Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross joins the Marvel Snap roster, portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. While his casting suggests a potentially impactful card, let's analyze his viability.
Thunderbolt Ross in Marvel Snap
Ross is a 2-cost, 2-power card with the ability: "When your opponent ends a turn with unspent Energy, draw a card with 10 or more Power." This mechanic, similar to Red Hulk and High Evolutionary effects, hinges on card draw. While card draw is potent, Ross's restriction to 10+ power cards limits its applications.
Currently, he can draw cards like Attuma, Black Cat, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Typhoid Mary, Aero, Heimdall, Helicarrier, Red Hulk, Sasquatch, She-Hulk, Skaar, Thanos (if generated), Orka, Emperor Hulkling, Hulk, Magneto, Death, Red Skull, Agatha Harkness (if generated), Giganto, Destroyer, and The Infinaut. Most decks contain only one, if any, of these high-cost cards. Therefore, Ross's effectiveness is directly tied to deck composition. Decks with multiple high-power cards benefit significantly from his deck-thinning capabilities. Red Guardian directly counters Ross.
Optimal Decks for Thunderbolt Ross
Ross synergizes well with Surtur decks. A sample Surtur deck includes: Zabu, Hydra Bob, Thunderbolt Ross, Armor, Cosmo, Juggernaut, Surtur, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, and Skaar. This deck relies heavily on Series 5 cards, making it less accessible. Substitutions are possible, replacing Hydra Bob with Iceman, Nico Minoru, or Spider-Ham, and Cull Obsidian with Aero if necessary. The strategy involves playing Surtur on turn 3, then playing 10-power cards to boost Surtur's power to 10, making Skaar free. Juggernaut, Cosmo, and Armor provide counterplay. Ross significantly enhances this deck by drawing crucial high-cost cards.
A Hela deck incorporating Ross might include: Black Knight, Blade, Thunderbolt Ross, Lady Sif, Ghost Rider, War Machine, Hell Cow, Black Cat, Aero, Hela, The Infinaut, and Death. This deck utilizes high-power cards of varying costs, discarded to be revived by Hela. Ross aids in drawing these high-power cards for discard. Black Knight and Ghost Rider provide consistent early-game power.
Is Thunderbolt Ross Worth the Investment?
Currently, unless you're dedicated to Surtur/Ares decks, Ross isn't a priority for players with limited resources. His value will increase with the addition of more 10+ power cards, but his niche application and the prevalence of Wiccan decks (which discourage unspent energy) limit his immediate impact.
