In modern fighting games, most extra characters are locked behind paywalls and DLC, seriously missing out on that classic feeling of discovery where you could unlock roster additions by playing. In that spirit, I’m happy to report that Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls maintains that spirit, allowing players to unlock the final boss, Champion, as a playable character.
Before you head online or set yourself as the group’s hangout spot to play, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything Marvel Tokon has to offer. Let me show you how to unlock Champion, a serious powerhouse that rewards aggressive play with devastating damage.
Finding Champion
Champion is the final boss of Marvel Tokon’s various story chapters, challenging the Episode’s team to a 1v4 brawl for the fate of the Earth. In order take on his true form, you’ll need to make your way through one of the five Episode modes of Marvel Tokon, mini story modes focused on one of the five narrative teams.
Each Episode features a different playable team, as well as a different comic artist handling the cutscenes. These unique artists spin the vibe of the Episode format to fit the current team, while exploring the members’ motivations and reasons for working together.
Any team you don’t select will come up as opponents later in the Episode story, and early fights act as mini tutorials for each member of the team, giving you spots to try their unique mechanics and movesets.
If you just want to rush unlocking Champion, use the Avengers. As the start of the Episode lineup, their fights are easiest, while their time covers every range and speed you’d need, providing four unique, solid gameplans if one doesn’t suit your taste.
Chapter 9 will finally put you up against our big bad, Champion, an obscure Marvel character dating all the way back to 1982! He’s here for the fight of a lifetime, exactly what you’re ready to bring! Let me walk you through the nitty-gritty of how to unlock Champion directly.
Battling Champion
As is the style of the genre, in order to play as Champion, you’ll have to best him. This takes place over three fights: one against a weaker Champion, a second against his playable Primordial form, and a third and final one against his amplified Awakened form. The latter two are the only real hurdles you may experience, so let me walk you through each.
Primordial Champion
As Champion’s base playable form, this is the version of Champion you should get used to fighting. As fits his massive build and might-makes-right attitude, Champion is a heavy hitter with massive buttons, plenty of grabs, and a whole lot of plus frames if you’re caught blocking.
His focus on singular, massive blows means focusing on punishing is a strong call, while ranging him out is difficult, but effective. Champion’s only real tool to approach projectile spam comes in his own fireball, a massive orb that gives him armor against incoming projectiles and assists.
Luckily, each team has at least one character that thrives at the ranged game. Playing up and back is an easy call, using mobility to sneak out of the corner when he gets too close.
Alternatively, Champion doesn’t have a meterless reversal. His only options to counter Oki pressure are his armored through and his Super, limiting his wakeup options if you can maintain pressure. Once you burn him down, you’ll be matched up against phase 2.
Awakened Champion
The third and final battle sees Champion take on his Awakened form, a state obtainable in gameplay by filling his Pride gauge. In this state, Champion deals more damage, is faster, and gains unique follow-ups to his throw.
All in all, this is the same battle with less chances for recovery. Keep chipping him down however you were in the previous battle, either with overwhelming offense or long-range firepower. He becomes a bit more Super happy during this battle, and his Level 1 can be avoided by jumping, so keep that in mind.
Once you beat him down for the final time, the Episode will end, and Champion will be added to the top of your character select. Congratulations! Champion is a super fun addition to the roster, standing alone with unique Link Attacks and his win more mechanics. Never let up, and Champion will never let you down.
What’s Next for Marvel Tokon?
With Tokon’s launch, the best thing to do is spend time training with your favorite characters and fully understand how they best synergize. With the first DLC hero, Phoenix Cyclops, already shown off, we can only theorize about who will be next. You can also go hunting for mysteries like unlocking Color 07, or getting all Deadpool’s secret commands.
Tokon’s story heavily teases the Fantastic Four, but we’ll have to see if Marvel’s first family enters as a single co-op character or 4 unique heroes. I’ll see you all online!
