Honestly, Adam Warlock is the biggest "what if" in Marvel Snap history. You look at his comic book lore—this literal golden god, the savior of the universe—and then you look at his card. It’s a bit of a letdown, right? For years, Second Dinner has tinkered with him like a mechanic working on a car that just won't start.
He’s been a 2-cost, a 5-cost, back to a 2-cost, and had more text changes than a frantic group chat. As of early 2026, the community is still debating if he’s a secret genius pick or just a total waste of a deck slot.
Basically, he’s a card that demands you win a location to get any value, but he provides zero power to help you actually win that location. It's a classic catch-22.
The State of Adam Warlock Marvel Snap in 2026
If you haven't checked your collection in a minute, here is the current breakdown. Adam Warlock is a 2-Cost, 0-Power card. His text reads: "End of Turn: Draw a card if you're winning here. Otherwise, +1 Power."
This is a massive shift from his old 5-cost days. The developers realized that a 5-cost card that doesn't guarantee a draw is basically unplayable in a game that only lasts six turns. By the time you play a 5-drop, you only have one draw left anyway. By moving him back down to 2 energy, they’ve tried to make him an early-game engine again.
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The "+1 Power" part is the newest consolation prize. If you aren't winning the lane, he at least grows a little bit. It’s meant to stop him from being a total "dead" card if your opponent contests the lane. But let’s be real: a 2/1 or 2/2 that didn't draw you a card is still a tragedy in this meta.
Why card draw is so dangerous
In a game with only 12 cards, drawing even one extra card is a huge deal. It’s why Crystal was reworked and why Thanos’s stones are constantly being nerfed. If Adam Warlock Marvel Snap was "good," every single combo deck in the game would run him. You’d see him in every Hela, Living Tribunal, or Phoenix Force deck. Second Dinner has to keep him slightly "bad" on purpose, or the game’s consistency would go through the roof.
The Best Decks for Warlock Right Now
You can't just throw him into a "good cards" pile. He needs help. He’s like that one friend who needs a ride to every party. If you don't build around him, he's just taking up space.
The C3 (Cerebro 3) Shell
This is arguably his most consistent home. Since Warlock starts at 0 power, you can use Bast to set his power to 3. Suddenly, he’s a 2/3 that helps you find your Cerebro and Mystique. If he doesn't draw a card and hits that +1 power trigger, he becomes a 4-power card, which actually ruins the Cerebro 3 synergy. It’s a risky game of chicken. You want him to draw so he stays at 3 power.
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The "Agent Venom" Junk Hybrid
Since Agent Venom can set your deck's power to 4, Warlock becomes a 2/4. That is a massive stat line for a card that also draws from your deck. Pair this with cards like The Hood and Sentry to clog your opponent's side, making it easier for your 4-power Warlock to stay "winning" in his lane.
The High Evolutionary Trick
Some players are experimenting with him in High Evo shells. Since Warlock is now 2 cost, he fits into the curve easily. If you have unspent energy, Misty Knight can buff him. If he’s winning the lane, you draw into your Hulk or Infinaut earlier. It’s niche, but it works surprisingly well if you can protect him with a Cosmo or a Caiera.
How to Play Around the "Warlock Trap"
Most people play Warlock on turn 2 into an empty lane. Don't do that. Your opponent will just drop a Sentinel or a Jeff there and shut you down immediately.
Instead, try these tactics:
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- The Turn 3 Surprise: Play a 1-drop and Warlock on turn 3. Or play Warlock behind a Nebula. Your opponent has to choose: do they stop Nebula from growing, or do they stop Warlock from drawing?
- The Ravonna Discount: If you’re running Ravonna Renslayer, Warlock becomes a 1-cost card. Playing a 1-cost card that draws on turn 4 or 5 alongside a bigger threat is much harder for your opponent to calculate.
- Location Luck: Always look for Monster Metropolis or The Throne Room. If Warlock becomes the highest power card naturally, he’s a draw machine.
What Most Players Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Warlock is a "draw card." He isn't. He's a priority magnet.
When you play Adam Warlock Marvel Snap, you are essentially taunting your opponent. You are saying, "I bet you can't beat me in this specific lane right now." Most players will over-commit to that lane just to stop your draw. You can use this to your advantage. Play Warlock in one lane, let them dump their power there, and then use Ms. Marvel or Doctor Doom to win the other two lanes while they're distracted.
It’s psychological warfare. Sometimes the threat of the draw is more valuable than the card you actually would have drawn.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Climb
If you're determined to make him work, start by testing him in a Bast/Cerebro 3 deck. It is the most forgiving archetype for his 0-power stat line. Focus on playing him only when you have priority or a clear path to winning a lane for at least one turn. One extra draw is often enough to find your win condition. If you find yourself consistently ending games with a 2/2 Warlock and no extra cards, it's time to swap him out for Quake or Jeff, who offer much more utility without the "win more" requirement. Keep an eye on the weekly OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, as Second Dinner has signaled they are still not 100% happy with his current 2/0 identity.