Marvel Snap Unveils Beloved Character in Latest Update

Ares, the God of War, descends upon the mortal realm of Marvel Snap, aiming to conquer and revitalize underperforming archetypes. But how does this powerful deity find himself amidst the chaos of the Marvel comic universe, specifically as an Avenger under Norman Osborn's questionable leadership?

Following the Secret Invasion, Osborn assumes control of the Avengers, leaving Ares and the erratic Sentry as his only allies. Ares' allegiance, however, isn't to any particular faction; his loyalty lies solely with the thrill of war itself. This perfectly mirrors his depiction in Marvel Comics and his Marvel Snap card. He thrives in large-scale conflicts, preferring the company of powerful individuals, a trait that makes him a rather uninspired character.

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Table of Contents

• Best Cards to Team Up With Ares
• Ares: Not a Big Bad (Sadly)
• Conclusion

Best Cards to Team Up With Ares

Unlike cards with readily apparent synergies, Ares demands a unique approach. He excels in decks featuring high-power cards. Cards with "on reveal" abilities, such as Grandmaster or Odin, can be strategically paired with Ares to maximize his potential. While a 12-power card costing 4 energy is decent, a 21-power card for 6 energy is far more desirable. Repeating his ability is key to unlocking his true power outside of Surtur decks.

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Despite his disdain for weaker opponents, consider protecting Ares with cards like Cosmo or Armor.

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Ares: Not a Big Bad (Sadly)

While a direct [4/12] equivalent isn't available, cards like Gwenpool and Galactus offer similar power levels. The rise of control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control highlights the need for defensive strategies against cards like Shang-Chi. This necessitates a highly specific deck build for Ares, unlike the more flexible decks currently dominating the meta.

Reliance solely on power is generally unsustainable unless your wager significantly outstrips Mister Negative's (which it usually doesn't). Even move-based strategies, which accumulate power, often incorporate disruption tactics. Ares needs to surpass the performance of Surtur decks, which currently struggle to maintain competitiveness, boasting a win rate around 51.5% at the highest levels of play.

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The matchup against a rock-heavy opponent's top three cards presents a 3 vs. 2 scenario, but Darkhawk lacks strong synergies here. Mill decks can transform Ares into a formidable [4/12], particularly when the opponent is low on cards. However, Death, a [4/12] with lower energy cost, presents a superior alternative.

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Ares' current status as the weakest card of the season necessitates creative strategies. Successful utilization often boils down to a gamble, relying on winning the wager and adapting to the power curve.

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Leveraging cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian allows for disruptive strategies.

Conclusion

Ares is arguably the least desirable card this season. His susceptibility to counter-strategies, compared to energy-cheating cards like Wiccan and widespread power-granting cards like Galactus, diminishes his appeal. His consistent success hinges on a highly specialized deck construction. A [4/6] card is generally weak, even if a [4/12] is strong, unless it possesses exceptional abilities.