Ares, the God of War, makes his way into the comic universe with a unique perspective that sets him apart from typical superhero archetypes. In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion storyline, when Norman Osborne takes over the Avengers from Tony Stark, Ares remains one of the few members to stay by Osborne's side, alongside the Sentry. This decision might seem puzzling at first glance, given Osborne's questionable morality. However, Ares' loyalty lies not with individuals or morality but with the concept of war itself. This characteristic aligns perfectly with his portrayal in both Marvel Comics and his card in Marvel Snap, where he thrives in environments filled with large, powerful entities and revels in the chaos of battle.
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When it comes to Marvel Snap, Ares doesn't fit into the typical synergistic decks that players might be familiar with, such as those involving Bullseye and Swarm plus Scorn, or Victoria Hand and Moonstone with Wiccan. Instead, Ares requires a deck built around large cards. One exciting strategy involves pairing him with cards like Grandmaster or Odin, which can trigger Ares' on-reveal ability multiple times, potentially turning a 12-power, 4-energy card into a 21-power, 6-energy powerhouse. Outside of Surtur decks, repeating Ares' ability might be his most effective use.
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Despite his disdain for smaller foes like Shang Chi and Shadow King, protecting Ares with cards like Cosmo or Armor can be crucial. These protective measures can safeguard him against disruptions, ensuring he can exert his full power on the board.
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While Ares boasts impressive stats at [4/12], he isn't considered a "Big Bad" in the game. The current meta favors control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control, which can counter him effectively. To compete, Ares needs a very specific deck construction, as building around raw power alone isn't enough in today's flexible deck environments. For instance, Surtur decks, which focus on high power, have struggled with an average win rate of about 51.5% and a .15 cube gain at Infinity levels, suggesting Ares faces an uphill battle to outperform them.
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In certain matchups, such as against Mill decks, Ares can become exceptionally powerful, turning into a [4/12] when the opponent runs out of cards. However, with cards like Death offering 12 power for less energy, Ares' niche becomes even narrower. His value lies not just in raw power but also in the strategic information he can provide, allowing players to adapt their strategies against opponents using cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian.
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Despite these possibilities, Ares seems to be the weakest card of the season, often resulting in a coin flip when played on curve. The reliance on a specific power curve and the ease with which he can be countered make him less appealing compared to cards that offer energy cheating or widespread power boosts.
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In conclusion, while Ares brings a unique flair to both the comic universe and Marvel Snap, his effectiveness in the current meta is limited. His requirement for a very particular deck build and the ease of countering him make him a skip for many players this month.
