For this battle challenge, I wanted to try something different. In the past I have played matches until I won, and while it has been good it always made for a what did I do right, and not so much a what I maybe did wrong. So today I have one chance, one battle, to try a winning hand. And then we will analyze it. So here we go...
But first a little something about the star of our show today!
There are those who may think the Realm of Silence is a place of deep dark caverns. That could not be further from the truth. It is a region like any other in the Splinterlands that is full of homes, cities, and cultures. There are even universities that specialize in the study of magic, music, and geography. One such underground species that excels in academia are the Venari.
They created the Institute of Application that acts as a center of study for spells and tinkering. Those who wish to become fluent in spellcasting train to become Spellsmiths: masters of creating and using spells. It is through this knowledge they research and experiment with magic in order to unlock new ways to harness mana and the elemental forces.
A Venari Spellsmith is so dedicated to the art of spellcasting that magic itself became a part of them. While they themselves can manipulate magic to damage foes, magic burns through their veins. Upon death the radiating Mana explodes from their bodies, harming everyone around the Venari.
I really love reading the lore, but I feel like we are missing a great ability (or disability) with them that could translate well into the game and that is "Upon death the radiating Mana explodes from their bodies, harming everyone around the Venari." Wouldn't that make a great addition to the game, maybe give them a little more Strength, Health, Armor, or in this case Mana, but at the cost that if they die, they explode on your side (instead of the enemy. While I think Redemption is a great ability, it only impacts the enemy, what if it instead impacted your team...
Anyway, on to the show
The Rules
The Lineup
Summoner
As the Chaos Legion Earth Summoner I chose to use Obsidian for the challenge. In some quick research, I had read that the Earth splinter is a good match for the Spellsmith, and since my Mylor Crowling wasn't high enough level to take advantage of the Spellsmiths Amplify ability, I went with the next one I had that would. At 4 Mana Obsidian gives +1 Magic the the team.
Front Row
I have done a Battle Challenge with the Venari Knifer, if you want to see that.
I choose the Knifer to try and take advantage of the Amplify Ability and get some extra damage with the Knifers Thorns ability.
Second
Next was the Orc Sergeant. He has 1 Attack, 2 Speed, 6 Health and the Reach Ability.
I used the Orc for the Reach Ability, this is an Ability that I may overuse in my battles (read, all of them). I feel it is a good one, though not always.
Third
In Third is the Goblin Psychic which I have also talked about in another Battle Challenge.
Bottom line if you need to keep your tank alive as long as possible you need the Goblin Psychic. and it definitely helps that he rocks 2 Magic damage.
Fourth
In the fourth spot I decided on the Queen Mycelia. 1 Magic, 1 Speed, and 4 Health doesn't seem like much, but add that Protect Ability giving everybody +2 Armor, how could you resist. Again another card that I maybe use too much, but hey might as well...
Fifth
In the fifth spot is the Venari Spellsmith. He isn't super powerful, with 1 Magic, 2 Speed and 4 Health, but once paired with Obsidian to give an extra Magic Damage and equipped with the both the Dispel and Amplify Abilities, makes this a very decent card.
Sixth
And to round out my team I went with the Sand Worm. With 5 Attack, 1 Speed, 2 Armor, 5 Health and the Sneak Ability, the Worm is a great card, in reality I only choose it for the high Mana cost and the Sneak ability, so I really hope it helps.
Link to the Battle over on splinterlands.com
Conclusion
So, how did I do?
Quite bad actually, I need to learn how best to use that Amplify Ability better and see what cards work well with it and which to avoid, as mentioned earlier I am a creature of habit and tend to use the cards that I know. Which let's face it, isn't the best strategy in this game. I think overall I can see where the Venari Spellsmith could be really great in battle, I just need to learn the synergies. Hopefully overtime I will improve and get some more wins, I think I will continue this one shot format going forward.
Play splinterlands
Thanks to @kyo-gaming for the use of the dividers