Best Annihilus Decks to Try on Day 1 and Strategy Guide: A Bunch of (Useful) Junk

In Marvel Snap, there are usually three kinds of cards to review: those that we are excited about and can’t wait to play with, those that we clearly don’t plan on acquiring and just forget about as soon as they release, and those that don’t appear stellar until we start deckbuilding around them.

To me, Annihilus is part of both the first and last categories I mentioned. Indeed, I am overly excited about the card finally (hopefully) making Junk the powerhouse it ought to be, even if I expect Destroy to come and ruin the party.

But, and this is where it’s really cool, I also found new ideas to explore with the card that got me even more hyped about Annihilus joining Marvel Snap.

Variants

Annihilus

On Reveal: Your cards with Power below 0 switch sides. Destroy those that can’t.

Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Annihilus

Gameplay and Synergy

Just from looking at the card, you quickly understand what Annihilus wants you to do: fill your side of the board cards that have zero or less power to give to your opponent on Turn 5. To accomplish this, there are already plenty of options in the game:

Variants

Debrii

On Reveal: Add a Rock to each other location, for both players.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Debrii

Variants

Sentry

You can’t play this at the right location. On Reveal: Add a -10 Power Void to the right location.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Sentry

Variants

The Hood

On Reveal: Add a Demon to your hand.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with The Hood

Variants

Mysterio

As you play this, play Illusions to other locations. Disguise this as an Illusion until the game ends.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Mysterio

With those cards, it becomes immediately apparent why Junk naturally comes to mind when discussing Annihilus; all of the cards above are considered staples of the Junk archetype. Debrii and The Hood are in every list you would build with this deck, while Sentry might represent the biggest possible high roll in the game with Annihilus.

Mysterio is the odd card out in this bunch, but it might open some different avenues for the new card. Indeed, throwing two Illusions at your opponent is an interesting prospect to drive you to consider playing Mysterio proactively instead of saving it for the combo alongside Hit Monkey.

However, if we were to dig a little deeper, we can extend our possibilities not only to cards with zero or less power, but also to cards that are able to create some… and then the fun begins!

Variants

Hazmat

On Reveal: Afflict all other cards with -1 Power.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Hazmat

Variants

Man-Thing

Ongoing: 1, 2, and 3-Cost cards here have -2 Power.

Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Man-Thing

Did you know there are plenty of cheap, utility-oriented cards in the game with only one power to defend themselves? Well, if you lower that power to zero, they represent a great target to give to your opponent with Annihilus. Think of all the Forges, Black Widows, and Spider-Hams that often create problems with available space on the board since they barely contribute to your points total. Now, you can make that your opponent’s concern.

Let’s also tackle a few hurdles Annihilus might have to overcome. The card does look great, but it isn’t as simple as “play zero power cards, play Annihilus“, unfortunately. First, there is the Destroy issue – particularly Killmonger – that could remove a lot of the cards you intended to give your opponent. Also, you might actively discount their Death for every card you destroy. You can solve that problem with Armor, but you only have so much available space in your deck.

Then, you also need to consider that, even if Annihilus removes your 0-Cost cards, your real purpose is to give those cards to your opponent to disrupt their ability to play. It’s not that simple to fill a location early on with most decks, and it can be pretty annoying to do so for many. However, you can’t ignore the fact that your opponent can simply play cards where you start to stack up your zero power cards.

There are a few cards in the game that can be annoying for Annihilus, too. I think of Professor X primarily, but Armor could also prevent your cards from being destroyed if they can’t switch sides. Beast and Falcon could also be problematic because they would allow the opponent to fill locations and then regain the ability to play on them.

Once again, we have a solution to this (Daredevil), but that is yet another slot in your deck that you might want another card in instead.

Variants

Armor

Ongoing: Cards here can’t be destroyed.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Armor

Variants

Daredevil

On turn 5, you get to see your opponent’s plays before you make your own.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Daredevil

All the Flavors of Junk

Annihilus Junk

Created by den

, updated 5 months ago

2

10x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

1x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Proactive Junky

Created by den

, updated 5 months ago

2

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

7x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

1x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.9

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Let’s start with the common conceptions of Junk in today’s game, whether it is the Hazmat combo take, or the more proactive build with Zabu helping your curve.

In both decks, you can already see the value of Annihilus. It acts as an extra win condition by locking the opponent out on Turn 5 (if Debrii and Absorbing Man were played on the previous two turns). Otherwise, it still represents a very strong card; it becomes a [5/10] alongside The Hood and a [5/17] alongside Sentry. You can also create other shenanigans if you play Man-Thing or Hazmat to handcraft some zero power cards.

Now, let’s talk about decks where Annihilus will be much, much sneakier. 😈

Yes, that was a childish demon emoji, but I’m excited.

Bouncing Junk

Created by den

, updated 5 months ago

1

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

7x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

1x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

3x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

1.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Mini Invasion

Created by den

, updated 5 months ago

1

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

2x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

2x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.4

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Miraculous Junk

Created by den

, updated 5 months ago

2

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

7x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

1x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

3x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.1

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

If we expect Junk to be a great archetype for Annihilus, I think the card really has a chance at being a star if you can make it unpredictable. Indeed, most of the problems I highlighted in the first section were mostly due to the card being easy to anticipate (I mean, c’mon, we’re throwing Rocks all over the field).

However, if you can make it seem like you are another deck, Annihilus becomes much more difficult for your opponent to anticipate, and that could make it absolutely backbreaking for them.

That is exactly what I tried to create with the three decks above while also leveraging some strong abilities in Marvel Snap. I especially like the look of Annihilus in Bounce, as it gives the deck a very different win condition and simultaneously opens a ton of space to move Werewolf By Night.

Closing Words

Although it is more flexible than “just a playable card alongside Debrii and the Junk archetype”, Annihilus will require your deck to fit some specific requirements to make the most use out of it. The need to create at least a couple of zero power cards, or run cards like The Hood or Sentry (which could become a three card package down the line) already pushes your deck towards a certain direction.

If you manage to find some unity, though, I have no doubt Annihilus will be an incredible card in Marvel Snap. It can bring both joy to those who like this sort of play style and frustration to those who fall prey to it. Still, Annihilus will bring some form of frustration to the game; that is almost certain. I do, however, like a good disruptive tool more than I enjoy playing with a card like Werewolf By Night with an astounding power potential, so I guess everyone needs to have their fun at different times.

I hope this article was helpful for deciding whether you will open some Spotlight Caches for Annihilus. I will for sure, but I also understand if this isn’t your cup of tea.

As usual, if you need anything or you just want to discuss the new card, you can find me on the Marvel Snap Zone community Discord, or follow my Twitter page where I share decks and biased opinions about the game.

Good Game Everyone.