The Marvel universe is no stranger to powerful, muscle-bound characters, and the latest addition to *Marvel Snap* is no exception. Starbrand, a new card in the game, brings unique mechanics and exciting deck-building opportunities. Here's a comprehensive guide to the best Starbrand decks in *Marvel Snap*.
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 the ability: “Ongoing: Your opponent has +3 Power at each other location.” Unlike Mister Fantastic, Starbrand's effect applies to all locations except where he is played. As an Ongoing card, decks featuring Starbrand often include cards like Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress to mitigate his drawback.
While Shang-Chi can hard counter Starbrand, he synergizes well with cards like Surtur. However, his 3-cost nature makes him a bit challenging to fit into many decks, competing with cards like Surtur or Sauron.
Best Day One Starbrand Decks in Marvel Snap
Starbrand fits well into two established deck archetypes: Shuri Sauron and Surtur. Let’s explore these options:
Shuri Sauron Deck
- Deck List: Zabu, Zero, Armor, Lizard, Sauron, Starbrand, Shuri, Ares, Enchantress, Typhoid Mary, Red Skull, Taskmaster
- Copy Deck: Click here to copy this list from Untapped.
This deck is budget-friendly, with only Ares as a Series 5 card, easily replaceable with Vision. Utilizing Zabu’s ability, the deck focuses on neutralizing the negative effects of Ongoing cards with Zero, Sauron, and Enchantress, then amplifying power with Shuri into a card like Red Skull, and finishing with Taskmaster copying the high power.
Traditionally, this deck included Ebony Maw, but with Taskmaster's nerf to 6 cost, Zabu offers the flexibility to play Shuri and Starbrand on the final turns for unexpected power spikes. Starbrand’s drawback is less impactful here, and Enchantress can neutralize it while potentially disrupting an opponent’s Ongoing card.
Surtur Deck
- Deck List: Zabu, Zero, Armor, Sam Wilson, Captain America, Cosmo, Surtur, Starbrand, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Skaar
- Copy Deck: Click here to copy this list from Untapped.
This deck is pricier, featuring four Series 5 cards. The synergy between Sam Wilson and Cull Obsidian, along with the high-level performance of Surtur and Ares, is crucial.
With Starbrand, you can reduce Skaar’s cost to 1 by playing Starbrand alongside two of Ares, Attuma, and Crossbones on turns 4 and 5. Zero helps mitigate Starbrand's and Attuma's downsides. Even if Zero isn't played perfectly, he's a valuable final turn option. However, careful play is needed to avoid negating your own Surtur or Ares.
The key is timing Starbrand’s play correctly, ideally after Surtur and alongside Zero and Skaar on the final turn, though this may require some trial and error.
Should You Use Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens on Starbrand?
Starbrand is a "wait and see" card. Recent meta shifts with cards like Agamotto and Eson have introduced significant power spikes, potentially overshadowing Shuri Sauron decks, even with Starbrand. The nerfs to Aero and Skaar also leave the viability of Surtur decks in question.
If you have the resources, it might be wise to wait a few days to see how Starbrand fits into the evolving meta before committing your Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens.
And there you have it—the best Starbrand decks in Marvel Snap.
Marvel Snap is available to play now.
