# Watching great players

If you want to make the most out of your [Splinterlands](https://splinterlands.com?ref=felipejoys) collection, you have to play it yourself and win! That's what's going to make the most bang for your buck. But if you want to win, you have to study the game, otherwise you'll do nothing but waste your time, all while not earning as much as you could.

That's what we're doing in Bronze TOP BATTLES Studies: we analyze three battles from the highest MMR players, learn their strategies and try improving upon them. That's how we're going to become great players that make more money. We begin after our giveaways!

<center>![image.png](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNPfuU4vWr498pfx5Y6bodiBnSDZNzZprVBtBtqDbHHh/image.png)</center>

https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/card_art/Djinn%20Oshannus.png

## Djinn Oshannus delegation

The most upvoted comment by value in this post wins a regular foil Djinn Oshannus for the rest of the season! This is only valid until my next post is up, so participate as soon as possible.

## Random common card giveaway

Additionally, a random comment is awarded a common card, which is sent to your account before my next post is created. This is only valid until my next post is up, so participate as soon as possible.

## Winners from my last post

- delegation: @sheikh27
- common: @instamental

Thank you for participating and I hope you join again!

<center>![image.png](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNPfuU4vWr498pfx5Y6bodiBnSDZNzZprVBtBtqDbHHh/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQmTwfLPF5RJmzYUmXRDtnAPZczfK3Embho3aeicVurBk/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQZbAEHPazsWKpozDUmmNezdRvQMkkT4NBPjGz93AD1mZ/image.png)</center>

## @kjchemical vs @cahayahitam ([link](https://splinterlands.com/?p=battle&id=sl_2a9960e0384b7f4eec0afc97d7358bef))

A battle where strong sneak attacks were enough to break the enemy's backline, but eventually stopped having any effect.

Independent frontliners like Flesh Golem and, in this case, Sea Monster, can self-sustain for a long time without relying on their backline. Because Sea Monster could carve its way from the front gate deep into the heart of the enemy, it didn't matter how useless Sabre Shark was in this battle.

<center>![image.png](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNPfuU4vWr498pfx5Y6bodiBnSDZNzZprVBtBtqDbHHh/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfYMwpHJFf7rb8Q5x3Hd8GyG3ysdejZP6f3enxHpDuyaM/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfERKAg7gCyxmUHPuQwNZ4SZMmEt4anJpfKmphw3gVyzy/image.png)</center>

## @penta555 vs @hunnidk ([link](https://splinterlands.com/?p=battle&id=sl_24a827da9a49c29dc5ca142ee9ec4f13))

Although not as efficiently, this is another example of how a combat-capable frontliner can claw its way through enemy defenses. Hydra's massive damage escaped Mycelic Subspawn mitigation through their taunt ability.

While Hydra really is a strong monster, it doesn't make much sense using it with Mylor Crowling, because it already has the Thorns ability. It doesn't get double thorns. For this summoner, Flesh Golem would have been way better.

<center>![image.png](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNPfuU4vWr498pfx5Y6bodiBnSDZNzZprVBtBtqDbHHh/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmQY82CLEbSgJ51UWAibo36ER86ViTiQMXMizu8TXBLA5c/image.png)</center>

<center>![image](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNamiJLZzZjktCtB6ECy4FCrt63yDtR2aydszfL4Re5AB/image.png)</center>

## @boweeee vs @penta555 ([link](https://splinterlands.com/?p=battle&id=sl_2cb8548ccae958d70b42a93d7f1b065d))

A legendary summoner showing off why it has the legendary status. However, I can't help think that Flesh Golem would lose against a Hydra that's also paired with a Llama.

When boosted by Last Stand, a monster gets +50% damage. While this only gets Flesh Golem's attack up to 3, Hydra scales all the way to 5 since it has 3 base damage - and it has Thorns, providing a total of 7 damage to Flesh Golem every round, but healing for more than 3.

It's no wonder Hydra is such an expensive card to rent. Powerful and scarce, dating all the way back to Beta edition, not even available in Alpha.

<center>![image.png](https://images.ecency.com/DQmNNPfuU4vWr498pfx5Y6bodiBnSDZNzZprVBtBtqDbHHh/image.png)</center>

Image sources: https://splinterlands.com/ and https://ecency.com/post/@nane-qts/free-splinterlands-graphic-resources-20