Ares, the God of War, descends upon the mortal realm of Marvel Snap, aiming to shake up the meta and revive forgotten archetypes. But how does this deity of conflict find himself amongst the ranks of the Avengers, serving under the surprisingly villainous Norman Osborn? Especially considering the Avengers' usual mandate of thwarting evil, Ares' allegiance seems… questionable.
The answer lies in Ares' unwavering loyalty to war itself, not to any particular faction. This inherent characteristic perfectly mirrors his Marvel Snap card, making it a flavorful addition to the game. Ares thrives in large-scale conflicts, preferring the company of powerful beings, even if they happen to be less than savory.
Best Cards to Team Up With Ares
Unlike some cards with readily apparent synergies, Ares requires a more strategic approach. He excels in decks packed with high-power cards. His on-reveal ability synergizes well with cards like Grandmaster or Odin, allowing for cunning gameplay. While a 4-energy, 12-power card is decent, a 6-energy, 21-power card is significantly more impactful. Repeating his ability is key to maximizing his effectiveness outside of Surtur decks.
Despite his disdain for weaker opponents, consider protecting Ares with cards like Cosmo or Armor to mitigate threats like Shang-Chi or Shadow King.
Ares: Not the Big Bad, Sadly
While a raw 4/12 card isn't available in Marvel Snap, there are analogues that approach Ares' power level. However, the current meta, dominated by control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control, necessitates a specific deck build to make Ares truly shine. Relying solely on power isn't viable unless your wager significantly surpasses that of Mister Negative (which it usually won't). Even Move decks, focused on power accumulation, often incorporate disruption. Ares needs to outperform even Surtur decks, which themselves are currently struggling for consistent competitiveness.
The Surtur 10-Power archetype boasts an average win rate around 51.5% at high levels of play, dropping to 48% at lower levels. This highlights the challenges of relying solely on power.
Matchups can be complex; for example, a 3 vs. 2 scenario emerges if your opponent's top three cards only contain one Rock. However, Darkhawk lacks strong archetypes in this context. Mill decks can significantly boost Ares' effectiveness, but this requires a specific strategy.
Ares' stats (4/12) pale in comparison to cards like Death (12 power, lower energy cost). His value lies not just in raw power, but also as a source of strategic disruption.
Ares often feels like a coin flip; winning the wager depends heavily on the power curve and numbers. Strategic card play is paramount.
By understanding these dynamics, players can utilize cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian to create a disruptive strategy.
Concluding Thoughts
Ultimately, Ares often feels like a skip-worthy card. His susceptibility to counters, coupled with the rise of energy-cheating and widespread power-granting cards, diminishes his appeal. His effectiveness hinges heavily on precise deck construction and a favorable wager. While a 4/12 card is strong, a 4/6 is considerably weaker, emphasizing the importance of context and synergy.
