What is Panoptichron? Where? When?
Welcome, everyone, to our lowdown on Panoptichron! Let's learn a bit about the story of the place!
The Crystal Palace is a transdimensional observatory, which means that whoever is in it can observe and access the multiple realities that compose the Marvel multiverse. Its Location? Outside space and Time, so it might be a bit tricky to get there.
Due to timey-wimey stuff, the origin of the palace is a complete mystery. No one knows who built it and why it was abandoned. We know that at some point, a race of insectoid creatures found the place, discovered its function, and started using it for science. They are just some silly little guys in love with discovery. Like a genius once said, your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should.
They launched expeditions to other realities. They mostly fumbled around without knowing what they were doing, damaging many realities across the Multiverse. Due to that, their race was nicknamed “Timebreakers.” The Timebreakers knew what had to be done to fix time back; however, they could not accomplish that task because they were docile, peaceful creatures. So, to fix these realities, they recruited a team of heroes to do their dirty work: The Exiles!
This ragtag team of heroes, plucked from different timelines, now had to work together to fix the broken timeline. They quickly had to learn how to work together as a team. Their missions were extremely dangerous and alien to them because they were often sent into weird universes where something had gone terribly wrong.
Also, since some missions were too morally ambiguous for the Exiles, the Timebreakers “recruited” a second team called Weapon-X. They were ruthless and had no issues about doing bad things whenever the Timebreakers ordered them. They might look like the heroes we know and love, but they are different versions of worlds that didn’t treat them too well.
The original roster of both teams didn’t last long, as there were many casualties due to how dangerous those missions were. It didn’t help much that the Timebreakers were shady and omitted a lot of crucial information about how they were at fault for everything wrong with the multiverse. They also forgot to mention that they never intended to return the heroes to their universe, not even if they died on duty. All this lying and manipulation lead to a ton of crazy events, like a new crazy member that tries to take over the Panoptichron and a whole bunch of wacky multiversal shenanigans for the Exiles to solve.
Wanna know more? Go read the Exiles run. It's awesome!
Panoptichron - The Location
Panoptichron gives cards that didn’t start in your deck +2 power. It’s a fitting power since everyone who lives is from a different universe. The location is sensible, not too game-breaking, and shouldn’t skew games too much when it shows up. It’s just a small bonus power for some deck archetypes; it’s quite similar to Washington D.C. I have won and lost some games due to its effect, but I would say it isn’t that impactful, and neither should Panoptichron.
So, let’s see how to raise our chances during Panoptichron’s launch. Since using cards from different timelines doesn't count. I can think of two archetypes that would be incredibly awesome that day, named by their flagship card: Loki and Patriot. Their playlines are quite different, but both decks use created cards to some extent.
Let’s start with Loki. This archetype is designed to run cards that create more cards, like the agents, Snowguard, Cable, and Mirage. If you get Loki, you’re set, playing your opponent's cards harder, faster, and possibly stronger than your opponent's due to the Panoptichron location’s effect. Even in a bad game where you don’t get your Loki in time, you can play your randomly created cards, and they will be stronger.
On the Patriotic side of things, we create extremely patriotic squirrels, illusions, drones, rocks, and even broodlings! Our hot location augments all these creations, and they also get a buff from the Patriot himself. The best part is that, unlike the Loki deck, you don’t need to worry about variance. Your cards always add the same creations to the board, so you don’t have to worry about a possible bad game where your created cards are all awful like Loki users have to be.
Another card we shouldn’t forget that could fit both styles is Mockingbird. She excels when a lot of created cards are on board. So, if you intend to take advantage of Panoptichron, she might bring the right flavor for what you’re cooking.
Let’s look at some decks that are great already but will get a bit stronger during Panoptichron’s debut.
Panoptichron Decks
Zemoloki
This is just a Loki deck with the addition of Zemo. Even though Zemo doesn’t create a card, the card he brings to the board didn’t start in your deck, so it should get the extra power from the hot location. This deck can go big and mana-efficient if you bring the redhead gang onto the field. As always, the deck star is Loki, and with the location in his favor, he’ll shine more than ever.
America, %@$& Yeah!
If you were missing Patriot. This season must be your favorite because he returned with a vengeance in his eyes. His old-new deck is fantastic, and with this, Panoptichron is even better. Invisible Woman is to protect our on-goings because some very unpatriotic people have been seen running Enchantress and Lady Deathstrike to smash our patriotic plans.
Deathbird
At first glance, this deck might seem like a bunch of cards that don’t fit well together, but you would be surprised. We create and destroy cards to reduce the cost of Death and Mockingbird. Use Bucky, the Demon, Squirrels, and Illusions on Panoptichron for extra power.
Pocket Sand
Everybody has a plan until you get sand in their eyes. This is a more top-heavy Patriot that also has the Sandman playline. Some decks get demolished when you play Sandman on turn 5, and since we usually plan to go with Ultron, only our opponent will have to endure Sandman’s nasty effect.
Afterthoughts
I hope this article helped you prepare for the newest location, Panoptichron and maybe inspired you to read more about Marvel. I sure do need to do those two things more often. This Location I feel like is one of the most ignorable ones but as always, if you use it your favor, reaching your goals might get way easier. I’m always curious about what you guys think about this type of article, so if you’re inclined, please leave a comment. I read them all. Tell me how your Panoptichron day was. If you have any secret decks for it. Or maybe, if you can say Panoptichron 5 times out loud without messing up, what a tongue twister, right?