Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross has arrived in Marvel Snap, joining the roster as the character portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. While his in-game presence might not be immediately meta-defining, let's examine his potential.
How Thunderbolt Ross Functions:
This 2-cost, 2-power card boasts a unique ability: When your opponent ends a turn with unused Energy, you draw a card with 10 or more Power. This mechanic, reminiscent of Red Hulk and High Evolutionary effects, hinges on card draw, a powerful element in Marvel Snap. However, the restriction to 10+ power cards significantly limits its applicability.
Currently, Thunderbolt Ross can draw cards like Attuma, Black Cat, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Typhoid Mary, Aero, Heimdall, Helicarrier, Red Hulk, Sasquatch, She-Hulk, Skaar, Thanos (if generated), Orka, Emperor Hulkling, Hulk, Magneto, Death, Red Skull, Agatha Harkness (if generated), Giganto, Destroyer, and The Infinaut. Most decks contain only a few, if any, of these high-power cards. Therefore, his effectiveness is directly tied to deck composition. If your deck features multiple 10+ power cards, Thunderbolt Ross becomes a valuable addition, enhancing deck thinning strategies. Red Guardian serves as a direct counter.
Optimal Deck Synergies:
Thunderbolt Ross synergizes particularly well with Surtur decks. A sample Surtur deck including Ross might look like this (note: this contains several Series 5 cards):
- Zabu
- Hydra Bob
- Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross
- Armor
- Cosmo
- Juggernaut
- Surtur
- Ares
- Attuma
- Crossbones
- Cull Obsidian
- Skaar
The strategy focuses on playing Surtur on turn 3, boosting its power with 10+ cards, and utilizing cards like Juggernaut and Cosmo for endgame control. Thunderbolt Ross increases the consistency of drawing high-cost cards to power Surtur and potentially enable free Skaar plays.
He also finds a place in Hela decks, aiding in discarding high-power cards for Hela's revival effect. A sample Hela deck:
- Black Knight
- Blade
- Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross
- Lady Sif
- Ghost Rider
- War Machine
- Hell Cow
- Black Cat
- Aero
- Hela
- The Infinaut
- Death
Here, Ross facilitates drawing high-power cards for discarding and subsequent Hela-based resurrection.
Is Thunderbolt Ross Worth the Investment?
Currently, unless you're a dedicated Surtur/Ares player, Thunderbolt Ross's value is questionable for players with limited resources. His utility is dependent on the inclusion of multiple high-cost cards, and the prevalence of Wiccan decks (which encourage opponent energy expenditure) further limits his effectiveness. His potential will increase as more 10+ power cards are added to the game.
