"OG God of War Joins Marvel Snap"

In the realm of Marvel Comics, Ares, the God of War, makes a striking entrance onto the mortal Earth with a mission to revive long-forgotten archetypes and claim dominance in terms of win rate. His journey into the comics is marked by a unique alignment with Norman Osborne, who takes over the Avengers following the events of Secret Invasion. While the team disperses, Ares, alongside the intentionally unstable Sentry, remains by Osborne's side. This allegiance might seem perplexing for an Avenger traditionally pitted against evil, but Ares's loyalty lies not with any faction but with the essence of war itself. His preference for large, powerful conflicts and his affinity for strong companions underscore his presence in both the comics and his Marvel Snap card, where he embodies the thrill of battle.

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In Marvel Snap, Ares's gameplay mirrors his comic book persona. He thrives in decks packed with high-power cards, leveraging his ability to amplify his own strength. A notable pairing is with Grandmaster or Odin, utilizing their on-reveal effects to maximize Ares's potential. For instance, a 12-power, 4-energy Ares is solid, but at 21 power for 6 energy, he becomes a formidable force. Beyond Surtur decks, repeating Ares's ability could be the key to unlocking his full potential.

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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 defensive strategies can shield him from direct attacks, ensuring his dominance on the battlefield.

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Ares is not a Big Bad, sadly

While Ares doesn't match the raw power of some cards like Gwenpool or Galacta, his unique abilities set him apart. In the current meta, dominated by Control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control, Ares requires a tailored deck construction to counter threats like Shang-Chi. His power-centric approach demands a higher points wager than what Mister Negative offers, and even Move decks use disruption for an edge. Outperforming Surtur, which struggles in competitive play, is a tall order for Ares.

Surtur's 10 Power archetype, crucial for Cerebro-10 synergy, achieves a modest 51.5% win rate at Infinity levels, with a dismal 0.15 cube gain. Below that, it drops to 48%. Ares, on the other hand, can become a powerhouse in specific matchups, particularly against Mill decks, where he can reach astronomical power levels.

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However, Ares's relevance is challenged by cards like Death, which offers 12 power at a lower energy cost. Yet, Ares's value extends beyond mere power; he serves as a valuable information source, allowing strategic plays with cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian to disrupt opponents effectively.

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Ares's performance this season suggests he might be the weakest card, often relying on a coin flip to win the power wager. Playing him strategically on the curve can lead to victory, but it's a risky proposition.

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Concluding

Ultimately, Ares might be the card to skip this month. The 10 Power archetype has lost its allure, especially when compared to energy-cheating cards like Wiccan or field-wide power boosts like Galacta. Ares demands a highly specific deck to consistently win his power wager, making him a challenging choice in the current meta. A [4/6] card is underwhelming without a compelling ability, whereas a [4/12] is impressive but difficult to maintain.