The act of painting miniatures is both an art form and a meditative hobby, giving players a way to slow down and connect with their favorite games in a more personal way. It is not simply about coloring a piece of plastic, but about breathing life into a sculpture and telling a story through careful choices of paint, highlights, and textures. Marvel United: X-Men is a series that lends itself beautifully to this kind of creative work because the miniatures are sculpted in a way that emphasizes personality and motion. Toad, as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a perfect example of how much character can be packed into a small chibi figure. His pose suggests agility and mischief, with exaggerated features that make him instantly recognizable on the table.
Painting Toad begins with understanding who he is as a character. Within the Marvel universe, Toad is often portrayed as both comical and tragic, a mutant with superhuman leaping ability and an unusual appearance that has left him an outcast. His loyalty to Magneto and the Brotherhood gives him purpose, but he is often treated as a lesser member of the group. Capturing this duality — the bright, almost playful colors of his costume and the darker undertones of his story — can add depth to the painting process. Starting with a good primer coat ensures that the figure is ready to receive smooth layers of paint, and choosing a primer color that complements the final palette helps with coverage, especially for difficult colors like yellow. Many painters choose a white or light gray primer when working with yellow-heavy costumes because it makes the top layers more vibrant.
Once primed, the first step is laying down a solid basecoat. Toad’s costume is dominated by a warm yellow, which can be challenging to paint cleanly. A good technique is to use a base layer like Citadel’s Averland Sunset, which provides a rich mustard tone that covers well. Multiple thin coats are preferable to one thick coat, as this prevents obscuring the miniature’s details. From here, progressively lighter yellows can be layered on raised areas, with perhaps a final highlight that mixes yellow with a touch of white to make the highest points really pop. The transitions between layers can be smoothed with thin glazes, which help blend the colors and reduce the appearance of harsh lines.
The green portions of Toad’s outfit, usually found on gloves, boots, or belts, depending on the art reference, provide a good contrast to the yellow and break up the figure visually. Deep greens can be used in recesses, with brighter green highlights applied toward the tops of folds or along edges. This balance of dark and light gives the figure more dimension and makes it easier to read on the table from a distance. The face, often one of the most intimidating parts to paint, is crucial for Toad because his expression carries much of his personality. Careful shading around the eyes, subtle highlights on the cheeks and nose, and a slightly darker wash in the mouth area can help bring out the sculpt’s character.
Edge highlighting is another technique that can elevate the final look. This involves taking a fine brush and carefully running a light color along the edges of armor, clothing, or equipment to catch the light as it would naturally. On a figure like Toad, edge highlighting along the folds of the costume can make them stand out more clearly, giving the impression of crisp, stylized lighting. This works particularly well with the bright, cartoon-inspired aesthetic of Marvel United: X-Men. Painters who are new to edge highlighting may find it challenging at first, but practice and a steady hand quickly improve results. Using a paint with good opacity and thinning it slightly can help maintain control.
Beyond just technical execution, painting Toad is about embracing the narrative of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This group has been a part of Marvel history since the early days of the X-Men comics, and their dynamic with the heroes has always been fascinating. Magneto’s mission to protect mutants by any means necessary often puts him and his followers at odds with the X-Men’s more peaceful approach. Toad’s loyalty to Magneto can be seen in the way he follows orders, even when they put him in danger. Representing this loyalty on the table with a figure that is carefully painted and given attention to detail feels like a small way of honoring the character’s long history.
The base of the miniature also offers an opportunity to add storytelling elements. Some painters choose to keep bases simple so that they match across an entire set, while others like to customize each one to reflect the environment the character might inhabit. For Toad, a muddy or swamp-like base would be thematically appropriate, referencing his toad-like powers and the grimier places where the Brotherhood might plot their next move. Using textured paints, washes, and small tufts of grass can transform a plain plastic disc into a miniature scene that enhances the final presentation.
Miniature painting can be an intimidating hobby at first, but it becomes deeply rewarding with time and patience. Toad serves as a good example of a figure that allows for experimentation without being overly complex. Painters can try new techniques, like glazing or edge highlighting, and see immediate results. Mistakes can always be corrected with another layer of paint, and the process itself becomes an opportunity to practice brush control and color theory. The key is to enjoy the journey rather than rush to the finish line.
Sharing the finished miniature with friends or online hobby groups adds another layer of satisfaction. Feedback and encouragement can motivate painters to keep improving, and seeing other interpretations of the same character can inspire new ideas. Some may choose to stick closely to the official character art, while others might experiment with alternate color schemes, imagining what Toad might look like in a different era or storyline. This kind of creative freedom is one of the joys of painting — there is no single correct way to approach it.
Ultimately, painting Toad is not just about preparing for the next game session. It is about building a connection to the character, refining skills, and adding a personal touch to the game experience. Each time the figure hits the table, there is a sense of pride in knowing that it was painted with care. And as more characters from the Brotherhood are completed, the sense of accomplishment grows, turning a box of plastic into a fully realized collection of painted miniatures ready for epic showdowns.
Understanding Toad’s Role in Marvel United X-Men Gameplay
When it comes to Marvel United: X-Men, every villain brings their own flavor to the table. Some challenge players by flooding the board with henchmen, others by forcing tricky card management decisions, and still others by striking hard and fast to keep heroes on the back foot. Toad falls into a unique category. He is not the most powerful or dangerous villain in the Marvel universe, but his mechanics make him unpredictable, slippery, and surprisingly disruptive. His presence on the board feels thematic — he darts across locations, ties up heroes, and uses his agility to create problems that force players to react carefully.
In Marvel United: X-Men, villains operate through a Master Plan deck that dictates their actions. For Toad, this deck typically includes cards that emphasize movement and disruption. He might jump from one location to another, attack heroes along the way, and potentially create situations where heroes are forced to chase him rather than focus purely on their missions. This is one of the clever design elements of the game: each villain does not just deal damage but alters the flow of play in a way that reflects their personality. For Toad, this means he behaves like a trickster and a nuisance, which is exactly how he often functions in the comics.
One of Toad’s hallmark abilities is mobility. Many of his cards involve him leaping to adjacent locations, often taking actions that make life more difficult for heroes. He might place threat tokens that limit the usefulness of locations, or he might deploy thugs and civilians in a way that clogs up the board. This can create a sense of urgency, as players must not only survive attacks but also clear threats before they accumulate and trigger villainous plots. For teams that focus too much on dealing damage, this can be a trap, as neglecting mission progress can allow Toad to gain the upper hand.
Players who want to succeed against Toad must consider their team composition carefully. Heroes with strong mobility powers, like Nightcrawler or Storm, can keep up with Toad’s movement and respond quickly to new threats. Heroes who can attack multiple enemies in a single action, such as Wolverine or Colossus, are valuable for clearing henchmen when Toad’s cards flood the board. The balance between offense and control is crucial here — focusing purely on defeating Toad might leave too many mission requirements unmet, but focusing entirely on missions can leave players vulnerable to damage and overflow effects.
The scenario design also plays a big role in how Toad feels as an opponent. Depending on which locations are selected, Toad’s constant movement might be more or less challenging. If the board includes locations that reward players for moving, like Central Park or Hangar Bay, heroes can gain extra actions or benefits while chasing him. On the other hand, locations with more static abilities might force players to spend turns just keeping up with their leaping. This variability ensures that no two games against Toad feel the same, keeping the experience fresh and replayable.
There is also the question of threat cards, which represent Toad’s ongoing influence over each location. These threats can range from simple restrictions — like preventing players from using a location’s ability until the threat is cleared — to more dangerous effects that deal damage or place tokens when certain conditions are met. Clearing threats is essential for both mechanical and thematic reasons. Mechanically, it helps open up location abilities that give players more tools to win. Thematically, it represents the heroes neutralizing Toad’s schemes and cleaning up his mess.
Toad’s villain dashboard often includes a special effect that triggers when his BAM! action occurs. The BAM! symbol is one of the most dangerous elements of the game because it allows villains to carry out their most powerful abilities. For Toad, this might mean dealing damage to every hero in his location, leaping to a new location, or causing overflow effects to worsen. Because BAM! effects can trigger not only from villain cards but also from the overflow of threat tokens or thugs, keeping the board under control becomes vital. Heroes who can deal with multiple threats quickly are essential for preventing a cascade of negative effects.
Another layer of strategy involves timing when to complete missions. In Marvel United, once two of the three missions are completed, the villain becomes vulnerable to damage but also begins drawing Master Plan cards more frequently, which can ramp up the pressure. Against a mobile villain like Toad, players must be careful about triggering this phase too early. If the team is not in a strong position with enough actions in hand, Toad’s increased activity might overwhelm them. Planning, coordinating hero actions, and saving powerful hero cards for this phase can make the difference between victory and defeat.
It is worth noting that Toad is not typically considered the most difficult villain in the game, but that does not mean he should be underestimated. His combination of mobility, disruption, and board control makes him a great test of teamwork and adaptability. New players often find that Toad teaches them the importance of spreading out across the board, managing threats proactively, and not letting the villain dictate the pace of the game. Experienced players can use Toad as a warm-up challenge before tackling more complex or punishing villains like Magneto or Apocalypse.
Because Marvel United: X-Men is modular, players can mix and match Toad with different setups to create new challenges. Swapping in alternate hero teams can create unique synergies and force players to adapt their approach. For example, using a team with strong support abilities — like Professor X, who can manipulate the villain deck, or Jean Grey, who can control positioning — can give players a level of control over Toad’s chaos. On the other hand, using a more combat-focused team might turn the game into a race to deal damage before Toad overwhelms the board.
Ultimately, what makes Toad an enjoyable villain is that he creates a story. Heroes must chase him, react to his leaps, and deal with the trail of trouble he leaves behind. This narrative arc keeps players engaged and often leads to memorable moments — like a last-minute heroic rescue of a civilian or a perfectly timed combo that defeats Toad just before his Master Plan deck runs out. It is this blend of thematic immersion and mechanical variety that makes Marvel United: X-Men shine as a cooperative experience.
Exploring the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants and Toad’s Place Within the Team
The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is one of the most iconic villain teams in the Marvel universe, often serving as the perfect counterbalance to the X-Men. Their presence in Marvel United: X-Men brings a thematic richness that elevates the experience beyond a simple cooperative puzzle. Playing against members of the Brotherhood means facing a team of mutants with their own powers, personalities, and motivations, often tied together by Magneto’s vision of mutant supremacy. Each member presents a unique challenge, and collectively they create scenarios that test players’ coordination and long-term planning.
At the heart of the Brotherhood lies a complicated philosophy. They are not villains in the traditional sense of wanting destruction for its own sake; rather, they are extremists who believe that mutants should take their rightful place at the top of the evolutionary ladder. This ideological backdrop gives depth to every encounter in Marvel United: X-Men. When players face Toad, Mystique, Blob, or Magneto, they are not just clearing a board or scoring points — they are stepping into a narrative about survival, power, and the struggle for equality. This layer of storytelling is one of the reasons the game has resonated so strongly with players who love the source material.
Within this ensemble, Toad plays a fascinating role. Unlike Magneto, who is a commanding and strategic figure, or Mystique, who thrives on subterfuge and deception, Toad is often portrayed as the loyal henchman. He is a wildcard character, eager to please his allies but prone to acting on impulse. This is reflected in his gameplay mechanics, which are designed to be disruptive and unpredictable. In many ways, Toad is the Brotherhood’s chaos agent, keeping the heroes off-balance while the rest of the group pursues their larger goals.
When you place Toad alongside other members of the Brotherhood in a multi-villain setup or a campaign-style session, you begin to see how his presence complements the group. For example, Magneto’s ability to manipulate metal and create magnetic storms often leads to widespread damage or forced relocation of heroes. Having Toad on the board at the same time means players must deal with two different layers of threat: the large-scale devastation of Magneto’s plans and the small, targeted disruptions of Toad’s leaps and attacks. This combination creates a sense of pressure from all angles and forces the team to split its attention.
Blob, another frequent member of the Brotherhood, adds yet another dimension by acting as an immovable obstacle. His abilities usually involve blocking locations or soaking up hits, slowing the heroes’ progress. Together, Toad and Blob create a thematic partnership that mirrors their comic book appearances: Blob holds the line while Toad darts around, striking where heroes are weakest. Players facing these two in the same scenario must decide whether to focus on clearing Blob’s control effects first or chase down Toad to prevent him from spreading further chaos.
Mystique, with her shapeshifting and manipulation of the battlefield, can add further complications when paired with Toad. While Mystique might change locations or impersonate heroes to mislead players, Toad capitalizes on the confusion by punishing heroes who are out of position. This creates a synergy that challenges players not only mechanically but also mentally. They must anticipate multiple villain turns ahead, plan their moves carefully, and avoid being lured into traps that the Brotherhood sets across the board.
What is particularly satisfying about facing the Brotherhood as a whole is that their scenarios often reward strong teamwork. Marvel United is a cooperative game by design, but some villains can be tackled with a bit of individual heroics. The Brotherhood, however, punishes lone wolves. Toad exemplifies this by targeting isolated heroes, using his mobility to exploit gaps in the team’s coverage. To counter him effectively, players must coordinate moves, set up chains of actions that support each other, and think collectively about threat management.
Thematically, Toad’s inclusion in the Brotherhood lineup also allows players to explore one of Marvel’s great recurring ideas: redemption. In the comics, Toad has occasionally attempted to break free from Magneto’s control or join the side of the heroes, though often unsuccessfully. His character arc makes him more than just a lackey — he is a mutant with insecurities, ambitions, and a desire to belong. For players, defeating him on the board can feel like more than just clearing a villain; it can feel like resolving part of his ongoing struggle, at least for that story.
From a gameplay perspective, having the full Brotherhood set available opens the door to thematic campaign play. Some players like to create their own mini-campaigns where they face the Brotherhood members in a sequence, culminating in a showdown with Magneto. Toad often serves as an excellent introduction to such a campaign because his mechanics are easier to grasp compared to the more complex abilities of Mystique or Magneto. He sets the tone by showing players that the Brotherhood is not just about brute force but also about disruption and cunning.
Campaign-style play also allows players to experiment with hero combinations and find synergies that counteract the Brotherhood’s strengths. For instance, heroes with movement-based powers can help mitigate Toad’s tendency to spread across the board, while those with support abilities can heal damage or provide extra actions when things get tough. As players progress through each member of the Brotherhood, they often gain a deeper appreciation for how well the game designers captured the essence of each character and how they function as a cohesive group.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of playing against Toad and the Brotherhood is the narrative that emerges from each game. Because Marvel United is so modular, the stories are never the same, but they always carry a sense of escalation. Perhaps in one game, Toad manages to knock out a hero early, creating a tense struggle to recover. In another game, the heroes might chain together perfect combos, clearing threats in record time and leaving Toad with nowhere to hide. These moments create memorable stories that players can recall long after the session is over.
For hobbyists who paint their miniatures, the Brotherhood also provides a rewarding visual experience. Painting Toad, Blob, Mystique, and Magneto in matching color schemes can create a striking display on the table, reinforcing their identity as a team. The bright yellows, deep greens, and iconic purples associated with these characters make them stand out against the board’s locations. This visual immersion enhances the thematic impact of playing through Brotherhood scenarios, making the victories more satisfying and the defeats more dramatic.
Toad’s place within the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is one of balance and support. He may not be the most dangerous member on his own, but his constant disruption and ability to keep heroes scrambling ensure that he is never irrelevant. When paired with other Brotherhood members, he becomes an integral part of a machine that forces players to stay focused, communicate effectively, and adapt to a rapidly shifting battlefield. Facing Toad is not just about surviving — it is about proving that the heroes can outthink and outmaneuver a team that thrives on chaos.
Painting Toad and Bringing the Character to Life on the Table
For many players, Marvel United: X-Men is not just a game — it is also a hobby project. The miniatures are beautifully sculpted, with dynamic poses and plenty of detail that invite players to pick up a brush and make the characters their own. Toad, with his crouched stance, long tongue, and distinct costume, is a perfect example of a figure that rewards careful painting. Taking the time to paint him transforms him from just another piece on the board into a fully realized character who leaps off the table and into the story you are telling.
Painting Toad can feel a little intimidating at first because of the mix of bold colors and subtle details. His costume is a striking combination of bright yellow and deep green, with accents that require precision to make them pop. Starting with a good primer coat is essential — many painters prefer to use a light gray or white primer for characters with bright color schemes because it allows the yellows to shine more vividly. Dark primers can make bright colors appear duller, requiring extra coats to achieve good coverage.
Once primed, a solid base coat is the next step. For the yellow areas, many hobbyists find success using a rich mid-tone yellow such as Citadel Averland Sunset as the base layer. This color has excellent coverage and creates a warm foundation. After applying a smooth, even coat, highlights can be built up by gradually mixing in a brighter yellow like Flash Gitz Yellow or even a touch of white. The key to smooth highlights is thinning the paint slightly with water or medium so that it flows evenly without leaving brush marks. Building up layers slowly allows the transition between shades to appear more natural.
The green areas of Toad’s costume require a different approach, often using a dark green base that contrasts nicely with the yellow. Something like Caliban Green or a similar dark tone creates depth right away. Shading the green areas with a darker wash, such as Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade, helps to bring out the sculpted details and add definition to muscles, folds, and straps. Highlights can then be added by mixing the base green with a lighter shade like Warpstone Glow and carefully applying it to raised areas where light would naturally hit. This creates a dynamic, almost comic-book-like effect that makes Toad look like he just leapt off the page.
One of the most distinctive features of Toad is his tongue, which is often sculpted curling out in front of him in a menacing fashion. This is a great opportunity to add some visual interest by using a contrasting color. Many painters opt for a fleshy pink or reddish tone, highlighted with a lighter pink along the edges to suggest moisture and shine. A thin coat of gloss varnish can be applied at the end to make the tongue appear wet and realistic, adding an extra layer of personality to the miniature.
The face can be tricky, as with most miniatures, because the sculpted details are small and any mistakes are very noticeable. Using a fine-tipped brush, carefully pick out the eyes with a small dot of white and a black pupil. If painting eyes feels daunting, some painters prefer to darken the eye sockets slightly with a wash, creating a shadowed effect that still reads as a face from tabletop distance without the pressure of tiny detail work. The mouth can also be shaded with a thinned wash to bring out definition and make Toad look more expressive.
Edge highlighting is an optional but satisfying step for hobbyists who want to make the miniature pop even more. This involves using a very light version of the base color and carefully running the side of the brush along the edges of armor, straps, and costume details. On Toad, edge highlighting can really make the sculpt come alive, defining his gloves, boots, and costume seams. It can also make him look more “comic book accurate” by simulating the stylized lighting often seen in Marvel artwork.
The base of the miniature is another area where creativity can shine. Marvel United figures come with simple round bases that can be painted to complement the character or the game board. Some hobbyists like to create custom bases that match specific locations from the game, such as metallic flooring for a Sentinel factory or rocky terrain for a Brotherhood hideout. Painting Toad’s base in earthy tones with a few spots of moss or grass can tie him thematically to the idea of a swampy or outdoor setting, nodding to his origins in the comics.
Painting miniatures is not just about aesthetics — it also enhances gameplay immersion. When Toad is painted and placed on the board, he becomes more than just a piece to move around. His bright colors draw the eye, reminding players of his presence and encouraging them to stay engaged with the unfolding story. It is one thing to see a gray plastic villain on the board; it is another thing entirely to see a painted Toad leaping toward the heroes, tongue out, ready to cause trouble. This emotional connection adds to the tension and excitement of each game session.
For hobbyists who paint many figures, Toad can also serve as a welcome change of pace. His color palette is lively and distinct, breaking up the monotony of darker or more armored characters. Painting him can be a quick project compared to larger figures like Blob or Magneto, offering a satisfying sense of completion in just a few painting sessions. This makes him an excellent candidate for painters who want to build momentum in working through their Marvel United backlog.
Community sharing is another rewarding part of the painting process. Many players like to post pictures of their finished Toad on social media or forums, showing off their color choices and techniques. Seeing how others approach the same sculpture can be inspiring and educational. Some hobbyists stick close to the official character art, while others take creative liberties, experimenting with alternate color schemes or even battle-damaged appearances. This variety keeps the hobby fresh and encourages players to think about their own unique approach.
Ultimately, painting Toad is about more than just filling in colors. It is about bringing a piece of the Marvel universe to life in a way that feels personal and satisfying. Every brushstroke contributes to a figure that will be handled, moved, and admired during gameplay. When you finally set a fully painted Toad on the board for the first time, there is a special sense of pride that comes from knowing you put in the effort to make him look his best. That pride can even heighten the stakes of the game — suddenly, it matters just a little more if Toad wins or loses because he feels like a true part of your collection and your table’s ongoing narrative.
Toad’s Role in the Brotherhood and the Marvel United Experience
When painting and playing Toad, it is important to consider his place within the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. He is not simply a random villain thrown into the box; he has a legacy within Marvel comics as one of Magneto’s earliest followers. His character has evolved over the decades, moving from a sniveling servant in the earliest X-Men issues to a more fleshed-out and occasionally sympathetic figure. This duality is one of the reasons he is such an engaging character to feature on the tabletop. Players can approach him either as a nuisance who complicates the heroes’ plans or as a cunning trickster who uses his agility and odd powers to great effect.
In Marvel United: X-Men, Toad’s villain dashboard and cards capture that energy perfectly. He is designed to be disruptive, leaping around the board, placing threats in inconvenient spots, and forcing players to split their attention. His tongue ability can immobilize heroes or cause damage at just the wrong time, creating moments of tension that feel true to the comic book battles. These mechanics make him a great addition to the Brotherhood lineup, as he contrasts nicely with characters like Magneto, who is more commanding and destructive, or Blob, who is more about holding ground and soaking damage.
Because of his mobility, Toad can also create interesting tactical puzzles for players. In some games, his ability to leap around can scatter the heroes’ positioning, preventing them from focusing their attacks or rescuing civilians efficiently. This forces players to think about the order of their actions and the sequencing of their cards. It also means that certain heroes who might otherwise be overlooked can shine when facing him. Characters with extra movement abilities or ways to manipulate villain placement suddenly become valuable, making Toad a scenario that encourages different team compositions and strategies.
On the hobby side, completing Toad as part of the Brotherhood is immensely satisfying. Seeing Magneto, Mystique, Blob, and Toad lined up together, fully painted, gives a strong sense of accomplishment and thematic unity. They look fantastic on the table together, and they make for a dramatic showdown when played as a group in a campaign or scenario night. Many players enjoy theming their game sessions, setting up boards that match the Brotherhood’s lairs or classic comic book locations, and Toad fits perfectly in these settings.
Thematically, Toad is also a character who invites a bit of humor. His exaggerated tongue, crouched pose, and slightly mischievous personality make him a figure that can lighten the mood even in a tense game. Some players enjoy voicing sound effects or imagining comic book dialogue during play, and Toad is perfect for that kind of table banter. It is part of what makes Marvel United special — the ability to take a tactical puzzle and inject personality into it through the miniatures and characters you choose.
Beyond the mechanics and painting, there is something satisfying about completing a villain like Toad because it represents progress in a much bigger project. Marvel United: X-Men is a massive set with dozens of heroes and villains. Many hobbyists look at the mountain of unpainted plastic and feel overwhelmed, but knocking out a character like Toad helps build momentum. He is not a huge model like Juggernaut or a complicated multi-part boss like Apocalypse, so he is approachable even for intermediate painters. That sense of completion can be a motivational boost that carries over to the next painting project.
Players who enjoy narrative campaigns can also work Toad into a larger story arc. Perhaps he is the first villain the heroes encounter in a multi-mission Brotherhood saga, forcing them to chase him across multiple locations before finally cornering Magneto. This kind of narrative play is where Marvel United truly shines, allowing players to weave their own stories and create memorable moments around the table. Painted miniatures like Toad enhance this experience by making each scenario feel like a comic come to life.
Another interesting aspect of Toad’s design is that he is often underestimated. Much like in the comics, where his opponents sometimes dismiss him as a joke, players may initially view him as a lightweight villain compared to Magneto or Sabretooth. But once the game begins, his card effects can catch them off guard. A well-timed leap or hazard can throw off a carefully planned sequence of hero actions, leading to some very close and tense finishes. This makes defeating him especially satisfying because players feel they have overcome not just brute strength but clever trickery.
Painting and playing Toad is an invitation to appreciate the smaller, quirkier characters in the Marvel universe. While the spotlight often shines on Wolverine, Cyclops, and Magneto, characters like Toad bring depth to the world. They remind players that the Marvel universe is full of oddballs, underdogs, and outcasts who still have important roles to play. Bringing those characters to life through paint and play makes the experience richer and more varied.
When the miniature is fully painted, placed on a thematic base, and brought into a game night, Toad becomes more than just a figure. He becomes a story catalyst, a piece of art, and a small accomplishment rolled into one. He can make players laugh, frustrate them with tricky mechanics, and ultimately deliver that satisfying sense of victory or defeat that keeps Marvel United so replayable.
Conclusion
Painting and playing with Toad in Marvel United: X-Men captures the essence of what makes this game so engaging — it merges strategy, storytelling, and creativity into one experience. On the table, Toad offers an entertaining challenge, forcing players to think carefully about teamwork and positioning as they counter his unpredictable leaps and mischief. Away from the table, painting him transforms the miniature from a simple game piece into a vivid representation of a classic Marvel villain. The combination of bold yellows, deep greens, and his signature tongue creates an eye-catching figure that stands out on the board and reminds players of his playful yet troublesome personality.
Working on Toad can also be a rewarding exercise for hobbyists looking to improve their skills. His sculpture offers opportunities for experimenting with layering, shading, and edge highlighting, as well as adding small creative touches that make the figure unique. Once finished, placing a fully painted Toad alongside the rest of the Brotherhood makes the entire game feel more cinematic and immersive. Whether you paint him to match the official art or try a fresh interpretation, Toad becomes a centerpiece of both hobby and gameplay — a small figure with big impact.