Marvel Universe RPG Core Rules PDF

This Marvel Universe RPG core rules PDF review is part of my “Best Tabletop RPGs of All Time” article. If you want to check out more TTRPGs and see how other top-tier tabletop RPGs are ranked, visit that page.


My Review – 89 / 100

Bar chart comparing game attributes: attributes on x-axis, stacked bars with black, medium blue, and light blue sections show ratings.

The version of the Marvel Universe that I reviewed is the Marvel Universe RPG core rules RPG – playtest version – as at the time of this review, the full game was not yet available. Speaking of, the full game is supposed to come out in 2022, so if you like the sound of it, you may not have to wait long.


The only thing I wasn’t 100% sure about with the Marvel Universe RPG is that this game feels like it better suites a series of one-shot game sessions, as opposed to a full tabletop RPG campaign.


Not that Marvel Universe can’t be an in-depth story building game. There just aren’t a ton of rules or directions for facilitating that, at least within the playtest rulebook.


Still though, this game gets top marks. It’s come in 4th place on my list of top TTRPGs.

Uniqueness of Marvel Universe RPG: (8/10)

There are no dice used in Marvel Universe. That alone is an extremely unique element of the game. The game’s designers wanted a very simple, straightforward, rules-light game, focused on roleplaying a superhero (or villain), and not the mechanics of the game system, itself. I think that Marvel Universe RPG accomplishes that goal. 


The game is played in a series of “Panels.” It’s as if if you and your gaming group were reading and co-creating a comic book, as you game. It’s a very cool concept.


When it comes to stats, basically, your character has HP. Then, you also have energy points, called “Red Stones” that are used to do any kind of action. If you have enough Red Stones to fuel your desired action, it succeeds. There’s a little more complexity to it, factoring in Difficulty and Resistance, but that is the fundamental mechanics of gameplay.


It’s a little amazing to me that a full-fledged RPG that also represents something as large as Marvel gets by with only 2 (basically) character “stats.” However, I’m also impressed.


You can use Red Stones both on your “turn” (your character’s Panel in the comic book page), and during other character’s Panels. Though you end up using most of your Red Stones during your Panel to complete whatever action is most important to you, it sometimes helps to leave a few Red Stones for involvement in someone else’s Panel which allows you to help them, or complete other important functions during their shining moments.


You can either play one of the 42 characters from the marvel universe, or create your own. There are also tons of powers for you to use, and rules for all kinds of superhero related things (power armor, flying, etc.).


For myself, I’m pretty sure that I would have more fun playing this game by trying out each of the 42 heroes/ villains included in the rulebook for a session or two each than I would playing one character for a long campaign. The game is just better set up to sample heroes and villains than to create your own lengthy “comic book series” with them, in my opinion.


Brawling Game Type

Marvel Universe RPG also a game mode called “Brawling.” From the rulebook: “it allows players to answer age-old questions: who would win in a fight, the Thing or the Hulk? Spider-Man or Wolverine?” This is incredibly cool.


In this game mode, rather than playing out Panels as you would in the normal style of storytelling play, two players sit down and fight – without need for a game master – to determine once and for all, who would win between their heroes/ supervillains. Honestly, this is probably what anyone would want, playing a Marvel superheroes game.


Yes. Just, yes. I love it.


No Dice – Good or Bad?

The only thing I can say as to why Marvel Universe did not get a 10/10 from me in this section is that there is a reason most tabletop RPGs use dice. Though I love that Marvel Universe doesn’t from a standpoint of uniqueness, gamers who play Marvel Universe RPG will find themselves missing the random dice element present in most TTRPGs, at least from time to time.


Dice are part of what makes TTRPGs unpredictable and high-drama. When it comes down to what people actually enjoy from their tabletop games, most really do prefer dice, or a random dice-like element of surprise.


Ease of Learning the Game: (8/10)

Whenever I come across TTRPGs that are easy to teach new players, I always let out a sigh of relief. Easy-to-teach games makes it easier to create tabletop gaming groups. Simple as that.


I’d feel very comfortable teaching Marvel Universe RPG to just about any new player.


The information with Stones (Red Stones and White Stones) is a little confusing. The game’s designer did leave a lot of examples throughout the rulebook, but it’s still not always clear as to what players are supposed to do in certain situations.


I’d have liked if there were different terms besides just “White Stones” and “Red Stones” in the rulebook. When reading, you’ll find terminology like simply “Stones,” where it’s hard to tell exactly what’s being referenced.


It seems, when reading the rulebook, that when simply “Stones” is mentioned, what’s really meant is “Red Stones.” However, the ambiguity is unnecessary. This isn’t a major, major point, but it does lower the marks a bit.

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Marvel Universe RPG Presentation: (8/10)

I’ve never been a huge fan of rulebooks which feature large numbers of rule usage examples which are provided directly in-text. What I mean is, you’re reading about a rule, then you see a separate text box that gives an example of how that rule actually plays out, in-game.


On the one hand, it’s kind of nice to get clarification on rules. But the downside is that in-text examples are also distracting. It’s also annoying when you understand the rule from the instruction provided, but then there’s an (unnecessary) further explanation of that rule in a separate text box.


Besides that though, the rulebook is easy to understand. Important sections in the book are clearly marked, and the presentation on the whole is top-tier.


If you can get past the rule clarifications/ examples (when you don’t need them), then you’ll enjoy this rulebook quite a bit.


Marvel Lore: (10/10)

We’re talking about the entire Marvel Universe, here. When you play Marvel Universe RPG, you can bring in any of your favorite superheroes or villains from any of Marvel’s extensive library of amazing comic books, movies, and more.


And not only that, you can bring in plot lines from any of your favorite stories, as well. Want to re-enact a specific part of a movie you love? Go for it. Want to see who would win in an epic battle between your favorite characters? This RPG is here for you.


Combat in Marvel Universe RPG: (8/10)

When you take an action or attack someone in Marvel Universe RPG, if the number of Red Stones you use in that action/ attack is higher than the target’s defending Stones, your attack hits. Damage dealt is then determined by the number of leftover Red Stones (the number of Stones you used in your attack minus the number of Stones the defender used in their defense).


What’s a little odd to me is that 1-3 Red Stones over the defender deals 1damage. To do 2damage from an attack, you must be 4-6 Red Stones over. These numbers are reasonable enough to follow. It is kind of a bummer though that if you’re at 3 Stones over, but not 4, you miss out on dealing another full point of damage.


Combat in Marvel Universe is surprisingly simple and straightforward (especially compared to many other TTRPGs out there). This is really a storytelling game when it comes to combat, and there aren’t really “tactical” options, , but the game is so thematic and fun that its combat category still gets a high score.


Game “Flow”: (8/10)

When it comes down to it, Marvel Universe RPG is a very simple game. I mean that in a good way. There’s not a lot of substance to it when it comes to rules and game mechanics. But similar to the Cypher System in this regard, the vibe is right.


I think the game’s designer found a really good place of mixing a rules-light approach with an emphasis on “building pages in a comic book.”


I only drop the score in this category a little because (as I’ve mentioned, above) I don’t think this is a game I’d want to play for a long campaign. I do think Marvel Universe is an amazing game for one-shot gaming sessions, or short tabletop RPG campaigns, though.


I’m certain I could easily put together a group of people for a superhero/ villain gaming event using this game system. We’d probably just play a few sessions here and there, between our other ongoing tabletop RPG campaigns played using other RPGs.

Green and black graphic with the text

Marvel Universe RPG Artwork: (9/10)

The art’s cool – I really enjoy it. Very comic book style, which is very fitting. Very dynamic. Stylistically, the art is fitting for the game’s vibe, and all the artwork fits together.


Marvel Universe also does not leave you hanging as it features a lot of artwork throughout the book. Some of the artwork is not crafted in the most modern art style though, and it’s honestly not quite as high quality as other games.


Ease of Purchase: (10/10)

Marvel Universe (as of the time of this writing) is not yet available for purchase. I do need a placeholder stat for this section though, so given that we’re talking about Marvel here, I’m just going to go ahead and give top marks. I think since we’re talking Marvel, it’s safe to assume that they’ll do a good job on this.


Price & How Many Books Do You Need to Play: (10/10)

Same thing for this section as with “Ease of Purchase” immediately above.


Fame & Availability of Supplemental Material: (10/10)

Especially since the Marvel movies started coming out over 10 years ago, the Marvel franchise is incredibly famous. It has to be one of the most well-known names in all of Western society. That being the case, you can certainly find people who will want to game with you.


Marvel Universe RPG Core Rulebook is Published By:

Marvel


Man in blue shirt and tan pants smiles, sits on a green railing against a dark wall.

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

Man in blue shirt and tan pants smiles, sits on a green railing against a dark wall.

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

Gargoyles in armor stand on a stone roof at night under a blue moon
By Jacob Tegtman April 13, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMnHDV9p7hk Transcription What if your next D&D character was carved instead of being born? And what if their entire purpose was decided the moment they were made? Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG. Today, we’re returning to Crooked Moon to explore the playable monstrous races that this awesome campaign setting provides. Next on list are the Stoneborn from Pholsense – I hope you’re ready, as this race is really fun.  Stoneborn are carved from – well, from stone – by the ruler of their land—and they’re brought to life through a divine force called the Silver Path. In Pholsense, Stoneborn don’t come from families. They literally start as blocks of stone. The ruler of the province, Archbishop Danton Alexandre Renault (a name you may have heard from some of my other Crooked Moon videos – particularly the ones based on specific adventures), oversees their creation. A body is carefully carved into shape—usually with wings and a humanoid form. So, think gargoyle statue. At some point during this process, the Silver Path—a divine power—brings that body to life. Based on the lore of Crooked Moon, we don’t really know exactly what “the Silver Path” is. It’s not like buried somewhere obscure, later on in the campaign book. I think it’s left open-ended so your group, or DM, can sort of play it up as they’d like. Mystery is, after all, a big part of the Crooked Moon setting. It’s worth starting here with the Stoneborn though because the Silver Path is the process of how this carved statue of stone awakens. The Silver Path is clearly stated in the lore as A divine force or guiding power associated with order, light, and purpose. In the Crooked Moon setting, whether you’re playing a Stoneborn or want to highlight them as a DM, the Silver Path functions as: A religious belief system (what people worship) – as the whole process of Stoneborn creation is either overseen, or even performed, directly by the Archbishop A real source of power (it actually does things, like awaken inanimate stone) And is a standard for morality (what’s considered “good” and “right” in the lands of Crooked Moon) In short, the Silver Path is the god-like force that defines “order and good” specifically within the lands of Pholsense. It’s also worth noting that the Silver Path is not described as a spell, and it’s clearly not some form of hidden technology. It is like a divine power. So, moving on, the Stoneborn are made of whatever stone they were carved from. That determines their color and texture. Their shapes can vary a lot, depending on their creator’s artistic choices. This means that your Stoneborn could be a gargoyle, like I mentioned before. But, they could also have features similar to animals, dragons, or angels. You can also have a lot of fun with it and mix different traits rather than having just one clear form. All Stoneborn do have wings, but they’re heavy. And they can fly—but just not quickly or easily. When it comes to the land of Pholsense it’s a strict and orderly place. Rules are taken seriously, and roles are clearly defined. Stoneborn are usually created to actually serve a very specific function within their society. Common roles include: Guards Enforcers of the law Or protectors of important places, such as religious buildings (perhaps even locations where the Silver Path takes place) Because they are created rather than raised, many Stoneborn strongly believe in following their assigned purpose. But – and this makes for great roleplay opportunities – not all of them agree with their assigned paths, forever. Some eventually start to question: Why they were made Whether their role in life is fair And whether the Archbishop—or the Silver Path—is always right Mechanically, Stoneborn are durable and flexible. They’re classified as Constructs. You can choose to be Small or Medium-sized. They also have a flying speed equal to half their normal movement. When it comes to abilities, Stoneborn come with: Argent Gleam Once per long rest, you can use a bonus action to choose one of two effects: 1) Path’s Grace You cast Bless without needing components. 2) Zealous Charge You take the Dash action, and your next attack deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage—even if the attack misses. Next, they have Silver Bulwark When you take bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, You can use your reaction to gain resistance to those damage types until your next turn. And then lastly, Watchful Senses gives you proficiency in either: Insight Perception or Survival When it comes to roleplaying, Stoneborn characters are mainly about purpose. You might think about: Why your character was created Whether they still believe in their assigned purpose now And how they feel about the person who made them Some Stoneborn fully trust the system they come from. Others might not. You can also explore their relationship with the Silver Path: Do they see it as a real guiding force? Or just something they were told to believe in? Finally, Stoneborn don’t die of old age, in quite the same way as most creatures. After a long life—around 300 years—they physically break down and return to rubble. Personally, I think it would be kind of cool if they just permanently petrified, returning to their state before the Silver Path – almost like every Stoneborn graveyard isn’t just filled with creepy gargoyle statues like in most fantasy games... but the graveyard is the gargoyles... providing a glimpse into each stoneborn’s life, and what mattered to them. So what do you think? Would you play a Stoneborn, or have you played one already? And more importantly—Would you follow the Silver Path… no matter where it leads, or what it asks of you? Or would you be a black sheep among the gargoyles? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. I think next up I have planned to cover the Plagueborn. But if you have another Crooked Moon race on your mind that you want me to dive into, let me know. See you guys next time!
A fantasy adventure advertisement for
By Jacob Tegtman April 9, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Ut7R3J2m0 Transcription Lost megadungeons from Gary Gygax himself are hitting crowdfunding this week. This is unpublished content from the father of D&D that's been sitting in archives for decades. Plus, the community is reacting strongly to what this might mean for old-school gaming.  Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG - your go-to source for all things D&D and tabletop RPG news. Today we're diving into what might actually be the most significant piece of D&D history to surface in years. So here's the scoop that's got the “old school renaissance” community in a frenzy. The Gygax Trust has announced they're bringing previously unpublished megadungeons created by Gary Gygax to crowdfunding platforms. Now, before you ask "wait, didn't Gary pass away in 2008?" - yes, he did. But here's the thing that makes this absolutely incredible. These aren't reconstructions or "inspired by" content. These are actual, honest-to-Mordenkainen unpublished works that Gygax created but never got to release during his lifetime. Here’s what We're Actually Getting: According to the announcement, we're looking at multiple megadungeons that showcase Gygax's legendary dungeon design philosophy. And when I say megadungeons, I mean the real deal - we're talking about sprawling, multi-level complexes that could keep your party busy for literal years of gameplay. The Gygax Trust is being pretty tight-lipped about specific details, but they've confirmed these materials were found in Gary's personal archives. Think about that for a second - these are dungeons designed by the original dungeon master. They are effectively classic D&D dungeons... that were never released. Also, I will be putting links for these megadungeons in the video’s notes, so be sure to check there to back them and get your copies if you’re interested! And with this... Community Reaction Is Off The Charts The D&D OSR (old school renaissance) subreddit is absolutely exploding right now. One user posted: "This is like finding lost Beatles recordings. Gary's dungeon design was unmatched - geometric, deadly, but fair. If these are authentic Gygax creations, this could be the most important RPG release in decades." But it's not just the old school gamers who are getting excited. Even 5e players are recognizing the historical significance. Over on r/DnD, another user wrote: "Even if you never run OSR games, owning actual unpublished Gygax content is like having a piece of D&D's DNA. This is our hobby's history." Now, here's where it gets interesting from a business perspective. The Gygax Trust is going the crowdfunding route rather than partnering with Wizards of the Coast or another major publisher. This makes total sense when you think about it. Crowdfunding gives them complete creative control, and honestly - The OSR community has proven they'll throw serious money at quality old-school content. Just look at the success of campaigns like Rappan Athuk or Barrowmaze. Here’s What This could mean For The Hobby: These dungeons matter beyond just nostalgia. Gary Gygax wasn't just the co-creator of D&D - he was a master of dungeon ecology and design philosophy that modern game design still draws from. These megadungeons could provide incredible insight into how he approached long-form campaign design. We're talking about seeing the evolution of ideas that influenced everything from the Temple of Elemental Evil to modern 5e adventures. Plus, let's be real - in an era where a lot of published adventures hold your hand every step of the way, getting pure, unfiltered Gygax dungeon design could be exactly what some tables are craving. D&D has effectively – shall we say, lost its soul(?) – in recent decades. This represents a return to what D&D was at its core, from one of the gentlemen behind the game. There are some Questions with these adventures though, that Everyone's been Asking Of course, the community has concerns too. The big question is authenticity and presentation. How complete are these materials – that is, is there a reason they weren’t published to begin with? Will they be published as-is with Gary's original notes, or will they be "updated" for modern sensibilities? One user said: "I hope they preserve Gary's original voice and design philosophy, even if it means the content feels dated by today's standards. That's literally the point - we want to see how the master actually designed dungeons." So that's this week's big news! The return of Gary Gygax content through crowdfunding is honestly something I never thought we'd see. What do you think? Are you excited for authentic Gygax megadungeons, or do you think some things should stay in the past? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. If this video got you hyped for some classic dungeon crawling, smash that like button and subscribe for more TTRPG news every week. I’m certain these will be some dungeons that I’ll be covering in the future, once they’re available. Until next time, keep those dice rolling!
A high-angle shot of a crowded Gen Con event
By Jacob Tegtman April 5, 2026
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvxI1GXJerE Transcription Dungeons & Dragons is finally returning to the convention that made it famous… Well, to be clear – D&D has been at Gen Con. It’s just, they haven’t really had much of a presence there in recent times, have they? Even small indie games have had substantially larger booth space than D&D, which I saw last year basically tucked into a back part of the convention, with pretty much only like a 20ft by 10ft space, or so. If even that, to be honest.  And, I don’t know for sure if D&D hosted many events even at Gen Con while we were there last year. Maybe a few intro games? But if I had to guess, I would’ve said that third parties may have run more games of D&D than Wizards of the Coast D&D actually did. But, after years of near silence… Wizards of the Coast is planning to go all-in on Gen Con again. The real question is—why now? We’ve seen a lot of relatively big moves from D&D recently, back towards its roots. So, what could this move mean for the future of D&D? Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG—your go-to news channel for all things D&D and tabletop roleplaying. Today we’re diving into some pretty cool news, hopefully a big positive for the direction of D&D: Wizards of the Coast is officially heading back to Gen Con with D&D in a big way. And honestly… it’s kind of a full-circle moment. Let’s rewind for a second, because – as I’m sure you know – Gen Con isn’t just any convention. Gen Con was founded back in 1968 by Gary Gygax, which to be honest, I didn’t know prior to researching for this video. If you aren’t aware, Gen Con is now the largest convention for tabletop gaming, I believe in the world. It pretty much takes over Indianapolis for, what I can confidently agree, is probably indeed the best 4-days of gaming each year. At the time they started Gen Con, it was just a small gathering of wargaming fans in Wisconsin. But in 1974… Gygax and Dave Arneson released Dungeons & Dragons. And, of course, Gen Con became ground zero for spreading the game. People would attend… pick up a copy… and bring it back to their hometowns. That’s how D&D went viral—before the internet even existed. It turns out, hanging out with cool people in person and telling them about cool things – in person – was the OG way to go viral. Go figure! So, fast forward a few decades… Gen Con became the D&D event, and the tabletop gaming event. We’re talking massive tournaments, huge reveals… Even a life-sized castle built on the convention floor. Yeah. That actually happened. But then something changed. In recent years, Wizards of the Coast has been… mostly absent. No big booths. No major announcements. Just a quiet, minimal presence—if anything at all. I can tell you, seeing them last year, like I mentioned, was not only unimpressive... it was actually even a bit sad. I remember thinking like, “why are you guys even here? Why bother with a booth like this, it just makes D&D look bad.” And other fans have definitely noticed, as well. At this point, you might be wondering: why did D&D pull away from Gen Con, anyways? Well, a few key things: First—vision. Wizards started treating D&D less like a game… and more like a global entertainment brand. You’ve seen the somewhat recent movie, and then they’re pushing hard towards digital tools now, trying to make D&D more of a money-making tool, and truthfully, less like the D&D we all grew up with. Second—control. Instead of third-party events like Gen Con, Wizards of the Coast has focused more on their own events. Things like MagicCon – for Magic: the Gathering. And third—cost. Giant booths and live events are expensive, and brand-awareness is not the same as actual sales. In the past, the cost of large-scale live events like Gen Con was a no-brainer investment for D&D. However, with D&D moving towards online income, live spaces didn’t fit the online vision as much. So, for years… Gen Con became more of a community-run D&D space rather than an official one. But now—that’s changing. Wizards vice president recently confirmed that Gen Con is about to become a major part of D&D again. Starting this year: Annual D&D product roadmaps will be revealed at Gen Con They’ll have more organized play events And there will be more direct and “official” community engagement Like so many of the things Wizards of the Coast is doing to push live community spaces for D&D again, this could be a big deal – but it will depend on how well Wizards follows through. Still though, this is the first time in years that Wizards is showing up where the players are. And this could be a great sign for the game. With all of this in mind, we now finally come to the question: “why is this happening now?” There are a few clues. First—D&D has lost major momentum in the TTRPG space, let’s be real. Wizards is, perhaps, finally recognizing the loss of their community, and is trying to reconnect with the people who built the community to begin with. We’ve seen: The return of classic settings – which is ok. I’d rather see – as one recent viewer put it – new stuff. Done in the classic way, but some actual new content would be x1,000 times better. And they are creating new seasonal content, with a return to D&D modules and “official” weekly play at local gaming stores. Second… Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The OGL controversy. You may remember: The Open Gaming License controversy, when Wizards of the Coast tried to change D&D’s open license in a way that would restrict creators and potentially take a cut of their earnings—sparking massive backlash and boycott calls from the community. That moment seriously damaged trust with fans. And while things have cooled down… This Gen Con push feels like a very intentional move to rebuild goodwill. Because if you want to win back hardcore players—You show up at Gen Con. That’s all there is to it. Show up, and make it fucking awesome. Make your audience actually want to play D&D again. For a lot of fans, D&D skipping Gen Con has felt… weird. It’s the place where the fire started. It’s been the biggest name in tabletop ghosting the biggest tabletop event in the world, in favor of creating online subscription models that very few people actually want. But now? This feels like a return to D&D’s roots. A reconnection with the community that built the game’s legacy in the first place. So the real question is—Is this just good PR… Or the start of a new era for D&D? What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments. And if you enjoyed this coverage, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and roll for initiative on the next video. See you next time!
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