Diamondback Guide (Deck, Counter, Strategy)

The toxic archetype appears to be making a comeback with Diamondback, one of the few Marvel SNAP cards from the Brave New World season that actually lived up to the hype. Unlike Redwing and Thaddeus Ross, she hasn’t been a letdown. In fact, Diamondback has shown real potential to become a staple in toxic decks.

Marvel SNAP: The Best Redwing Deck

Redwing might be the most skippable card of Marvel SNAP’s Brave New World season, but here’s a deck that aims to make the most of his ability.

This Marvel SNAP guide provides a complete breakdown of how to build a competitive deck around Diamondback. You’ll also find a quick review of her performance in the current meta to help you decide whether she’s worth the investment.

Diamondback (3 – 3)

Ongoing: Enemy cards here afflicted with negative Power have an additional -2 Power.

Series: Five (Ultra Rare)

Season: Brave New World

Release: February 25, 2025

The Best Deck for Diamondback

Diamondback is a perfect fit for a toxic deck alongside Ajax and Hazmat. To build a solid deck around her, pair this trio with the following cards: Luke Cage, U.S. Agent, Cassandra Nova, Man-Thing, Scorpion, Lasher, Yellowjacket, Malekith, and Klaw.

Card	Cost	Power
Diamondback	3	3
Ajax	5	7
Luke Cage	3	2
Hazmat	2	2
Man-Thing	4	7
Scorpion	2	3
Lasher	2	2
Cassandra Nova	3	0
Yellowjacket	0	2
U.S. Agent	2	3
Malekith	4	6
Klaw	5	4

Diamondback Deck Synergies

Hazmat sets the stage for Diamondback by afflicting all enemy cards with -1 Power.
Luke Cage shields your side from Hazmat’s effect and any negative afflictions from the opponent.
Diamondback amplifies your negative afflictions in one lane, potentially dealing significant damage if the enemy has four cards there.
Scorpion, Lasher, Man-Thing, and U.S. Agent add extra disruption by further weakening the opponent’s cards.
Malekith improves consistency by helping you draw Diamondback.
Yellowjacket and Klaw assist in spreading Power across the board.
Ajax is the other win condition, gaining a buff for every negatively afflicted card in play.

Klaw is your flex option in this Diamondback deck. You can replace him with cards like Cannonball.

How to Play Diamondback Effectively

Here are some key strategies to maximize Diamondback’s impact:

Save Diamondback for the final round. She can be a game-changing surprise, especially in nearly full enemy lanes. With the potential to create an 11-Power swing in your favor, your opponent might not see her coming.
Set up the board. Diamondback’s ability only affects enemy cards that already have negative Power. Ensure you’ve weakened most cards in the target lane before playing her. The best setup is Luke Cage into Hazmat, as it preps all three lanes for her.
Prioritize two lanes. Most competitive Diamondback decks rely on a single additional win condition—usually Ajax. Instead of spreading your Power too thin, focus on securing victory in two lanes: one with Diamondback and the other with Ajax.

How to Counter Diamondback

Diamondback has a major counter: Luke Cage. Playing him anywhere on the board nullifies her effect by removing all negative Power and restoring your cards to their base stats. While Enchantress and Rogue can also counter Diamondback, Luke Cage remains the strongest and most reliable option.

Is Diamondback Worth It?

Marvel Snap Brave New World Season 9 Diamondback

If you play toxic archetype decks, Diamondback is a must-have. She’s crucial for maximizing affliction damage and often serves as the primary win condition, swinging a lane by 11 Power—three from her own stats and eight from enemy debuffs.

However, if you’re missing key toxic synergies like Hazmat, Luke Cage, Ajax, or Man-Thing, investing in Diamondback may not be the best choice. Additionally, in the current meta, she struggles to shine due to the high number of Luke Cage players countering her effect. That said, her potential could improve as the meta shifts. If you decide to get her, view her as a long-term investment rather than an instant competitive powerhouse.