Discard players, rejoice! Khonshu, the God of the Moon, has joined *Marvel Snap*, bringing a powerful new tool for discard-centric decks. This card, released by Second Dinner, is one of the most intricate we've seen yet, so let's delve into how Khonshu operates in the game.
How Khonshu Works in *Marvel Snap*
Khonshu is a 6-cost, 5-power card with an ability that states: "When discarded, returns in its next phase. On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 5."
Khonshu's 'next phase' transforms into a 6-cost, 8-power card with the ability: "When discarded, returns in its final phase. On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 8."
Finally, Khonshu's 'final phase' becomes a 6-cost, 12-power card with the ability: "On Reveal: Resurrect a card you discarded to another location with its Power set to 12."
Each time Khonshu is discarded, he returns to your hand and upgrades himself, enhancing his On Reveal effect significantly. This mechanic is similar to that of Apocalypse. The strategy with Khonshu often involves discarding him one or two times before playing him on the final turn to resurrect a card like Iron Man or Gorr the God Butcher, which benefits from a power boost. While Khonshu can't target a specific card for revival, playing his 12-power final phase on turn 6 to bring back a 1-cost card like Meek with 12 power can often secure a win.
Best Day One Khonshu Decks in *Marvel Snap*
Finding the optimal deck for Khonshu will require experimentation, as he doesn't fit seamlessly into traditional discard decks. Instead, he seems best suited for a Darkhawk-style Stature list or other alternative discard-type decks. Here's a look at a Darkhawk-style deck:
- Korg
- Blade
- Fenris Wolf
- Juggernaut
- Moon Knight
- Lady Sif
- Rock Slide
- Silver Samurai
- Darkhawk
- Black Bolt
- Stature
- Khonshu
[ttpp]
This deck includes only one Series 5 card, Fenris Wolf, which is crucial for winning by resurrecting an opponent's discarded card. The strategy involves filling your opponent's deck with rocks to boost Darkhawk's power and discarding Khonshu as often as possible. Key cards like Moon Knight, Silver Samurai, and Blade help ensure Khonshu gets discarded multiple times. The timing of discarding cards is crucial; you want Moon Knight to hit Khonshu, not Rock Slide. The goal is to play Stature early, then Darkhawk on turn 5, and Khonshu on turn 6 to resurrect a card with 8-12 power.
While Khonshu might not replace Apocalypse in traditional discard decks, there's potential for experimentation. Here's a deck that incorporates both Khonshu and Apocalypse, utilizing Corvus Glaive for energy ramp:
- Miek
- Scorn
- Blade
- Morbius
- Swarm
- Moon Knight
- Corvus Glaive
- Lady Sif
- Dracula
- MODOK
- Khonshu
- Apocalypse
[ttpp]
This deck includes Scorn as the only Series 5 card, which can be swapped for another discard activator like Colleen Wing or X-23 for more energy ramp. The strategy revolves around using Corvus Glaive on turn 3 to enable playing Khonshu alongside other discard activators, boosting Apocalypse and flooding the board. Whether this deck can outperform traditional discard decks without Khonshu remains to be seen, but it's likely you'll get Khonshu to his final phase with Moon Knight, Blade, and Lady Sif while keeping Apocalypse strong for Dracula to absorb.
Is Khonshu Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens?
Regardless of your interest in discard decks, Khonshu is both powerful and intriguing. He's likely to become meta-relevant in hybrid discard decks, making him a worthwhile investment if you have the resources. His unique mechanics and potential for game-changing plays justify spending Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector's Tokens on him.
