![](https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/splinterlands/23uFKAZ2YNRA7uUPN9ND9BhLsud6m4vi9NXGkNqdywsoH9CYiVGVaw4nXq7fSjVXLPETU.png)
Every week there is a Splinterlands challenge that can be found in [this week's post](https://peakd.com/hive-13323/@splinterlands/splinterlands-community-engagement-challenge-underdog-victories). I also encourage [Splinterlands](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/what-is-splinterlands) players to partake in the challenge because they get to learn about the game. In this week's challenge, we talk about a close fight where I won due to Thanalorian Blade.

## Featured cards

![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jfang003/23uQEegR4k3XhdkhLaKVy1YvrqfMMXCNGqYmyUrhDcaZkEhrY6haHPBMymaoPhzc4Hbxk.png)
Thanalorian Blade is an Earth monster that costs 6 mana. It starts with [opportunity](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-opportunity-ability). It learns execute at level 2, lookout at level 3, and [trample](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-trample-ability) at level 6. I actually have this card at level 3, and it's one of the current epic cards available in the Glint shop. Unfortunately, my summoners in modern only allow me to use the card up to level 2, though. So I can't use the lookout ability. 

## Rule Set, Battle, and Plan

<center>![rule set.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jfang003/23vhViMfy9NdzUTTpEY5JZ6EUidhV2vpmpAZPQWAFkmMUM28C97E9PXRJdKUYRJp1XsvC.png)</center>
The ruleset this time is [Explosive Weaponry](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-going-the-distance-ruleset) and [Silenced Summoners](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-silenced-summoners-ruleset). This means that archons/summoners lost their bonus effects and all monsters gain the [blast](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-blast-ability) ability. There is also 36 mana available, and I can use fire, earth, life, or dragon [splinter](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-splinter).

|Splinter|Mana Cost|Position|Reason|
|---|---|---|---|
|Brewmaster Abraxas|3|Summoner||
|Mantaroth|11|1st|Shield and Void Armor|
|Pallus|8|2nd|Reach and Flying|
|Thunderhoof Nomad|3|3rd|Deflect|
|Surly Drunk|1|4th|Opportunity|
|Thanalorian Blade|6|5th|Opportunity and Execute|
|Portly Cannoneer|4|6th|Inspire|
|Total Mana:|36|||

I use Brewmaster Abraxas as my summoner because it gives me access to use both fire and earth splinters. Mantaroth is my tank with [shield](https://leofinance.io/@leoglossary/leoglossary-shield-ability) and void armor. Pallus ismy backup tank with [reach]() and [flying](). In my third spot is Thunderhoof Nomad with deflect so it can avoid damage from the blast. After that is two opportunity monsters, and one of them is Thanalorian Blade. Portly Cannoneer is my last monster with [inspire]() to boost my melee damage..

My strategy is to use Brewmaster Abraxas because of duo fire/earth summoning ability, and its low mana cost. It is perfect for this ruleset since extra abilities would be negated anyways. I have some decent high-health monsters up front. My third monster is a backup incase Pallus goes down so my opportunity monsters stay alive slightly longer. As I am using mostly melee monsters, Portly Cannoner was a solid choice for me.

### Round 1

![round 1.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jfang003/Eo4A7G7J58kQ3dH9oFhNLTsqziqp4D92FgAmMMsSiFXWDqtmHconE3my4tXvLaLvK3H.png)
At first glance, I think that this match is to my opponent's advantage. My opponent has faster cards than me, and I honestly don't like the look of those legendary monsters in his backline. I still think its possible for me to win if my opponent misses a few attacks, but it's not looking very likely.

### Round 2
![round 2.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jfang003/Eo6DdMkBD1VRBHVg4QiGoeDYrrFViCzWdU4KkbMhMXFkyz2TTWii1q1qoMKfNhxcZVv.png)
I lost my Pallus early, but my opportunity monsters didn't miss so I was able to take out two monsters, including the legendary melee monster that my opponent had. This match could still go either way if I start missing attacks though. 

### Round 3
![round 3.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/jfang003/23tbP7N1vZzwyFd5htAaqQDvBA1oFJx2ZnXv44CAzJYGvZxkTwpDdavLyTXvyguC1oWMC.png)
I was surprised to see how execute worked in an explosive weaponry fight because that attack hit the nearby enemy. I guess that execute attack can hit adjacent targets due to blast. It turned the fight from a 50/50 to a clear win for me. 

![conclusion.png](https://img.leopedia.io/DQmRiSDhXwvgL5g7XW8J6JMqR9kgVYfWF8urspkwRVJDCVD/image.png)  

I ended up winning this match a few rounds later as I expected. I was lucky that Sarius was targeted, as this gave me a chance to take out my opponent's tank and secure the win. 

## Conclusion

The battle this time did play out as I expected, but I think the biggest thing that I learned was about how execute works. I didn't expect to see it target a nearby monster just because of the blast damage, as it turned the battle into my favor quite easily. Overall, I think my opponenet had a decent lineup as my Pallus died before my lineup could attack. This made me think that the fight was over until my opportunity monsters wiped out two monsters. Thanalorian Blade was such a great card in this battle.

You can see my entire match [here](https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_834bdf38637cc598f5e944049d12e6bd?ref=jfang003).

What did you think of my match? Was there anything you would have done differently? I think it is quite interesting to see how different players use the same card. 

Posted Using [INLEO](https://inleo.io/@jfang003/splinterlands-social-media-challenge-underdog-victories-winning-due-to-thanalorian-blade-and-execute-c6z)