Marvel Snap might not be the new kid on the block anymore, but it's still one of Android's best collectible card games. But while it's easy to pick up and play, winning your way to the higher ranks requires advanced knowledge of the game's mechanics. Fortunately, we're here to help.
We'll walk you through essential tips and tricks for advanced Marvel Snap gameplay. Once you've read this, you'll be ready to take your games to the next level. So grab your Android tablet and prepare yourself.
1 Never play unrevealed locations
Getting a head start on an unrevealed location can be tempting, but predicting what locations will appear is impossible. While playing cards in unknown spots occasionally pays off, this strategy won't pan out in the long run.
The only exception to this rule is cards with the Move keyword, like Nightcrawler. Playing one of these cards into an unrevealed location lets you take advantage of beneficial locations while leaving the door open to escape from a dangerous one. However, as a rule of thumb, always assume that an unrevealed location is harmful to your strategy.
New to Marvel Snap? Check out our beginner's guide for a firm grounding in the basics before you explore these advanced tips.
2 Build your Marvel Snap deck around one or two cards
Browsing the best meta decks is essential, even if you don't want to win with prebuilt decks. While playing with these decks isn't as satisfying as creating your own, they can teach you important lessons. For example, you'll notice they're built around two or more "anchor" cards rather than a random selection of high-tier cards.
While your deck should consist of complimentary cards, these "anchor" cards will usually be what scores you the win. Classic examples include Red Skull/Taskmaster, Odin/Wong, and M.O.D.O.K/America Chavez. Don't forget to have backups, as you may not draw these critical cards in a game, and always know when to Snap (more on that later).
America Chavez means M.O.D.O.K won't leave you with a weak card on Turn 6.
3 Upgrade your cards efficiently
This tip won't help you win games but will ensure you rank up the Collection Track efficiently, thus earning you new cards faster.
Boosters are earned much faster than Credits, so if you ignore this upgrade strategy, you'll end up with plenty of boosters but no credits to upgrade them.
Regardless of your strategy, you'll have extra boosters, but this method minimizes the discrepancy between boosters and credits.
To upgrade your cards efficiently, follow these steps:
- Ensure every card is at least Uncommon rank.
- Upgrade one card at a time to Infinity rank, then Split it.
- Go back to step 1.
This method will ensure you're making the most efficient use of your Credits and is the quickest way to increase your Collection Level.
Don't spend your Credits on Fast Upgrade; this is the most inefficient way to use your Credits.
The final Infinity level allows you to create an alternate rainbow card.
4 Snap as early as possible
While it may be tempting only to Snap when victory is assured on Turn 5, your opponent will likely surrender in these situations, thus earning you a measly one cube. Alternatively, If your opponent calls your Snap on Turn 5, they presumably believe they can beat you, resulting in a potential loss of eight cubes, and it'll be too late to back out. Know your deck well, and Snap as soon as you've got the winning combo.
While this strategy can result in disaster, experienced players will be able to read the board well. Snapping early results in two cubes if your opponent surrenders rather than one and will also allow you to back out early and avoid losing eight cubes if the tables turn.
5 Avoid playing cards for the sake of it
It's a rare game that's won on Turn 1, so don't worry if you can't put a card down immediately. Having more 2-cost cards can result in a better Turn 2 and set up powerful cards like Sera later on.
While missing out on Turn 2 can be a little riskier, it's still OK to skip it sometimes. For example, saving Lizard for later turns means your opponent won't have time to counter it.
While powerful, both cards are easily countered when played early.
6 Build your Marvel Snap strategy around locations, not cards
Our Marvel Snap review noted that locations were possibly the best feature of Marvel Snap. They're also the most crucial feature, as they have a decisive effect on your strategy. Locations favor certain decks, but barring including Uatu (which we don't recommend), you'll be waiting until turn three to finalize your strategy. Locations like Onslaught's Citadel and Kamar-Taj can be critical to winning or losing, so prioritize these when choosing what card to play next.
Rhino and Scarlet Witch are handy cards to circumvent problematic locations, so it's worth keeping one of these in reserve in case the locations aren't in your favor.
7 Learn common decks
While you're browsing the best decks for new ideas, make a note of which ones are most popular. You can't know exactly what your opponent has in their hands, but you can make some educated guesses based on what cards they play and the current meta.
Take screenshots of popular deck lists, and keep them on hand so you can check on them as play.
This knowledge is invaluable to your success in the game, and while you won't be right 100% of the time, with enough practice, you can immediately pick out popular combos. (e.g., if Sunspot is on the field, and they don't play a card turn five, expect a turn six Infininaut.)
Not knowing these common combinations can be devastating to your strategy.
8 Decide who reveals first
The player winning the most locations reveals their cards first (indicated by the glowing border around their username). Depending on your deck, you may want to reveal second (handy for cards like Shang-Chi) or first (the perfect time to use Cosmo). Dictating the course of play is challenging while managing your cards and locations, but it can radically change the game's outcome.
Playing these cards at the wrong moment can render them useless.
9 Try to win two locations, not three
It's easy to get caught up in the action and try to win all the locations on the board. This isn't necessary and can result in losing games if you spread your power too thin. Trick your opponent into playing all their high-power cards at one spot while you spread your cards over the other two. Move cards are a great way to confuse your opponent, but cards like Ultron and Dr. Doom can snatch control of other locations in a flash.
10 Practice playing with a friend in Battle Mode
Sometimes, it's hard to tell where you've gone wrong in a game, but unless you're playing in the highest ranks it'll be a while before you battle the same deck again. Battle Mode is Marvel Snap's newest game mode that lets you play against a friend over multiple rounds. While this mode follows different rules to the standard Marvel Snap game mode, it's still a great way to practice playing against a specific deck.
You're ready to master Marvel Snap
Following this guide will help you reach the highest ranks, but practice makes perfect. Experiment with different decks until you find the one that clicks (This might not be the "best" one).
Marvel Snap's competitive gameplay is fun but tiring. Once you've hit the next milestone in the ranked ladder, take a break with these casual Android games.