Snowguard Decks to Try on Day 1 and Strategy Guide – The Balance Change (Which is Really Just a New Card)

Snowguard may have gotten the single biggest rework we have seen to a card yet. She has been completely changed, and the way she plays is now entirely different, including when you can use her ability. So, it’s time for our second new card review of the week!

What are the changes:

Snowguard
● [1/2] – While in your hand, this transforms each turn into a Hawk or a Bear. → [1/2] – On Reveal: Add the Hawk and Bear auroras to your hand.

Hawk
● [1/2] – On Reveal: Ignore all location abilities next turn. → [2/3] – On Reveal: Ignore all location abilities until the end of next turn (or the game).

Bear
● [1/2] – On Reveal: Trigger the effect of this location. → [2/3] – On Reveal: Trigger the effect of this location.

Variants

Snowguard

On Reveal: Add the Hawk and Bear auroras to your hand.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Snowguard

Variants

Snowguard Hawk

On Reveal: Ignore all location abilities until the end of next turn. (They resume if the game ends.)

None

view card details Start a deck Decks with Snowguard Hawk

Variants

Snowguard Bear

On Reveal: Trigger the effect of this location.

None

view card details Start a deck Decks with Snowguard Bear

Strengths and Weaknesses

Snowguard is now a dynamic card that potentially has several synergies and uses. The new card is played as a [1/2] and generate two cards in hand. These cards are both situational, but they have effects that can be game winning and provide flexibility in later turns – but they both cost two energy. These effects have been shown to be very powerful when we consider the impact Legion and Scarlet Witch can have on games, but the total investment of energy and board space could make her more difficult to play at times. However, unlike the original version, she now has plenty of synergies we need to explore.

Variants

The Collector

When a card enters your hand from anywhere (except your deck), +1 Power.

Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

view card details Start a deck Decks with The Collector

Variants

Devil Dinosaur

Ongoing: +2 Power for each card in your hand.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Devil Dinosaur

She is now the only 1-Cost card that is guaranteed to generate two cards. Before we even look at how to apply her text to your game play, we have to consider the clear synergy with The Collector. She represents an extra two power on The Collector alone. Another added advantage she may have now is the new synergy with the latest new card Loki. She will ensure you’re more likely to have more cards in hand for the effect to replace. And the same goes for Devil Dinosaur; she refills your hand and, therefore, maintains your hand size.

So, before we look at the power of the new effects, there is now a set of cards she synergizes with that has created a package of cards that didn’t previously exist.

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

Variants

Legion

On Reveal: Replace each other location with this one.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Legion

Scarlet Witch and Legion are both great examples of when the two effects can be used. First, the biggest change is the Hawk. This card now allows for the effect to be turned off at the time the card is revealed. This alone is already a big change. For example, on the turn you play the Hawk, you could follow it with cards into Death's Domain. The effect is then maintained over the rest of the next turn, so it is somewhat symmetrical; however, you get a jump start. The effect now carries from the On Reveal to the end of the game, which means it turns off Limbo if played on Turn 6. It can also be played on Turn 5 to turn off Limbo and open up hard-to-reach locations. This is, in essence, a significantly more flexible Scarlet Witch. The downside is that you have to get the base card down first, so your opponent will know the effect is a possibility.

The Bear may be overlooked. Consider the times when you re-trigger locations that can impact your opponent with Legion. The Bear is, admittedly, a worse version since it only triggers on one location, but the old weakness of being a bad card that is sometimes active is now gone. This new card will sit in hand to be used only when it is an impactful situation. While it’s not a card you would consider putting into your deck by itself, as an additional card here it is actually a positive.

Variants

Moon Girl

On Reveal: Duplicate your hand.

Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

view card details Start a deck Decks with Moon Girl

Variants

Kitty Pryde

When this returns to your hand, +1 Power. Returns at the start of each turn.

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

view card details Start a deck Decks with Kitty Pryde

The card is not without it’s limitations. As the initial weak card must be played first, you have to be able to accept this loss of power over other 1-drops to get the later effects. This also means that you have to play the card early enough in the game to get the effects in time to make an impact. For the Hawk, this means playing it before Turn 6, but for the Bear you may need to play her much earlier. You have to have the energy available to play the card, as well as the time and space. She also does not make as big of an impact as Legion for certain circumstances, and she can give your opponent advantages that Scarlet Witch wouldn’t.

The Verdict

These are real disadvantages that may hold the card back. Still, the initial body is a 1-Cost and the two effects are potentially game winning, so we may find her making it onto lots of lists – not just the ones with direct synergy. Her overall success, however, may remain linked to decks that can get the dual benefit.

Decks including The Collector and Devil Dinosaur could also benefit, as the card not only adds power but also much needed flexibility to these decks. The effects may make them better at combating bad situations and locations as well as adding to the ceiling of these decks.

Potential Score:

Loki Collects

Loki Collects

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 8 months ago

0

4x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

1x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

2x 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

2.1

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

2.5

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

The very deck featured yesterday gets a brand new tool that may raise the ceiling of the deck even more. The only question is: what card do we replace for Snowguard? Both of the additional cards can help us, especially the Hawk. It can help get cards into locations like Crimson Cosmos that have been challenging so far, and it also allows us to counter decks that rely on Limbo or Flooded. This, along with the benefits for The Collector and Loki, makes Snowguard a natural fit.

Wave Lockout

Snowguard Lockout

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 8 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

5x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

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

2.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

3.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

This may not be what you expected to see next, but this deck can use the extra 1-drop in the early game to initiate Move effects on Silk. We then get the two auroras in hand, and they can be played to fill the curve or alongside Wave on Turn 5 for a miniature Legion sort of effect while locking the next turn.

Bounce

Bounce

Created by SafetyBlade

, updated 8 months ago

0

3x Collection Level 18-214 (Pool 1)

2x Collection Level 222-474 (Pool 2)

4x Collection Level 486+ (Pool 3)

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

1.8

Cost

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

1.8

Power

0-
1
2
3
4
5+

Bounce could profit significantly from the inclusion because it is a consistent way to add power to The Collector without relying on Falcon or Beast. This, in addition to the abilities assisting the deck compete where it would normally just fold, is a huge advantage. For example, the cards can be played on Turn 4 or Turn 5 alongside other set up cards.

Closing Thoughts

Snowguard seems well placed to support some of the strongest proven strategies in Marvel Snap. The effects can also find uses in plenty of other decks, and they are both unique. The Hawk, in particular, may be found to be useful in several strategies – as long as they can support playing a [1/2] earlier in the game. The flexibility is now a strength rather than a weakness, and this change in functionality gives us a new and exciting card to try!

Good Luck, Have Fun, and Stay Safe!