What to do with Caliban, Horseman of Pestilence
The latest Series 5 card in Marvel Snap has an easy Objective to fulfill, a solid Energy/Power ratio, and can fit in more than one archetype. And yet, in modern Marvel Snap, this card still might fall flat. Why? Read on to find out about Caliban Horseman of Pestilence, his best use-cases, synergies, and everything I want to try with him.
Caliban Synergies
Using Zabu to play extra 4-Cost cards is one of the more attractive synergies with Caliban. Could Caliban help revive Zabu and his 4s? Doom 2099 easily fulfills Caliban’s condition and a 3-Cost for effectively 11-Power is something the deck is definitely interested in. While I think there are better options, there's very little chance Doom 2099 decks with Caliban will be bad. I'm not especially high on Caliban's affliction synergy, but as part of a small Affliction package with Diamondback you can intensify Caliban's effect – something that other uses of Caliban are lacking. Wiccan aficionados are always going to take a look at any good on-curve 3-Cost, but, again, there are superior options. Last, anything that helps cheat out big cards can work with Caliban.
Scosco's Day One Caliban Decks
2099 Pestilence
Again, there's no way Caliban is actively bad in this list. I just like Drax, Jack Flag, Mercury, Copycat, Cosmo, Storm, Dazzler, Jeff, Bob, Nightcrawler, or any number of other cards more in that spot. But this is Caliban's most obvious home.
Rampiban
This deck can always easily fulfill Caliban's objective, but highlights one of Caliban's main issues – 3-Cost is awkward in several of the decks that would otherwise want him. Essentially, his role in this deck is as a fail case. If you don't hit your ramp, you can go Chamber ⇨ Caliban ⇨ Jubilee ⇨ Blink and a final turn Dragon Lord, Red Hulk, or Magneto for a very strong output even without ramp.
Zabu 4s
Zabu alongside Surge and Psylocke should all but assure we can play a 4-Cost card on turn 3 and then finish off with two 4s or a 4 and a surprise Caliban. Playing a bunch of 4s has historically been strong and one of my favorite theoretical ways to use Caliban, but it's a little awkward to play a 3-Cost as a central part of our 4-Cost focused deck.
Pestilence and Afflictions
My favorite build I've found for Caliban. Unlike the other builds, Caliban has multiple hooks and synergies to justify his place in the deck. I do worry about this deck's power level, but if you're looking for a deck that specifically shows off the new card and is truly a Caliban deck, this is it. I do like how much cheat and free value this deck can bring. Laufey might be a safer choice over Omega Sentinel, but I have dreams of popping my opponent's top two cards in quick succession for an unexpected shift.
5+1
The goal of this deck is to play a 5-Cost and a 1-Cost on the final turn every game. Hopefully, that will mean a 5-Cost and a discounted 5-Cost as often as possible. There are multiple back-up plans to get our 3rd Caliban card in play including tempoing Miles out and splitting Scarlet Spider.
Is He Worth It?
Caliban has a power-level and enough homes that you won't feel embarrassed running him. He'll do fine and will have games where he feels valuable. However, it's really hard to recommend getting him over Drax, Copycat, Jack Flag, or Luna Snow, all Series 5 cards that are a better fit than Caliban in almost any deck. If you happen to get Caliban for free, you'll find some use for him, but it's hard to recommend spending precious resources on him when so many alternatives exist. Also, are we going to get a non-horseman Caliban eventually? His mutant ability allows him to sense and track other mutants, which I think could make for some really cool in-game abilities!
