Marvel Snap: 9 Deck-Wrecking Tips for the Hot Superhero Card Battle Game

To my absolute surprise, free-to-play mobile card Marvel Snap is one of the best video games of the year. The only reason I’m not playing it right now is because I need to write this article about it. Developed by former Hearthstone creators, Marvel Snap takes dozens of comic book heroes and villains and turns them into brilliantly designed collectible cards for you to march into battle.

Marvel Snap’s strategy mechanics feel so satisfying that you’ll want to take the time to master them. Plus, the ongoing seasons push you to earn as many rewards as possible by fighting your way up the ranks. Like any card game, there’s unavoidable randomness that plays a role in your success. Still, these Marvel Snap tips (and strategies) will make your deck the finest collection of Earth’s mightiest heroes.

1. Synergize Your Cards

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Your deck may only have 12 cards, but it becomes more than the sum of its parts with deft planning. Certain cards only make sense when paired with others. For example, Carnage destroys your other cards to gain power. In some cases, pairings provide boosts your opponent may not expect. Miles Morales costs less when played after a card that moves, so try teaming him up with Nightcrawler. In general, learning how cards work is the best way to effectively use them. Its also the best way to learn how to counter them when an opponent puts them into play.

2. Pay Attention to Locations

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One of the reasons that every Marvel Snap feels unique is due to the different battle locations. Their effects drastically change how you strategize, whether it’s the Gamma Lab location turning your cards into Hulks or Bar Sinister duplicating Iron Man so his power buff gets multiplied exponentially. It’s not just what cards you play, but where you play them that has a big impact.

3. Make Multiple Decks

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Eventually, you’ll earn far more cards than you know what to do with. That’s when it’s time to start building multiple decks. Initially, this is just a great way to experiment with more cards. However, you should start building decks optimized for certain strategies, such as decks dedicated to gaining buffs or destroying opposing cards. You can have up to 20 decks, so if one deck stops working for you it’s time to switch it up. 

4. Balance Low- and High-Energy Cards

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Each Marvel Snap card costs energy to play, ranging from level-one cards at the bottom to level-six cards at the top. Naturally, the expensive cards have the most devastating effects, but you won’t be able to play them until the end game (and that’s only if you manage to draw them from your hand). Balance your deck with weaker cards so you can potentially play cards throughout the entire game. Even a “weak” card can be incredibly useful. I’ll gladly spend one point on Yondu if his arrow destroys my enemy’s best card before they have a chance to play it.

5. Use Energy or Lose It

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Each round, you can spend one more point of energy compared to the previous round. You start off with one point, only enough to play a single weak card, and by the final round you have six emery points. This lets you play increasingly better cards throughout the game. However, unused energy doesn’t roll over from turn to turn. You can’t hoard it to play all your best cards at the very end. So spend whatever energy you have on whatever cards you can, or use a card like Sunspot who gains power from leftover energy. Otherwise, it’s just a wasted opportunity.

6. You Only Need to Win Two Spots

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Your ultimate goal is to have a higher power level than your opponent at two out of three locations. So don’t ruin your chances by trying to win all three spots, you’ll only stretch yourself thin. Abandon a location if it’s a lost cause and beef up locations where you have a chance. Or bait your opponent into focusing on a location you don’t care about. During a tie, the highest total power level across the board wins. 

7. Snap Your Opponent’s Confidence

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When you win, you gain cubes that increase your rank. When you lose, you lose cubes. By “snapping,” you can bet more cubes on the match’s outcome to increase the stakes. Even if you aren’t confident, snapping can be a powerful mental tool that spooks opponents who don’t want to take the risk, leaving you to reap the reward. Note: if your enemy retreats before the match ends, you’ll get less cubes than you would if they’d stayed for a traditional loss.

8. Upgrade Your Cards

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Thankfully, Marvel Snap isn’t pay to win. You can’t directly spend money to buy new cards or somehow make your existing cards more powerful. However, you can use currency to make your cards look cooler. Visually upgrading your cards also increases your collection level and randomly gives you new cards. More cards means more strategic options.  

9. Predict Your Foe

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Initially, you can find some success just playing the cards you want to play, and not really paying attention to your opponent. Just play a Hulk for some uncomplicated smashing. But to truly get good, you must plan ahead and play cards you think will disrupt whatever your opponent is up to during that specific situation. Shang-Chi, my personal favorite trap card, takes out enemy cards with a power level above 9. It’s so satisfying.

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