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In the latest season of Marvel SNAP, dubbed Dark Avengers, the spotlight shines on Iron Patriot, the premium Season Pass card. This two-Cost, three-Power On Reveal card has the ability to add a random high-Cost card to your hand, which could even come with a discount. Iron Patriot aligns perfectly with the card-generation archetype, echoing the successful strategies that once dominated with Devil Dino. Here’s how you can harness Iron Patriot's full potential in the current Marvel SNAP metagame.
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
To truly make Iron Patriot shine, you'll want to pair him with a deck that complements his card-generation abilities. A deck featuring Devil Dino and Victoria Hand is ideal. Here's the lineup that maximizes this synergy:
| 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 |
If you're concerned about enemy 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 is a tech card that 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 get the most out of Iron Patriot, follow these strategic tips:
- Play Iron Patriot to a surprise lane: Iron Patriot's discount activates only if you win his location on the following turn. Drop him in a lane your opponent is unlikely to contest early. Alternatively, combos like Ebony Maw + War Machine can secure his lane, though this might risk over-committing resources.
- Manage your hand size: If Devil Dinosaur is your win condition, carefully control your hand size. Play card generators only when your hand can accommodate their additions. For instance, avoid 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 main strategies: Cost-manipulation and clog. Iron Patriot players need Energy and space (both in hand and on the board) to play effectively. Any card that interferes with these aspects of the gameplay will counter it.
Some effective counters include US Agent, Cosmo, Iceman, Wave, Sandman, and Shadow King. Additionally, you can use the junk archetype’s cards, like Green Goblin and Hobgoblin, to disrupt the opponent’s strategy.
Given that most Iron Patriot decks utilize Victoria Hand, a cheeky response with Valkyrie can remove the enemy’s critical buffs in one lane.
Is Iron Patriot Worth It?
While Iron Patriot won’t redefine the meta like Arishem, it’s a solid addition worth considering. Competitive players will find value in including Iron Patriot in their decks. However, it’s not the kind of card that justifies buying SNAP’s premium pass. Free-to-play (F2P) players can safely skip it and focus on Victoria Hand instead, as she enables the same card-generation archetype without depending on Iron Patriot.
