In *Marvel Snap*, the inclusion of animal companions has been sparse, with characters like Cosmo, Groose, Zabu, and Hit Monkey being the notable exceptions—until the introduction of Redwing, Falcon's feathered friend, in the Brave New World season. Let's delve into how Redwing functions within the game and explore potential deck strategies.

How Redwing Works in Marvel Snap

Redwing enters the fray as a 3-cost, 4-power card with a unique ability: "The first time this moves, add a card from your hand to the old location." However, there are a few key points to consider. Redwing can only be activated once per game, which limits its strategic flexibility. Even attempts to reuse it with cards like Symbiote Spider-Man or bouncing it back into your hand won't reset its ability. Additionally, precisely targeting a card with Redwing can be challenging, especially in move decks filled with smaller cards like Iron Fist, which you might not want to trigger. Meanwhile, decks centered around Scream typically manipulate your opponent's cards rather than your own.

Despite these limitations, Redwing's ability can be triggered with low-cost move cards like Madame Web or Cloak, making it accessible for players at lower Collection Levels. It might just clinch unexpected victories by enabling early plays of powerful cards like Galactus or pulling heavy hitters like The Infinaut into play.

Best Day One Redwing Decks in Marvel Snap

Following the dominance of Ares and Surtur in the last season, a new Scream-based build has emerged, incorporating Redwing. This deck leverages power boosts from cards like Aero and disrupts opponents with Heimdall:

• Hydra Bob
• Scream
• Kraven
• Captain America
• Redwing
• Polaris
• Surtur
• Ares
• Cull Obsidian
• Aero
• Heimdall
• Magneto

This is a high-cost deck featuring several Series 5 cards, including Hydra Bob, Scream, Redwing, Surtur, Ares, and Cull Obsidian. If you lack Hydra Bob, consider substituting with Rocket Raccoon or Iceman, though the rest are crucial for the deck's strategy. The primary tactic is to deploy Surtur on turn 3, followed by high-power cards to amplify Surtur's effect, with an alternate win condition via Scream's power theft. Cards like Polaris, Aero, and Magneto facilitate this strategy, while Redwing can be paired with Heimdall to enhance Surtur's power and strategically place a high-power card from your hand.

Another potential deck for Redwing involves Madame Web, especially given the recent nerf to Dagger that has marginalized move decks. This deck focuses on an Ongoing strategy:

• Ant-Man
• Madame Web
• Psylocke
• Sam Wilson
• Captain America
• Luke Cage
• Captain America
• Redwing
• Doom 2099
• Iron Lad
• Blue Marvel
• Doctor Doom
• Spectrum

This deck includes two Series 5 cards: Madame Web and Doom 2099. While Madame Web is not essential, removing her would also necessitate removing Redwing in favor of another Ongoing card like Mobius M. Mobius. The core strategy revolves around deploying Doom 2099 early to spread power across locations, with Madame Web aiding in positioning and activating Redwing to pull a card from your hand on the subsequent turn. On turn 6, finishing with either Doctor Doom or Spectrum can secure victory by further spreading or concentrating power.

Is Redwing Worth Spotlight Cache Keys or Collector’s Tokens?

Currently, the answer leans towards no. Redwing appears to be underpowered and fits into an archetype that struggles to compete. It's advisable to conserve your resources for more impactful cards available later or in upcoming seasons. Unless Second Dinner significantly buffs Redwing, investing in this card may not yield the desired competitive edge.