Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross has arrived in Marvel Snap, the character portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. While his acting pedigree is impressive, let's analyze whether Ross makes a significant impact on the meta.

How Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Works

Ross is a 2-cost, 2-power card with the ability: "When your opponent ends a turn with unspent Energy, draw a card with 10 or more Power." This effect, similar to Red Hulk and High Evolutionary-influenced cards, is potent due to the power of card draw in Marvel Snap. However, the restriction to 10+ power cards limits its applicability. Currently, this includes cards like Attuma, Black Cat, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, Typhoid Mary, Aero, Heimdall, Helicarrier, Red Hulk, Sasquatch, She-Hulk, Skaar, Thanos (if generated), Orka, Emperor Hulkling, Hulk, Magneto, Death, Red Skull, Agatha Harkness (if generated), Giganto, Destroyer, and The Infinaut.

Most decks contain only a few, if any, of these high-cost cards. Therefore, Ross's effectiveness hinges on deck composition. Deck thinning is a powerful strategy, making Ross valuable in decks with multiple high-power cards. His primary counter is Red Guardian.

Best Decks for Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross

Ross synergizes well with Surtur decks. A sample Surtur deck includes: Zabu, Hydra Bob, Ross, Armor, Cosmo, Juggernaut, Surtur, Ares, Attuma, Crossbones, Cull Obsidian, and Skaar. This deck relies on playing Surtur on turn 3 and then playing 10+ power cards to boost Surtur's power to 10, making Skaar free. Juggernaut and Cosmo provide end-game counters, and Armor protects against Shang-Chi. Ross significantly enhances this deck by drawing crucial high-cost cards.

A Hela deck also benefits from Ross: Black Knight, Blade, Ross, Lady Sif, Ghost Rider, War Machine, Hell Cow, Black Cat, Aero, Hela, The Infinaut, and Death. The strategy revolves around discarding high-power cards of varying costs to resurrect with Hela on the final turn. Ross improves consistency by drawing these high-power cards for discarding.

Is Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Worth the Investment?

Currently, unless you're a dedicated Surtur/Ares player, Ross may not be a worthwhile investment if resources are limited. His value will increase as more 10+ power cards are added to the game, but his niche application and the current meta dominance of Wiccan decks (where opponents rarely leave unspent energy) currently hinder his overall utility.