In this episode of The SNAP Material Podcast, Jesse and Evan dive into Marvel Snap’s newest season, War of the Nine Realms, exploring the first wave of cards and the season's unique locations. They kick things off with an in-depth look at Surtur, the season pass card, a powerful three-cost card with five power that gains more power when a 10+ power card is played. They weigh the pros and cons of this "power creep" card, discussing its potential with strong cards like Shang-Chi and Absorbing Man. Jesse also shares early observations on how Surtur is already shaking up the meta, with some players climbing to Infinite rank within days of release.

Next up, they discuss new characters like Frigga, King Eitri, Malekith, and Fenris Wolf, each bringing different strategies to the table. Evan and Jesse get creative, discussing how Frigga might be a perfect fit for a Silver Surfer deck, while King Eitri could partner with Thor to help pull out Mjolnir. The duo is especially excited about Fenris Wolf, a two-cost powerhouse that can resurrect high-power enemy cards from discard or destroy decks, setting the stage for thrilling reversals and making it a must-have for the season. They also talk about Gorr, a polarizing card that gains power for each on-reveal card in play—potentially powerful but divisive for its connection to the villainous comic character.

The hosts wrap up by diving into the new season's locations: Valhalla and Yggdrasil. Valhalla allows players to repeat on-reveal abilities after turn four, prompting Jesse to joke about how "no fun decks" will take over the location. Yggdrasil, the World Tree, distributes power boosts to cards at other locations, opening up possibilities for creative strategies with cards like Brood and Sebastian Shaw. Their breakdown of these locations includes helpful tips for both new players and seasoned veterans on how to get the most from the season's offerings.