SPELLS & ITEMS
Today's post features the first LEGENDARY magical spell. It's a Dragon splinter spell called FLYING STRIKE. This spell costs 2 mana to cast. FLYING STRIKE allows the caster to give 2 units the FLYING ability and AMBUSH ability in the Tactics stage.
DESIGN
The first tactic here might seem like a safe bet, but hold on. FLYING is an ability that used to go hand-in-hand with the Dragon splinter. Lately though? Not as much. We are not in Alpha/Beta anymore, and most of the new dragon creatures don't even have FLYING these days. Is this off theme then? Possibly, but hopefully not. To me, it actually strengthens the need for FLYING STRIKE because, come on. Dragons need to be able to fly 🙌
The second tactic AMBUSH draws inspiration directly from the Rebellion Dragon splinter summoner AKANE. More on all this below.
MANA COST
A likely criticism is the mana cost. Only 2. That may seem like a low mana cost for this much power, or maybe not? Interested to see how people react. Either way, this is the first LEGENDARY rarity spell, so that's why. It's meant to be powerful. Plus, there won't be too many of these floating around. Plus, burning one to win a match means you really wanted to win that match. Plus, this is all completely, imaginary make-believe at this point anyway. I'm going with it.
FLYING STRIKE allows you to suprise your opponent with 2 flying creatures for only 2 mana.
AMBUSH
FLYING STRIKE takes some of its inspiration from the Rebellion summoner AKANE. If you've had the opportunity to play with AKANE, you already know that probably the most fun thing about this summoner is the double AMBUSH tactic.
Sometimes in low mana battles, giving VENKA + 'something else' the AMBUSH ability can lead to some quick wins if you get it just right 💪 The niche for effectively using the FIRST STRIKE spell would likely be similar.
The Rebellion Dragon splinter summoner AKANE allows you to give 2 units AMBUSH in the Tactics stage.
FLYING
FLYING STRIKE takes the rest of its inspiration from the Dragon splinter generally. This is a splinter that used to be known for the FLYING ability, especially in the Alpha and Beta card sets. Ever since then though, more and more Dragon creatures don't have FLYING. If you look at the chart below, you'll see what I mean.
For a while, it's a trend that's likely been masked to some extent by BRIGHTON BLOOM. If you play modern, you might have forgot this card already, but BRIGHTON BLOOM was the Untamed summoner that gave all allied units the FLYING ability. If you used him, all your units had FLYING anyway, so you might have still associated the Dragon splinter with flying.
Now? The better bet might be RISQUEL because the Dragon splinter has very few flying units. Once Chaos Legion rotates out of Modern? Who knows. It will depend on what direction they take the new set.
The Untamed Dragon splinter summoner BRIGHTON BLOOM gives all allied units FLYING.
THE CARD
For the card art, I tried to imagine some type of non-flying animal creature just in the moment when it's getting wings. The wings are just popping out, and even though it looks like it might be painful, don't worry it's not. You can see the dude is excited and ready to take off into the sky for a first strike ambush attack.
HOW SPELLS WORK?
Spells have their own mana cost. Just like units and summoners. Except you spend "spell mana" in the tactics screen, not in the pre-battle screeen. This means that when you select the summoner and units for your lineup in the pre-battle screen, you need to leave some mana to spend in the tactics screen.
For example, if you want to use FLYING STRIKE in a 26 mana battle, you can only spend 24 mana on a Dragon summoner and units during the pre-battle screen. Then use the remaining 2 mana to cast FLYING STRIKE during the tactics screen. On the other hand, if you spent all 26 mana on summoner and units, you wouldn't be able to cast FLYING STRIKE (or any other spells, or summon any items) in the tactics screen.
FLYING STRIKE alt background.
Have a better idea for how Spells and Items should work? Say your ideas in the comments 🙏