"OG God of War Joins Marvel Snap: Mortals Beware!"

Ares, the God of War, finds his way into the Marvel Comics universe with a unique blend of loyalty to war itself rather than any particular faction. This characteristic makes his presence in the Avengers under Norman Osborne's leadership intriguing, as he aligns with Osborne's aggressive strategies despite the villainous nature of the man. Ares' affinity for conflict and power aligns perfectly with his portrayal in both Marvel Comics and his card in Marvel Snap, where he thrives in environments filled with large, powerful entities.

When it comes to teaming up Ares in Marvel Snap, he doesn't fit into established synergies like those of Bullseye and Swarm or Victoria Hand and Moonstone. Instead, Ares works best in decks filled with high-power cards. A strategic approach involves using Ares alongside cards like Grandmaster or Odin to amplify his on-reveal ability, which can lead to cunning gameplay. A deck featuring Ares and Surtur could be particularly effective, focusing on repeating Ares' ability to maximize impact.

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To counter threats like Shang Chi and Shadow King, who could disrupt Ares' power, protective cards such as Cosmo or Armor are essential. These can shield Ares from being neutralized, ensuring his power remains intact.

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Despite his potential, Ares does not currently dominate the meta as a "Big Bad." While he boasts a significant power level, akin to cards like Gwenpool and Galacta, the rise of Control decks like Mill and Wiccan Control poses challenges. Ares requires specific deck construction to be effective, particularly against decks that disrupt or outpower him.

The Surtur archetype, which Ares could potentially enhance, currently has a modest win rate of around 51.5% at higher levels of play. Ares could be a game-changer in matchups against decks like Mill, where his power can escalate dramatically if the opponent runs out of cards.

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However, Ares faces competition from cards like Death, which offers similar power at a potentially lower cost. His effectiveness often hinges on a coin flip, where his power can either secure a win or fall short depending on the opponent's strategy.

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In scenarios where disruption is key, Ares can be paired with cards like Alioth, Cosmo, Man-Thing, and Red Guardian to execute a disruptive strategy effectively.

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In conclusion, while Ares brings a significant power level to the table, his current position in the meta suggests he might be the skip of the month. His effectiveness is highly dependent on specific deck builds and can be easily countered by prevalent strategies. Unless paired with a remarkable ability, even a [4/12] card like Ares struggles to maintain consistent success in the dynamic environment of Marvel Snap.