This week's @splinterlands share your battle weekly challenge 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.
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.
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
Summoner: I opted for Darla because of the +1 melee, thinking of the manticore's reach.
- Silvershield Paladin - decent damage and shield
- Manticore - a very useful 5 damage with the buffs
- Dragon Jumper - bit pricey on the Mana front but well protected in the middle and with flying.
- Evangelist - mainly for the inspire, but a useful 4 damage too.
- 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.