Joaquin Torres Falcon: A Marvel Snap Deep Dive
Until recently, Joaquin Torres Falcon remained relatively unknown to me. His unique origin as a falcon-human hybrid, coupled with impressive regenerative abilities and a mental link to Sam Wilson via Redwing, instantly captured my attention. While a full backstory isn't the focus here, the crucial question is: is he worth your Spotlight keys? Let's find out!
Table of Contents
- What Does He Do?
- Best 1-Cost Cards to Pair with Torres?
- Tier 1 – Top Choices
- Tier 2 – Solid Options
- Tier 3 – Less Effective
- Special Cases
- How Should We Use Him?
- Day One Decks to Try
- Falcon's Power
- Diamondback
- Time to Mill
What Does He Do?
Torres' ability is straightforward and potent: he duplicates the effects of all 1-cost cards played in his lane. Essentially, a Wong for 1-cost cards.
Best 1-Cost Cards to Pair with Torres?
Currently, 23 1-cost cards possess On Reveal effects. Here's a tiered list for optimal pairing with Torres:
Tier 1 – Top Choices
Cards like Blade and Yondu have niche applications; doubling their effects can be game-changing. These cards offer substantial power, especially when combined with another Falcon to cycle them.
Tier 2 – Solid Options
These cards, while not as impactful as Tier 1, still provide significant advantages. Collector benefits greatly, Devil Dinosaur's growth potential increases with Agent 13 or Maria Hill, and Mantis shines. America Chavez, though not guaranteeing card play, remains viable.
Tier 3 – Less Effective
Cards like Squirrel Girl might act as late-game lane fillers, but don't synergize well with Torres' strategy. Overloading the board is generally undesirable.
Special Cases
Nico Minoru's powerful On Reveal effects become incredible when doubled, though consistency is an issue. Basic Arrow is strong with Torres but requires multiple steps, reducing reliability. Thanos, despite not being 1-cost, introduces six 1-cost cards (five with On Reveals), offering interesting experimental potential.
How Should We Use Him?
Discussions around 1-cost cards often revolve around Bounce mechanics, where Torres excels. Utilize him in Bounce decks to maximize 1-cost card value. Applications outside Bounce are more limited. Consider him in Discard or Mill decks for additional discard or mill effects with Yondu.
Pairing him with a Moonstone/Victoria Hand hand-generation deck could prove effective, significantly boosting Collector's power with Agent 13 or Maria Hill.
Day One Decks to Try
Falcon's Power
This straightforward Bounce deck utilizes Torres to amplify 1-cost cards like Rocket and Hawkeye. Since Torres excels as a bounce card, replaying him isn't necessary. The deck is slightly top-heavy due to 3-cost cards.
Diamondback
Korg synergizes exceptionally well with Torres to power up Darkhawk. Supporting characters like Zabu, Ares, Cassandra, and Rockslide enhance this strong lineup.
Time to Mill
While Mill decks are popular, Torres adds a disruptive element, especially late-game. However, playing him on turn 3 might hinder the deck's tempo.
By understanding Torres' capabilities and strategic pairings, you can unlock his full potential in Marvel Snap. Whether through Bounce or alternative strategies, Torres offers exciting possibilities for competitive play.
