Galactus First Steps and Nova Frankie Raye have similar results this week, but for opposite reasons. The season pass card is a flexible 6-cost able to fit a lot of decks without a clear big card atop the curve. In that context, Galactus First Steps will feel like a fine addition but won’t ever be a staple either, if you needed the spot for something else. Then, its results will mostly depend on which decks use the card the most, as the 6-cost rarely elevates a build.
Nova Frankie Raye requires a bit more deckbuilding to perform, but leads to more unique decks as a result. The 2-cost found a friend in Sasquatch, rekindling the Miracle archetype alongside Mysterio and Mockingbird. For the 2-cost to function properly, a deck needs to have two 6-cost and some buffs available. This isn’t so simple to find in the most popular archetypes, turning Nova Frankie Raye into more of a niche card at the moment.
| Mission | # | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Play 6-cost cards | 15 | 150 Credits |
| Win with Nova Frankie Raye starting in your Deck | 4 | 300 Collector’s Tokens |
| Win with Galactus First Steps starting in your Deck | 8 | 150 Gold |
Nova Frankie Raye Performance
Decks with Nova Frankie Raye
Whether we look at before or after the OTA, Nova Frankie Raye doesn’t look like a very good card. It is doing a much better job in the Infinite Ranks, posting positive Cube and Win ratios, even if both are barely in the green. The same could be said about the decks using the new 2-cost. None is posting a particularly great performance, but many seem good enough to be mentioned as a competitive possibility.
Overall, Nova Frankie Raye still has a bit to prove in my opinion. The card is definitely good enough to see play, and managed to revamp certain decks, such as the Mysterio, Mockingbird and Sasquatch synergy. However, the new 2-cost lacks that convincing performance, the one worth 6,000 tokens.
Post-Release Score:
For more information about Nova Frankie Raye, make sure to check out our strategy guide:
Galactus First Steps Performance
Decks with Galactus First Steps
The most popular 6-cost in the game is making the most of its ability to be a big power card atop the curve. Indeed, you can spot Galactus First Steps in a multitude of decks. It is never out of place, but also never really necessary.
Overall, the power of the card mostly lies in an element out of our control : Will we draw it early?
When we do, it isn’t that difficult to grow Galactus First Steps to a 16 or 18 power card, enough to challenge a location almost on its own. In decks able to lock up a location early in a match, the 6-cost is quite a threat, especially if we can pick which of the other two locations to play it at. However, those decks able to seize priority also ask whether Alioth wouldn’t be a better option, or simply not running a 6-cost to be more flexible early on in the match.
I don’t think there is a good answer to “Should you play Galactus First Steps or not”. I’m leaning towards removing the card as time passes, but it forced me a few retreats when my opponent had grown it to 18 power.
Post-Release Score:
For more information about Galactus First Steps, make sure to check out our strategy guide:
Bonus Challenge Decks
Both cards look like they can easily be played together, since Galactus First Steps triggers Nova Frankie Raye. Yet, the two have not been played together in many decks so far. Typically, Nova Frankie Raye is associated with more flexible 6-costs, such as Mockingbird or Sasquatch.
Digging a bit, I could find this points focused deck sporting a solid win rate:
Completing the missions separately will be much easier it seems, especially as Galactus First Steps can be used as a default 6-cost in many builds. Nova Frankie Raye requires building a little more around its ability, but it leads to exotic decks we don’t see often.
Overall, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a deck for either card, no matter the play style you enjoy.
den
den
den
den
More Content