Groot

He is Groot.

But more seriously, Groot’s a wholesome, lovable but still very dangerous tree creature that was a lot of fun to make. I wanted to emphasize how he brings the Guardians together as a family, healing and cooperating with his teammates, who in turn help him come back as a sapling. He’s not the first person to use that gimmick but I think Baby Groot is a lot cuter than the idea of a Baby Solomon Grundy.

Groot PDF

Groot: 16 Hit Points, Melee, Green Deck

3x I AM GROOT: A5 Groot heals 1 damage. Any allied characters adjacent to Groot heal 2 damage.

3x FLORA COLOSSUS: D12 If Groot has been revived through SAPLING, the Defend Value of this card is 6.

2x WE ARE GROOT: A5/D5 Any ally may discard a Basic Combat Card to add its Attack and Defend Values to this card. When an ally attacks or defends, you may discard this card to add its Attack and Defend Values to their card.

2x PHOTOSYNTHESIS: Choose to either draw 3 cards or to heal 3 damage.

2x CREATURE FROM PLANET X: Deal 3 damage to all enemy characters Groot could attack at range.

2x I. AM. GROOT!: A0 Before combat, Groot heals 3 damage. The attack value of this card is equal to Groot’s current health.

1x SAPLING: Place this card in an ally’s hand. If Groot is destroyed, that ally may play this card to place Groot on the board, adjacent to them with 8 health. The Groot player shuffles their deck and draws 5 cards.
If Groot has no allies, heal 5 damage.

Theme: I am Groot.

Strengths: I am Groot!

Weaknesses: I am Groot…

Complexity – Moderate: Other than the Sapling mechanism, Groot is Groot.

Path to Victory: PHOTOSYNTHESIS + I. AM. GROOT!

Playing as Groot: You are Groot. Groot has a ton of defense and healing that makes him a tank, which is important because he doesn’t exactly have a ton of card drawing power or movement. SAPLING is useful, but the returned Baby Groot is going to be substantially more frail. That doesn’t mean that he can’t still help win though: PHOTOSYNTHESIS can help him power up I. AM. GROOT! and WE ARE GROOT can help teamwork make the dream work.

Playing Against Groot: They are Groot. Groot can be incredibly dangerous if he has I. AM. GROOT! early or if he’s had a chance to heal. You might be tempted to worry if Groot comes back thanks to SAPLING, but usually Groot isn’t dangerous in and of himself; he’s a supporting player who steps up when he’s ready. Keep his hit points low and you’ll be in a pretty good position most of the time.