Marvel Snap: The Best Martyr Deck

Martyr is the latest passive card in Marvel Snap with the ability to move to the losing location when possible. Her effect is the exact opposite of Captain Marvel’s, creating a controversial synergy between the two. In this guide, fans can learn how to build a META deck for Martyr and turn her into a cheap powerhouse—without any side effects. In addition to building a deck, this guide will also cover how players can counter Martyr if they happen to encounter this card.

The Best Deck for Martyr

An effective lineup for Marty is a clog-up deck with Ka-Zar and Onslaught. To assemble this setup, players will need to gather five one-Cost cards (Squirrel Girl, Kitty Pryde, Ant-Man, Nightcrawler, and Martyr herself) and team them up with Angela, Beast, Onslaught, Ultron, Ka-Zar, Professor X, and Captain Marvel.

Here’s how the cards would synergize with Martyr:

One-cost cards help clog lanes, so Martyr can’t move. Ka-Zar boosts the one-cost cards, so they’re more effective. Captain Marvel nullifies Martyr’s negative effect. Beast is a Joker card to retrieve one-cost cards, turn them into zero-cost mini powerhouses, and rearrange them on the board. Professor X locks down one location, trapping Martyr or leaving her outside. Onslaught retriggers Ka-Zar’s effect for another buff. Ultron is Plan B for when the enemy destroys one-cost cards. (He creates four one-Power Drones in each other location.

How to Play Martyr

Martyr is a risk-inducing card. To play her effectively, players will negate or nullify her text before the final round. There are three strategies to do so:

Trap Martyr in clogged lanes. Leaving her no options to fly to will nullify her effect, keeping her in the initial lane. A Ka-Zoo deck is an excellent choice for this method. Balance Martyr’s negative effect with Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel has Martyr’s mirror effect; she can fly to a location that will win the game. Pairing up these two cards, therefore, would zero out the final effect. Block Martyr’s lane with Professor X. His effect will lock Martyr in or out of a lane, depending on where she’s dropped.

How to Counter Martyr

Since Martyr has an enemy-benefiting text, she does not need to be countered. Contrarily, players will need to trigger her effect while playing against her. They must unclog lanes on the opposing side, so she can move there—and cause the opponent to lose.

Is Martyr Worth It?

Considering the Cost-Power ratio, Martyr is not worth it. There are far better one-cost options in the current metagame that could replace her in most decks; think Blade (one-cost, three-power), Zero (one-cost, three-power), and Titania (one-cost, five-power). Of course, future OTA patches will likely buff Martyr, turning her into at least a five-power card. So, some players might consider her an early investment in November’s Spotlight Caches.