cards, madness cards, Titan cards, and dueling over complicates this game. It’s the reason those particular factions usually fall in not necessary. Although, the two you put in wait for sale are definitely the better of the lot. Simplicity and smoothness of play is definitely more universally friendly. I very much agree with your list. Thanx for sharing. Although, I would change bigger geekier box to minimum requirements because anyone looking to buy minimum requirement expansions and up, plus have space for future smash up expansions, will find the bigger geekier box very useful to store all the factions. Even just buying only the good addition and essential, will find the box is still useful. Again, thank you for sharing, this will probably be very helpful for new players to decide what to buy first.

[@jacksonhogan110]

I’d definitely put the core set in essential - I agree with Robert that wizards are actually pretty dang good still, and dinosaurs are so fun and thematic they’re still a good one to have, plus they’re great for teaching new players. Tricksters are the only one I really don’t like from the core set - and 1/8 is not bad. I definitely agree that a redesign would be awesome though, although I think they should just buff the bad factions and not nerf the good ones because if they nerf the good ones, people will probably just keep playing the old versions of those.

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

Fingers crossed for a 10th anniversary edition of the core set with retuned factions and maybe another all star faction.

[@julesmorin2227]

I actually love playing the trickster. In a 2 player game it's absolutly GOATED to make the other player skip a turn or to make a faction forbidden on a base 😆

[@Bundeskaiser]

Very controversial. Both Disney and Marvel are both - at best - not necessary as an expansion. Might be good as standalone games, but not as expansions. My list would look like this (Europe based player): Essential: Core Set (hasn't aged well but the factions are so iconic that they are a must), AL9000 (somewhat outdated and thematically mismatched but still decent mechanics), World Tour I+II (the opposite end, very polished mechanics, good thematically connected set overall) Good addition: OYdia (overall solid factions. Vikings are a bit meh, though), Sci-Fi (carried by the Shapeshifters and the Cyborg Apes), 70s (easy to play and accessible factions) Minimum requirements: It's your fault (very swingy balance levels, not that great overall), Cease and Desist (that's mostly theme over substance), Pretty Pretty (swingy balance levels, Cats are the most swingy faction, Horses BL OP), WWWT (Grannies are a failure, Rockstars are too strong, Explorers are fine, Teddys nothing special), Monster Smash (got 3 Titans - any more questions?) Wait for Sale: Big in Japan, Cthulhu, Munchkin (all of them are very special, but at least they fit into the game; Munchkin is the weakest out of them) Not necessary: Marvel, Disney, BGB, Single Factions (BGB and the Singles mostly for the cost; Marvel and Disney as said) Special Case: Titan Pack. That's basically essential when you have a lot of the sets they add Titans to. It's a must when you have the Cthulhu and Monster Set, probably also when you have the Core set. Otherwise, you don't need it at all. Also, their power levels are really inconsistent. While some are overpowered, others are mostly pointless.

[@gaminganime3279]

Can you combine the smash up core with other expansión? I have the Cthulhu expantion and kinda looks incompatible

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

You can combine any smash up set with any other smash up set!

[@gaminganime3279]

@@ThatSmashUpChannel Thank you so much, love the content. I am becoming a SU enthusiast

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

@@gaminganime3279 Enjoy! A back catalogue now as I've stopped doing videos but the best card in smash up discussion videos were my favourite to do and something I'd welcome more of in the smash up community.

[@nathansutterfield]

Super random question- great video by the way. I literally just jumped into smash up due to finding a copy of Marvel Smash Up with a great deal. After watching your video I am leaning toward the Culture Shock or just the Base Game - I don't need to own everyone maybe just one more expansion or addition, at the most having 3. What do you recommend, with variety, value and fun being my top priorities?

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

Thanks! I would definitely recommend It's Your Fault of the three I put in 'Essential'. You get five really varied and well-balanced factions.

[@nathansutterfield]

@ThatSmashUpChannel - okay I will more into that one, so to clarify you would do the its not your fault over World Culture Shock. I was thinking World Culture Shock due to my love historical things and one of your favorite the Mayan faction but thanks for the quick response. All the best.

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

@@nathansutterfield They're both great, hence them being in essential, they both also offer 5 factions rather than the normal 4 so represent better value for money as well, however, Culture Shock introduces more complicated mechanics that are less intuitive for players to pick up and play without having played a range of factions already (or having a solid grounding in other TCG/CCGs).

[@nathansutterfield]

@@ThatSmashUpChannel that makes sense. I appreciate your knowledge and help. Take care.

[@Sonus2011]

why do you think wizards havent held up? From what ive seen, almost every tier list including mine, puts them still atleast high tier all the way up to borderline OP. I know its not the topic of this vid but Just something I had to ask about.

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

I think I had them in A on my tier list. I don't think they're that bad. I more meant that if they were printed today they would be updated to make the titan irrelevant. I also think that they no longer have a USP, other factions can spam actions but work towards something as well. I'd probably update them in line with my reworking the wizards video to bring them up to date.

[@Bundeskaiser]

Vanilla Wizards are borderline op? o.O I think they are redundant. Everything they bring to the table can be done by another faction at least as good, most likely better.

[@Sonus2011]

@@Bundeskaiser this is just false, all you have to do is look at the cards. Kree are the closest overlap and even then it's not even close to a full replacement. Show me a single faction that can play as many actions as wizards, play as many extra minions, has as much draw, can deck search and has something like Portal. You won't be able to fyi, as No one does, other factions have aspects but not all in 1 package. Very few other factions could ever even meet the play condition of the titan, and wizards can multiple times in a single game. I should add I don't think vanilla are borderline Op but are top tier.

[@Bundeskaiser]

I think the Disco Dancers, Greeks, Kree and Musketeers all don't have the exact same package but a similar skillset on a higher power level.

[@Sonus2011]

@@Bundeskaiser just depends what u want out of the partner. If I need or want consistency for the partner wizards are basically unmatched for providing that. If I'd rather have less consistency but more Raw power those others are good.

[@jacksonhogan110]

“Harrison Jones” hahaha that’s actually an even funnier name for the explorers King Minion, they missed a golden opportunity there

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

I got mixed up with the Hearthstone minion!

[@orestkuzma9370]

When new video?

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

I'm hoping to do a couple this weekend

[@skidawg22]

I'm a Smash Up completionist, but here is where I differ from your list. In my opinion, Science Fiction Double Feature is the absolute worst expansion, and contains the absolute worst faction in the entire game (Time Travelers). If I were to pass on any set, it would be that one. Cthulhu is absolutely necessary, and goes even better with the Titans kit. While I personally like World Tour 2 (Culture Shock) and had the pleasure of playtesting it, I would not put it in "Essential." It contains some of the more advanced factions in the entire game. If I were playing with someone who is brand new, I would not have them play with Russian Fairy Tales, as it should only be played by experienced players. As for the four single promo factions, I suggest lobbying AEG to make them available as a set. I got my Penguins, Goblins and Knights of the Round Table for free as a thank you for playtesting (the fact that I'm American plays a bit in availability as well). By the way, Goblins require a coin to play with, and Knights utilize actions as quests. Lastly, for me the Titans are mandatory.

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

Thanks for your comment, it's always interesting to hear others views. I agree about Culture Shock, and I would probably suggest It's Your Fault first, but what I'm saying by Essential is that if you were only to own some, it should be those and I think those three expansions would be a really good varied mix. The 5th faction certainly is a boost from a value perspective.

[@nikosnakopoulos4965]

I know it's subjective but some terrible choices all around :P

[@ThatSmashUpChannel]

Go on, I'll bite - what are you changing? :p

[@nikosnakopoulos4965]

@@ThatSmashUpChannel Titans, Cthullu, Big in Japan, Marvel, Awesome 9000, World Tour, Monster, what were we thinking are also essential. Penguins, KoTM are A good addition. Sheep, Goblin, Munchkin are not necessary.