OG God of War Joins Marvel Snap: A Mortal's Delight

Ares, the God of War, makes a compelling entry into the Marvel Comics universe, bringing with him a unique perspective on heroism and conflict. When Norman Osborn takes over leadership of the Avengers after the events of Secret Invasion, Ares stands by his side alongside Sentry. This choice might seem perplexing, as one might expect an Avenger to oppose a villain like Osborn. However, Ares' allegiance is not to morality but to the essence of war itself. This characteristic aligns perfectly with his portrayal in both Marvel Comics and his Marvel Snap card, where he is depicted as a figure who revels in large-scale conflict and surrounds himself with powerful allies.

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In the world of Marvel Snap, Ares does not immediately synergize with well-known combinations like Bullseye and Swarm plus Scorn or Victoria Hand and Moonstone with Wiccan. Instead, Ares thrives in decks filled with high-power cards. A particularly exciting pairing for Ares is with Grandmaster or Odin, both of which can enhance his on-reveal abilities. For instance, using Ares in decks that aim to repeat his ability could be a strategic move, especially outside of the Surtur decks.

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Despite his disdain for smaller foes like Shang Chi and Shadow King, protecting Ares with cards like Cosmo or Armor could be crucial, as these can shield him from disruptions.

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Ares, while powerful, is not considered a top-tier card in the current meta. The Snap card pool does not feature a direct [4/12] equivalent, but similar power levels can be achieved with cards like Gwenpool or Galacta. With the rise of Control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control, Ares' effectiveness is somewhat diminished, requiring very specific deck construction to counter threats like Shang-Chi.

The Surtur deck, which shares some similarities with Ares' playstyle, has an average win rate of about 51.5% at Infinity levels and just 48% below. Ares' potential shines in scenarios like Mill, where he can become exceptionally powerful when an opponent runs out of cards.

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However, Ares faces stiff competition from cards like Death, which offers similar power at a potentially lower energy cost. While Ares can provide valuable information about an opponent's power curve, his overall utility in the current meta is limited.

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In certain matchups, using Ares with disruptive strategies involving cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian can be effective. Yet, overall, Ares might be considered the skip of the month due to his specific deck-building requirements and the ease with which he can be countered compared to more versatile cards.

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In conclusion, while Ares brings a unique flavor to both Marvel Comics and Marvel Snap, his effectiveness in the current game environment is limited, making him a challenging card to build around successfully.