![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23vhse28ZxQaHebEzmQTwS7VukVrst77SS6YdogpaeGtTCZ2D7jKPbgYDiEV7M744xMQt.png)



The theme for the current "Share Your Battle" challenge is Grund but I wanted to share about the card Venari Marksrat and its Martyr ability because I find it so interesting. It's definitely a gamechanger and it's the first time you *should* hope for a card on your team to get knocked off.

Looking at the stats, for the first time, it presents a weird dilemma because on one hand, the stats get more tanky at higher levels, but on the other hand, we want these cards with Martyr ability to be knocked off as fast as possible so it's more ideal to have a lower HP. Do you see what I mean? Lol.

![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23uEvBgFgQMWDutgqvej6ySJ126LWxomhbmy8NopDMg7ftEf6cUXLE5CAAe6eGsQ1b4YP.png)



As usual, here's the lore for Venari Marksrat for your reading interest:

*Venari marksrats spend more time in the forests than they do underground. Most of it is taken with hunting and foraging, with marksrats being the main food gatherers for the venari colonies that inhabit the upperdark caverns of the Realm of Silence. They are incredibly agile and have honed their hunting skills to perfection.*

*Their crude bows are fashioned out of branches and saplings. Don't be fooled by their unrefined look, though. These skilled archers can still hit a fleeing rabbit at a hundred yards with precision. They hunt alone or in packs, and if you ever manage to spot one, you can guarantee they saw you first and have been watching you for some time.*


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**Battle Type & Team Lineup**
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23tbKBQ9sDgUY2XkyBf1ZF9Mc2xGNW3mE8q56DWX6btbLewmSg3wwmzozrM2TvNBLbeWX.png)


|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|Summoner|Kelya Frendul|4|

Kelya Frendul is my choice because I play Water lineups mostly and have the strongest cards within Water. The Opportunity ruleset does put more combinations available as Melee cards also can attack from the backline.

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|1|Sea Monster|8|

Sea Monster is my favourite Water tank currently and I find it much stronger than Diemonshark in most cases. The self healing ability is extremely underrated but important in buying more time for the backline to deal damage. My win rate increased significantly ever since I switched to Sea Monster as tank.

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|2|Tide Biter|3|

Being a relatively low mana battle, Tide Biter is one of the most mana friendly options with just 3 mana and yet packs a 2 Melee attack with a high speed of 4 (at Level 2). In my opinion, he is one of the best pairing with Sea Monster for low mana battles.

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|3|Torrent Fiend|0|

Torrent Fiend is mainly a filler card and helps to buy the backline more time while they have to go through the first three cards. Unlike most battles, Torrent Fiend gets to attack in this one so it's a plus point.

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|4|Cruel Sethropod|3|

Usually Deeplurker features in this position to dish out Opportunity hits, but since all Melee cards can do the job in this battle, I picked Cruel Sethropod for job. It's another card that has 2 Melee damage with just 3 mana (at Level 3 of course) so it's a better option compared to cards like Pelacor Bandit at 1 Melee damage only. And I have placed a card with Martyr ability beside it...

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|**5**|**Venari Marksrat**|**3**|

**Venari Marksrat has the Martyr ability. So the strategy is to slot it between two cards with relatively good damage, and I am planning for it to be taken out fast. For Opportunity rulesets, this is very possible because looking at my lineup, he has the 2nd lowest HP (lowest is Torrent Fiend), so hopefully it gives a huge boost to Cruel Sethropod and...**

|Position|Card/Level|Mana|
|-|-|-|
|6|Axemaster|7|

Axemaster comes in last as a Ranged card. No introduction needed to his Double Strike powers - I am hoping for Martyr to be activated on him so he will be dealing 6 damage instead of 4 per round, and that is going to be very significant for a 28 mana battle.


***
- **Pre Battle**: When I saw the lineups I knew I had a good chance against a full Level 1 lineup. But I am actually more interested to see how the Martyr ability will be played out.
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23u5vWAnMpvuHTRkZZ6CxL6Zm5xxGNGRgH487GLwdLcUFNu3uZ1VvFA9oyVskVXLBMmq6.png)



- **Round 1**: My opponent was fast and both Torrent Fiend and Venari Marksrat were taken out in the first round. Huge boosts to Cruel Sethropod and Axemaster - look at their damage and their stats now! The extra 1 damage and 1 speed is very significant in my view.
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23tbipC6NbzoAAzJyLDnic87cc9gQNxf6FsfVCNK5UaT347fngAbUaop8We58xKhhMXZT.png)









- **Round 2**: I finally took out their Taunt card after a long fought battle as I tried to regain the card advantage. The opposing Pelacor Arbalest was raining these hits very strongly out there, but I am sure my Sea Monster will continue to lead the team.
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23u5bkfW1i7EUqrYsZoLxkFDpdAMRLYnL67WU7TtJAYj9WFvRHvhbtfhknM5jkzvuRtwS.png)










- **Round 3**: Having a damage output of 13 per round was just too much for my opponent to handle (thanks to Venari Marksrat's sacrifice). Axemaster threw out 6, Cruel Sethropod threw out 3, and Sea Monster threw out 4. By the end of the round, victory was almost certain.
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23tkmuQGyjkswWGn668S1fuK9XvA9sHZFT8ZyPHsngadUVp6isPyAZU25nVyyNXC8U142.png)



- **Round 4**: And we completed a relatively easy win and we got to see how the Martyr ability functioned!
![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/relf87/23tv8s4JTLexP2LywVudrq4QUoyrufCp8oAZfo5P43BEwF5wdpGEEts7k3KLEtfXzJwf9.png)






If you are interested to watch the battle, you can find it [here](https://splinterlands.com/?p=battle&id=sl_959d9177b9f3dbff823b56367531f024).
***
**Post Battle**

**Did my strategy work?** Definitely with the placement of the Venari Marksrat card which led to the subsequent activation of the Martyr ability. It is definitely a gamechanger but it requires a lot of thought into thinking whether to use and where to place, in order to for the Martyr ability to be activated. Fortunately, if all fails, Venari Marksrat still dishes out 1 Ranged damage, which is still ok.

**Do I like Venari Marksrat?** Yes, as it comes with the Martyr ability. The best part is, and I think most would agree, is it's a Neutral card. This means you can fit it in any battle except on rulesets where no Neutral cards are allowed. 

**Final thoughts?** I think the Martyr ability is definitely fun and competitive players would welcome the introduction of this unique ability because it give them room to add some tricks onto their sleeves. So thumbs up to whoever that thought of this ability!
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So that's all I have! What are your takeaways from this battle? Feel free to comment below, as I am always keen to learn and improve!

As always, thanks for reading and have a pleasant day ahead!
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*If you are interested to sign up to play Splinterlands, my referral link is [here](https://splinterlands.com/?ref=relf87).*