Introduction
Did you know that boredom and Splinterlands are antonyms? When boredom hits, open Splinterlands to hit boredom out of the park. It’s a captivating game on the blockchain which never fails to impress or throw out surprises.
Talking about surprises, let’s get to know the Javelin Thrower, one of the least spoken about yet the fiercest of rivals on the battlefield. It’s her speed which allows her to attack first almost all the time, and to make matters worse - there aren’t many monsters which can stand her attack. Hmm, she is one warrior you would want in your team.
The Javelin Thrower has impressive stats and despite the average health level, is quite useful in all the other parameters. I mean, less of mana cost, attack value of two and an uber supreme speed of four. All this makes for a great card.
Let’s get to know more about the Javelin Thrower. But before that, I think newbies would want to know what Splinterlands is all about.
So, let’s have it for them, shall we?
What Game is Splinterlands?
Well, it is one of the earliest blockchain-based collectible games. Though I started playing the game quite late, on hindsight, I should have had got going early. Anyway, no need to despair, there is so many opportunities no matter when you start.
Splinterlands is a digital card game which allows you to collect, trade, battle, rent and even earn on the cards. It is one of the most generous games that I have seen where cards, potions, Dark Energy Crystals (DEC. Cryptocurrency) are given out every day to thousands of players for just playing and winning daily quests. And there are tournaments or guilds that you can join.
I hope that gives an overview of the game. I just love the game, and those interested can go to Splinterlands’ site and join. If you want a link to join, I will leave one at the end of the article which you can use.
Scroll down, quick. 😊
Javelin Thrower – The Underdog in a Reptile Suit!
The Javelin Thrower is one of the cards which falls in the sweet spot of low mana cost and yet a decent level of damage. Belonging, primarily, to the Earth Splinter, it is one of the very few ranged-attack cards in the pack. Besides, even the stronger cards in terms of health, tend to have the same attack value as the Javelin Thrower. As such, it is a foregone conclusion that she would be the best addition to a line up with rules favouring the ranged attacker.
What’s more is that the Javelin Thrower has a piercing attack which means if she attacks a monster with armour, the extra attack value is not lost like in most cases. In the Thrower’s case, if her attack destroys the shield, the extra attack further reduces the health in the same attack. That kind of ability is simply the one that you would like to have.
The summoners that combine with Earth Splinter further enhance, the Javelin Thrower’s stats. And that makes her a potent force to have.
That’s all great to know, but the fun is to see here in battle, right? So, let’s look at one of the actions, where incidentally the opponent too had the Javelin Thrower in his/her army.
The Javelin Thrower in Battle
I had chosen the Earth Splinter for one of the battles, and it looked like a potent one until I saw the enemy’s line up. How was it? See for yourself.
Screen 1: We Face-Off
The three monsters that I tend to choose in Earth Splinter are the Unicorn Mustang, Wood Nymph and Earth Elemental. Here’s my entire lineup:
Unicorn Mustang
There would not be many questions on the choice of the Mustang for its impressive stats. An attack value of three and health value of ten for just eight mana cost calls for it being chosen in any battle. Moreover, the Unicorn’s ability to be safe under Magic attack is a bonus.
Spirit Shaman
The Shaman again is a decent choice among magic troops during low to moderate mana games. Also, it isn’t affected by the first attack and can ‘miss’ attacks from ranged and melee attackers at times.
Wood Nymph
Well, the choice is evident for the Nymph’s ability to heal monsters as much as to attack the opponents. It is a no brainer choice in any lineup, more so, the one which involves the Unicorn Mustang
Furious Chicken
The Furious monster finds its place as a filler ahead of the ranged attackers. The position is to give a breather to the ranged attackers should the first few monsters are lost in battle.
Javelin Thrower
Here is the hero of our discussion. The Javelin Thrower is one of the potent ranged attackers in the lineup. In fact, it is stronger in attacks as compared to the magic attackers.
No prizes for guessing why she was chosen!
Earth Elemental
The Elemental is another obvious choice during Earth Splinter battles. For a mana cost of three, the monster has a health value of six. Not many in the Splinterlands arena have that kind of a stat. Hence it finds its way into this battle.
Opponent’s Choice
Just when I thought I had a great lineup, the opponent more or less apes my choices. The Unicorn Mustang, Javelin Thrower and Wood Nymph are part of his equation too.
Hmm. I wonder what I can expect. Let’s see.
Screen 2: Opponent’s Summoner Kills it For Me
The opponent’s summoner increases all his monsters speed by one while decrease all my monster’s speed by one. Take a look.
What this means, in effect, is that the same Javelin Thrower in my team has a speed of three while in the opponent’s side has a speed of five.
Hmm. He gets the first move, and probably, also the last laugh!
Screen 3: The Battle Begins
Guess who starts the battle? It is the opponent’s Javelin Thrower followed by the Unicorn Mustang. Once that is over, my Javelin Thrower and Mustang respond to the attacks.
For those of wondering what makes the Javelin Thrower attack first, it is because the monster with the highest speed attacks first followed by the others. That’s how the game works unless specified by any other rule about speed.
Screen 4: The Javelin Thrower Makes Inroads
Watch the exact moment when my Mustang bids goodbye to this game. 😊
See that? That was goodbye, Mr Mustang. What was interesting was the fact that only the Javelin Thrower on each side being able to dent the Mustang. All other magic attacks were just deflected - no harm at all.
So, see in what all ways the Javelin Thrower plays a role? I bet you do.
Screen 5: Let’s Call It a Day!
This screen sums it all. I had to depend on the Javelin Thrower till the last moment literally.
And she still has her full health value. Sadly, my strategy didn’t quite work.
But, interestingly, the opponent also showed why the Javelin Thrower is an excellent addition to the team; more so, when the speed is enhanced further. So, my opponent cleared the reason for having the Javelin Thrower in my team!
When Do I Select the Javelin Thrower?
The Javelin Thrower is the next best selection after the melee attacker for the first position and the Wood Nymph for the healing ability. In that sense, Javelin Thrower is an automatic selection for the game, if the mana cap allows it.
In case of low mana battles, there are chances that only the Unicorn Mustang and Wood Nymph can go through. If there is still a trifle bit of mana space available, then the Earth Elemental goes too. In such a circumstance, a Javelin Thrower would find it difficult to fit in.
However, whenever the mana cap is in the moderate to high range, Javelin Thrower becomes an obvious choice. So, that’s how I play the Earth Splinter game.
How Does the Javelin Thrower Level Up?
We spoke about the Javelin Thrower’s speed and piercing ability, and as she levels up, she only becomes better in both. Take a look:
The Thrower’s already impressive speed skyrockets to six as she levels up. Also, she gets the ability to evade attacks as she reaches level five. The Javelin Thrower thus makes herself as a super case to be added to your lineup. Will you think twice? I won’t.
So, What Is Your Opinion?
Well, well, the Javelin Thrower is for sure a great ally in your Splinter quests. For me, the piercing ability is the clincher. Piercing is something we rarely see in monsters with the Goblin Mech coming to mind. Any monster having the penetrating ability is a game-changer, as the attack value isn’t lost. I think that alone is an excellent reason for choosing Javelin Thrower.
What is your opinion? Do let me know in the comments.
See you all till next time!
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Image Courtesy: Splinterlands