*Marvel Snap* enthusiasts have long noticed the sparse representation of animal companions in the game, featuring characters like Cosmo, Groose, Zabu, and Hit Monkey. With the introduction of the Brave New World season, fans can now welcome Falcon's feathered friend, Redwing, into the fray, adding another beloved pet to the lineup.
How Redwing Works in Marvel Snap
Redwing enters the game as a 3-cost, 4-power card with a unique ability: "The first time this moves, add a card from your hand to the old location." This ability is a one-time trigger, meaning even if you use strategies involving cards like Symbiote Spider-Man or attempt to replay Redwing, its effect will not reactivate. This limitation significantly narrows its strategic applications.
Utilizing Redwing effectively is challenging due to the difficulty in targeting specific cards with its ability. Move decks often consist of smaller cards such as Iron Fist, which you'd generally not want to pull with Redwing. Conversely, decks using Scream tend to manipulate the opponent's cards rather than your own, further complicating Redwing's utility.
Despite these challenges, there are several budget-friendly ways to move Redwing, such as using Madame Web or Cloak, making it accessible even to players with lower Collection Levels. Redwing's ability can lead to surprising victories, such as enabling an early play of Galactus or pulling a powerful card like The Infinaut into play.
Best Day One Redwing Decks in Marvel Snap
Following the dominance of Ares and Surtur in the previous season, a new Scream-based deck has emerged, incorporating cards like Aero and Heimdall to disrupt opponents and boost power. Redwing integrates well into this setup, though it competes with the preferred play of Surtur on turn 3. Here's the deck list:
- Hydra Bob
- Scream
- Kraven
- Captain America
- Redwing
- Polaris
- Surtur
- Ares
- Cull Obsidian
- Aero
- Heimdall
- Magneto
This is a high-cost deck with multiple Series 5 cards: Hydra Bob, Scream, Redwing, Surtur, Ares, and Cull Obsidian. For those unable to afford Hydra Bob, alternatives like Rocket Raccoon or Iceman can suffice, but the rest are essential for the deck's strategy. The goal is to play Surtur on turn 3, followed by high-power cards to enhance Surtur's effect, with Scream offering an alternative win condition by stealing power. The deck includes several cards that can 'push' opponents' cards, and using Redwing with Heimdall not only buffs Surtur but also allows for strategic card placement from your hand.
Another potential home for Redwing is in decks featuring Madame Web, especially after Dagger's nerf reduced the viability of move decks. Here's a deck list that leverages Madame Web's Ongoing ability:
- Ant-Man
- Madame Web
- Psylocke
- Sam Wilson
- Captain America
- Luke Cage
- Captain America
- Redwing
- Doom 2099
- Iron Lad
- Blue Marvel
- Doctor Doom
- Spectrum
This deck contains two Series 5 cards: Madame Web and Doom 2099. While Madame Web isn't crucial, removing her would necessitate removing Redwing and replacing them with another Ongoing card like Mobius M. Mobius. The strategy revolves around Doom 2099 to distribute power across locations, with Madame Web aiding in positioning Doom 2099 bots and moving Sam Wilson's shield. Redwing's role is to pull a card from your hand the turn after it's moved with Madame Web. On turn 6, playing either Doctor Doom or Spectrum can further enhance or spike your power, aiming to secure victory.
Is Redwing Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens?
Currently, Redwing may not be the best investment of Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens. Its limited utility and the underwhelming performance of its associated archetype suggest it's better to hold onto your resources for potentially stronger cards that might be released later. Unless Redwing receives a significant buff from Second Dinner, it's advisable to look elsewhere for impactful additions to your *Marvel Snap* collection.
