The Untamed expansion introduced not only new cards but also several new rule sets and abilities to the Splinterlands game. The Diamond Dragon was the first Legendary Airdropped Untamed card, and with the Dragon's release came the new Last Stand ability. Last Stand provides a 50% boost in all stats if that monster is the last remaining on the team. Three monster cards now have the Last Stand Ability, Torhilo the Frozen, Diamond Dragon, and Kron the Undying. Of these three, Kron the Undying has proven the most popular especially in low mana games.
With Last Stand coming into play at level 3, the Kron card sees heavy use in the Gold and Diamond leagues. A typical Kron scenario that players often encounter is a 12 or 13 mana game. The opponent plays a chicken, a 2 or 3 mana earth summoner, and Kron. The chicken in first position dies quickly, absorbing a full hit, and Kron immediately morphs from a 3 magic, 2 speed, 11 health monster into an incredible 5 magic, 3 speed, 17 health! At level 4, this transformation is 6 magic, 3 speed, and 18 health.
At a 12 or 13 mana game, it is easy to see why a single card with these stats and the healing ability would quickly decimate an opponent. However, there is a very effective counter. The Untamed Series also increased the availability of counters. Reflect and affliction have become more common, both of which are crucial to countering an expected Kron Last Stand.
With only 12 or 13 mana to work with, card efficiency is key to countering the Kron Last Stand play. The basic set required is a tank reflect card, an affliction card, and another attack card. Fitting those into 10 mana is not easy, but not impossible. The standard reflect tanks such as Lord Arianthus and Haunted Spirit will work, but I have found the Failed Summoner at 2 mana to be the best option. For earth, that means Goblin Chef with affliction and preferably poison is essential, while death would require an Undead Archer. Both of these cards are low mana leaving room for either a low mana healer or another attacker. Add in a chicken just after the tank to buy an additional attack. With some luck, affliction will hit early preventing Kron from receiving massive heals. The combination of reflect, affliction, and another attack will often knock out Kron just in time, but it is usually close.
Other rule sets will obviously affect how well this counter works. One example being that with earthquake, max Dark Ha'on with reflect potentially outlast Kron.
Best of luck using this counter!
Lord Arianthus Tank
https://twitter.com/SplinterlandsG/status/1258773051719720967?s=19
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Failed Summoner Tank
https://twitter.com/SplinterlandsG/status/1256203546359447552?s=19
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Dark Ha'on Earthquake
https://twitter.com/SplinterlandsG/status/1253659501900808192?s=19
- SplinterlandsG