Marvel Snap's roster of animal companions has been rather limited, featuring only Cosmo, Groose, Zabu, and Hit Monkey—until now. The Brave New World season introduces Redwing, Falcon's avian ally, to the game.
Redwing's Mechanics in Marvel Snap
Redwing is a 3-cost, 4-power card with a unique ability: The first time it's moved, a card from your hand is added to its original location.
However, Redwing's usefulness is constrained by several factors: its one-time activation, rendering attempts to reuse it via cards like Symbiote Spider-Man ineffective. Precise card targeting with Redwing also proves challenging. Move decks often utilize low-cost cards (like Iron Fist) that are undesirable targets, while Scream decks typically manipulate opponent's cards rather than their own.
Despite these limitations, budget-friendly move options like Madame Web or Cloak (for lower Collection Level players) can effectively utilize Redwing. Its potential for surprising victories by strategically deploying cards like Galactus early or drawing powerful cards such as The Infinaut remains.
Optimal Redwing Deck Compositions (Day One)
Ares and Surtur, dominant in the previous season, return in a Scream-based deck incorporating Aero and Heimdall. Redwing surprisingly integrates well, although its use is often overshadowed by the priority of playing Surtur on turn 3. This deck, however, is expensive, featuring several Series 5 cards:
- Expensive Deck (Series 5 Heavy): Hydra Bob, Scream, Kraven, Captain America, Redwing, Polaris, Surtur, Ares, Cull Obsidian, Aero, Heimdall, Magneto. (Hydra Bob is replaceable with a 1-cost card like Rocket Raccoon or Iceman).
The strategy revolves around deploying Surtur on turn 3, followed by high-power cards to boost its strength. Scream offers an alternative win condition by stealing power. Polaris, Aero, and Magneto provide "push" capabilities, while Redwing can be moved into Heimdall to enhance Surtur and draw a high-power card.
Another potential deck incorporates Madame Web, although the Dagger nerf has diminished the viability of move-focused decks. Madame Web's Ongoing ability synergizes with recently popular Ongoing decks, offering a niche for Redwing:
- Ongoing Deck (Less Expensive): Ant-Man, Madame Web, Psylocke, Sam Wilson, Captain America, Luke Cage, Captain America, Redwing, Doom 2099, Iron Lad, Blue Marvel, Doctor Doom, Spectrum. (Madame Web is not strictly necessary, but removing her necessitates Redwing's removal for another Ongoing card like Mobius M. Mobius).
This deck prioritizes Doom 2099 to distribute power across locations. Madame Web assists in manipulating Doom 2099's effects, and provides an additional method to move Sam Wilson's shield. Redwing's activation is primarily through Madame Web. The late-game strategy involves playing Doctor Doom or Spectrum to secure victory.
Is Redwing Worth Investing In?
Currently, Redwing's value is questionable. Its underwhelming power and reliance on a less-than-optimal archetype suggest that saving resources for future cards is a wiser strategy. Significant buffs from Second Dinner would be needed to justify investing Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens in Redwing.
