Quick Links
In the latest season of Marvel SNAP, Dark Avengers, Iron Patriot emerges as the star of the Season Pass. This two-Cost, three-Power On Reveal card enhances your hand by adding a high-Cost card, potentially at a discount. Iron Patriot seamlessly integrates into the card-generation archetype, echoing the strategies that once made Devil Dino a dominant force in the meta. Here’s how you can leverage Iron Patriot to its fullest potential in the current Marvel SNAP environment.
Iron Patriot (2–3)
On Reveal: Add a random 4, 5, or 6-Cost card to your hand. If you’re winning here after the next turn, give it -4 Cost.
Series: Season Pass
Season: Dark Avengers
Release: January 7, 2025
The Best Deck for Iron Patriot
Iron Patriot thrives within the card-generation archetype, particularly when combined with Devil Dino and Victoria Hand. To harness this synergy, construct a deck featuring Iron Patriot, Dino, and Victoria Hand, complemented by these key cards: Sentinel, Quinjet, Valentina, Mirage, Frigga, Mobius M. Mobius, Moon Girl, Agent Coulson, and Kate Bishop.
| Card | Cost | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Patriot | 2 | 3 |
| Devil Dino | 5 | 3 |
| Victoria Hand | 2 | 3 |
| Mobius M. Mobius | 3 | 3 |
| Sentinel | 2 | 3 |
| Quinjet | 1 | 2 |
| Moon Girl | 4 | 5 |
| Valentina | 2 | 3 |
| Agent Coulson | 3 | 4 |
| Mirage | 2 | 2 |
| Kate Bishop | 2 | 3 |
| Frigga | 3 | 4 |
For added security against counterattacks, consider swapping Frigga for Cosmo.
Iron Patriot Deck Synergies
- Iron Patriot adds a discounted high-Cost card to your hand, fueling your strategy.
- Valentina, Sentinel, Mirage, Agent Coulson, Moon Girl, and Kate Bishop generate cards, helping to trigger Victoria Hand’s ability.
- Quinjet discounts the generated cards, making them easier to play.
- Frigga copies one of your cards, activating Victoria’s effect while potentially doubling a key ability like Iron Patriot’s.
- Mobius M. Mobius prevents opponents from altering your cards’ Costs.
- Devil Dino is the win condition, leveraging the cards in your hand to deliver powerful buffs.
How to Play Iron Patriot Effectively
To make the most out of Iron Patriot, consider these strategic tips:
- Surprise Lane Placement: Iron Patriot's discount activates only if you win his location on the following turn. Place him in a lane your opponent is less likely to contest early. Alternatively, use combos like Ebony Maw + War Machine to secure his lane, though be cautious about over-committing resources.
- Hand Size Management: If Devil Dinosaur is your win condition, manage your hand size carefully. Play card generators only when your hand can accommodate new cards. For instance, hold off on using Agent Coulson if your hand is already full.
- Focus on Discounted Duplicates: When using duplication effects like Moon Girl, aim to play her after benefiting from Iron Patriot's discount or other cost-reduction effects to maximize the value of the duplicates.
How to Counter Iron Patriot
To counter an Iron Patriot deck, focus on two strategies: Cost-manipulation and hand clogging. Iron Patriot players need Energy and space (both in hand and on the board) to function effectively. Here are some effective cards to disrupt their strategy:
- US Agent, Cosmo, Iceman, Wave, Sandman, and Shadow King are excellent for cost manipulation.
- The junk archetype’s cards, like Green Goblin and Hobgoblin, can clog the opponent’s hand and disrupt their strategy.
- Given the prevalence of Victoria Hand in Iron Patriot decks, using Valkyrie can be a tactical move to strip away crucial buffs in one lane.
Is Iron Patriot Worth It?
While Iron Patriot isn't a game-changer like Arishem, it's a solid card that competitive players can benefit from including in their decks. However, it may not be worth purchasing SNAP’s premium pass for. Free-to-play players might want to focus on Victoria Hand, who enables similar card-generation strategies without relying on Iron Patriot.
