Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford in *Captain America: Brave New World*, is set to make an entrance into *Marvel Snap* as a new card. Given Ford's iconic status, expectations are high for Ross to potentially shake up the meta. Let's delve into how he might impact the game.
How Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Works in Marvel Snap
Thunderbolt Ross is a 2-cost, 2-power card with an intriguing ability: When your opponent ends a turn with unspent Energy, you draw a card with 10 or more Power. This mechanic echoes the effects we've seen with Red Hulk and cards influenced by High Evolutionary.
Card draw is a potent advantage in *Marvel Snap*. A card that could draw any card at this cost would be a staple in almost all decks. However, Thunderbolt Ross's limitation to drawing only cards with 10 or more Power narrows his utility. Currently, he can draw from a select pool including Attuma, Black Cat, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Typhoid Mary, Aero, Heimdall, Helicarrier, Red Hulk, Sasquatch, She-Hulk, Skaar, Thanos (if generated into your deck), Orka, Emperor Hulkling, Hulk, Magneto, Death, Red Skull, Agatha Harkness (if generated into your deck), Giganto, Destroyer, and The Infinaut. Most decks include only one or none of these cards, making Thunderbolt Ross a strategic choice for decks with multiple high-power options. Deck thinning, a strategy that Thunderbolt Ross supports, can be a significant advantage.
In terms of counters, Thunderbolt Ross is primarily vulnerable to Red Guardian.
Best Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Decks in Marvel Snap
Thunderbolt Ross naturally synergizes with Surtur decks, which are currently relevant in the meta. Despite a recent nerf, Hela decks also offer a viable alternative for utilizing Ross. Let's explore the Surtur deck first:
- Zabu - Hydra Bob - Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross - Armor - Cosmo - Juggernaut - Surtur - Ares - Attuma - Crossbones - Cull Obsidian - Skaar
This deck is heavy on Series 5 cards like Hydra Bob, Surtur, Ares, Cull Obsidian, and Skaar. Alternatives for Hydra Bob include Iceman, Nico Minoru, or Spider-Ham, while Aero can substitute for Cull Obsidian if needed. The strategy is to play Surtur on turn 3, followed by 10-power cards to boost Surtur to 10 power, making Skaar free. Juggernaut and Cosmo serve as strong final turn plays, and Armor protects against Shang-Chi. Thunderbolt Ross significantly enhances this deck by drawing crucial 10-cost cards like Skaar, potentially securing victory.
Next, let's consider the Hela deck:
- Black Knight - Blade - Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross - Lady Sif - Ghost Rider - War Machine - Hell Cow - Black Cat - Aero - Hela - The Infinaut - Death
This deck includes Series 5 cards like Black Knight and War Machine, though War Machine can be replaced with Ares or Swordmaster. The aim is to discard high-power cards of varying costs to revive with Hela on the final turn, ideally including Black Cat, Aero, The Infinaut, and Death. Thunderbolt Ross aids in drawing these high-power cards for timely discards, enhancing deck consistency. Black Knight and Ghost Rider provide steady power output before the final turn.
Is Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens?
Currently, unless you're heavily invested in Surtur/Ares decks, Thunderbolt Ross may not be the best use of your Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens. His effectiveness is contingent on the presence of multiple 10-cost cards in your deck, which limits his appeal. Moreover, with Wiccan decks dominating the meta, opponents are less likely to leave energy unspent, further reducing Ross's utility. However, as more 10-cost cards are introduced to *Marvel Snap*, his value could increase.
