On the last day of 2025, I was torn between writing the Hive Year-End Report of our family's accounts and writing again in Splinterlands about an unfamiliar new ability. I have been facing this ability on the battlefield, and I didn't understand how it works. I was referring to Bloodline Tribute.
Encountering players on the battlefield using this ability, I wonder why I kept losing. Then I was reminded of an Epic card that I had paid 15,000 GLINT for last season. I thought the card was useless, and that's why I ignored it.
I didn't expect a neutral card with low health, like the Saltwraith Pirate, to be a powerful tank. However, the tank must die for his allies "to live," so to speak. Upon his death, allies of the same bloodline will gain 1 health, speed, armor, and power for each shared attack type. But of course, victory is not guaranteed. It is like a boxer after fighting several rounds will enter the ring with renewed strength. The chance of winning is bigger, unless the opponent's cards are too strong.
Not only did I discover this new ability, but I also began to appreciate the importance of "bloodline" or ancestral lineage. That "Rodentian" blood serves as a clue in using this new ability. In fact, I tried using Saltwraith in the battle, thinking that once he died, all team members would automatically increase in all stats. It did not happen. After several attempts, I gave up using Saltwraith, and I thought the 15,000 GLINT I paid was not worth it. I didn't understand that the Bloodline Tribute only works for allies of the same bloodline. And so I started searching the market, looking for Rodentian blood.
Searching is not easy, for there are three card sets and seven elements to look for. You have to check the specific bloodline you are looking for under the Foundations, Rebellion, and Conclave Arcana card sets. Since Saltwraith is a neutral Epic card, naturally, I tend to look first for allies within the neutral camp. I found none in my collection, but I found one in the market.
I immediately transferred 16.735 $HIVE to Hive Engine and bought 3,523 DEC. I purchased five Quillstorm Mage and combined them all to reach level 2. I paid a total of 163 DEC.
Both Saltwraith Pirate and Quillstorm Mage are of the Rodentian bloodline in the Conclave Arcana card set. I continued searching in other elements. I found Anchor-Hex Adept in the earth element and Bristleborn Brigand in the death element.
Under the same death element in the Rebellion card set, I found two of Rodentian ancestry: Broken Earth Thug and Meriput Slinger. In the life element, we have Meriput Magician. In the earth element, we have Quilliun Legionary. I like this last card very much because of its Thorns and Void abilities. Unfortunately, I could not use its Bloodlust ability because I didn't have a maxed-out Earth Archon to summon it.
Lastly, in the Foundations card set, we have Echelon in the fire element, Vicious Quilliun in the earth element, Codex Sage in the life element, and Nim Guard Captain in the death element.
For a sample battle of this Rodentian bloodline, check this battle.
In this battle, you can see that I used five rodents to form a battle team: Saltwraith Pirate, Nim Guard Captain, Broken Earth Thug, Quillstorm Mage, and Bristleborn Brigand.
Even though the other player has three cards in his team, the Akane Dragon Archon is very powerful to command Leolin Sifu, Bellowmancer, and Songale. These cards have high health. Previously, when I was still not using the Bloodline Tribute ability, I would automatically surrender facing such a powerful team on the battlefield. This time, the battle lasted seven rounds, and I won. Thanks to the Rodentian family.
Now I know how to use the Bloodline Tribute ability. How about you? Have you tried using the same ability in your battles? How did it turn out?
For those who are curious about Splinterlands and want to check it out, here's my code.