The Unstoppable Might of Thanos: Marvel Snap’s Best Decks for September 2023

He is inevitable. Once you can somehow get to Series Five, that is. Thanos, the formidable “Big Bad” card in Marvel Snap, has been dominating the meta for months. With his fully-kitted Infinity Gauntlet and six-energy, 10-Power card, he is undoubtedly one of the game’s most powerful assets.

But where does Thanos stand now? What are the strategies and decks that can maximize his potential? In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of Thanos in Marvel Snap, including the best decks to use him in, tips on countering him, and much more.

Thanos’ Card Abilities in Marvel Snap

Image via Snap.fan

“At the start of the game, shuffle the six Infinity Stones into your deck,” reads Thanos’s card text. Thanos and his Infinity Stones are a nightmare for both the Avengers and his Snap opponents. If you’re able to play out all six Infinity Stones from his deck, he becomes buffed to 20 overall Power, making him one of the strongest cards in the game.

The utility of the Infinity Stones goes beyond power alone. Each stone comes with unique abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Their combined power, when strategically used with other cards, can create an unstoppable force.

Here’s a breakdown of what each Infinity Stone does in Marvel Snap:

The Infinity Stones in Marvel Snap

• Mind Stone: On Reveal: Draw 2 Stones from your deck.
• Soul Stone: On Reveal: Draw a card. Ongoing: Enemy cards here have -1 Power.
• Time Stone: On Reveal: Draw a card. Next turn, you get +1 Energy.
• Reality Stone: On Reveal: Transform this location into a new one. Draw a card.
• Space Stone: On Reveal: Next turn, you can move one card to this location. Draw a card.
• Power Stone: Ongoing: If you’ve played all 6 stones, Thanos has +10 Power. (wherever he is)

Each stone’s unique ability also allows you to draw another card, increasing your chances of finding another stone to play and further powering up The Mad Titan.

Thanos Strategy in Marvel Snap

Play. Those. Stones. The general strategy with most Thanos decks is to play all of your Infinity Stones to buff Thanos as much as possible. Combine the stones and their abilities with other cards to spread out the Power across the board.

To achieve this strategy, you’ll need to fill up your board with Infinity Stones, which means you’ll likely clog up your own side. This is where Destroy cards come in handy. They help clear Thanos’s side of the board once the stones are played, allowing for a smoother gameplay experience.

Best Combo Synergy with Thanos in Marvel Snap

Even after getting nerfed, there’s one card that synergizes best with The Mad Titan: Lockjaw. The teleporting dog remains the best method for playing out as many of your stones as possible, with a little bit of luck. Playing Lockjaw as soon as possible and then playing as many stones as you can at his position will give you the best chance of finding and playing out all six stones.

Lockjaw can be found in just about any popular Thanos deck. However, there are several other cards that synergize well with him, such as Blue Marvel, Ka-Zar, Carnage, Deathlok, Killmonger, Wave, and Death. Depending on your playstyle, you can choose those that either keep your board filled up with stones or clear it for other bigger cards.

The Best Thanos Decks in Marvel Snap

Lockjaw Thanos

Such a good boy. Screenshot via snap.fan

Players looking for a strong Thanos deck should consider snapping if they have drawn several of the following cards: Lockjaw, Shang-Chi, Blue Marvel, and Thanos. This deck relies on playing high-cost, high-power cards, making the Infinity Stones crucial to provide options for early-game plays.

Lockjaw plays a vital role in this deck by allowing you to activate abilities by playing cards at his location and then swapping with another card in your deck. This enables you to play the Infinity Stones multiple times or swiftly get high-power cards out of your deck. By the final turns, with cards like She-Hulk, Thanos, America Chavez, and Magneto in play, victory is almost guaranteed.

Thanos Death

Embrace Death. Screenshot via snap.fan

In this deck, players should consider snapping if they have drawn several of the following cards: Knull, Death, Killmonger, and Thanos. The focus here is to play as many stones as possible and destroy cards to reduce the cost of Death and increase Knull’s power. While Thanos’ power may take a backseat to Knull, having him as an option on turn six can still be advantageous.

Killmonger plays a crucial role in this deck by destroying all cards played in the game with a cost of one, including any Infinity Stones that have been played. This significantly reduces the cost of Death in one fell swoop.

Ongoing Thanos

Keep it going. Screenshot via snap.fan

For players who prefer an ongoing card-focused deck that works well with Thanos, this deck is perfect. Cards like Kazar and Blue Marvel boost the low power of any Infinity Stones you have played. Spectrum becomes a game-changer in the final turn, providing additional Power to any ongoing cards you have played. Onslaught and Thanos offer a wide array of options on turn six.

With Armor and Cosmo in the deck, you have powerful counters against destroy decks or opponents looking to utilize On Reveal abilities. This well-rounded deck is both potent and defensively sound.

Thanos Galactus

Destroyer of worlds. Screenshot via Snap.fan

This deck does not focus on bringing Thanos into play but takes advantage of the addition of Infinity Stones in the deck, which can be destroyed to reduce the cost of Death. Playing Wave on turn three or four, followed by Galactus, will quickly alter the tide of the game by destroying the locations where Galactus was not played. Death and Knull can be played on subsequent turns, utilizing the combined power of every card destroyed in the game.

How to Counter Thanos Decks in Marvel Snap

Killmonger is a great card to counter Thanos decks that aim to fill the board with stones. However, it can be a risky play if the opponent is using a Thanos Death deck, as it may inadvertently help them. Disrupting opponents who are trying to draw stones can be effective. Cards like Rock Slide and Darkhawk can fill their deck with garbage or gain power with each additional card in your opponent’s deck, respectively. Leech is also an excellent catch-all card that can nullify the abilities of Thanos, the stones, and any combo cards the opponent may have.

By following these strategies and understanding the nuances of each deck, you can master Thanos in Marvel Snap and unleash his unparalleled power on your opponents. Good luck and happy snapping!