Unlocking Lasher in Marvel Snap: A Symbiotic Addition?

While the Marvel Rivals season in Marvel Snap is winding down, a freebie from October's "We Are Venom" season remains: Lasher, obtainable through the returning High Voltage game mode. But is this latest symbiote worth the effort?

Lasher's Mechanics

Lasher is a 2-power, 2-cost 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. Given Marvel Snap's numerous buff options, Lasher offers more potential than free cards like Agony and King Etri. For example, Namora can enhance Lasher to 7 power, or even 12 (or 24 with Wong/Odin), significantly impacting the game. He synergizes particularly well with the season pass card, Galacta.

Remember, as an "Activate" card, playing Lasher by turn 5 maximizes its effect.

Optimal Lasher Decks

While Lasher's meta position is still developing, he fits well into buff-heavy decks, especially Silver Surfer decks. While Silver Surfer decks usually lack space for 2-cost cards, Lasher's late-game activation can dramatically shift power. Consider this decklist:

Nova, Forge, Lasher, Okoye, Brood, Silver Surfer, Killmonger, Nakia, Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, Galacta. (Copyable from Untapped)

This deck features expensive Series 5 cards (Red Guardian, Sebastian Shaw, Copycat, Galacta). However, except for Galacta, these can be replaced with 3-cost cards like Juggernaut or Polaris. Lasher serves as a third target for Forge, often saved for Brood or Sebastian Shaw. After playing Galacta on turn 4, Lasher becomes crucial, effectively acting as a 10-power card (a 2-cost 5-power card inflicting -5 power with Galacta's buff).

This Silver Surfer deck is adaptable; consider omitting cards like Absorbing Man, Gwenpool, and Sera. Lasher thrives in decks with substantial hand and board buffs. While he might appear in affliction decks without buffs, experimentation with Namora as a primary buff card is promising.

Another potential deck (though very expensive):

Agony, Zabu, Lasher, Psylocke, Hulk Buster, Jeff!, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, Namora. (Copyable from Untapped)

This deck heavily relies on Series 5 cards (Scarlet Spider, Galacta, Gwenpool, Symbiote Spider-Man, Namora). Jeff! can be swapped for Nightcrawler. The strategy centers on Galacta, Gwenpool, and Namora to buff Lasher and Scarlet Spider, spreading power across the board. Zabu and Psylocke accelerate 4-cost card deployment, while Symbiote Spider-Man reactivates Namora. Jeff! and Hulk Buster provide backup.

Is the High Voltage Grind Worth It?

With Marvel Snap's increasing cost, Lasher is worthwhile if you have the time for the High Voltage grind. High Voltage offers various rewards before unlocking Lasher. Complete the 8-hour challenge missions to obtain him. While not a guaranteed meta staple, like Agony, he'll likely see play in several meta-relevant decks.