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Ares has now joined the lineup of Marvel heroes in SNAP, following a contentious ban in the United States. With the recent player compensation, many are considering investing in Ares due to excess resources. The crucial question remains: Is Ares a valuable asset? This guide will delve into optimal deck builds and strategies in the current Marvel SNAP metagame.
Ares (4–6)
On Reveal: Compare the Power of the top three cards of both decks. If your total is higher, +6 Power.
Series: Five (Ultra Rare)
Season: Dark Avengers
Release: January 28, 2025
The Best Deck for Ares
Ares integrates seamlessly into the Surtur-Skaar shell. To build an effective deck around him, include the following cards:
| Card | Cost | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Ares | 4 | 6 |
| Cassandra Nova | 3 | 0 |
| Phastos | 3 | 3 |
| Okoye | 2 | 3 |
| Surtur | 3 | 4 |
| Zabu | 1 | 2 |
| The Hood | 1 | -3 |
| Attuma | 4 | 10 |
| Crossbones | 4 | 10 |
| Armor | 2 | 3 |
| Skaar | 6 | 10 |
| Cull Obsidian | 4 | 10 |
Ares Deck Synergies
- Okoye and Phastos: These cards amplify the overall power of your deck, greatly increasing your chances of winning Ares’s comparison phase.
- Cassandra Nova: By siphoning power from the enemy deck, she enhances Ares’s abilities.
- Primary Win Conditions: Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, and Cull Obsidian are your main threats, boosting Surtur and maximizing the impact of discounted Skaar.
- Zabu: This card ensures you can play multiple four-Cost cards seamlessly.
- The Hood: Provides the Demon, a powerful one-Cost card with six Power, which can be discarded using Attuma later.
- Armor: Acts as a protective measure for your most vulnerable lanes.
To maximize Ares’s potential, focus on enhancing his effects. If you prefer more consistent gameplay, consider substituting Phastos or Okoye for a tech card like Cosmo or Shadow King.
How to Play Ares Effectively
Keep these tips in mind for optimum performance:
- Evaluate Your Setup: Before deploying Ares, ensure your deck is fortified. Use cards like Okoye or Phastos to enhance your Power, or employ Cassandra Nova to weaken your opponent’s deck.
- Protect Ares: Given his potential vulnerability to counters like Shang-Chi and Shadow King, position him in a secured lane, particularly alongside Armor.
- Time Your Play Wisely: Observe the enemy’s movements closely. If they skip early plays, it may indicate they are holding back their more powerful cards, making Ares a safer choice.
How to Counter Ares
Ares is relatively easy to counter. Key meta tech cards in Marvel SNAP, such as Cosmo, Shang-Chi, and Shadow King, can effectively neutralize him. Additionally, consider utilizing Cassandra Nova to steal Power from your opponent, thereby increasing the risks associated with their Ares play. Even cards like Korg and Rockslide can disrupt Ares’s strategy, albeit with a degree of randomness; use them judiciously.
Is Ares Worth It?
Ares presents as a solid investment for your deck. Even if acquired via Tokens, he fits nicely into several compelling deck configurations and is unlikely to fade away from the metagame rapidly, unlike some recent card releases. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that he is relatively simple to counter, which makes crafting a highly competitive Ares-centric deck a bit challenging.
Who should consider acquiring Ares? He is definitely a recommended addition for players who thrive on playing substantial drop cards like those found in Skaar decks. Conversely, if your playstyle focuses on intricate synergies and tactics, Ares may not fulfill your needs. His strengths lie predominantly within straightforward “Big Dumb Drops” strategies that, while effective, typically rely on simpler interactions rather than complex combos.
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