The Marvel universe is known for its array of powerful, Hulk-like characters, and *Marvel Snap* is set to introduce another with the arrival of Starbrand. Here's a comprehensive look at the best Starbrand decks in *Marvel Snap*, ensuring you can maximize this new powerhouse's potential right from day one.
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 ongoing ability that states: "Ongoing: Your opponent has +3 Power at each other location." Unlike cards like Mister Fantastic, Starbrand's effect applies to all locations except where he is played. This unique ability makes him a prime candidate for decks featuring cards like Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress to mitigate its drawbacks.
Starbrand faces a hard counter in Shang-Chi and synergizes well with Surtur. However, fitting him into decks can be challenging due to competition at the 3-cost slot with cards like Surtur or Sauron.
Best Day One Starbrand Decks in Marvel Snap
Starbrand can seamlessly integrate into two established deck archetypes: Shuri Sauron and Surtur. Let's explore how he can breathe new life into these decks:
Shuri Sauron Deck
- Zabu
- Zero
- Armor
- Lizard
- Sauron
- Starbrand
- Shuri
- Ares
- Enchantress
- Typhoid Mary
- Red Skull
- Taskmaster
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This budget-friendly deck, with Ares as the only Series 5 card, can be optimized by substituting Vision if needed. Leveraging Zabu's ability, the deck aims to neutralize the negative effects of Ongoing cards with Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress, then amplify power in another lane with Shuri into a card like Red Skull, and finally, secure a location by copying that power with Taskmaster.
The traditional version of this deck used Ebony Maw instead of Zabu, but with Taskmaster's cost increase to 6, Zabu allows for powerful plays with Shuri and Starbrand on the final turns. Starbrand's drawback is less impactful when going tall with Shuri, and Enchantress can negate his effect while potentially disrupting an opponent's Ongoing card.
Surtur Deck
- Zabu
- Zero
- Armor
- Sam Wilson
- Captain America
- Cosmo
- Surtur
- Starbrand
- Ares
- Attuma
- Crossbones
- Cull Obsidian
- Skaar
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This deck is more expensive, featuring four Series 5 cards. The synergy between Sam Wilson and Cull Obsidian, combined with the high-level play of Surtur and Ares, makes this deck formidable. Starbrand enables playing Skaar at a reduced cost by setting up with Ares, Attuma, and Crossbones. Zero helps mitigate the downsides of Starbrand and Attuma, though careful play is required to avoid negating your own key cards.
The challenge lies in timing Starbrand's play, ideally after Surtur and alongside Zero and Skaar on the final turn, though this may require some experimentation.
Should You Use Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens on Starbrand?
Starbrand is a "wait and see" card, especially with recent meta shifts due to cards like Agamotto and Eson. The viability of Shuri Sauron and Surtur decks remains uncertain, so it's wise to observe the meta's evolution before investing resources in Starbrand.
And those are the best Starbrand decks in Marvel Snap.
Marvel Snap is available to play now.
