MARVEL SNAP Balance Update – January 15, 2026

The January 15 MARVEL SNAP OTA nerfs Merlin and hands out a wave of buffs to Fantomex, Vulture, Multiple Man, Fan Fei, Clea, Iron Lad, and Dragon of the Moon. Zombie Galacti also gets a quality-of-life rework so skill cards no longer waste transformations.

Welcome to the first MARVEL SNAP OTA of 2026. Developers describe the January 15 update as "mostly buffs," with only one nerf — Merlin — trimmed to rein in a persistent two-cost overperformer.

The Lone Nerf: Merlin

• Merlin — [Old] 2/3 – At the start of each turn, add an Incantation to your hand. [Change] 2/3 > 2/2

Merlin has been a consistent rate card since release, often pairing with Werewolf By Night for compact, high-point outputs. Combined with his low-opportunity-cost location control, he's been a touch too robust at two Energy. Shaving a Power nudges him toward a higher opportunity-cost pick.

Move and Utility Buffs

• Fantomex — [Old] 4/6 – Activate: If you've had cards discarded and destroyed, afflict front-row enemy cards at each location with -2 Power. [Change] 4/6 > 4/7
• Vulture — [Old] 1/2 – When this card moves, +3 Power. [Change] 1/2 > 1/3
• Multiple Man — [Old] 2/3 – When this moves, add a copy to the old location. [Change] 2/3 > 2/4
• Fan Fei — [Old] 4/4 – Activate: Give your other cards here +1 Power and move them to the right. [Change] 4/4 > 4/5

Fantomex's hybrid discard/destroy identity continues to underperform for most players, so he gains Power rather than a deckbuilding-cost adjustment. Vulture, Multiple Man, and Fan Fei all pick up a point to keep Move decks flexible in the wake of Human Torch's nerf.

Floor Raises and Dragon of the Moon

• Clea — [Old] 1/2 – When this permanently gains Power, add Flames of the Faltine to your hand. (if in hand or in play) [Change] 1/2 > 1/3
• Iron Lad — [Old] 4/6 – On Reveal: Copy the text of your deck's top card. [Change] 4/6 > 4/7
• Dragon of the Moon — [Old] 3/2 – On Reveal: Steal 1 Power from even-costed cards in ALL hands. [Change] 3/2 > 3/4

Clea gets a point to pair better with the recent Shang-Chi, Master of the Rings release. Iron Lad keeps up with rising four-cost competition. Dragon of the Moon gains two base Power because breaking the symmetry on its ability proved harder than expected.

Rework: Zombie Galacti

• Zombie Galacti — [Old] 7/5 – Game Start: Choose 6 other cards in your deck. On Reveal: Transform those cards into copies of this. [New] 7/5 – Game Start: Choose 6 other characters in your deck. On Reveal: Transform those cards into copies of this.

Zombie Galacti now only targets characters, so including skill cards in your deck no longer wastes transformation targets.

What This Means for MARVEL SNAP Players

Merlin decks cool off slightly while Move, Rings, and experimental archetypes like Fantomex and Zombie Galacti get more breathing room. Dragon of the Moon jumps from niche curiosity to a genuinely threatening 3/4 with hand-disruption upside.