The first Marvel Snap card to be put into the Super Premium Season Pass interacts with a set of cards that, until now, didn't have much cross-synergy: End of Turn Cards. It's a controversial release method and an intriguing card. Let's jump right in!
History of the Fantasticar
Introduced in Fantastic Four #3 in 1961, the Fantasticar is a delightful retro-futuristic design from Jack Kirby. The Fantasticar can accommodate all of the members of Marvel's first family, or it can split into silly little squares that each member can cruise around in solo! The wind must get pretty wild!
There have been a few versions of the Fantasticar throughout FF’s history. The one we have on the base card is the classic Mk. II, also designed by Kirby (drawn by Kirby above, John Byrne below).
Synergies
First Steps Cards
The cards that thematically connect to Fantasticar and synergize with it are coming out over the next several weeks. With the exception of Mr. Fantastic: First Steps, none of these will be available to play together with Fantasticar upon release. Human Torch especially will benefit from the Fantasticar and is probably its best partner.
Pre-Existing End of Turn Cards
Of the End of Turn effects that are already in the game, there aren't any that specifically synergize with Fantasticar’s +2 Power boost, but there are several that become more frightening lane winners with that extra power, including Sunspot, Havok, Thena, Strange Supreme, and Red Hulk.
Evolved Cards
The best use for Fantasticar upon release is going to be with some of the cards that High Evolutionary evolves. Fantasticar is going to work best in a deck with as many End of Turn cards as possible and, until the remaining First Steps cards come out, High Evo has the highest concentration of such cards already naturally included.
Scosco's Day One Fantasticar Decks
Car Men
Reed v Evo
Marvel Car
Wagons
Future Foundations - Decks for the Future
Fantasticar is going to have more uses in the future as more End of Turn cards come out. I imagine many readers are planning to wait until August 5th or later for this card, so here are a couple of abstract concepts to keep in mind.
Full FF
Foom
Controversy
Now that we've analyzed the card, we have to mention the elephant in the room. Marvel Snap is selling a second card in the Season Pass via the Super Premium Season Pass. Previously, the Super Premium Season Pass included some borders and a variant alongside the extra Season Pass track levels. This is a move that is bound to create controversy, especially in the wake of the poorly handled Kid Omega fiasco, which I believe is going to create even more negative sentiment about putting another card behind a paywall than otherwise would have existed. The Kid Omega fiasco is likely to have ripple effects on community sentiment for a long time to come.
While the event pricing of Kid Omega is the single most consumer unfriendly action Second Dinner has taken since Nexus Events, placing a second card in the season pass is a positive. First, it's a Series 4 card that will be available later (August 5th) through the usual acquisition methods, so the payment here is to get your hands on the card early. Second, more new cards is inherently good for game diversity. Since the increased card output, the meta has been in the best place it's ever been and that that is a direct result of additional releases.
Third, I would rather pay $10 for a card than 3000 tokens. I've long been looking for more ways to pay into Marvel Snap and actually get something of value out. Most bundles, even the very best ones, don't provide much of value beyond some cosmetics and slight, ephemeral-feeling progression. I've even stopped buying the Gold Pass, since I didn't really feel like I was getting much out of it. Now, the highest value purchase in the game will be the Premium Season Pass, followed by the Super Premium Season Pass, followed by the Gold Pass at a distant 3rd.
Final Thoughts
Fantasticar has some exciting uses and will change the way we look at End of Turn cards. 4-Cost Activate is always a tricky spot, though, so there is short-term flop potential. That's good news for those of you who are planning to wait until the car comes to Snap Packs on August 5th. You're unlikely to really feel like you need Fantasticar before then, so waiting is a safe plan. For those who are looking to get more value per dollar than the typical cosmetic bundles, Fantasticar alongside the Super Premium Season Pass is worth the price.
