Ruleset Focus
In this edition of Battle Mage Secrets, we shall dive into the AIM TRUE ruleset.
According to the ruleset, both Melee and Ranged attacks unfailingly hit their designated targets. This also holds true for Magic attacks, even if the targeted Monster possesses the Phase ability. Consequently, all launched attacks find their mark, essentially equating to endowing all Monsters with the True Strike ability that the infamous Summoner Byzantine Kitty grants! 😁
Abilities Focus
AIM TRUE ruleset, these abilities exhibit poor synergies and should be avoided in attempts to enhance your team's evasion rate, as attacks will not be missing their targets in this battle!
(using the same hit/miss calculation as for Melee and Ranged attacks)
from Monsters who do not have the Flying ability
The Battle
In my alt account, jimbei, I was able to engage in a battle that involves the AIM TRUE ruleset. To get right into the action, the battle link can be found here. Otherwise, do read on as I go into more detail regarding the lineup and fight.
Let's kick off by looking at the ruleset present in this battle. First and foremost, we have the main highlight of this week's challenge, the AIM TRUE ruleset, extensively covered in the preceding sections. Following that, we have the Up To Eleven ruleset, endowing all units with the Amplify ability. Lastly, the Lost Legendaries ruleset, prohibiting Legendary Monsters from participating in the battle. The battle imposes a mana restriction of 28 and prohibits the utilization of the Life and Death Splinter.
Summoner, Kelya Frendul
Choosing the Water Splinter in light of the available Splinter options and the current rulesets governing the battle is a practical and strategic decision. The Water Splinter offers a versatile lineup of Monsters that are well-suited for success in this particular battle compared to other Splinters. The added benefits of +1 Speed and Armor buffs from Kelya Frendul are sure to significantly impact the dynamics of the battle! 😄
First Position, Diemonshark
Owing to the constraints imposed by the Lost Legendaries ruleset, I couldn't deploy my go-to tank, Baakjira. However, I found a worthy alternative in the form of Diemonshark, which proves to be a reliable tanker within the Water Splinter. Considering the impressive stats of the Diemonshark, my tactic was to swiftly eliminate my opponent, and this strategy is indeed viable. Moreover, its Retaliate ability provides the opportunity to counter-attack in the face of Melee assaults, allowing it to strike back at its assailant! 💪
Second Position, Deeplurker
Including the Deeplurker in my lineup, especially when utilizing the Water Splinter, emerges as a straightforward decision. The Deeplurker not only possesses the ability to inflict Poison on its target, adding an extra dimension to its already impressive offensive capabilities, but it also introduces the Demoralize ability. This strategic addition imposes a -1 Melee attack debuff on the opposing team, further enhancing its utility in battles and contributing to a more comprehensive approach to tactical gameplay! 😉
Third Position, Angelic Mandarin
The Angelic Mandarin assumes a crucial role as the rearguard Healer, employing its Triage ability to skillfully restore the Health of backline units. Given my choice of Diemonshark as the frontline tank, susceptible to Magic attacks, the incorporation of the Angelic Mandarin becomes even more significant. Beyond its Healing capabilities, the Silence ability becomes a valuable asset, diminishing the impact of Magic attacks from opposing Magic monsters! 😁
Fourth Position, Merdaali Guardian
The Merdaali Guardian, rarely chosen for offensive lineups, possesses the potential to be a game-changer when approached with a strategic mindset. Its invaluable support abilities enable it to independently sustain the entire team. The Strengthen ability is particularly noteworthy, providing a vital +1 Health boost to the entire team. Complementing this, the Tank Heal skill contributes to revitalizing the Health of the first unit in the lineup. Furthermore, the Repair ability comes into play by efficiently restoring the Armor stat within the team, showcasing the multifaceted support this creature brings to the table! 👍
Fifth Position, Igor Darkspear
Igor Darkspear proves to be an exceptionally cost-effective Monster within the Water Splinter. Priced at a mere 2 mana, it delivers a powerful impact with 3 Ranged damage and has the added capability of inflicting the Stun status through its ability, causing the target Monster to effectively skip its next turn. Despite not boasting the highest Speed stat, there's no concern about its attacks missing, thanks to the AIM TRUE ruleset in play! 😜
Last Position, Xenith Archer
To be honest, the inclusion of Xenith Archer in my lineup was primarily a result of depleting my mana after selecting key team members for my battle strategy. Left with only 2 mana to spare, I opted for Xenith Archer and positioned it in the last slot of the lineup. This tactical placement was influenced by the possibility of the opponent deploying Monsters with the Sneak ability, which targets the backline. Consequently, Xenith Archer was strategically positioned as a safeguard, ready to act as my backline tank when necessary! 😇
The Analysis
Even with the diverse range of Splinters available in this battle, it wasn't surprising to encounter a similar lineup when my opponent also chose the Water Splinter. As previously noted, the Water Splinter boasts one of the most well-balanced arrays of Monsters, making it a popular choice when facing rulesets that introduce various possibilities.
My opponent had the luxury to deploy Lux Vega as their chosen Summoner, hailing from the Neutral Splinter. Lux Vega represents a notable upgrade over the Kelya Frendul in my lineup as it provides an additional +1 Health to the lineup!
However, this advantage comes at the cost of increased mana expenditure, potentially impacting the overall damage output of their team. Despite our lineups being essentially identical — comprising Diemonshark, Deeplurker, Angelic Mandarin, and Merdaali Guardian — the difference lay in their choice of the Venari Marksrat (3 mana cost), while I opted for Igor Darkspear and Xenith Archer (totaling 4 mana cost). This strategic choice gave me a mathematical advantage of 4 more damage per round compared to my opponent, ultimately securing my victory! ✌️
Do you guys have any better recommendations for setting up the team in this particular ruleset? Do share them with me in the below comments 😜
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