Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross joins the Marvel Snap roster, portrayed by Harrison Ford in Captain America: Brave New World. While his acting pedigree is impressive, let's analyze if his in-game card lives up to the hype.
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 familiar effect (similar to Red Hulk and High Evolutionary-boosted cards) hinges on card draw, a potent mechanic in Marvel Snap. However, the restriction to 10+ power cards significantly limits its utility.
Currently, Ross can draw 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 one, if any, of these high-cost cards. Therefore, Ross's effectiveness is directly tied to deck composition. If your deck features several 10+ power cards, Ross becomes a valuable addition, offering both card draw and deck thinning. Red Guardian is his primary counter.
Best Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Decks
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 heavily on Series 5 cards (Hydra Bob, Surtur, Ares, Cull Obsidian, Skaar). Substitutions are possible (e.g., Iceman for Hydra Bob), but core cards are essential. The strategy centers on playing Surtur on turn 3, boosting its power with 10+ cards, making Skaar free. Juggernaut, Cosmo, and Armor provide crucial end-game control. Ross enhances consistency by drawing high-cost cards.
A Hela deck incorporating Ross might include: Black Knight, Blade, Ross, Lady Sif, Ghost Rider, War Machine, Hell Cow, Black Cat, Aero, Hela, The Infinaut, and Death. This deck utilizes high-power cards of varying costs to leverage Hela's ability. Ross facilitates drawing these cards for discarding. Black Knight and Ghost Rider provide early-game power.
Is Thaddeus Thunderbolt Ross Worth It?
Currently, unless you're dedicated to Surtur/Ares decks, Ross's value is questionable for players with limited resources. His effectiveness will increase with the addition of more 10+ power cards, but his niche application and the prevalence of Wiccan decks (which encourage opponent energy expenditure) limit his overall impact.
