Marvel’s tactical RPG Midnight Suns gives players the ability to lead a team of their favorite superheroes into turn-based battles. Midnight Suns utilizes a Friendship System whereby playable protagonist Hunter needs to not only know, but befriend their teammates to get the most out of their abilities. Between missions, Hunter has opportunities at the Abbey to build camaraderie by sparring daily with the hero of their choice to boost friendship and skill levels. Players can also 'Hangout' with selected heroes or buy friendship with gift-giving.
In this game, swapping friendship bracelets is the key to success, and it is impossible to invest in every character to maximum potential. Players must pick their beads wisely, as making these heroes into close companions is the highest priority.
10 Captain America
While Captain America is not the most powerful character in the roster, he remains a popular supporting hero. America cannot deal heavy damage himself, but taunts enemies away from vulnerable allies and uses his shield to block damage. His ‘All Day’ Passive Ability absorbs damage and can be upgraded after unlocking higher friendship levels. Players who obtain Level 5 Friendship with Captain America can attempt his Legendary Challenge. Successfully completing this challenge is rewarded with his Legendary Card, 'Shield Charge,' which turns the damage blocked by Captain's shield against his opponents, drawing a card for each hit.
Hunter and Captain America have two things in common: their history as soldiers fighting in relentless wars, and their mutual experience of being preserved and reawakened in a different time. Players can gain points with Captain America during sparring sessions or by giving gifts with army ties. His rigid morals cause him to respond negatively to dark dialogue options. Keeping conversations light and Hangouts peaceful will build camaraderie with this super soldier.
9 Spider-Man
Spider-Man’s effortless likability puts him top of most players’ lists when recruiting a new friend. Spider-Man uses surroundings to his advantage with Environmental attacks, and webs enemies together with ‘Chain Strike’ to deal damage to multiple targets. Friendship with Spider-Man will unlock his Infernal Spider reward to play more than three cards per turn for ‘free.’ Additionally, his upgraded ability ‘Bring the House Down’ minimizes Heroism spent during his attacks.
This web-slinging teenager likes video game and movie Hangouts, photography or science related gifts, and is receptive to compliments. Avoid Dark dialogue options, as Parker is kind with heightened morality. Lighthearted, cheerful interactions will have this friendly neighborhood Spider-Man singing the questionable ‘Hunter and Spider-Man’ song in no time.
8 Wolverine
This clawed hero is unlocked in Act 2, leaving players at a disadvantage even before contending with Wolverine’s standoffish personality. Wolverine has upgradeable self-healing abilities, and his animalistic attacks slash through multiple targets. Unlocking Wolverine’s Legendary ‘Midnight Special’ increases his damage after each use and gains Heroism points for each attack or K.O.
Wolverine will tolerate Hunter’s company if invited to Hangouts that appeal to his wild nature (birdwatching and fishing) or his macho tendencies (drinking, pool or sparring). Be careful not to smother Wolverine with compliments, as he does not approve of suck-ups.
7 Nico Minoru
Players may be unfamiliar with Nico Minoru (AKA Sister Grim), a sorceress who escaped her evil magic-wielding parents and joined the Midnight Suns. Unpredictability is Nico’s play style. Her card ‘Blood Magic’ is a roulette between increasing damage, reducing cost of Heroism cards, or enabling counterattacks. ‘Witchfire’ targets random enemies and ‘Swarm’ deals unpredictable damage. Despite this, her healing abilities and potential to cause heavy damage is a blessing in disguise. Pair her with a reliable damage dealer on the battlefield, and Nico's abilities make her a spectacular wildcard.
Watching this angsty teenager's favorite movie and relating to her rebellion against her parents and the Caretaker will gain friendship points. By embracing the Dark path, Hunter teaches Nico that darkness is not something to fear.
6 Blade
Blade is a fearsome half vampire who bleeds his enemies dry on the battlefield. His abilities are stackable, starting small and building throughout missions. His card ‘Make Em Bleed’ applies rolling damage to selected enemies, which can be increased if ‘The Hunger’ or ‘Reaper’ are played afterwards. Pairing Blade with Doctor Strange makes Blade even more deadly.
Hunter can relate to Blade over their shared struggle as killing machines learning self-control. Blade has a crush on Captain Marvel, but do not attempt to be this vampire’s wingman, as he will threaten to stake Hunter if they interrupt his date with Carol. He will, however, appreciate a copy of Captain Marvel’s biography as a gift.
5 Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange’s versatility is unmatched. He deals damage, generates Heroism, replenishes resources in combat, redraws useful cards, and strengthens damage dealt by other heroes' attacks. This former medical professional can heal teammates using ‘Conceal,’ making him a perfect addition to any mission.
Unsurprisingly, Strange favors contemplative activities like mediation, and appreciates guidance on his existential crisis over the universe. His Legendary Card and upgraded passive ability do not particularly enhance this already talented hero, meaning players may prefer befriending other characters who gain greater benefits.
4 Magik
One lesser known hero in Midnight Suns is mutant sorceress Magik (AKA Illyana Rasputina). Her unique abilities open portals to reposition enemies, and produces high levels of Heroism for other characters. Magik has no defensive abilities, meaning she must be protected and ideally paired with Doctor Strange or Nico, who increase her damage. Players who enjoy her portal-summoning gameplay benefit from maxing her friendship. Magik's Legendary Card renders her invulnerable to attack, eliminating her main weakness.'
Magik is perfect to befriend when pursuing a Dark path for Hunter, as she adores Dark choices in conversation. Magik is misunderstood due to her bitterness, deadpan humor, and her traumatic past. Together, Hunter and Magik embrace their darkness without letting it control them.
3 Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch is a challenging yet rewarding hero in the long term. Wanda starts battles needing protection, as she must be placed center field to target all enemies simultaneously with her short-distance 'Hex Bolt,' yet her attacks become increasingly powerful from frequent use. Scarlet Witch's ‘Detonate’ power explodes parts of the map during battle, hindering environmental attack heroes like Ghost Rider or Spider-Man. When her Legendary Card is unlocked, players can destroy all surrounding enemies and draw a card for each enemy’s K.O (with the downside that Scarlet Witch must sacrifice herself to enact her Legendary ability).
Wanda is naturally suspicious of Hunter due to their history as former enemies. She has a heavy backstory and has been persecuted by her father as a witch and by the Caretaker for her accidental role in Agatha’s death. However, she can bond with Hunter over their shared goal to convince themselves and their teammates of their potential for good. Focusing on forgiveness will gain Wanda's trust, and eventually access powers that make her one of Midnight Suns’ greatest assets.
2 Iron Man
Billionaire Tony Stark is a team player who shares his block with allies and unlocks cards for fellow heroes by analyzing Gamma Coils (rewards collected from Missions). Benefits exclusive to being Iron Man's best friend include his upgraded passive ability that redraws cards in battle, and his ‘Hellfire Beam’ Legendary Card that can be redrawn infinitely during battle, each time becoming more powerful.
As Tony Stark is famously best friends with his own ego, gifting him Iron Man comics is a fast track to 10 friendship points. Stark is a recovering alcoholic, so avoid drinking or contemplative introspective hangouts. Instead, select his favorite activities of video games, cards, and pool to gain the most from this multi-talented hero.
1 Captain Marvel
Half alien with an ability to control cosmic energy, Captain Marvel is a mind-blowing addition to Midnight Suns. Her 'Go Binary’ card puts Marvel in a charged binary state that doubles damage (at the cost of Heroism) and increases her block. Marvel not only deals high damage, but also taunts enemies away from her allies, knowing she can protect herself from their attacks.
Friendliness with Carol strengthens her passive ability to counterattack after each K.O, which, paired with her Binary state, makes her a deadly force. If this wasn’t enough incentive to befriend Marvel, her Supernova Legendary Card deals damage to all surrounding enemies and can reappear multiple times in battle. Carol will be most receptive to card games, sparring matches, and Hunter’s discretion regarding her relationship with Blade.