Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross has arrived in Marvel Snap, joining the roster as the character portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. While his in-game presence might not be immediately meta-defining, his unique ability warrants a closer look.

How Thunderbolt Ross Works

Ross is a 2-cost, 2-power card with the following 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 drawing a single card is generally powerful, Ross's restriction to cards with 10+ power significantly limits his applicability. Currently, this includes 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-power cards. However, decks featuring multiple such cards will find Ross a valuable addition, enhancing consistency and acting as a form of deck thinning. Red Guardian serves as a direct counter.

Optimal Deck Synergies

Thunderbolt Ross synergizes particularly well with Surtur decks. A sample Surtur deck incorporating Ross might include: Zabu, Hydra Bob, Thunderbolt Ross, Armor, Cosmo, Juggernaut, Surtur, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, and Skaar. Note that this deck features several Series 5 cards (Hydra Bob, Surtur, Ares, Cull Obsidian, Skaar), requiring potential substitutions like Iceman, Nico Minoru, or Spider-Ham for Hydra Bob, and Aero for Cull Obsidian. The primary strategy involves playing Surtur on turn 3, then utilizing high-power cards to boost Surtur's power to 10, making Skaar free to play. Juggernaut, Cosmo, and Armor provide crucial end-game protection. Ross enhances consistency by drawing high-cost cards.

A Hela deck can also benefit from Ross. An example deck 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 aims to discard high-power cards of varying costs for Hela's revival on the final turn. Ross assists in drawing these crucial cards. War Machine can be substituted with Ares or Swordmaster.

Is He Worth the Investment?

Currently, unless you are a dedicated Surtur/Ares player, Thunderbolt Ross may not justify the investment of Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens, especially given the prevalence of Wiccan decks (which minimize unspent energy). His value will likely increase as more 10+ power cards are added to the game.