A couple active threads lately, such as this one and this one, have got me thinking about a subject that basically boils down to the following:
In a typical game of Sentinels of the Multiverse, do you prioritize strategy or tactics?
A number of characters can be effective in the immediate state of the game right out of the gate. Others take time to build up to maximum effectiveness. This is a continuum where many heroes are somewhere in the middle - and so many can choose: do they take short-term actions to handle the current threats on the board? Or do they take a turn to set up?
More sticky still: let's say you have a character with a hand that could be only a little useful at the moment or for setup, but isn't loaded with the cards you need to get really going. (Say, Absolute Zero with a hand full of Sub-Zero Atmospheres but no Modules; or Argent Adept with instruments but nothing to play.) Do you go for that little bit of utility, or draw two? Do you go for that partial setup that isn't useful now, but you know you might have to do later, or draw two? And what if you don't draw the cards you wanted - do you also take your next turn to draw two? Many characters, including several of the new ones, really do have "power builds." But you're not likely to start with all the cards you need. So - setting aside the fact that the power build is possible - do you draw two until you can start it?
There are as many ways to deal with this problem as there are combinations of Sentinels games, I'm sure. I've let some higher-complexity-setup heroes concentrate on setup while others shoulder the villain and environment. I've also waited for a good game state to let all characters spend time on their builds. Though sometimes I think of giving each round to one hero to build up while the rest handle the tactical game, I've never really pulled that off. Most of the time, the determining factor for me is that a hero often does have a card that's useful in the moment, and I want all the heroes moving the game towards victory even if only a little. This is not to say I completely abandon strategy, but tactics does have a way of overriding. As a result, I don't see those "power builds" that frequently.
What do you all think? Is it better to play the ground game...or the long game?