Marvel Snap Savage Land update changes

Just one week after the release of the Savage Lands Season Pass and with last week's released card Zabu appearing in tons of decks, a brand-new patch, the January 10, 2023 balance patch, has dropped into Marvel Snap, bringing with it balance changes and yet another brand-new card along with other new features.

Balance changes in Marvel Snap's new Savage Land patch

Though it had already been revealed on Twitter that certain cards were being targeted for nerfs by Second Dinner, the official Savage Land patch announcement from Second Dinner's Twitter confirms the nerfs that were leaked, and some cars were buffed. The changes were applied to the following cards:

• Aero: one of the most powerful cards in the meta was finally deemed too powerful and thus was docked one Power, bringing her to seven. However, she also got a really cool new animation, so she may have come out of the patch evenly in some players' eyes.
• Leader: the current meta monster card, Leader, has been dictating play for months now, and though his Power was nerfed by one down to three, it is doubtful this will be a meaningful enough change long-term to change the meta.
• Galactus: Galactus also received a one-Power reduction, down to two, but many players have considered this a buff rather than a nerf. Though Second Dinner notes it as a nerf, Galactus loves to play from behind in his decks, so this may actually increase his overall power level slightly.

Related: How to build a Mr. Negative deck in Marvel Snap

• Nova: by far the strangest card in the nerf list, Nova also had his Power reduced by one, down to one. However, this nerf made sense as Nova's effect is extremely powerful, and having two Power as well felt like overkill to Second Dinner.
• Drax and Groot: Both of these cards received one-Power buffs, up to five and four, respectfully, while being given reduced Power buffs from their On Reveals. This change was made to make them feel less punishing when they missed.
• Hazmat: Hazmat was given a one-power buff to two Power due to her underperforming decks.
• Black Cat: an underwhelming card for a long time, Black Cat was given a one-Power buff up to seven due to her near-nonexistence in the game.
• Nakia: lastly, Nakia was given a one-Power buff up to two for the same reason as Black Cat.

Along with the balance changes that came in the Savage Land patch notes, Sauron was released into Series 5's card pool and is now available for collection or purchase through the Token Shop. Originally Sauron was to be released as a standalone card on January 10, but with the patch delayed a week he is now being released along with it. Sauron is a three Energy three Power On Reveal card that removes all abilities from Ongoing cards in your hand and deck. Though this effect is quite linear in design, it is very powerful when paired with cards like Ebony Maw, Typhoid Mary, or Red Skull and slots right into their current decks. However, since he is a Series 5 card, the chances of players running into him on the ranked ladder are slim but will increase over time as more players get access to him.

Related: Marvel Snap – Best Cards to Counter Zabu

The last major change was the addition of Orka into Series 4's card pool. Orka is a six Energy nine Power Ongoing card that gains five Power if it is the only card you own at its location. This card was supposed to release in the same update as She-Hulk but was reportedly bugged and delayed at the last minute. However, the card has finally made it into the game, though unfortunately, it will most likely be quickly forgotten in the wake of newer and more unique cards like Zabu.

Besides all of these big changes, there were some smaller but notable ones. For example, two new bundles were added to the in-game shop. The first bundle, Primal Masterpiece, costs 3,000 Gold and offers 1,500 Credits, variants, and avatars for Sabretooth, White Tiger, and Kraven, and 155 Boosters for each variant. The second bundle, Pro Bundle, costs $100 and gives 12,500 Credits and 155 Boosters for eight random cards. Lastly, Second Dinner added a feature that allows players to see what artists worked on each card and their variants, giving credit to those who designed the cards.

Second Dinner has made it clear they are keeping an eye on the nerfed cards, especially Galactus, Aero, and Leader, but these changes will most likely keep the meta in a similar state. However, with players still figuring Zabu out and the release of Sauron and Orka, there could be major shifts in the current metagame of Marvel Snap.

Want more information on Marvel Snap? Check out Marvel Snap variant rarity explained and How to build a Patriot deck in Marvel Snap from Pro Game Guides!