I did not see much discussions around players who have a preference in splinters so decided to make a post about it. First off I will be out saying I have a huge bias on alpha version not because I think they superior, far from it, but because I started the game with alpha version. As the game grew the Untamed legendary summoners are far superior to the alpha/beta versions, but Beta legendary summoners can be on par with Untamed in certain matches. Overall I am here to focus on multiple elements as to why my favorite splinter is Water.
Water Summoners
A staple summoner when ever I have water is Alric Stormbringer. Out of all five alpha rare summoners it appears Alric is the prefer top choice. Just by price it is proof demand for the summoner makes it first.
Vera Salacia and Bortus although may not have ideal abilities for a summoner their price range even with current market boom is manageable. The higher bcx cards can be purchased at relative lower cost then respective summoners of other spinters. If I had to pick between Salacia or Bortus I would go with Salacia due to its snare ability.
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Salacia would be ideal for matches with earthquake rule set, but also where flying monsters are likely picked by the opponent.
The Lir Deepswimmer is a decent legend summoner but it really does not bring out the best of what water monsters can do when being utilized. I love using magic when it comes to water splinter. It should not be a surprise just by looking at the monster's selection.
Magic Water Monsters
Call me old fashion but water magic monsters are among my favorites for splinterland monsters. Sea Genie, Ice Pixie, Mermaid, and Ruler of the Seas are locks when I use magic. Only in high mana matches I go in with Phatom of the Abyss. Low mana matches likely Pixie and Medusa. It is worth mentioning though water magic monsters appear to be good they do not have the most in quantities, surprising or not they are earth and death splinters that has most magic monsters running at 11 each.
Before dice and untamed the most lethal monster in the water formation was Ruler of the Sea. A combo with Alric makes Ruler have 3 magic attack and explosion ability as its base. That alone in level 1 matches is difficult to beat.
A underrated water magic monster I say is the Sea Genie. Although speed is slow it has by default flying ability to potentially avoid attacks. The high 6 mana required is likely the reason for it to be a common, but at level 6 and above it includes the ability strength that makes it good as a rare or supporting monster of formation.
Range Water Monsters
One other item worth mentioning with water splinter is the most often sought after monsters to use. One of them is with the range attack and it is none other than the Crustacean King. By far one of the more expensive commons the team heal ability and with toughness is what makes it so ideal to use. A defense monster that will fit in any water formation well. After Crustacean there is Water Elemental and Poseidon that comes to mind as standouts in water range monsters. The self heal in Water Elemental makes it a good fit at rare of formation. While Poseidon massive 4 range attack at 1bcx makes it a powerful attacker.
Melee Water Monsters
It is a bit surprising that water actually one of the most sets of monsters with melee attack. There could be in the future a water summoner that would boost melee attack ability, but the closest we get today is using Dragon summoner Daria and mixing it with water splinter.
I will say that Spinback Turtle is an ideal tanker in low mana matches while Kraken for high mana matches. In battles where melee is focal point of winning, players who want to be aggressive offensively, going with Naga Warrior in the formation will help in making good at damaging opponents. Worth noting another benefit boost in melee attack is the use of Pirate Captain at level 6 and higher. At that point Pirate Captain gives melee monsters 1 attack boost. Just interesting to boost multiple melee +1 in neutral monster Enchanted Pixie makes it even more aggressive in melee attacks.
No attack Water Monsters
To end the review there are two monsters with no attacks and I don't often use either one of these in my water formation. Albatross may come in handy for support role in healing formation at higher level but all in all I rarely use either one of these let alone see them in water formations.
Conclusions
So here it is with my quick be specific review of the water splinter and why it is my favorite. The Alric summoner which was one of the first used in the game is my favorite and combining it with some water magic monsters make the formation very appealing. The magic attack can hit at any spot and avoids toughness stats by default. Yet there are many easy ways to counter a magic formation. Using LA or Prismatic Energy would likely neutralize the water splinter that focuses on magic. Still its one of the older formations that had fared will in many matches and I believe can continue to thrive.
Until next time thanks for reading!!!
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