My first entry since the change to Modern and I have to say I am impressed with the variety of cards, abilities and even more so the artwork.
This is a recent battle which I was quite happy with given the overall strategy. I am still working to develop my deck but everything here is a part of my collection so far.
Onto the Skull Cracking and the SPS hoarding.
<Center></Center>
### <Center>Strategy</Center>
40 mana is a good amount and with Fire, Water and Earth available, there are some good options. I have low level 1 summoners for Fire and Earth so I will try something with a higher level summoner. Good speed will be helpful and constant rebuilding armour will also support my strategy.
<Center>
### Divine Shield
The first attack will be absorbed by the Divine Shield. All attacks except the first will apply as per usual rules.
</Center>
<Center>
### Weak Magic
Magic damage hits armour before attacking health.
</Center>
<Center>
### Silenced Archons
I need to get used to the new phrase Archon! - Silenced Archons prevent the Archons from adding any abilities or stats to the lineup.
</Center>
## <Center>[Battle Link](https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_c4700c103d2b8fac4a9db154266cce90?ref=holdeck2)</Center>
##### Prunda Undervesch
With Life unavailable alongside Earth, my highest summoner option i sPrunda Undervesch. With plenty of Water options available, this makes it a good choice. The alternative option for me was Dolfar Darflak but with it being a lower level it is not the best idea right now when this is possible.
##### Commander Slade
I managed to grab a further copy of this card to bolster it to third level. Unfortunately, I am not yet at the right level of summoner to support this card to the maximum but soon enough. With good speed and great attack this is a great card. The Evade is nice and the Enfeeble is an excellent ability to reduce the opposing tank's damage.
##### Pallus
Commander Slade is an excellent tank but needs back up to ensure damage is fully dealt. So Pallus is here to be exactly that. Three damage with Reach and Flying mean that this is a good back up to the Commander in the front line.
##### Daigendark Surveyor
This is a filler card that I am using to ensure there are more hit points between my lineup. The Magic Reflect is nice and helpful but not necessary here. For two mana, five health is actually good at first level.
##### Captain Fellblade
Looking at the opposing history, I see a bunch of sneak options in their lineup so I would like to make some attacks toward their backline to counter this. With the Divine Shield ruleset in place, the first attack will be absorbed so having Captain Fellblade use a multi-attack will incredibly useful to being breaking them down as quickly as possible. Two magic and one melee is good and great speed alongside speed. Good value for eight mana.
##### Archer Koi
In my strategy, it is important to maintain armour due to the ruleset of Weak Magic. For four mana, we gain a repair and some ranged damage. In order to use this card to it's best, I would be looking to upgrade it to third level in order to get additional damage. For now though, it is vital to keep this alive.
##### Thanalorian Scion
I really like this card and I am already looking to increase it's level to the point of additional damage. With Void Armour, it takes a good amount of time to take it down and with a repair to support it from the Archer Koi, I hope to keep it alive to continue doing damage.
### Opposing Lineup
##### Dolfar Darflak
At sixth level this is not only significantly higher than my own card levels right now but also much more dangerous. With this card, I'd expect to see some tough opponents behind it so... let's see.
##### Drybone Megalodon
A strong first position card with Retaliate making it a much more dangerous foe. Four damage is excellent and I am hoping Commander Slade can get that damage reduced down quickly. A great and dangerous eight mana card.
##### Cavewise Wayfinder
Ambush and Reckless make this a decent card. With good speed, health and armour it is a good first position card and the two damage is nice. Ambush makes this a more interesting card to use and the Reckless could be detrimental to the team effort if not calculated correctly. Overall a good choice I think.
##### Ulundin Overseer
Huge health and the Flank ability make this a meaty tank option. With its health pool being so high, I am not surprised to see this in the second position, waiting to take some Reckless damage from the Cavewise Wayfinder. A good option to slow down the opponent. I'd hate to see a heal on this because that could be a real problem down the line.
##### Moxian Rebel
In the new modern, Weapons Training is a significant ability to add into the arsenal of a lineup. Moxian Rebel is no exception to this rule. A great card but one susceptible to damage. It is a good thing Weapons Training lasts for the duration of the battle. Pairing this with Ulundin Overseer is a great choice with its durable health pool. A great selection as part of this combination.
##### Gobalano Soldier
Ambush is an incredibly useful ability as it is able to take the initiative at the beginning of a battle. With Sneak and Ambush this is a nice card. Although at third level it is not quite at the peak of its powers. A good card as part of a sneak strategy but in this case, I think it is a little wasted.
##### Chaos Adjutant
At fifth level, there is additional magic damage which helps to turn this card into a little bit of a beast. The randomised direction of damage is nice in addition to the Snare which takes down Flying enemies and will hit them with 100% accuracy. A nice card at a good level. I like this choice. Perhaps if the targetting is good, it will support the Gobalano Soldier.
### Round 1
Coming out unscathed in the early Ambush round was important. The Drybone Megladon missed important strikes against the Commander which I think were critical to ensure victory for my lineup. Divine Shield for my main tanks has been used up but with the opposing lineup utilising Reckless we can really get to doing some damage past their Divine shields in the next rounds.
### Round 2 & 3
Enfeeble goes to work reducing opposing melee damage and magical sneak damage is helping to take out some of the bigger ranged damage on their lineup. The Scion is doing a fantastic job of soaking up damage and the Void armour is regenerating nicely through the assistance of Archer Koi.
### Final Rounds
With only the Overseer and Moxian Rebel left behind, dealing magic damage, the battle is over and it is time to reflect on the spoils.
### Thoughts and Reflections
* Ambush is a really powerful ability that can do great damage. I do feel it can be a little wasted in a Divine Shield ruleset if you aren't able to Blast damage.
* Void Armour and Repair is a nasty combination and against a Sneak lineup it can be incredibly effective.
* I think the opponent was unlucky as the Scattershot could have landed somewhere more fortunate for the opponent.
* I would really like to finish rounding out my Rare collection. I own all commons for modern and I'd like to round it out before the big upgrades begin.
##### Join Splinterlands:
https://splinterlands.com/register?ref=holdeck2
All card, icons, Splinter images and stats courtesy of [Splinterlands](https://splinterlands.com/)
Splinter Element Icons taken from [Splinterlands](https://splinterlands.com/)
Splinterlands Fire divider by [freeztag ](https://peakd.com/@freeztag/)
hiveblocks