Cyclops

Try and get Forge early. With Make the Call and Rapid Response you can get your board built up very quickly with forge. Drew Uncanny X-men as my last card on pass one, but still annihilated the villains. Try and have Cyclops take the hits to the face early if you aren't ready to recur Forge.

Try and keep Wolverine in play with Danger Room Training all game. Use thwarts occasionally and X-Mansion to keep it built up.

After your state is built, Phoenix and Beast become prime targets for Rapid Response or Make the Call, though Psylocke may come in handy with all the flipping down you'll want to do. May add another meditation or cut crew quarters.