Ares, the God of War, descends upon the mortal realm of Marvel Snap, aiming to conquer and revive underperforming archetypes. His appearance in the game, however, raises questions. How does a God of War, ostensibly an Avenger, align himself with Norman Osborn, the villainous leader of a fractured Avengers team?

The answer lies in Ares' unwavering loyalty to war itself, not to any particular faction. This perfectly mirrors his Marvel Comics persona and his in-game card. He thrives in large-scale conflicts, preferring powerful allies and disdaining weaker opponents. This inherent characteristic presents both challenges and opportunities for deck building.

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Strategic Deployment of Ares:

Unlike cards with readily available synergies, Ares demands a unique approach. His strength lies in high-power cards. Cards like Grandmaster and Odin, with their on-reveal effects, can enhance his strategic potential. While a 12-power, 4-energy card is acceptable, a 21-power, 6-energy card is significantly more desirable. Repeating his ability is key to maximizing his effectiveness outside of Surtur-centric decks.

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Protective measures are advisable, given Ares' vulnerability to cards like Shang-Chi and Shadow King. Consider using support cards such as Cosmo or Armor to shield him.

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Ares: Not a Guaranteed Victory:

While Ares possesses significant power (analogous to cards like Gwenpool and Galactus), his effectiveness hinges on careful deck construction. The current meta, dominated by control decks and strategies like Mill and Wiccan Control, necessitates a counter-strategy. Simply focusing on high power isn't enough; disruption and strategic maneuvering are crucial.

The Surtur 10-Power archetype, a potential comparison, boasts a mediocre win rate (around 51.5% at Infinity level), highlighting the challenges Ares faces. His success often depends on outperforming Surtur, a deck that currently struggles to maintain competitiveness.

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The Mill archetype can dramatically enhance Ares' value, turning him into a formidable asset. However, his overall performance is often compared to cards like Death, offering a similar power level at a lower cost.

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Conclusion:

Ares, despite his impressive power, might be considered a less-than-ideal card for the current meta. His susceptibility to counter-strategies and the need for highly specific deck building make him a risky choice compared to cards offering energy manipulation or widespread power boosts. His inclusion necessitates a well-defined strategy and a calculated approach to wagering.

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