Marvel Snap's High Voltage mode offers a free Lasher card, a symbiote leftover from the October We Are Venom season. But is this new addition worth the effort? Let's find out.
Lasher's Mechanics in Marvel Snap
Lasher is a 2-cost, 2-power card with the ability: "Activate: Afflict an enemy card here with negative Power equal to this card’s Power." Essentially, Lasher inflicts -2 power on an opponent's card unless boosted. This simple ability, combined with Marvel Snap's numerous buff options, gives Lasher more potential than similar free cards like Agony and King Etri. For example, Namora can boost Lasher to 7 power, or even 12 with Wong or Odin, resulting in a significant -12 or -24 power swing. He synergizes particularly well with the season pass card, Galacta.
Remember, as an "Activate" card, Lasher needs to be played by turn 5 to maximize its effect.
Optimal Lasher Decks
While Lasher's meta position is still developing, he fits well into buff-heavy decks, notably Silver Surfer decks. Here's an example:
Nova, Forge, Lasher, Okoye, Brood, Silver Surfer, Killmonger, Nakia, Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, Galacta. (Copyable list available from Untapped.)
This deck features expensive Series 5 cards (Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, and Galacta), but substitutions are possible (e.g., Juggernaut or Polaris for Galacta). Lasher serves as a third target for Forge, often paired with Brood or Sebastian Shaw. After playing Galacta on turn 4, Lasher becomes a valuable target for remaining buffs, effectively becoming a 10-power card (a 5-power Lasher boosted by Galacta inflicting -5 power).
Another potential deck, although very expensive, centers around Namora's buffing capabilities:
Agony, Zabu, Lasher, Psylocke, Hulk Buster, Jeff!, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, Namora. (Copyable list from Untapped.)
This deck relies heavily on Series 5 cards (Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, and Namora). The goal is to use Galacta, Gwenpool, and Namora to boost Lasher and Scarlet Spider, spreading power across the board. Zabu and Psylocke help deploy high-cost cards early, and Symbiote Spider-Man reactivates Namora. Jeff! and Hulk Buster provide backup.
Is Lasher Worth the Grind?
Given the increasing cost of Marvel Snap, Lasher is a worthwhile acquisition if you have the time to complete High Voltage. The mode offers various rewards, making the grind worthwhile. While not a guaranteed meta staple, Lasher, much like Agony, will likely see play in several meta-relevant decks.
