Splinterlands is going through a lot of changes, however, having the right skin in the game and putting in some extra commitment, helps players adjust to the system.
However, it's been difficult to adjust to the SPS requirement necessary for getting maximum rewards. So Initially I thought the quality of the chests will be compromised, but this isn't the case, the quantity of the case was what was compromised.
From earning 32 to 38 chests, the best I can currently do is 16 to 20 maximum gold chests. It is also tough to now play in modern. Why?
It has become very lucrative to play in modern and the "wild" occupants have led the exodus back to the "modern" format.
However, my rewards this time were not bad at all, it's just that the meaningful soulbound rewards have been reduced, and while I actually want to own more of them, it's great to see that 70% of my EOS' reward for the past one month have tilted towards the dollar value assets; more merits, more SPS and even a significant change in the CL packs.
You can agree with me that having an increase in the number of summoners and cold cards even though they are soulbound creates the same level of excitement too.
For the first time, I got the highest SPS haul since I've been playing Splinterlands: 154. Although this isn't significant to me. 
I've also had the opportunity to see the haul of some other players and I want to agree that a higher number of players got better rewards compared to last season.
I got a pack as well and I might just sell it to increase my SPS holding. (Pack openings are not as exciting as they used to be. Overall, I finished with 17 chests. Quite average. I couldn't finish in Gold 2 or 3 as I planned.
My ECR rate has taken a massive hit, I was even at the risk of not starting this season in Silver 3 by not finishing this season in Silver one. In the last 3 hours of last season, I had the opportunity to actually finish in gold 3, but I got into a 5 game-losing streak and nearly dropped out of silver one and I didn't have enough ECR to continue.
I was completely blown away and I saw some of my opponents earning 2 to 3 SPS for winning and this goes to show how much they're vested in SPS. However, I'm happy with my season's reward, getting one pack and 154 SPS in a 17-chest reward is a big deal for me.
Pack-Opening Is No Longer Exciting
I have opened over 10 packs in 6 months and I didn't even manage to get an epic card not to even talk of getting a legendary) selling the pack will be more viable, as all road now leads to building SPS.
I would have diverted some resources to actually renting some SPS to compete, but there are just too many areas I have to grow and the resources to do that isn't just. On the flip side, I have finally crossed the 4k SPS mark and while it's actually not a big deal, I still think it's a good one.
Although I do regret not inorganically growing my SPS, I could have had a significant amount when it was the bull market.
SPS is Now The Real Deal
Although SPS is still cheap, it's no longer a commodity that a lot of players want to sell.
SPS is now one of the most coveted assets on Splinterlands and owning a lot of it means a lot of in-game wins and the opportunity to collect decent rewards when it eventually moons.
Last season was a very tough one, I lost a lot of games, the competition is getting stiffer and this is a very good indication that a lot of people/investors/players still find splinterlands very lucrative and prospectful.
I also noticed some older names coming back to the game, it shows that some of these changes are bringing these accounts back and it's great for retention, even if it affects the earning capacity of the smaller accounts. Good season, and I hope this season will be better.
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