I’ve been playing Splinterlands for quite a while, always trying to find my own path in each format. Modern has structure, Wild has chaos. To enter this new mode, you need 2,000 DEC. I personally didn’t want to pay that. But then, a whole new world opened between the two: Frontier.
When I first jumped in, I realized something: Frontier really loosens the strict rules of Modern, but it doesn’t fully carry the “anything goes” vibe of Wild either. It’s a balance of both strategy and freedom.
For example, I can bring back Foundation cards that I couldn’t use in Modern. Some of the cards I had shelved finally came back to life in Frontier. That mix of nostalgia with new strategies is what makes this format exciting.
But it’s not easy. Everyone experiments with different combos. A strategy that worked in Modern might fail miserably in Frontier. To succeed, you need to know both the old and the new. The rule sets limit your card choices and force you to think strategically, but it’s not endless theory-crafting.
For me, the best part of Frontier is that the meta hasn’t settled yet. There’s still room for surprises and catching opponents off guard. If you try to apply common Modern tactics here, you’ll probably lose. But if you get creative and explore unique Splinter combinations, you gain a real edge.
I can honestly say: Frontier is a brand-new door for Splinterlands players to truly make use of their collections. It’s both fair and full of surprises. If you’ve been playing for a long time, Frontier can rekindle your excitement. If you’re new, it’s a fantastic laboratory for developing your strategy.
Summoners from the Foundation Set
Marlai Singariel (Water)
And of course, my favorite: Marlai Singariel! That +1 Magic damage is such a powerful boost, especially in Bronze leagues where magic spam becomes a deadly weapon. In my first match, after breaking through the enemy tank, my backline mages unleashed a flood of damage. That’s when I thought: “This is how nostalgia and strategy blend into victory.” Definitely one of the smartest Archons for magic-focused teams.
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_9beb26e8e0f38b2b8a455e720df37e1f?ref=erkut2
Thalgrimore (Death)
When I first stepped into Frontier, I tried Thalgrimore. The “–1 Health to all enemies” effect looks simple at first glance, but the impact is surprising — especially in lower leagues where units can drop in a single hit. In my first match, my opponent led with a sturdy tank, but thanks to this summoner, the battle quickly turned in my favor. “A small debuff can make a huge difference.”
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_c38c0c6f544d229c05cedd65dc447943?ref=erkut2
Barthalamas (Fire)
Playing with Barthalamas and his +1 Speed pressure felt like torture at first — but I quickly learned that speed is the golden key in lower leagues. In my opening match, I fought a speed duel against my opponent. Their summoner was slower, mine faster, and that tiny advantage meant their team couldn’t land enough hits. “I didn’t wait, I struck fast, and I won.”
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_5f3bd366418a39d970cea5aa27ec19c9?ref=erkut2
Aurelia (Earth)
Aurelia gave me confidence as my first Earth summoner. The community often says Earth brings durability — it’s not exactly a +1 Health buff, but it does give a sense of visible toughness. In my first tank-heavy team, that unbroken frontline made all the difference. For me, Aurelia feels “simple but solid.” Truly the backbone of a beginner’s Earth deck.
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_2dbe0634b2710312c0f206aec97d1e42?ref=erkut2
Incessant Sage (Life)
Using Incessant Sage felt like wearing enchanted armor. That +1 Armor buff kept my backline alive for one more round. Against sneak-heavy opponents, I felt this clearly: they endured longer, they bought me time. That’s why I say: “A little armor = a big breath.”
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_b36fc727a218e5c8dbf845040c3b5b79?ref=erkut2
Summary Table — Feelings & Experiences
Summoner Buff / Effect Experiential Impact & Comment
Thalgrimore –1 Health to enemies “ Small debuff, big impact — lifesaving in vulnerable leagues.”
Barthalamas +1 Speed “Speed advantage: whoever hits first usually wins.”
Aurelia Earth resilience “Sturdy presence, great protection for tanks.”
Incessant Sage +1 Armor “Armor = one more breath.”
Marlai Singariel +1 Magic Damage “Melt enemies with magic spam — my favorite Archon.”
Rewards in the Frontier Format
- Daily Wins = Card Rewards
In Frontier, every day you earn a Foundation card for every 5 victories, up to 3 times per day. In the early days, grinding for those 3 cards felt like a fun little challenge — but energy management is key! - Climbing Leagues = Chests
As you climb leagues, you earn chests. These chests bring delightful surprises: cards, potions, Frontier energy, or extra draw tickets. The thrill of progressing through Frontier is multiplied by these rewards. - Chest Contents — What’s Inside?
Each chest can contain:
- 40% chance: Foundation card
- 20% chance: Potion
- 20% chance: Frontier energy
- 20% chance: Frontier Draw ticket
You can also use Alchemy and Legendary potions to boost your odds of pulling rarer cards.
- Weekly Fortune Draw
The daily draw tickets give you entries into the weekly Fortune Draw. Every week, 76 lucky players win special Foundation set cards: Black Foil, Gold Foil Arcane, or Black Foil Arcane. The higher your league, the more tickets you get:
- Bronze: 1 ticket
- Silver: 2 tickets
- Gold: 3 tickets
Quick Rewards Table
Source Reward / Feature
Daily 5 wins 1 Foundation card (up to 3 per day)
League progression Reward chests (cards, potions, energy, tickets)
Chest contents 40% card / 20% potion / 20% energy / 20% ticket
Weekly Fortune Draw 76 players win exclusive foil cards
Potion usage Alchemy or Legendary potions boost rarity/foil