Marvel Snap: The Original God of War Makes His Mighty Debut

Ares, the God of War, descends upon the mortal realm of Marvel Snap, aiming to conquer and revitalize underperforming archetypes. But how does this deity of conflict find himself amidst the ranks of the Avengers, and what strategic role does he play in the game?

Following the Secret Invasion, Norman Osborn assumes leadership of the Avengers, leaving Ares and Sentry as his only remaining allies. While Sentry's allegiance stems from his deliberate insanity, Ares's motives are more complex. His loyalty lies not with any particular faction, but with the very essence of war itself. This perfectly aligns with his Marvel Snap card and comic book portrayal: a lover of grand, powerful conflicts, preferring the company of strong individuals, and ultimately, a rather dull, arrogant character.

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Strategic Gameplay with Ares

Unlike cards with readily apparent synergies, Ares requires a unique approach. His strength lies in high-power cards. Pairing him with on-reveal cards like Grandmaster or Odin can yield cunning results. While a 12-power, 4-energy card is decent, the 21-power, 6-energy option is significantly more impactful. Repeating his ability is key to maximizing his potential beyond Surtur-centric 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 Game-Changer

While Ares boasts impressive power, his effectiveness is contingent on specific deck construction. A reliance solely on power is unsustainable without a significant wager advantage. Even move-based strategies, which accumulate power through disruption, often outperform Ares. His performance pales in comparison to the Surtur archetype, currently boasting a win rate around 51.5% at high levels of play.

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The rise of control decks further hampers Ares's effectiveness. He's easily countered, and his value is highly contextual. A simple card comparison highlights his relative weakness: a 4/12 card is strong, but a 4/6 is far less desirable.

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Conclusion: A Risky Play

Ultimately, Ares is arguably the weakest card of the season. His high power is often outweighed by his vulnerability to counter-strategies. His success hinges on a very specific deck build, making him a high-risk, high-reward card. While his potential is undeniable, his inconsistent performance makes him a questionable choice in most situations.

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