*Marvel Snap* enthusiasts have long noted the scarcity of animal companions within the game, with characters like Cosmo, Groose, Zabu, and Hit Monkey being the notable exceptions. However, with the introduction of the Brave New World season, Falcon's loyal sidekick, Redwing, joins the ranks of these beloved furry and feathered allies.
How Redwing Works in Marvel Snap
Redwing enters the fray as a 3-cost card with 4 power, equipped with a unique ability: "The first time this moves, add a card from your hand to the old location." This ability, while intriguing, comes with significant limitations. Redwing can only activate once per game, meaning strategies involving Symbiote Spider-Man or bouncing Redwing back to the hand for a second play are off the table.
Moreover, precisely targeting a card with Redwing can prove challenging. Move decks typically include smaller cards like Iron Fist, which may not be ideal for Redwing's effect. Conversely, decks built around Scream focus on disrupting the opponent's board rather than moving cards on your side.
Despite these limitations, there are affordable ways to move Redwing, such as using Madame Web or Cloak, which can be advantageous for players with lower Collection Levels. Clever plays with Redwing might even secure unexpected victories, like deploying Galactus early or pulling a high-value card like The Infinaut.
Best Day One Redwing Decks in Marvel Snap
Last season's powerhouses, Ares and Surtur, return with a new Scream-based deck, integrating Aero and Heimdall to disrupt opponents and gain power. Redwing fits into this strategy, albeit with the caveat that playing Surtur on turn 3 is usually preferable. Here's the deck list:
- Hydra Bob
- Scream
- Kraven
- Captain America
- Redwing
- Polaris
- Surtur
- Ares
- Cull Obsidian
- Aero
- Heimdall
- Magneto
This deck is notably expensive, featuring several Series 5 cards: Hydra Bob, Scream, Redwing, Surtur, Ares, and Cull Obsidian. If Hydra Bob is out of reach, consider substituting with Rocket Raccoon or Iceman. The strategy focuses on playing Surtur on turn 3, followed by high-power cards to boost Surtur's power, with an alternative win condition via Scream. Cards like Polaris, Aero, and Magneto help push opponent's cards, while Redwing and Heimdall can buff Surtur and pull a powerful card from your hand.
Another potential deck for Redwing involves Madame Web, especially since Dagger's nerf has diminished the viability of move decks. This deck leans into the Ongoing archetype, which has seen a resurgence:
- Ant-Man
- Madame Web
- Psylocke
- Sam Wilson
- Captain America
- Luke Cage
- Captain America
- Redwing
- Doom 2099
- Iron Lad
- Blue Marvel
- Doctor Doom
- Spectrum
This deck includes two Series 5 cards: Madame Web and Doom 2099. If you exclude Madame Web, Redwing should also be replaced with another Ongoing card like Mobius M. Mobius. The deck's primary strategy is to deploy Doom 2099 early to spread power across locations. Madame Web aids this by allowing you to move Doom 2099's bots and Sam Wilson's shield, and importantly, she enables Redwing's single activation to pull a card from your hand. On turn 6, you'll aim to play either Doctor Doom or Spectrum to further distribute or spike power for a win.
Is Redwing Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens?
Currently, Redwing does not justify spending Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens. Its underwhelming power and the niche archetype it supports suggest that players should conserve resources for more impactful cards that may be released later in the month or in future updates. Unless Second Dinner significantly buffs Redwing, it remains a less desirable addition to your *Marvel Snap* collection.
