Ruleset Focus
In this edition of Battle Mage Secrets, we shall dive into the intricacies of the ODD ONES OUT ruleset. This ruleset dictates that only monsters with odd Mana costs are permissible in battles. It's a relatively straightforward rule, lacking a specific strategy that can be exploited to gain an edge over the opponent by selecting particular monsters or abilities. Nevertheless, possessing a solid understanding of an array of monsters' mana costs proves invaluable for anticipating your opponent's available options during the battle 😁
The Battle
In my alt account, jimbei, I was able to engage in a battle that involves the ODD ONES OUT 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 start by dissecting the ruleset governing this battle. Firstly, we have the Lost Legendaries ruleset, which restricts the use of Legendary Monsters in battles. However, it's important to note that this restriction doesn't apply to Legendary Summoners. Next, we have the Taking Sides ruleset, which prohibits the use of Neutral Monsters in battles. Lastly, the central focus of this week's challenge is the ODD ONES OUT ruleset, which we've already thoroughly explored in the earlier sections. Additionally, this battle imposes a mana cap of 30 and disallows the utilization of the Earth Splinter.
Summoner, Kelya Frendul
Excluding the Earth Splinters from the battle, the extensive array of Splinters posed quite a conundrum in terms of choosing the most suitable one. Eventually, I settled on the Water Splinter and designated Kelya Frendul as my Summoner. The Water Splinter boasts a versatile roster of units apt for various types of battles, including those governed by the ODD ONES OUT ruleset. The benefits that Kelya Frendul bestows, such as +1 Speed and +1 Armor, are generally advantageous across a wide spectrum of battle scenarios! ✌️
First Position, Cruel Sethropod
Cruel Sethropod emerged as a stellar choice for the pivotal role of the primary tank, largely due to its remarkable health and armor statistics. While it lacks any standout abilities, its cost-efficient 3 mana pricing aligns with its well-rounded attributes, encompassing 3 Melee attack, 2 Speed, 6 Armor, and 7 Health. These are precisely the statistics that one typically seeks in a frontline tank, ensuring it can effectively absorb incoming damage and serve as a reliable bulwark for the team! 💪
Second Position, Tide Biter
Yet another economically sound option from the Water Splinters, the Tide Biter shines as a valuable addition at a mere 3 mana cost. This versatile unit contributes significantly to the team through its diverse abilities. Despite occupying the second position, its Reach ability enables it to execute Melee attacks effectively from the rear lines. Additionally, the True Strike ability guarantees precise strikes that won't miss their mark. To top it off, the Reflection Shield ability safeguards the Tide Biter from suffering retaliatory damages, be it from Thorns or the splash effects of Blast attacks! 😝
Third Position, Nerissa Tridawn
Nerissa Tridawn, despite demanding a substantial amount of mana at a cost of 9, wields a formidable firepower with 5 Magic attack, a factor not to be taken lightly. Despite the constraints of a limited mana cap, I made the deliberate choice to invest significantly in including this monster in my lineup. This decision stemmed from my belief that within the ODD ONES OUT ruleset, there were no opposing monsters capable of effectively countering the offensive might of Nerissa Tridawn! 😎
Fourth Position, Venari Wavesmith
Venari Wavesmith stands as an exceptional monster within the game that is priced affordably at 5 mana cost. It boasts impressive statistics, encompassing 3 Magic attack, 4 Speed, and 4 Health. What made this monster popular amongst players is its invaluable Protect ability, capable of endowing the entire lineup with a substantial +2 Armor buff. These additional Armors frequently prove to be the decisive factor that can tip the scales in favor during battle, rendering Venari Wavesmith a beloved choice! 😆
Fifth Position, Merdaali Guardian
The Merdaali Guardian remains an often overlooked monster, seldom selected for offensive lineups. Yet, when employed with a tactical mindset, this creature can singlehandedly sustain the entire team through its invaluable support abilities. Its Strengthen ability bestows a crucial +1 Health boost upon the entire team, while the Tank Heal aids in rejuvenating the health of the first unit in the lineup. Additionally, the Repair ability comes into play by effectively restoring the Armor stat within the team! 👍
Last Position, Angelic Mandarin
The Angelic Mandarin takes on a pivotal position as the designated healer within my lineup, offering essential support to wounded monsters in the backline through its Triage ability. As previously discussed, within the constraints of the ODD ONES OUT ruleset, it appears there are limited options for countering Magic-type monsters. Therefore, the inclusion of the Angelic Mandarin, equipped with its Silence ability can curtails the Magic attacks of opposing Magic monsters by 1! 😇
The Analysis
Given the extensive selection of Splinters at our disposal for this battle, I certainly didn't anticipate encountering the Water Splinter. To add a twist to the tale, my opponent and I shared the exact same lineup! 😲
Encountering an identical lineup never fails to make me ponder, "Did we both stumble upon the absolute best lineup available?" If not, how else could we explain two individuals independently crafting teams that are entirely identical? 😂
Jokes aside, one significant factor contributing to this scenario was ultimately the restrictive nature of the rulesets in play. The ODD ONES OUT ruleset alone eliminated a considerable portion of the available monster pool. Additionally, the Lost Legendaries and Taking Sides rulesets further narrowed down our choices 😅
At first glance, with both my opponent and me fielding the exact same lineup in precisely the same sequence, I assumed the game would inevitably conclude in a "Draw". However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that my opponent's monsters were under-leveled. Consequently, the battle continued, and I secured victory thanks to disparities in our monsters' strengths. It appears that luck was on my side for this battle! 😉
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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