Discard Players, Rejoice—Khonshu Joins Marvel Snap with Powerful New Abilities
Discard-focused decks just got a massive upgrade with Khonshu, the Moon God, making his debut in Marvel Snap. This intricate new card from Second Dinner introduces one of the most complex mechanics yet—let’s break down how Khonshu functions.
Understanding Khonshu’s Mechanics in Marvel Snap
Khonshu is a 6-Cost, 5-Power card with a unique discard-triggered evolution:
- Base Form (Abandoned Phase): When discarded, it returns in its "next phase." On Reveal: Revives a discarded card at another location with its Power set to 5.
- Next Phase (Avenging Phase): A stronger 6-Cost, 8-Power variant. When discarded again, it progresses to its "final phase." On Reveal: Resurrects a discarded ally with 8 Power.
- Final Form (Moon’s Judgment): A formidable 6-Cost, 12-Power card. On Reveal: Brings back a discarded card with 12 Power.
Each discard upgrades Khonshu, enhancing his revival effect—functioning similarly to Apocalypse but with a strategic twist. The optimal play involves discarding him once or twice before deploying him on the final turn to resurrect high-impact cards like Iron Man or Gorr the God Butcher.
While Khonshu can’t target specific discarded cards, dropping a 12-Power Moon’s Judgment Khonshu to resurrect even a 1-Cost card—like a 12-Power Miek—can swing games decisively.
Top Khonshu Deck Archetypes in Marvel Snap (Early Meta)
Khonshu’s versatility demands experimentation, as he doesn’t neatly fit into traditional discard shells. Currently, two promising archetypes stand out:
1. Darkhawk/Stature Hybrid Discard
- Core Cards: Korg, Blade, Fenris Wolf, Juggernaut, Moon Knight, Lady Sif, Rock Slide, Silver Samurai, Darkhawk, Black Bolt, Stature, Khonshu
- Gameplan: Disrupt the opponent with rocks (boosting Darkhawk) while cycling Khonshu with discard effects. Moon Knight and Blade reliably trigger Khonshu’s upgrades, while Silver Samurai and Black Bolt manipulate enemy discards. Final turns leverage Khonshu’s revival on buffed Stature or Darkhawk.
2. Corvus Glaive Ramp Discard
- Core Cards: Miek, Blade, Morbius, Swarm, Moon Knight, Corvus Glaive, Lady Sif, Dracula, MODOK, Khonshu, Apocalypse
- Gameplan: Use Corvus Glaive for energy acceleration, enabling simultaneous Khonshu and Apocalypse plays. MODOK and Lady Sif turbo-charge both win conditions, with Dracula absorbing Apocalypse’s pumped Power while Khonshu revives key pieces.
Should You Invest in Khonshu?
Khonshu is both powerful and mechanically unique—expect him to carve a niche in hybrid discard strategies. If you enjoy synergistic deckbuilding or discard mechanics, he’s worth the Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens. While not an auto-include like some meta staples, his high ceiling and innovation potential make him a compelling long-term investment.
