Ares, the God of War from Greek mythology, finds himself in the Marvel Comics universe with a unique role that extends into the world of gaming, particularly in Marvel Snap. His journey into comics and subsequent integration into Marvel Snap reflect his complex character and thematic consistency.
Ares' Role in Marvel Comics
Ares enters the mortal Earth not just to conquer but to revive archetypes that have long been absent from the top in terms of winrate. When Norman Osborne takes over the Avengers following the events of Secret Invasion, Ares remains one of the few members alongside Sentry. While Sentry's allegiance might be explained by his insanity, Ares' support for Osborne seems counterintuitive at first glance. However, Ares' loyalty lies not with a side, but with the war itself. This explains his affinity for large-scale conflicts and powerful allies, as seen in his interactions and the thematic elements of his Marvel Snap card.
Ares in Marvel Snap
In Marvel Snap, Ares is not just another powerful card but a representation of his comic book persona. His card mechanics reflect his preference for large, powerful plays, making him a fitting choice for decks that emphasize high power levels.
Best Cards to Team Up with Ares
Ares thrives in decks filled with large cards. One of the most exciting synergies involves pairing him with cards like Grandmaster or Odin, both of which can enhance his on-reveal ability. For instance, a deck leveraging Ares' 12 power for 4 energy can be potent, but scaling up to 21 power for 6 energy with the right combinations could be even more impactful. Repeating his ability through cards like Odin might be the best strategy outside of Surtur decks.
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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' Competitive Edge
While Ares is a formidable card with 12 power for 4 energy, he faces challenges in the current meta. The resurgence of Control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control means that Ares needs specific deck construction to counter threats like Shang-Chi. His performance is often compared to Surtur decks, which have seen a decline in competitiveness.
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In matchups against decks like Move, which can accumulate power and use disruption, Ares needs to outperform to succeed. The Surtur 10 Power archetype, for instance, has an average win rate of about 51.5% at Infinity levels, but struggles below that.
Ares in Specific Scenarios
In scenarios like Mill, Ares can become exceptionally powerful, turning into a 10000% [4/12] when the opponent runs out of cards. However, compared to cards like Death, which offer similar power at a lower energy cost, Ares' place in the meta is uncertain.
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Ares' strength lies not just in raw power but also in providing valuable information about the opponent's strategy. This can be leveraged with cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian to execute disruptive strategies effectively.
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Conclusion
Overall, Ares might be considered the skip of the month due to his susceptibility to counters and the need for specific deck construction to be effective. The 10 Power archetype has lost appeal in the face of cards that offer energy cheating or widespread power boosts. While a [4/12] is impressive, a [4/6] without a fantastic ability attached is less so. Ares' journey from the comics to Marvel Snap showcases his thematic consistency but also highlights the challenges he faces in the competitive landscape of the game.
