Sleeper Decks of the Week – Loki and Alioth Continue to Dominate, Ravonna is Better Than You Think, and More!

Hello everyone and welcome to Sleeper Decks of the Week! I’m Glazer of Snap Judgments: The Official Marvel Snap Zone Podcast, and in this article, I’m going to take you through all of my favorite Sleeper Decks this week. In addition to the podcast (this week’s episode discusses the Top 10 decks in Snap with Den!), I do my own daily videos where I scour the darkest corners of the net (ahem Twitter and the various Marvel Snap sites) to find the best decks in Marvel Snap before the meta notices.

Remember: Each deck title will take you to a video explanation of the deck, so don’t be shy – check them out!

Loki Is Still the Meta

Variants

Loki

On Reveal: Transform your hand into cards from your opponent’s starting deck and give them -1 Cost.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Loki

Apparently, nerfing The Collector did little for Loki‘s popularity and success. Will Mobius M. Mobius finally hurt Loki, or are we awaiting a patch nerf?

Infinite Loki All Along

Infinite Loki All Along

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

3

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

6x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

1x Recruit Season

4.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

5.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: There is perhaps no more prominent evidence that Loki is absurd than the ease with which this Agatha Harkness deck can win games. Loki provides a long sought-after third way to get rid of Agatha on Turn 3; it allows the deck to just operate as a powerful deck with an end-game curve of great cards after Loki is played. Furthermore, when the opponent plays their Loki (since he’s so much of the metagame), they risk getting your Agatha as a nasty surprise. Agatha even gives you one extra card in play for this play pattern.

The deck without Loki is fairly solid. If you Lady Sif away Agatha Harkness, you still have play here with Ghost Rider for a 17 power Turn 4 play. Wave or Loki are still reasonable follow-ups if you’re missing Ghost Rider. After that, the deck offers a plethora of Turn 5 and Turn 6 options – the best being Black Bolt so that you can play a 5-Cost and Stature on the last turn.

Wave takes out the problem of no Turn 4 play by simply making Agatha herself into that play. After that, the same rules apply on Turns 5 and 6.

This deck really does want Stature, but you can replace both her and Black Bolt if you need to with Vision and Aero. Loki is the key that makes this deck actually work.

If you want a turn-by-turn on how to play the deck, check the video linked in the title.

Moyen Loki

Moyen’s Best Loki

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

2

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

3x 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

2.2

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: Moyen is one of the 5-10 best players in the game, so when he releases a list, it’s worth checking out. He believes Loki is the best deck, as many do, so he shared his list with his personal choices for how to play the deck.

Loki, Agent Coulson, The Collector, and Quinjet are the basis for basically all Loki lists. Cosmo has become the tech card du jour thanks to Alioth, and, if you have Snowguard, she goes in both for generating two cards and the supreme usefulness of the Snowguard Hawk. That leaves precious few spots to play with – especially since Moyen kept the Kitty Pryde and Angela engine intact.

The biggest surprise inclusion here is likely Sentinel and Jeff the Baby Land Shark over Cable, Mirage, Agent 13, and Maria Hill. Moyen has opted for low-end consistency, as Sentinel is guaranteed to give you another [2/3] to play (that becomes a [1/3] with Quinjet, and that’s a stellar rate). Jeff, meanwhile, offers reach that other Loki decks may lack, giving play into the mirror as a potential lane winner while also being a good combination with Angela.

The last card is Nick Fury over Devil Dinosaur or Legion. Nick Fury gives random cards, yes, but three of them increase the likelihood that one is exactly what you want at the end of the game while also giving you more Loki fodder. That does mean that, for non-Loki games, you have increased reliance on Agent Coulson or Quinjet (or both), but if you can stomach that, this deck is nearly impossible to play around.

Kitty Pryde and Jeff the Baby Land Shark are higher Series cards. There’s a plethora of options to replace them above, but here’s one more: Nightcrawler.

If you want a turn-by-turn on how to play the deck, check the video linked in the title.

Loki Ravonna Good Stuff

Ravonna Try 1

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

0

2x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

1x Starter Card

3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.3

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: Next week, this will be in the Loki-counters section (if we still need it).

This Good Stuff deck uses Loki in my favorite way right now – as a back-up plan. You are able to muck up the opponent’s hand and draw pretty darn well here with Black Widow joining the always potent Darkhawk package, but with Zabu being replaced by Ravonna Renslayer. This change allows for the inclusion of Iron Man and Mystique, as they’re both cards that are discounted by the new Ravonna.

From here, the combos are absurd. Ravonna Renslayer on Turn 3 allows for Rockslide and Black Widow on Turn 4 – if they have America Chavez in the deck, they’re now done drawing cards. If they don’t have America? That last card is likely a Rock anyway.

As you’re stuffing them, your Darkhawk is often at 14, so copying that with Mystique for a total of five energy (or, even better, three energy with Sera) is just fantastic. Iron Man and Mystique for six (or four) energy is pretty darn good as well.

You’ll need Ravonna Renslayer for this deck, and Darkhawk, as well.

If you want a turn-by-turn on how to play the deck, check the video linked in the title.

Alioth is a MEAN Cloud

Alioth is easily the most effective Loki counter right now. The only question left appears to be which of the two cards is more controversial.

Variants

Alioth

On Reveal: Remove the text from all unrevealed enemy cards here.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Alioth

OwlGod Alioth Galactus

OwlGod Galactus

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

3

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

6x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

4

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: The always-brilliant OwlGod is finally back with a new deck – this time his take on Galactus… without Wave!?

Yes, it’s true, this deck foregoes the 3-Cost staple and basically says that, for Galactus, it’s Electro or bust. The Electro pattern is fairly simple, so we can cover it first. Electro can lead into Hobgoblin or Green Goblin, followed by Galactus, and then Alioth. Few decks can stop this extremely potent combo.

Without Electro, this deck wants to scam with Professor X. If Professor X can win a lane, often with the help of Nebula or a Goblin (and an assist from Daredevil), then Alioth, Leader, or Destroyer can usually take over the last necessary lane to win.

A popular question asked about this deck is why Destroyer and not Orka? Destroyer gives you a way to clear junk in Electro play lines for a potential Galactus scam, and he takes care of a meta where Armor and Cosmo are very likely in your opponent’s deck.

Nebula is great here, but fine as Sunspot. Jeff the Baby Land Shark feels needed with Professor X, but Nightcrawler isn’t bad. Galactus and Alioth are musts.

You know the drill – turn by turn in the link above.

Dekkster’s Iron Patriot

Iron Patriot

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

2

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

1x Recruit Season

1x Starter Card

3.7

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.1

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: One of the highest win-rate Conquest Gold decks right now, this deck is incredibly easy to play and annoying to face off against. The premise here is remarkably simple: if you get priority, Alioth and Doctor Doom are back-breaking cards. Plus, there is no better early power/priority play than Brood and Absorbing Man.

Honestly, there’s not an absolute ton more to say here. You want to Forge into Brood (with Mister Sinister as a back-up plan) and Absorbing Man (with Iron Lad as a back-up). If you do that, you’re wildly ahead. Turn 5 can be dedicated to getting out cards like Silver Surfer, Patriot, Iron Man, or Blue Marvel. At that point, a Turn 6 Alioth almost always wins, and you still have the back-up plan of Doctor Doom or Patriot and Silver Surfer, depending on the board.

Honestly, this deck is pretty powerful even without Alioth, but he puts it over the top in Conquest. Alioth could be replaced by a card like Ultron or Mystique. Iron Lad is actually harder to replace here, but if not Mystique, try Super-Skrull.

Check the turn-by-turn in the linked video.

Counter the Meta with Cerebro

Variants

Cerebro

Ongoing: Your highest-Power cards have +2 Power.

Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Cerebro

Two different Cerebro decks are rising to the top of the meta as counters to much of the above shenanigans. Cerebro 3 just stomps on all varieties of Loki, while Cerebro 5 has a much wider set of outcomes, but is stronger into the meta.

den’s Cerebro 3

DenBro 3

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

2

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

8x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

2.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.2

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: The standard Cerebro 3 has been discussed for a couple of weeks now as a Loki counter, but den went and made a version that can win other match ups, too.

A small Discard package is all this deck needed to inject a dose of chaos into its games. Blade and Gambit are both Cerebro targets, and each can discard Swarm – an absolutely great hit that allows you to essentially always fill your board with 3-Cost cards. The downside here is taken care of almost entirely by Ghost Rider.

The rest of the deck is simple. Play powerful 3-Power cards and then pump them with Cerebro and Mystique. Add in a dash of Valkyrie and a sprinkle of Shadow King for control and you’re all set.

Snowguard is a Series 4 card that makes two 3-Cost cards, so she’s pretty good. Make her Sentinel if you don’t have her. Jeff the Baby Land Shark can be Sentinel or Armor, too.

Cerebro 5

Cerebro 5

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

2

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

7x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

1x Starter Card

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

4.4

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: From out of nowhere – well, out of a Doctor Doom unnerf and Alioth‘s release – comes another really interesting and powerful deck: Cerebro 5!

It turns out that, in Marvel Snap, five is quite a lot of power, and spreading it all over the board is extremely powerful. This deck uses cards like Silk and Medusa to grab an early power advantage that can be buffed by Cerebro at any point in the curve. Turn 4 after Silk moves or you’ve played Spider-Man is often the best Cerebro spot so that you can play it with Miles Morales. This is usually followed by a Wave or a Jean Grey which, in combination with Doctor Doom and Alioth, is often followed by the Victory screen.

You need Silk and Alioth here, sorry. Jean Grey can be Stegron, Enchantress, or Omega Red.

I REALLY Like Ravonna

Variants

Ravonna Renslayer

Ongoing: Your cards with 1 or less Power cost 1 less. (minimum 1)

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Ravonna Renslayer

Most people have been underwhelmed, and, while she’s not meta, I think she can be a truly powerful piece in the right decks. Hey, what’s that below? The right decks!

TeamCounterGaming Ravonna Surfer

TeamCounterGaming Ravonna

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

0

1x Collection Level 1-14

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

1x Recruit Season

1x Starter Card

3.3

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.2

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Builder: I call shenanigans on what nonsense this puts out at the end of games. We all know how Silver Surfer and Darkhawk decks play by now, but this one, well…

Turn 1 Korg, Turn 2 Zabu, Turn 3 Ravonna Renslayer, Turn 4 Rockslide or Iron Man, Turn 5 Sera… enjoy your two to three cost reduction on every card in the deck. Wolfsbane is then great. We already talked about Mystique copying big Ongoing abilities. Silver Surfer and Absorbing Man are wild. I’ve won on Wolfsbane into Absorbing Man. It’s crazy that we don’t even bother with Brood here. This deck is just so insanely good.

For turn-by-turn, again, check the video.

Safety’s Ravonna Junkhawk

Safety’s Ravonna JunkHawk

Created by PulseGlazer

, updated 7 months ago

1

1x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

1x Starter Card

3.1

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

0.7

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Deck Thoughts: I know the Darkhawk package is pretty good, but I don’t think I was prepared for what Ravonna Renslayer and the Goblins would do to it. The Goblins just add a whole other win condition to the deck, as they can steal a game entirely on their own with Ravonna Renslayer. Playing her into a well-timed Hobgoblin can be absolutely backbreaking – especially if Black Widow and Korg were disruptive earlier. Turn 5 has no shortage of options. Maybe an Iron Man for some size? How about Rockslide and a 2-Cost to set up Darkhawk? With the opponent fighting an uphill battle, this is insanely strong.

Check out our friend FaThorNewman (sub here!) trying the deck out – and congrats on the new baby, friend!

Wrap Up

Thanks for reading! Check back all next week so much more great content from Marvel Snap Zone!