In most trading card games, players can collect different versions of base cards featuring special and unique artwork. In Marvel Snap, these alternate art cards are called variants, derived from the term used in the Marvel universe for different forms of the same person inside the multiverse.
These card variants in Marvel Snap feature different characters in various art forms, different from the original art in their base form. Though these variants do not have additional effects or powers compared to the original art cards, they are considered the more precious form of the card. Collecting these card variants can make a player’s collection more prestigious.
Here are the 15 best-looking card variants in Marvel Snap, ranked based on their aesthetic and presentation in the game for 2023.
15 best-looking card variants in Marvel Snap
Finding the best Marvel Snap variant designs is subjective, but some really stand out. Whether the art pops or it’s an inspired choice based on the character, variants in Marvel Snap often don’t disappoint.
15) Venom (Variant)
Venom is one of the most used cards in decks that focus on the destruction mechanic in Marvel Snap, alongside Carnage and Deadpool. It absorbs the total power of the units it can destroy once you play it, which is patterned after how it harnesses its superpower in the Marvel Universe.
One of its card variants depicts Venom as a champion inside a ring, even giving it a championship belt. Visual artist Kael Ngu made this variant, one of Venom’s Super Rare variants in the game.
14) Galactus (Flaviano Variant)
Galactus is regarded as one of the most powerful entities in the Marvel universe. He consumes energy from planets, giving him the Power Cosmic, a limitless stream of cosmic energy he channels into various superpowers such as telepathy, projection, defining matter, and even creating life.
This Super Rare variant of Galactus in Marvel Snap presents the cosmic holding a planet in his hand, truly showing the magnitude of his abilities. Though its design may seem a bit cartoonish, the power of Galactus’ card counterpart can quickly change the flow of the game.
13) Miles Morales (Sports Variant)
Miles Morales is no stranger to cool-looking variants in Marvel Snap, so take your pick, but this sports variant looks fresh. Sports teams and franchises have collaborated with comic IPs in the past, and this feels just as genuine and nostalgic as those. This card won’t fail you if you want to sport a move deck or outperform your opponent in the looks department.
12) Thanos (Variant)
One of the most iconic characters in the Marvel universe, Thanos is known as the first major villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga. In Marvel Snap, the Mad Titan is a six-cost, eight-Power card that gives its user all the Infinity Stones as individual cards with different effects.
The card has a variant that presents Thanos holding the Infinity Gauntlet high while seemingly using the stones. This makes him look invincible and a force to be reckoned with, whether in the Marvel universe or the game.
11) Hazmat (Variant)
Hazmat is already a popular choice in Marvel Snap. It’s no surprise, thanks to her ability to weaken the opponent’s cards in play with -1, it’s no surprise, but regardless, this variant should make her even more popular. This hazmat version oozes a sort of fierceness with its vibrant yellow color, dominating and accenting the piece. It is poetic that a card with such a dampening ability turns out to be heavily sought after.
10) Wave (Variant)
Wave has been a staple for most meta decks thanks to its ability to lower the cost of high-powered cards, such as Galactus, Death, Hulk, Doctor Doom, and more. It can also disrupt a lot of decks that rely on executing multiple plays on turn six if its user manages to play it by turn five.
In the Marvel comics, Wave is the first hero with Filipino roots. This variant showcasing Wave alongside the Filipino flag presents her with nationalistic pride, especially with how her aesthetic compliments well with the overall design of this variant.
9) Green Goblin (Red Goblin Variant)
Spider-Man’s archrival, the Green Goblin, is one of the most menacing and creepiest villains in the Marvel universe because of his chaotic mindset. His powerful weapons and superhuman strength can go toe-to-toe with the friendly neighborhood hero, making Peter Parker’s superhero life difficult.
The Red Goblin is the villain’s monstrous and even more potent form, and with it being a variant of the card in Marvel Snap, it makes the disruptive card a must-get, especially for Junk deck users.
8) Thor (Knullified Variant)
Though Thor has his powers in the Marvel universe, he can unleash his full potential in battle when his hammer, Mjolnir, is with him. He can harness and control thunder and lightning with the help of his buddy.
Thor has a handful of card variants in the game. Still, the Knullified variant stands out thanks to its gothic and menacing design that depicts the god of thunder as a more brutal and ruthless opponent on the battlefield.
7) Darkhawk (Kim Jacinto Variant)
Darkhawk is a staple for some of the meta decks in Marvel Snap, including Sera Control, Ongoing decks, Mister Negative, Zabu, and more. The transforming hero gains plus two Power for each card in your opponent’s deck, making him an easy high Power source card, especially if paired with Korg and Rock Slide.
This Kim Jacinto variant of Darkhawk makes him more colorful and vibrant, highlighting the violet glow lights from his face, chest, and overall aura—the best Darkhawk variant, indeed.
6) Doctor Doom (Alex Ross Variant)
In the Marvel universe, Doctor Doom is regarded as one of the most powerful beings since he has many powers and can instantly destroy lives. In Marvel Snap, he is a six-cost, five-Power unit with a game-changing ability that reads: “On Reveal: Add a 4-Power DoomBot to each other location.” And in this Super Rare variant of Doctor Doom, he is sitting on his throne while seemingly planning another devastating move.
5) Psylocke (Variant)
Ramp decks in Marvel Snap include Psylocke, which provides additional energy as early as turn three. Its effect can pave the way for players to set up strategies that revolve around summoning more powerful and higher-cost units in the early to mid stages of the game.
But even though Psylocke does not have a game-changing effect regarding offensive prowess, it received one of the best card variants in the game by Kael Ngu. Psylocke is presented as an ancient warrior-like unit and an aesthetically pleasing card.
4) Killmonger (Kael Variant)
The value Killmonger can bring as a destructive card is huge. His effect of destroying all one-cost cards instantly can disrupt many strategies, such as decks that rely on one-cost cards like Ka-Zar Zoo, Thanos Control, Nebula, and more.
Killmonger is a must-include for most meta decks, such as the Sera Control and Sera Surfer strategies. This Kael variant of the card isn’t that grand compared to the other variants, where a lot of color and elements could be seen, but highlighting Killmonger as a dominant force with the black and white color grading and bits of yellow shade while striking a triumphant pose is just brilliant.
3) Mysterio (Variant)
Mysterio has been a beneficial tool to boost cards that rely on playing multiple cards since all the Mysterio copies are counted as separate plays. This includes Hit-Monkey and Bishop, both massive Power sources for Sera Control decks.
Though his head is mainly known to be a crystal ball, this variant of the card where a much-detailed face could be seen is one of the best ones in the game. The overall purple aesthetic of the design and the creepy-looking eyes in the shoulder part of Mysterio makes his presence realistic and a must-get variant for collectors and Mysterio lovers.
2) Quinjet (Ghost Rider Variant)
Quinjet is the name of the spaceship used by the Avengers. It played a vital role, especially in the films where the Earth’s mightiest heroes engaged in space combat. In Marvel Snap, it is a one-cost, two-power card that lowers the cost of cards that did not start in its user’s deck, making it a staple card for some of the game’s powerful decks, such as the Devil Dinosaur and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents deck engines.
That is why Quinjet received one of the best variants in the game, the Ghost Rider Variant. This design makes Quinjet a monster-like figure from hell while breathing fire, just like Ghost Rider looks. This variant can be considered a must-have for most variant collectors in Marvel Snap.
1) Ultron (Variant)
Ultron is a mechanical invention that became a villain in the Marvel universe. Its metallic robot is designed to speak and launch various powers, such as releasing power blasts and flying. But one of its variants in Marvel Snap depicts Ultron as a flaming knight with a cape while sitting on a creepy throne.
This design made Ultron not just a metallic robot weapon but a powerful being of its own. A sword is also shown on the bottom part of the variant, making it more majestic yet menacing. This is the best-looking card variant Marvel Snap has to offer.
There you have it: some of the best Marvel Snap variant designs the game offers. More are popping up by the week, and every player will find a particular card or style that works for them more than others.
