Enter The Rift!
I haven't really posted about Riftwatchers. It was released during a time I was mostly overseas, and had very limited time. I am glad I have been actually able to purchase at the pre-sale and get the bare minimum of 2400 packs. This is not enough for me as I support multiple scholars and need at least three max decks. I am no where near that mark, but at least I do have a max deck that I play personally. I haven't played very well last few seasons, mostly because of my travel schedule. My mind was somewhere else. However, after nearly 2 months of travels, I was eager to play the game from home this season, as opposed to playing from various hotels and airport lounges, and even while transcontinental flights! I tell you jet lag sucks!
Couple of my favorite cards!
I must tell you, that I am slow in learning the new cards, and haven't played them all yet. Although I have them all maxed. My most favorite card from this edition so far is Coeurl Lurker. It is a no brainer power card for high mana battles, especially with Kitty. I typically try to give it one or two speed boost in addition to the +2 speed boost by Kitty. At 7 or 8 speed Lurker is basically untouchable with dodge and phase. Even if it gets hit by melee, it still have thorns. Here is a typical battle:
This is not really a high mana battle, only 27 mana, but due to the speeding fury (Enrage) ruleset, I still did the gamble and it paid off. Opponent had a high speed Prince Rennyn led range attack team. It is basically almost the ideal counter for Lurker, because it is the rangle attack Lurker is most weak to. But at 8-9 melee and 8 speed, due to enrage with heal by Kitty, it was enough the seal the deal!
Beating one of the top manual and skillful player in-game
First of all, I typically do not play Valnamor. I never enjoyed playing conventional water magic. Especially after the advent of amplify, playing magic can be a liability. But for some random human reason which I can't explain I decided to play Valnamor. Again here, this is not a high mana battle and I essentially forced Runemancer into the team, perhaps not what a AI bot will do. I didn't obviously know I will playing hossain, but at this late season, I was basically expecting who's who of the game here. So I thought with Valnamor Runemancer can be 5 magic attack and I thought if I can get a couple of hits, the life leech alone can be worth it! I must also say while Runemancer was certainly the star of this battle, but it was that silent support from Chaos Agent that also made the win happen.
After the game I was ecstatic, and I messeged hossain, and he said: you kill it with one card
Something I will remember for a long time!
Then he also said: my team was the counter of jacek but you surprised me...
Well I am no Jace, neither I like to play jacek (not my fav summoner), but perhaps that's the reason I could pull this win. A single win or loss means nothing, but I will cherish this interaction and conversation with Hossain for a long. Afterall, it is our memories which makes us who we are............
In today's bot infested Splinterlands, maybe this little bit of human, personal interaction, I can offer. Also, it is necessary to play the ideal team all the time? I say no, our mistake, our idiosyncracies, our taking on a hunch is what makes us human. Don't you think its cool?
PS. I just wrote this post while listening to "Enter the Rift"; it still gives me goosebumps, just like it did during the Splinterfest when it was the first time I listened to this.......many thanks 
Folks please listen to the tune if you haven't, we are so grateful we have these talented people working for our game tirelessly!
