Mortals, the OG God of War is in Marvel Snap

Ares, the God of War, descends upon the mortal realm of Marvel Snap, challenging the established meta. His inclusion in Norman Osborn's unlikely Avengers roster raises questions about his allegiance. However, Ares' loyalty lies not with any specific faction, but with war itself, mirroring his card's thematic consistency. His preference for powerful cards and disdain for weaker opponents shapes his strategic application within the game.

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Strategic Synergies:

Unlike cards with readily apparent synergies, Ares demands a unique deck-building approach. His high cost and power output necessitate a strategy centered around large cards. Cards like Grandmaster and Odin, with their on-reveal effects, offer cunning possibilities. While a 4-energy, 12-power card is decent, a 6-energy, 21-power card is significantly more desirable. Repeating his ability is key to maximizing his effectiveness beyond Surtur-centric decks.

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Protective measures are advisable, given Ares' vulnerability to cards like Shang-Chi and Shadow King. Cards like Cosmo or Armor offer valuable shielding.

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Ares' Limitations:

Despite his potential, Ares isn't a game-changer. The lack of a readily available 4-energy, 12-power equivalent in the card pool, coupled with the rise of control decks, presents challenges. Reliance solely on power is risky, demanding a higher wager than typically feasible. Outperforming the established Surtur archetype is crucial for competitive viability. The Surtur 10-power archetype currently boasts a mediocre win rate (around 51.5% at Infinity level).

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Matchups against Mill decks highlight Ares' potential, transforming him into an overwhelming force when the opponent lacks card resources. However, cards like Death offer superior value in terms of power and cost.

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Overall Assessment:

Ares' high risk and reward nature makes him a gamble. His effectiveness hinges heavily on deck construction and favorable matchups. Cards offering energy manipulation or widespread power boosts overshadow his capabilities. The unpredictable nature of his deployment often results in a coin-flip scenario.

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Conclusion:

Ares is arguably the weakest card of the season. His counterability and the current meta make him a less appealing choice compared to cards that enable energy cheating or widespread power generation. His consistent success requires meticulous deck construction, making him a high-risk, high-reward card that many players might consider skipping.