While splinterlands is a collectible strategy game, its far from a game that's about collecting NFTs and then throwing them in a mix mash way into a battle. The game is all about strategy and tactics. And while a lot of players focus on having the best cards or copying what the top-ranked players are doing. I have found many players don't fully understand the aspects around speed, positioning and adapting to splinterlands meta. Lets break them down.
Speed
A lot of players overlook speed and if you ignore it, you're basically giving your opponent the first move, where the first strike can determine how the battle will play out. Splinterlands determines turn order based on Speed, but it's not just about who has the most speed. The attack type plays a role too. Some things to consider:
- Faster monsters attack first, giving them the chance to attack first and eliminate any threats. This means if you have a monster with high speed and high damage, then they could remove a potential threat on the opposition team and turn the momentum of the battle as its begun.
- If two monsters have the same Speed, the game uses randomness to decide who attacks first.
- Abilities like Swiftness (increases team speed) while Slow (reduces oppositions speed). Stacking these effects can shift the battle momentum in your favor.
- Recognizing when to adapt to rulesets is key. In Reverse Speed battles, slow monsters attack first so monsters with high speed becomes a liability.
The bottom line -- if you are always thinking one step ahead, your opening won't even see it coming.
Positioning
A common mistake I see with many new players is that positioning only matters to the monster in the first position. What they don't realise is that the placement of every single card affects your chances of winning the battle.
- If your backline is unprotected, cards with Sneak and Opportunity will rip through your backline monsters in no time. Its important to utilize a tanky monster (high armor or high health) in the last spot in the backline to absorb hits from Sneak and Opportunity monsters.
- One of my favorite abilities in splinterlands is the Reach ability so it saddens me when I see new players placing monsters wasting the second slot with a melee monster waiting its turn to move into first position.
- When you trying to protect key backline monsters (e.g. high magic damage monsters with minimal health), then monsters with Taunt will force enemies to attack them first and provide protection to the backline monsters.
- Using low-cost meat shields can be critical in a key spot which will take the focus off your main monsters long enough to turn the tide of the battle.
- Always place healers in safe position where it is protected by backline tanks.
Positioning is about making sure that each card is placed where its able to survive and contribute to the team as much as it can in the battle.
Concluding Thoughts
Most players focus on getting all the cards or copying what others are doing. But if you really want to start winning more battles, you need to start focusing on speed and positioning. Speed determines who controls the battle and positioning makes sure that every card has utility in the battle. If you have been stuck at the same league, then start focusing on these two areas. As mentioned in last weeks post, utilizing the new Training Mode, is a great avenue to think one step ahead and practice strategies to win more battles more consistently.
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