Discard players, rejoice! Khonshu, the God of the Moon, has entered the fray in *Marvel Snap*, bringing with him a powerful new tool for discard-centric decks. Known for its complexity, Khonshu is one of the most intricate cards released by Second Dinner to date. Let's dive deep into how Khonshu functions and explore his potential in various decks.
How Khonshu Works in *Marvel Snap*
Khonshu is a 6-cost, 5-power card with a unique ability: When discarded, it returns in its next phase. On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 5.
- Khonshu's next phase transforms him into a 6-cost, 8-power card. When discarded, it returns in its final phase. On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 8.
- Khonshu's final phase becomes a 6-cost, 12-power card. On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 12.
Each time Khonshu is discarded, he returns to your hand and upgrades, making his On Reveal effect increasingly potent. This mechanic parallels that of Apocalypse, as both cards gain power through discarding.
The optimal strategy with Khonshu involves discarding him one or two times before playing him on the final turn, resurrecting a card that benefits from a power boost, such as Iron Man or Gorr the God Butcher. While Khonshu cannot revive a specific card, playing a 12-power final phase Khonshu on turn 6 to resurrect a 1-cost, 12-power Meek can often secure victory.
Best Day One Khonshu Decks in *Marvel Snap*
Finding the best deck for Khonshu will require extensive experimentation, as he may not fit seamlessly into traditional discard decks. Initially, I envision Khonshu fitting well into a Darkhawk-style Stature list, along with other alternative discard-type decks. Here's an example of a Darkhawk-style deck:
- Korg
- Blade
- Fenris Wolf
- Juggernaut
- Moon Knight
- Lady Sif
- Rock Slide
- Silver Samurai
- Darkhawk
- Black Bolt
- Stature
- Khonshu
[ttpp]
This list features only one Series 5 card, Fenris Wolf, which is crucial as resurrecting an opponent's discarded card via Moon Knight, Silver Samurai, or Black Bolt can often be a winning move.
The strategy with this deck is straightforward: flood your opponent's deck with rocks to maximize Darkhawk's power and discard Khonshu as frequently as possible. Moon Knight and Blade are particularly effective at targeting Khonshu, even after he returns to your hand. Timing is key; you'll want Moon Knight to hit Khonshu rather than Rock Slide.
The goal is to play Stature early, followed by Darkhawk on turn 5 and Khonshu on turn 6, to resurrect a card with 8 to 12 power. Since all these cards have less than 8 power, Khonshu directly boosts their effectiveness.
While Khonshu may not easily fit into traditional discard decks alongside Apocalypse due to their 6-cost nature, there's room for innovation. In the following deck, Corvus Glaive provides the necessary energy ramp:
- Miek
- Scorn
- Blade
- Morbius
- Swarm
- Moon Knight
- Corvus Glaive
- Lady Sif
- Dracula
- MODOK
- Khonshu
- Apocalypse
[ttpp]
The only Series 5 card here is Scorn, which can be replaced by another discard activator like Colleen Wing or X-23 for additional energy ramp.
This deck leans towards a traditional discard style, but the key is to successfully play Corvus Glaive on turn 3 to enable the simultaneous deployment of Khonshu and other discard activators. This setup aims to enhance Apocalypse and flood the board. While it's uncertain whether this approach will outperform traditional discard decks without Khonshu, achieving Khonshu's final phase with Moon Knight, Blade, and Lady Sif, while keeping Apocalypse strong for Dracula, seems feasible.
Is Khonshu Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens?
Regardless of your affinity for discard decks, Khonshu's power and intriguing mechanics make him a valuable addition. I anticipate his inclusion in several hybrid discard lists, potentially making him meta-relevant. If you have the resources, investing in Khonshu is a worthwhile decision.
