"OG God of War Joins Marvel Snap"

Ares, the God of War, makes a striking entrance into the world of Marvel Comics, where he seeks to revive archetypes that have long been absent from the top in terms of winrate. His journey into the comics is marked by his unique alignment with the concept of war itself, rather than any specific side. This trait is vividly reflected in his actions and alliances within the comic universe.

When Norman Osborne takes over as the leader of the Avengers following the events of Secret Invasion, Ares finds himself among the few who remain by Osborne's side, alongside the Sentry. While Sentry's allegiance can be attributed to his intentional insanity, Ares' support for the clearly malevolent Osborne might seem puzzling at first. However, it aligns perfectly with his character as a deity who thrives on conflict and power, rather than moral alignment. This aspect of Ares is mirrored in his Marvel Snap card, which embodies the essence of war and strength.

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Best Cards to Team Up with Ares

Ares, in Marvel Snap, doesn't immediately synergize with well-established combinations like Bullseye and Swarm plus Scorn, or Victoria Hand and Moonstone with Wiccan. Instead, he carves his own path, often used in decks filled with high-power cards. One exciting pairing is with Grandmaster or Odin, both of which can amplify Ares' on-reveal effects, allowing for strategic plays. While a 4-energy card with 12 power is impressive, a 6-energy card with 21 power is even more desirable. Utilizing Ares' ability repeatedly, especially outside of Surtur decks, can be a game-changer.

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Despite his disdain for smaller foes like Shang Chi and Shadow King, protecting Ares with cards like Cosmo or Armor can be crucial. These cards can shield him from disruptive effects, ensuring his power remains unchecked.

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Ares is Not a Big Bad, Sadly

While Ares doesn't have a direct [4/12] counterpart in the Snap card pool, similar cards like Gwenpool and Galacta can reach his level of power. With the rise of Control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control, Ares needs specific deck construction to thrive, especially to counter threats like Shang-Chi. Unlike the current trend of versatile decks, Ares demands a focused strategy to maximize his potential.

Building a deck solely around power might not suffice unless your points wager exceeds that of Mister Negative. Even Move decks, which accumulate power, often incorporate disruption for an edge. For Ares to succeed, he must outperform Surtur decks, which have been struggling to maintain competitive win rates.

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In certain matchups, Ares can become a formidable [4/12] against Mill decks when your opponent runs out of cards. However, compared to Death, which offers 12 power at a lower energy cost, Ares might seem outdated. Yet, his value extends beyond raw power; he provides crucial information that can be leveraged with cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian to execute disruptive strategies.

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Ares might be considered the weakest card of the season, often resulting in a coin flip when played on a curve. However, understanding the power curve and numbers can lead to strategic victories.

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Concluding

Overall, Ares might be the card to skip this month. The 10 Power archetype has lost its appeal due to easy counters and the rise of energy-cheating cards like Wiccan and field-wide power boosts like Galacta. Ares requires a very specific deck construction to consistently win, and while a [4/12] is impressive, a [4/6] without a remarkable ability falls short. Despite this, Ares remains a fascinating character in both comics and Marvel Snap, embodying the essence of war and strategic gameplay.