This week's @splinterlands [share your battle weekly challenge](https://peakd.com/splinterlands/@splinterlands/share-your-battle-weekly-challenge-win-upvotes-manticore) was to win a battle with the Manticore of the Dragon Splinter. 

I like this card - it's a monster that almost certainly goes 'raagghhrrr'. 

On top of that you only need to take it up to level four for 2 damage and thorns, while level five gives you 3 damage, and all for 4 mana, which makes this very useful for low-ish mana battles. If you use him with Darla, then he also gets a plus 1 attack from the outset with the reach ability. 

To my mind, when you get to 1-1 mana-damage ratio, that's a card worth playing.

The Manticore is also a useful second tank: with 8 health at L5 (9 at level 6) he can soak up a lot of blast damage and probably still have something left once tank 1 falls, then the thorns kick in. 

https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/reward/Manticore_lv5.png

There's also relatively few low mana cards in the Dragon Splinter, which is another bonus here. 

Having said that it took me about 3 hours of playing to find a battle which was a natural set for the Manticore mainly because all the decent rulesets that would have favoured him had the Dragon Splinter frozen out. Still, I got there eventually and if you want to see my opponent being beaten by my deck with the Manticore, [check out this battle](https://steemmonsters.com?p=battle&id=991de7fc6ac0c0dd2002e52f1616f5240bfcc509&ref=revisesociology).
### The Rule Set 

- Earthquake - an obvious rule set which favours the Manticore due to his flying ability
- No neutrals - Dragon being a good choice as, because you gets more choice!
- 27 mana - fine for the Manticore! 

### The Line Up 
 ![monsters.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/revisesociology/u74AKcrw-monsters.JPG)

_Summoner: I opted for Darla because of the +1 melee, thinking of the manticore's reach._ 

1. Silvershield Paladin - decent damage and shield 
2. Manticore - a very useful 5 damage with the buffs
3. Dragon Jumper - bit pricey on the Mana front but well protected in the middle and with flying. 
4. Evangelist - mainly for the inspire, but a useful 4 damage too. 
5. Bard - I had 1 mana left over, some protection from sneak, but also 'cleanse' can clean stun, which I find often catches me out. 

### Did my strategy work?

Well basically YES - to see it in action [click here]()! 

Round 1 - Dragon Jumper immediately takes out my opponent's opportunity card (GOOD!). Earthquake kills of the bard (so much for his contribution!) and my opponent's tank already. 
Round 2 - Dragon Jumper takes out my opponent's flame monkey, this feels like a bit of a waste. 
Round 3 - Manticore takes out my opponent's Giant Roc, which is now his main tank, in one massive 5 damage hit. 

Now it's all over, my opponent is left with one non flying ranged attack, and I've got two flying attackers, plus the evangelist. 

### How important was The Manticore?

He played his part although the Dragon Jumper was probably more instrumental! 

He's clearly very effective with a couple of inspire buffs! 

Not sure this is a fair test? I do have better cards than my opponent, still a win is a win and I've been beaten down enough by people playing Selenia's and Rennyn's in my time, I don't have either of those, so I'll take it! 

### When do I use the Mantitore?

I used to play the Manticore quite a lot, when I was mostly in gold, but now I'm up in Diamond I see him a lot less infrequenlty. 

I don't know whether this because this is  a 'gold level card' rather than a 'diamond and champions' card, or just because the rulesets recently haven't favoured him - but honestly I don't think I've seen anyone playing him at all this season. 

Having said that, he did fit with the above ruleset pretty perfectly. 

The Manticore is especially useful for the following:

- low-ish mana battles - around the low to mid 20s
- Anytime you need a decent 'second tank'  
- Hes especially for the earthquake rule set. 
- Melee monsters attacking from any position would also suit him well.