The Marvel universe is known for its array of powerful, muscle-bound characters, and the latest to join *Marvel Snap* is Starbrand. Here are the top Starbrand decks to help you dominate in *Marvel Snap*.
Jump To:
- How Starbrand Works in Marvel Snap
- Best Day One Starbrand Decks in Marvel Snap
- Should You Use Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens on Starbrand?
How Starbrand Works in Marvel Snap
Starbrand is a 3-cost, 10-power card with an intriguing ability: "Ongoing: Your opponent has +3 Power at each other location." Unlike Mister Fantastic, whose effect is limited to adjacent locations, Starbrand's power boost affects all locations except the one it's played in. As an Ongoing card, countering this effect is key, and cards like Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress become essential in Starbrand decks.
However, Starbrand is vulnerable to Shang-Chi and synergizes well with Surtur. Fitting Starbrand into decks at the 3-cost slot can be tricky, as it often competes with Surtur or Sauron.
Best Day One Starbrand Decks in Marvel Snap
Starbrand can seamlessly integrate into two established deck types: Shuri Sauron and Surtur. Let's explore these decks and see if Starbrand can breathe new life into them:
Shuri Sauron Deck
- Deck List: Zabu, Zero, Armor, Lizard, Sauron, Starbrand, Shuri, Ares, Enchantress, Typhoid Mary, Red Skull, Taskmaster
- Click here to copy this list from Untapped.
This budget-friendly deck includes only one Series 5 card, Ares, which can be swapped for Vision if needed. Leveraging Zabu's ability, this deck enhances its performance over traditional move cards.
If you're familiar with Marvel Snap, you'll know the strategy: neutralize negative effects of your Ongoing cards with Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress, then use Shuri to amplify power in another lane, typically with Red Skull, and finally, replicate that power with Taskmaster.
Originally, this deck used Ebony Maw instead of Zabu, but with Taskmaster's cost increase, playing both in the final turn is challenging. Zabu now allows you to pair Shuri with Starbrand or Ares in the final turns, offering unexpected power spikes. Despite Starbrand giving your opponent +3 power at other locations, you can neutralize this with Enchantress, ideally hitting an opponent's Ongoing card as well.
Surtur Deck
- Deck List: Zabu, Zero, Armor, Sam Wilson, Captain America, Cosmo, Surtur, Starbrand, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Skaar
- Click here to copy this list from Untapped.
This deck is more expensive, featuring four Series 5 cards. The synergy between Sam Wilson and Cull Obsidian is crucial, as is the power of Surtur and Ares.
Starbrand enables you to reduce Skaar's cost to 1 by playing him alongside two of Ares, Attuma, or Crossbones on turns 4 and 5. Zero helps mitigate the downsides of Starbrand and Attuma. Even if Zero isn't perfectly timed, he remains a strong final turn option that doesn't significantly hinder the deck's performance. Just ensure you don't accidentally weaken your Surtur or Ares.
The challenge lies in timing Starbrand's play correctly. Ideally, play Surtur first and reserve Starbrand for the final turn with Zero and Skaar, though this isn't always feasible. It will take some practice to master Starbrand's integration into this established deck.
Should You Use Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens on Starbrand?
Starbrand is a "wait and see" card, especially given the recent meta shifts with the additions of Agamotto and Eson. It's unclear if Shuri Sauron can compete, despite Starbrand's strength, and the viability of Surtur decks post-Aero and Skaar nerfs is uncertain. If you have the resources, it might be wise to wait a few days to gauge Starbrand's impact before investing.
And those are the best Starbrand decks in Marvel Snap.
Marvel Snap is available to play now.
