Marvel Snap's Marvel Rivals season is winding down, but a freebie from October's We Are Venom season remains: Lasher, obtainable via the returning High Voltage game mode. Is this symbiote worth the effort? Let's find out.
Lasher's Mechanics in Marvel Snap
Lasher is a 2-power, 2-cost card with the ability: "Activate: Afflict an enemy card here with negative Power equal to this card’s Power."
Essentially, Lasher inflicts -2 power on an opponent's card unless boosted. Given Marvel Snap's numerous buff options, Lasher's potential surpasses free cards like Agony and King Etri. For example, Namora can transform Lasher into a 7-power card, or even a 12-power card with Wong or Odin, effectively creating a 14 or 24-power play. He synergizes particularly well with the season pass card, Galacta.
Remember, as an "Activate" card, playing Lasher by turn 5 maximizes its impact.
Optimal Lasher Decks in Marvel Snap
While Lasher's meta position is still developing, he fits well within buff-heavy decks, especially Silver Surfer decks. These decks often lack 2-cost slots, but Lasher's late-game activation provides significant power swings. Consider this decklist:
Nova, Forge, Lasher, Okoye, Brood, Silver Surfer, Killmonger, Nakia, Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, Galacta. (Copyable from Untapped)
This deck features expensive Series 5 cards (Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, Galacta), but substitutes like Juggernaut or Polaris can replace most except Galacta. Lasher serves as a third target for Forge, ideally saved for Brood or Sebastian Shaw. After a turn 4 Galacta play, Lasher becomes crucial, turning into a 10-power card (a 5-power 2-cost card inflicting -5 power) with Galacta's buff, without consuming extra energy.
This Silver Surfer deck is flexible; experimentation is encouraged. Cards like Absorbing Man, Gwenpool, and Sera are notable omissions.
Lasher's strength lies in current meta decks with significant hand and board buffs. While he might appear in affliction decks without buffs, the combination with Namora as a primary buff card shows promise. Here's another example:
Agony, Zabu, Lasher, Psylocke, Hulk Buster, Jeff!, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, Namora. (Copyable from Untapped)
This high-cost deck necessitates several Series 5 cards (Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, and Namora). Nightcrawler can replace Jeff!. This deck relies on Galacta, Gwenpool, and Namora to buff Lasher and Scarlet Spider, spreading power across the board. Zabu and Psylocke accelerate 4-cost card deployment, and Symbiote Spider-Man reactivates Namora. Jeff! and Hulk Buster offer backup.
Is Lasher Worth the High Voltage Grind?
Given Marvel Snap's increasing cost, Lasher is a worthwhile acquisition if you have the time for High Voltage. This mode offers various rewards leading up to Lasher. He may not become a meta cornerstone, but similar to Agony, he'll likely see play in several meta-relevant decks.
