Card games fans looking for a new title to try might want to give Smash Up a try. Unlike other deck-building games, Smash Up places a massive emphasis on the wackiness of its premise to make fun and unforgettable matches. After all, Smash Up offers players the chance to have elves, pirates, zombies, and even dinosaurs duke it out in an all-out battle royale.
Thanks to the quirkiness of the Smash Up game setting, fans have access to a ton of expanded material that can add a lot of flavor to their matches. Whereas other card game expansions focus on sticking to the title's core themes, Smash Up lets its expansions go all out with their ideas. And for Smash Up fans out there, some game expansions prove to be better than the rest.
10 Must-Have: The Obligatory Cthulhu Set
What do pirates and zombies have against the Old Ones, themselves? The Obligatory Cthulhu Set adds an eldritch twist to any Smash Up experience. Lovecraft fans can spice up their matches with cards dedicated to Cthulhu Cultists, Elder Things, Innsmouth, and Miskatonic University. Unfortunately, the game offers no insurance for players who accidentally summon any of the Old Ones.
This expansion set adds a new Madness card type that fits with the eldritch theme of the collection. As with other sets in Smash Up, Madness has its perks against different card types. However, players have to be careful with other Madness card effects.
9 No Thanks: Awesome Level 9000
Players of Smash Up looking for an enhanced experience might be looking at Awesome Level 9000. This expansion set adds four factions that fit the Base Set perfectly. This pack features the factions Killer Plants, Ghosts, Steampunks, and Bear Cavalry. Unfortunately, these factions do seem a bit generic for a great Smash Up experience.
Gamers might benefit from Awesome Level 9000 as a starter deck, but not necessarily as an expansion. Players should look for more thematic options for their expansion sets, especially since the base Smash Up deck already has some basic factions for regular play.
8 Must Have: Big in Japan
Players big on otaku and Japanese culture needs to buy Big in Japan. This Smash Up set takes some of the best in Japanese pop culture and prepares them to fight in the Smash Up arena. Gamers with Big in Japan have access to four exciting factions.
They can summon the power of the Kaiju, or even rely on the spells of Magical Girls. Players can also fight with the combined forces of Mega Troopers, or "catch 'em all" with Itty Critters. Whichever faction gamers prefer will add a lot of nostalgia, as character designs here reflect popular themes these factions represent.
7 No Thanks: Pretty Pretty
Cute things add a lot of appeal to any material. After all, everyone loved Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian! What gamers might not expect is Baby Yoda getting a blaster and shooting everyone on sight. Smash Up: Pretty Pretty might add a lot of cutesy to matches, but players might not want to imagine other factions beating them.
The set features four new factions. Kitty Cats take control of enemy minions, while Princesses use their allure to get their way. Meanwhile, Fairies add a lot of versatility to decks, while Mythic Horses rely on teamwork to get the job done. This pack can complement many basic Smash Up sets, but other factions might be more useful.
6 Must Have: Science Fiction Double Feature
Players looking for an upgraded Smash Up experience can count on their favorite science fiction concepts to help them out. With the Science Fiction Double Feature set, players get access to four factions featuring the most popular sci-fi concepts fans love today. This set includes Time Travelers, Cyborg Apes, Super Spies, and Shape Shifters.
With this set, Smash Up fans can add a lot of suspense to the battlefield. After all, it's one thing to fight pirates and zombies, but it's another thing to be facing Super Spies and being chased by Time Travelers.
5 No Thanks: Munchkin
Players tired of the regular Smash Up experience would probably consider getting Munchkin. This idea makes sense, as the Munchkin presents itself as a massive set for Smash Up players. After all, the game features eight new factions with a Munchkin twist: Dwarves, Orcs, Rogues, Mages, Clerics, Halflings, Thieves and Warriors.
Players who plan on getting Munchkin would want to get this as a base game, not necessarily a faction set. That's because the Munchkin set already comes with many factions, new challenge types, and even new effects that can spice up your Smash Up battle. Gamers can settle with the base game or level up the experience with this Munchkin set.
4 Must Have: What Were We Thinking?
Developers usually throw their first drafts back to the drawing board - but not Alderac Entertainment Group. With What Were We Thinking?, Smash Up devs give fans some of their craziest faction ideas yet. In this set, gamers can use the might of Teddy Bears, Grandmas, Rock Stars, and Explorers to aid them in their quest for Smash Up domination.
Players should get this set to add something unique to their existing Smash Up lineup. Whereas other collections stick too close to their themes, this collection has four diverse sets of factions that could significantly add color to your playstyle.
3 No Thanks: It's Your Fault
Fans of Smash Up love Alderac Entertainment Group for considering fan choice in faction development. Much to fans' delight, It's Your Fault reflects this approach. This set mashes up four completely separate factions into an expansion set the fans themselves demanded. These factions are Dragons, Mythic Greeks, Sharks, and even Superheroes.
Hardcore Smash Up fans should probably get this set for its collector's value. After all, not all game devs make content about what their fans want. However, players who want to add some real new thrills to their combat should get the other thematic collections first before buying this.
2 Must-Have: Cease & Desist
Folks from Alderac Entertainment Group surprised fans when they released Cease & Desist. After all, gamers know Smash Up pin pop culture's best concepts against each other. However, no one anticipated bordering into fandom territory. This set contains four factions, all of which are "totally not" like some of the biggest franchises out there.
Fans that get Cease & Desist will receive these factions: Astroknights (basically Star Wars) that use the Fours, Star Roamers (basically Star Trek) that explore the stars while protecting their redshirts, Changerbots (basically Transformers) that disguise as electronics, and Ignobles (basically Game Of Thrones) that keep on waiting for winter.
1 No Thanks: Monster Smash
Fans who want an awesome game to play on Halloween should get Smash Up: Monster Smash. Unlike other Smash Up sets, Monster Smash takes some of the most legendary creatures and monsters from horror and mashes them in this horrifying delight. As a result, gamers can seek the help of Vampires, Mad Scientists, Giant Ants, and Werewolves in their battle for Smash Up domination.
However, players might consider skipping this set and instead focus on the more quirky releases. Moreover, they may consider getting this as their main deck instead, as the factions presented here seem a bit ordinary compared to other more creative Smash Up entries. As well, the Vampire faction is considered to be the worst faction in the entire game with pathetic and cumbersome cards.
If you're looking to buy any of these expansions, check out the game's site here.