Hi again! In this post, I'll discuss some typical winning strategies per mana with the Death Splinter. As I've said in previous posts, Bronze 3 feels more like a rock, paper, scissors battle as everyone pretty much has the same selection of starter cards (especially if you're renting on a budget, if at all).
I'll try to break down the typical lineups for each mana battle from 12-15. Anything greater than 15 mana gives a lot more room for variability, which makes writing a strategy guide for that a little more complicated.
Super big shoutout to @splintertools for developing splintertools.io and helping me try out different teams!
Please take note that as you use these strategies, practice reading your opponent's previous lineup to see what splinters are often used while trying to estimate the mana cap.
12 Mana
Summoner: Zintar Mortalis (3)
P1 Haunted Spirit (5)
P2 Twisted Jester (4)
This is strong because Haunted Spirit has self-healing and Twisted Jester's Snipe ability takes care of anything on the back line of the opponent.
How to counter this:
Summoner: Malric Inferno (3)
P1 Cerberus (4)
P2 Kobold Miner (2)
P3 Serpentine Spy (3)Cerberus and Serpentine Spy have higher Speed and will hit before Haunted Spirit (coin toss if Twisted Jester will hit first as it has the same speed and rarity as Cerberus)
13 Mana
Summoner: Zintar Mortalis (3)
P1 Haunted Spirit (5)
P2 Undead Badger (2)
P3 Skeleton Assassin (3)
This is strong because Haunted Spirit can hold its own in the front while the other two monsters slowly pick at the back line.
How to counter this:
Summoner: Pyre (3)
P1 Cerberus (4)
P2 Serpentine Spy (3)
P3 Fire BeetleThe 4 HP on the Beetle make a good shield against Sneak while the Serpentine Spy has the speed advantage to ensure hits on the weakest monsters with Opportunity.
14 Mana
Summoner: Zintar Mortalis (3)
P1 Haunted Spirit (5)
P2 Undead Priest (2)
P3 Twisted Jester (4)
The Undead Priest's Weaken + Twisted Jester's Snipe takes care of the back line non-melee units fast.
How to counter this:
Summoner: Alric Stormbringer (3)
P1 Spineback Turtle (4)
P2 Albatross (1)
P3 Ice Pixie (2)
P4 Medusa (4)The Bonus magic damage from Alric will eat up Haunted Spirit's HP before Twisted Jester can get to the Ice Pixie and Medusa. Plus, the Flying from Albatross and Ice Pixie gives and extra miss chance against Snipe.
15 Mana
Summoner: Zintar Mortalis (3)
P1 Haunted Spirit (5)
P2 Death Elemental (3)
P3 Twisted Jester (4)
double Snipe damage on Death Elemental and Twisted Jester just melts the back line of most teams.
How to counter this:
Summoner: Pyre (3)
P1 Cerberus (4)
P2 Kobold Miner (2)
P3 Serpentine Spy (3)
P4 Fire Beetle (3)Fire Beetle attracts the Snipe damage and can tank a few hits while Serpentine Spy counters Death Elemental immediately.
Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list by any means, but feel free to drop your favorite low mana combos for the Death Splinter in the comments!
I sincerely hope all of this helps you enjoy the game more and appreciate its depth and strategy. :)
Good luck, and may your reward chests always contain gold foil legendaries.