Welcome back to Snap Material! In this action-packed June 2025 episode, Jesse and Evan dive into the thrilling "New X-Men" drop that landed in Marvel Snap last month. They kick things off with a deep analysis of Esme Cuckoo, exploring why she’s a decent utility card—especially in Silver Surfer builds—but doesn’t quite move the needle in most matches. The hosts discuss whether she’s more “deck filler” than “game changer,” and offer ideas for creative synergy.

Then it’s onto Surge, the undeniable standout of the season. With her repeatable cost/power buff mechanic, she’s quickly proven to be a staple across multiple decks. Evan breaks down his experience chaining value plays using Gilgamesh, Thor, and Beta Ray Bill, while Jesse praises her versatility and low downside. Whether you're optimizing order of play or just slotting her into a flexible list, Surge is the real MVP.

The episode also highlights experimental deck-building around Prodigy, Elixir, and Xorn. Prodigy’s back row text-copying ability led to some massive combos (Odin chaos, anyone?), while Elixir prompted a fun but frustrating discussion at revive synergy—especially when paired with Misery and Fire Hair. Jesse found Xorn's move synergy a blast, setting up Vulture for surprise power swings and pondering unexpected combos with Kingpin and Magneto. The duo closes with takes on the two new featured locations: Pit of Exile and Genoa, evaluating their meta impact and strategic nuance.