I was also not attracted to trading card games, I wanted to like them but I could never last more than a week.
Hearthstone had a little bit longer run, but the excitement just wasn't there in the end.

When I first read about SteemMonsters (it's original name, as I'm sure you know) from the get-go my interest was peaked. This was back during my first introduction to STEEM back in January.

I didn't really have a good onboarding experience with STEEM, so the $10 price tag to begin playing SteemMonsters was enough of a turn off that I walked away from the platform without looking back.

Fast forward almost two months ago, I see a game called Splinterlands described on a site for TRX(Tron) games, I was already using Tron - ditched all my ETH assets for it once I discovered how much cheaper it was to game on Tron versus ETH..

But back on point, it didn't click in at first that Splinterlands = SteemMonsters, so I joined the Telegram group to 'lurk and listen in'.. The first question I asked was quite arrogant, being

Is this just another game where one needed to shell out cash before playing? I can't start for free?

The community answered quite elegantly actually and spoke very highly about the game - but of course they would!(my thoughts back then)
I saw his admin tag..

Even still, while lurking in the group I got to see other players talk about gameplay and worst teasers of all, screenshots!! So I stuck around for 2 more months, still not really paying too much attention to them though..

In the chat preview one day I noticed someone talking about freebies being won etc..

So my next question was

Where should an interested newplayer prospect like me, be on the lookout for freebies or giveaways, this game seems awesome and I really want to play, but can't pay!"

Almost immediately, one of the admins PM'd me and offered me a free starter pack promo code, $10 value.

BUT I MISSED SEEING THE PM UNTIL WEEKS LATER!!

So imagine my dismay when I do notice the PM and see that the date was already almost 3 weeks past.. My heart sank, there's no way the offer still stands!!!?

Well, obviously you know how this ended - the admin indeed had run out of codes, but knew who to go to that still had a few more.

I am forever grateful that he did, and I know I told you before but if I would have known back in January what I know now, I would have dropped that $10 in a heartbeat.

I love everything about Splinterlands, the collecting, the unwrapping boosters, the art, the battling, earning DEC, making friends.. etc etc etc.

And I have never liked physical trading card games, nevermind how less interesting the digital version were in comparison..

But not Splinterlands! Truly a unique game and many people don't realise how good these cards have held and will hold and appreciate in value.