Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross: A Deep Dive into Marvel Snap's Newest Addition
Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World, joins the Marvel Snap roster. While his star power is undeniable, let's analyze whether his in-game impact justifies the hype.
How Thunderbolt Ross Works
Ross is a 2-cost, 2-power card with a unique ability: When your opponent ends a turn with unused Energy, you draw a card with 10 or more Power. This mechanic, similar to Red Hulk and High Evolutionary effects, hinges on card draw – a potent force in Marvel Snap.
However, the restriction to cards with 10+ power significantly limits Ross's utility. 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. Therefore, Ross's effectiveness is directly tied to deck composition. Deck thinning, however, is a powerful strategy that Ross can facilitate.
Red Guardian remains his primary counter.
Optimal Deck Synergies
Thunderbolt Ross shines in Surtur decks. A sample Surtur deck includes: Zabu, Hydra Bob, Thunderbolt Ross, Armor, Cosmo, Juggernaut, Surtur, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, and Skaar. Note that this deck is heavily reliant on Series 5 cards. Substitutions are possible (e.g., Iceman for Hydra Bob, Aero for Cull Obsidian), but core cards remain essential. The strategy focuses on playing Surtur on turn 3 and bolstering its power with 10+ cards, enabling a free Skaar play.
A Hela deck also benefits from Ross: Black Knight, Blade, Thunderbolt Ross, Lady Sif, Ghost Rider, War Machine, Hell Cow, Black Cat, Aero, Hela, The Infinaut, and Death. Again, Series 5 cards (Black Knight and War Machine) present a potential hurdle. The goal is discarding high-power cards of varying costs for Hela's revival effect. Ross enhances consistency by drawing these high-power cards.
Is He Worth the Investment?
Currently, unless you're a dedicated Surtur/Ares player, Thunderbolt Ross may not be a worthwhile investment if resources are limited. His value will increase as more 10+ power cards are added, but his current niche limits his broader appeal. The prevalence of Wiccan decks, where opponents rarely leave unused energy, further diminishes his effectiveness.
