Power Couples Imbalance Patch Event Best Decks

The Power Couples Valentine’s Week event is the first ever Imbalance Patch for Marvel Snap! From February 13 to February 20, 10 pairs of cards will have an additional Power Couple effect that allows them to buff their other half on play. With so many cards adjusted and a range of pairings to explore, we could be about to witness some unique decks for a limited time only. This will replace this week’s expected OTA changes. So, what are the changes, and what can we try with them?

How the Power Couples Work

First, let’s clarify some of the ways this works. Power Couple is a temporary keyword that adds bonus power to the other part of the couple when played. As an example, Daredevil and She-Hulk are one of the Power Couples. When you first play Daredevil, it will buff She-Hulk with +2 power wherever the card is. When you first play She-Hulk, it will add +2 power to Daredevil. Playing both cards nets you +4 power across two bodies.

We also got responses to some of the functionality questions you might have from the developers. The following was clarified (using the same example above):

• The ability is a trigger: When you play Daredevil, She-Hulk sees that and gets +2 power.
• It is not an Ongoing effect.
• It is impacted by Shadow King.
• It does not matter if Daredevil is removed from play later.
• If you randomly roll a She-Hulk after you have played Daredevil, it will not get the buff.
• It is a one use ability; playing multiple Daredevils will not buff She-Hulk again.
• Iron Lad would copy the full ability from She-Hulk. So, if you play Iron Lad to copy She-Hulk before playing Daredevil, Iron Lad would also get the buff. Iron Lad gains the ability to get +2 power when Daredevil is played.

Here is the list of balance changes:

• Angela & Sera: +1 power
• Black Panther & Nakia: +1 power
• Captain America & Agent 13: +2 power
• Gambit & Rogue: +2 power
• Invisible Woman & Mister Fantastic: +2 power
• Iron Man & Rescue: +1 power
• Miles Morales & Ghost-Spider: +1 power
• She-Hulk & Daredevil: +2 power
• Star-Lord & Gamora: +1 power
• Vision & Scarlet Witch: +1 power

It is safe to say not all these couples are created equal, so lets see if we can make some starting decks for each couple (warning: some couples will feature more than once).

Angela & Sera

Variants

Angela

After you play a card here, +2 Power.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Angela

Variants

Sera

Ongoing: Cards in your hand cost 1 less. (minimum 1)

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Sera

Our favorite angels have featured in some decks together in the past that have dominated Marvel Snap, and this power couple effect potentially brings both up to a point where they may be able to support each other once again. This couple can support a deck with a few strong one drops, which makes it a great couple to experiment with the new Cull Obsidian.

Angela & Sera

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

2x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

4x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

2.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.2

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Black Panther & Nakia

Variants

Black Panther

On Reveal: Double this card’s Power.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Black Panther

Variants

Nakia

On Reveal: Give all cards in your hand +1 Power.

Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Nakia

Don’t tell Storm! Black Panther is with Nakia for this event, and the buff partnership can aim to get extra benefit from the +1 power. Playing Nakia is now +2 power for Black Panther, which is then doubled with Black Panther‘s On Reveal effect. You can combine these two in a strong Sera Surfer shell to try ensuring you hit Black Panther as often as possible, and you have two other strong targets in Brood and Sebastian Shaw.

Black Panther & Nakia

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

3.2

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.1

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Captain America & Agent 13

Variants

Captain America

Ongoing: Your other cards here have +1 Power.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Captain America

Variants

Agent 13

On Reveal: Add a random card to your hand.

Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Agent 13

As one of the cards with a +2 power buff, Captain America may be the most intriguing change in this imbalance patch. This couple arguably has the most playability across a range of decks (competing with Vision and Scarlet Witch), and we may be about to see the most Captain Americats we have ever seen.

However, the best application of these cards could just as likely be the most frustrating part of this balance patch. Agent 13 is best with Loki.

Captain Americat & Agent 13

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

3x Series 4 Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 4)

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

2.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.9

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Gambit & Rogue

Variants

Gambit

On Reveal: Discard a card from your hand to destroy a random enemy card.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Gambit

Variants

Rogue

On Reveal: Steal the text from an enemy Ongoing card here.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Rogue

Perhaps the most famous of the couples here for comic fans (competing with Invisible Woman and Mister Fantastic), Gambit and Rogue have the hardest synergy to find. However, as another of the +2 power cards, the benefit may justify experimenting with this couple in a range of decks because the individual powers can be very powerful. Gambit has always been held back by its weak body and the randomness of the effect. This event may be its time to shine as a disruption tool, but it likely just means you should play Rogue in Discard as your tech card.

Gambit & Rogue

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.9

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Invisible Woman & Mister Fantastic

Variants

Invisible Woman

Ongoing: Cards you play here are not revealed until the game ends.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Invisible Woman

Variants

Mister Fantastic

Ongoing: Adjacent locations have +2 Power.

Collection Level 1-14

view card details Start a deck Decks with Mister Fantastic

This one is another couple with a hard synergy to find, but, again, the +2 power is such a big buff that it may be fine to just play one in a deck that the other one works well with. You may be able to go even crazier with this one and really push the envelope (it might be easier to message me so I can talk you through this one). Here you have multiple ways to double play Doctor Doom, Alioth, or Shang-Chi. You can pick your poison, and having priority may often just lead to game over. Mister Fantastic is key; the +4 power buff on the couple will help you keep priority while you play a hidden Grand Master or Absorbing Man. Then, on Turn 6, you can play the best option for the situation and double the effects.

Invisible Woman & Mister Fantastic

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

1x Collection Level 1-14

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

4x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

1x Starter Card

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Iron Man & Rescue

Variants

Iron Man

Ongoing: Your total Power is doubled here.

Starter Card

view card details Start a deck Decks with Iron Man

Variants

Rescue

On Reveal: If you play a card at this location next turn, +5 Power.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Rescue

At only +1 power, this one might seem uninspiring. In reality, this couple has long had synergy, they just haven’t ever found a home together that has worked consistently. Unfortunately, this couple is one that looks less likely to have a chance this Valentine’s Day. Rescue could become a liability, and the Iron Man buff, while important, may not do enough. So, again, I simply tried to find the deck that could get the most from both cards getting a buff. This leads to a no-frills deck with The Living Tribunal that returns to Cosmo to avoid the weakness from a buffed Rescue.

Iron Man & Rescue

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

1x Starter Card

3.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.6

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Miles Morales & Ghost-Spider

Variants

Miles Morales

If a card moved last turn, this costs 1.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Miles Morales

Variants

Ghost-Spider

On Reveal: The last card you played moves here.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Ghost-Spider

If Captain America and Agent 13 are potentially the most flexible of the couples, Miles Morales and Ghost-Spider compete for the most likely to change the game (again, competing with Vision and Scarlet Witch). These two may only receive a +1 power buff, but their synergy is really strong. Plus, this small Move package has been close a few times lately. The new Season Pass card may come in here to bring the Move Bounce deck up to compete.

Miles Morales & Ghost Spider

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

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)

2.1

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

She-Hulk & Daredevil

Variants

She-Hulk

Costs 1 less for each unspent Energy last turn.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with She-Hulk

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

This odd couple is not the strongest of synergies, but Daredevil with +2 power is a big change. This could mean the best option is just to have Daredevil in decks that want to play She-Hulk anyway since knowing Turn 5 and potentially getting an extra four power are some big upsides. The advantage here is just knowing Turn 5 to best decide between Leech or another play.

Daredevil & She Hulk

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

3x Starter Card

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

5.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Star-Lord & Gamora

Variants

Star-Lord

On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +4 Power.

Starter Card

view card details Start a deck Decks with Star-Lord

Variants

Gamora

On Reveal: If your opponent played a card here this turn, +4 Power.

Recruit Season

view card details Start a deck Decks with Gamora

Star-Lord and Gamora have almost made it before in Marvel Snap, but it is often the former who ends up being cut from lists. The predictability of plays on Turn 2 can make Star-Lord a bad play, whereas Gamora is played at a stage of the game where the effect can have a much bigger impact. As such, even +1 power may make Star-Lord worth including in the Lockdown decks that have featured Gamora in the past. This deck is also all in on the Power Couples with Agent 13 representing value in the 1-drop slot, Captain America potentially being able to back up key lanes, and both Vision and Scarlet Witch supporting the entire plan.

Gamora & Star Lord

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

3x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

1x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

4x Series 5 Ultra Rare – Collection Level 486+ (Pool 5)

1x Recruit Season

1x Starter Card

3.2

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.9

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Vision & Scarlet Witch

Variants

Vision

You can move this each turn.

Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Vision

Variants

Scarlet Witch

On Reveal: Replace this location with a new one.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Scarlet Witch

After all this, the best has been saved for last. Vision is one of the strongest cards in Marvel Snap. It creates tension and can win games by itself. Scarlet Witch is one of the most underrated cards in Marvel Snap. While we marvel at Quake, Legion and even Snowguard, we often forget the power this simple 2-drop can have when changing key locations. Together they may be the true Power Couple of this week, and you may end up adapting every deck just to play these two for a nine power Vision and the utility of Scarlet Witch.

Vision & Scarlet Witch

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

1x Collection Level 1-14

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

2x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

3.5

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

4.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Bonus With Love

How many couples can we include in one deck that can actually win games? Well, Thanos may have missed out on forming the ultimate Power Couple with Death, but it joins the party here by bringing the love together for one last deck.

The Power Couples

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 2 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

4.2

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

5.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Final Thoughts

It will be interesting to see just what takes hold from this set of changes. It is a large set of changes that has an unpredictable impact (because we’ve never seen it before). However, the effects also require the cards to be played, and this may make some of these combinations less reliable. We may find that the ones that support the better decks in the current meta reign supreme. Let us know below what you want to try, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Good Luck, Have Fun, and Stay Safe.