Hi all,

Introduction

Another post in this series. Thank you for your support in the previous posts 😊

This series intends to determine if there are other aspects of cards that may contribute to increasing its value. Based on your feedback I can focus on more/other things – so feel free to tell me where you want me to go into further detail.
I include some analysis on where the cards fit in terms of gameplay, strategy, comparison with other cards, and a market analysis of its price. Feel free to suggest what more do you want me to look into in this series, and your support is much appreciated!
In this edition I will be looking at the Ant Miners.

Gameplay Analysis

Ant Miners is a Common Fire Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. It is a low-cost, durable tank that gains strength as the battle progresses, making it a valuable choice for attrition-based strategies. With Scavenger at level 1, it becomes harder to remove as enemy Monsters die. At level 6, it gains Shield, allowing it to mitigate damage from non-Magic attacks.

Mana Cost: 2
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Scavenger (Gains +1 health every time a Monster dies, making it stronger over time)
Level 6: Shield (Reduces damage from Melee and Ranged attacks, improving survivability)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Scavenger allows it to scale into a high-health tank in longer battles.
Level 6: Shield reduces incoming Melee and Ranged damage, making it significantly harder to kill.
Level 10: Max stats, making it one of the best low-mana tanks in the game.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Radiated Scorcher (Fire - 1 Mana): Radiated Scorcher is a cheaper utility Monster with Shatter, while Ant Miners scales health and becomes tankier over time.
Vs. Tenyii Striker (Fire - 5 Mana): Tenyii Striker has high attack and Dodge, whereas Ant Miners is a pure sustain-based tank.
Vs. Uraeus (Neutral - 3 Mana): Uraeus has Sneak and Poison, while Ant Miners thrives in endurance battles.

Key Takeaway
Ant Miners is a low-mana, high-survivability tank that becomes stronger as Monsters die. Its Shield ability at level 6 makes it highly resistant to physical attacks, allowing it to absorb damage in extended fights.

Synergies

Tarsa (Fire Summoner): Boosts its health and melee attack, making it a stronger frontline option.
Yodin Zaku (Fire Summoner): Gives Blast damage to Ant Miners, allowing it to contribute offensively.
Living Lava (Fire Tank): Pairs well as a backup tank when Ant Miners eventually falls.
Disintegrator (Neutral Debuffer): Reduces enemy Melee attack, making Ant Miners even tankier.

Ruleset Performance

✅ Favorable Rulesets:
Little League: Its 2-mana cost makes it a perfect pick.
Equal Opportunity: Scavenger allows it to gain even more health.
Noxious Fumes: Can survive longer as it gains health from fallen Monsters.

❌ Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Its moderate speed makes it unreliable here.
Unprotected: Loses its Shield advantage, making it more fragile.
Earthquake: Takes damage unless paired with a Flying summoner like Brighton Bloom.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.02
Gold Foil: around $ 0.5

Investment Potential
Ant Miners is a great budget-friendly tank that can scale well in extended battles. Its Shield ability at higher levels makes it highly effective in Little League and attrition-based strategies, ensuring long-term relevance in Fire lineups.

Ratings

Usefulness: 8/10 (Strong low-mana tank with scaling potential)
Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10 (Very affordable and useful in specific formats)
Versatility: 7.5/10 (Works well in sustained battles but struggles against Magic-heavy teams)

Conclusion

Ant Miners is a small but mighty tank that excels in Little League and prolonged fights. With Scavenger from level 1 and Shield at level 6, it becomes an efficient frontliner in Fire-based sustain strategies. If you need a low-cost, high-value tank that thrives in attrition battles, Ant Miners is a fantastic investment.

What do you think about this card? Do you use it in your lineups? Share your experiences in the comments and let me know which card you'd like me to analyze next!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. 😊