Galactus: A Snapper’s Guide
Galactus made the entire Snap meta kneel the first time he surfaced in Marvel Snap. As a powerful card does, he splits the playerbase into two camps: the ones that absolutely hate him and think he is destroying not just locations, but also the game, and the people (like me) who absolutely love to make people kneel. Rarely is there anyone who is just “meh” about the card.
Regardless of your preference, Galactus isn’t easy to get off, and decks featuring him need to be aware of certain things. As a massive Galactus fanboy, here is my Ultimate Guide on How to Play Galactus, featuring the Top 5 Decks with the Knee-Bender.
General Galactus How-To
- The biggest task for you is to make Galactus win the lane he is in. You can either use Cards like Forge and Shuri to buff his power, or Hobgoblin turn 5.
- Wave, Psylocke, Electro, and Thanos’ Time Stone are also key cards to get Galactus out before Turn 6. The benefit resides in the fact that the opponent likely doesn’t play big cards on turns 4–5 and thus doesn’t beat Galactus’ power.
- If you’re a new player and have the card, the Destroy version (as mentioned below) is probably the best bet because it’s the easiest to play and you usually get destroy cards even with a low collection level.
- If you have Thanos, definitely try a Thanos Galactus Control Deck.
- Galactus is never your only win-condition. Your deck needs to have an archetype of its own, and Galactus is generally a nice addition to it. For example, in a destroy deck or a Thanos deck.
- If you play the Wave → Galactus Combo or any sort of ramp-deck, you need to be aware that just getting Galactus to go off, doesn’t win you the game. Many have played Galactus on Turn 4, only to face an opponent's Death or Thanos and lose.
- Think of Priority on your Galactus turn. If you have priority, it’s fine. If you don’t, what will the enemy potentially play in that lane?
- Galactus starts turn 1. In most cases, your starting hand already determines if you can play Lactus at all. Ramp in hand? Galactus in hand? Also, keep locations open. Don’t fill the board with Thanos stones if you plan to play Galactus on turns 5–6.
- Always be ready to abandon the entire Galactus plan. I had many games where I set everything up to turn 6, only to realize what the opponent would play at the location where I planned Galactus and drop it all.
- Don’t get power-hungry. Kneel-Jerking is cool, but good players can smell a Galactus coming. The card is NOT OP. It can be easily countered.
- Hobgoblin or Green Goblin can also be played AFTER Galactus went off if you didn’t play Galactus turn 6. To make sure you win after he destroys everything.
DestroLactus
DestroLactus is a classic Archetype because you can just play a regular destroy deck if Galactus has no space to bend-knees. Which, to destroy your hope, is quite often. Regardless of the Hobgoblin and/or Shuri setup, Galactus might just not be playable. So think of this deck as a classic destroy deck with a few tech cards in and the G-Man on top to have fun and surprise the opponent. It’s one of the higher winrate decks because Destroy is just a classic in the meta and always quite strong (and easy to play), but it's also one of the more boring Galactus decks to play. Still, if you’re aiming for Cube-Gainz over fun, this is your deck.
How to Play the Deck:
- You generally play a classic destroy deck, using Carnage, Venom, and Deathlok to make use of Wolverine, Bucky Barnes, and Nimrod.
- The dream is to send Shuri into Galactus on his own lane, so he is 14 power, which generally wins over most opponents
- You can also turn Shuri into Hobgoblin for a nice -16 power card on the opponent’s side. Additionally, Shuri can make Nimrod a 12-power card if the G-Man can’t be played (or Destroyer a 30-power card).
- Hobgoblin turn 5 on an empty lane enables the G-Man. At the same time, this also gives away what you’re doing. Seasoned players know a Hobgoblin is usually followed by the Galactic Man.
- If all else fails, Destroyer turn 6 with Wolverine, Bucky, or Nimrod on Board wins.
- Be aware that killing Wolverine or Nimrod might send them onto the lane you try to keep clean for Galactus. Sometimes, you have to ditch the G-Man for a regular Wolverine.
Card Replacements:
- Shuri can be replaced with the new Forge. Naturally, it’s not as effective, but it makes Galactus more likely to pop.
- Destroyer can be replaced with Death or America Chavez for consistency in draw and high power cards for the top-end in case you don’t draw the G-Man.
- Green Goblin can also be replaced with Wave. Wave is generally a good addition to this deck, and I enjoy playing it a lot in Galactus decks. However, if you Wave → Galactus, remember above, you need to have a strong follow-up.
Thanos Galactus Destroy
This deck has been crushing ladder for me with a 76% winrate. The combination of control, Galactus, and a side dish of destruction is a big surprise factor for the opponent. It’s not exactly an easy deck to play. First, because mastering Thanos is always a task, and second, because the cheap stones might clog your board if you’re not careful. It is, however, definitely a more fun deck than regular destruction. From my personal experience, control decks are always fun (for me, not the opponent). Bring out the Titans.
How to Play the Deck:
- You always aim to control the board and opponents’ plays with the Thanos Stones and get a big Daken out in a lane using Carnage onto Wolverine & Muramasa Sword.
- Killmonger is perfect to kill Daken’s Sword in play, as well as kill off Stones to make Death cheap and make room for Galactus. I rarely play the 20-power Thanos with this deck, because it fills the board too much.
- Play a Nimrod into Galactus to have even more Nimrods in your leftover G-Man lane.
- Shang-Chi teched-in for good measure in control.
- You can Wave into Hobgoblin, Nimrod, Galactus, Death, or even Thanos. Wave is pretty crucial in this deck because the curve is very high. You want to get out the expensive cards early.
- You can use the Time Stone to get Galactus out on Turn 5 and Thanos + Death Turn 6 for a 22-power turn.
Card Replacements:
- You can go for more control with Jeff and Prof. X over Nimrod and Hobgoblin. Or for more destruction with Deathlok and Bucky Barnes, but be aware it changes the archetype of the deck.
- You can add X-23 for more ramp. If you do, make sure to add more destroy cards as well.
Ramp Galactus
Turn 6 is usually quite strong for both opponents, and thus Galactus can often be easily countered. 7-power isn’t much for turn 6 after all. Hence, the ramp deck was created (ramp is a turn used a lot in Hearthstone; it means to ramp up your energy/mana earlier than usual). This deck’s main focus is to get Galactus out early and thus ruin the opponents’ play. The fallback method is a classic control deck.
How to Play the Deck:
- Ramping Galactus is basically a control deck that is focused on gaining more energy to get G-Man out before turn 6. So your main goal with this is to control the board (Nebula, Iceman) and ramp hard (Wave, Psylocke, Electro) to make Galactus happen early.
- Turn 5 Hobgoblin to enable Galactus or Prof. X to control a lane.
- Make sure you have a good follow-up to a turn 4 or 5 Galactus in hand (see card replacements below).
- It has a pretty low curve, so your draws can sometimes be off, especially later. Hence, some people would rather add Thanos to it over Nebula or Iceman (which is an underrated card).
- You get your ramp cards out as early as possible. Psylocke, Electro, and Wave to get an early Galactus going and follow it up with Hobgoblin or Prof. X (Prof. X after G-Man is DIRTY; old Spider-Man did this well also and pissed people off).
- Orka is a cool addition if you don’t draw the G-Man and add a big card on turn 6 (or sooner).
- If the G-Man plan fails, you have a simple control deck at hand with Daredevil, Jeff, Prof. X, and Nebula.
Card Replacements:
- Orka can be replaced with Thanos. However, this can slow down the draw of your ramp cards.
- You can replace Nebula and Iceman with higher-cost cards if the curve feels too low for you and you often lack power at the top end. When Galactus fired, for example. Magneto, Doctor Doom, etc.
- However, Iceman is an underrated card. Many times, it stops your opponent from getting strong cards out early and ruins his curve.
ControLactus
This is a variation of the Mad Titans Deck from above, with a stronger focus on control. Thanos himself is a classic control archetype. Initially, Galactus was just teched in for an extra win condition. Quickly, however, he became a mainstay on the Thanos Control roster. Due to the Knull added, this deck also works well against destroy decks. There are many variations of this, some with more ramp cards, some with a bit of destruction added to it, but they always have Thanos for the control aspect. It is a versatile deck that works well against a lot of archetypes.
How to Play the Deck:
- Control the game with the Thanos stones, Prof. X, and Wave.
- The idea is to ruin your opponent's life. This is the mindset you have when playing this. Ruin their energy with Wave, ruin locations with Prof. X, and ruin locations with Galactus. Just make their lives miserable.
- I also like to call this deck “Annoy-O-Tron.”
- Jeff is a great addition once you have Prof. X down.
- Killmonger helps you kill off your own stones, make Death Cheaper (if necessary), or create boardspace for Kneel-Man.
- The Dino is an additional big power card if all else fails.
- Use Knull against Destroy decks. Knull also gets huge after Galactus pops off early.
Card Replacements:
- Never ask about Jeff's replacements, because there aren’t any.
- Knull can be Arnim Zola to kill the Dino. Or Destroyer.
- Iron Lad can be replaced with Magic for the extra turn to get your big cards in play (and fatigue the enemy).
- Generally, think of Ramp cards like Psylocke or Electro or Destroy cards like Wolverine, Carnage, and Venom if you are lacking some of them. Be aware that this changes the playstyle a bit. Especially if you opt for destroy cards.
JunkLactus
If you see this deck, you probably think, “What the hell was this guy smoking?” Debrii into a Galactus Deck? The idea is that Galactus works best when things are not expected to happen. Nobody expects the Kneel-Man in this Deck. But you can still win, trust me. Be warned, though: this deck needs A LOT of thinking. You fill the board first, and then try cheeky plays to clean it up again for Galactus to go off when nobody expects it (like the Spanish Inquisition)
How to Play the Deck:
- You get rid of rocks created by Debrii on your side with Carnage → Ghost Spider, or Iron Fist Carnage. This opens a lane for Galactus.
- Hood → Viper gives you a 1/6 Demon and the enemy a -3 Hood.
- Titania is great before your Galactus turn.
- Spider-Woman Iron Fisted, or Ghost-Spidered helps to win a lane for Galactus.
- You can think of your own ways to make room for the G-Man. Be creative.
- This deck isn’t necessarily consistent. It’s about fun. It does win, but it depends a lot. If you want to grind ranks, play the other decks. This is for having fun with Lactus.
Card Replacements:
- Replace Shuri with Forge, although this is, of course, way less powerful.
- Hood instead of Ghost Spider or Iron Fist can also work.
- That’s about it. The cards are designed to interact with each other for that one specific outcome. Again, this is an advanced deck. Not recommended for beginners.
Anti-Destroy Galactus
Destroy is one of the easiest archetypes to play, as well as one of the first ones new players get access to. Thus, the meta has always been strong with destroy decks. This is a deck I specifically created after having my ass handed to me many times in the destroy meta. Let’s assume there isn’t deck-based matchmaking, and if you face a lot of destroy decks, or are generally pissed at those decks, then this is a powerful counter.
How to Play the Deck
- It’s a 100% control deck, with tech cards against destruction.
- Armor, Prof. X, and Cosmo stop any destroy deck dead in its tracks. Wave also adds that they can only play one card.
- Shang-Chi to get rid of big Venoms, Arnim Zola on the Dino gives big guys 2 lanes if the G-Man plan fails.
- On top, you have Thanos and his Infinity Stones, which help even more to control the opponent's play or move your own cards.
- The Sentinel is in the deck to keep your hands full, so your Devil Dino is always huge.
- A fun tactic is to Magik on turn 3 and then Reality Stone on Turn 6 if you’re winning.
- If you plan to attack Arnim Zola the Dino, beware of Priority, or this might happen to you:
Card Replacements:
- Magneto can be replaced with Death.
- You can try Iron Man over Prof. X to buff up the lanes with Devil Dinosaur even more. However, Prof. X is somewhat necessary if you want to fight off Destroy Decks.
- Instead of Arnim Zola, you can also throw in Psylocke for extra Ramp
- Sandman is also a common card in these decks to stop destroy players.
I hope this helped you get a good idea of how to play and win (make people kneel) with Galactus. There are many more cheeky plays possible with that card, especially when using Invisible Woman. Try it for yourself and have fun with the G-Man.