Hello, Splinterlands Friends and Family! 👋✨

For this week's Splinterlands Community Engagement Challenge, I’ve decided to showcase one of the coolest battles from this year to welcome the next one! 🎉⚔️

I’ll also share my Splinterlands goals for the upcoming year, so stay tuned! 🚀🛡️💪

🌟 Introduction:

As mentioned above, the idea of this post is straightforward. First, we’ll review the highlights of this year in all things Splinterlands. Then, we’ll dive into what to expect in 2025, including my personal goals for the game. 🚀✨

To wrap things up, I’ll share one of my favorite battles! Not because it was an epic fight, but because it showcases one of the most optimal strategies for countering Tofu teams—featuring my favorite summoner: Cryptic. 🛡️🐉

Stay with me as we journey through the past and look ahead to the future! 🌌🌠

I. 2024: Splinterlands and Me 🛡️🎮

2024 was an eventful year for Splinterlands. The release of Rebellion early in the year brought us a fantastic set! 🎉 My plan was to play at the top of the rankings, but that turned out to be quite challenging since I couldn’t get my hands on all the shiny, overpowered cards.

Although I managed to collect almost a full Rebellion set, I’m still missing a few key cards. One card I regret not acquiring is Venka. It has been a true game-changer, and not getting it when I had the chance was a mistake. 😔

On the bright side, I did manage to max out Tofu, Cryptic, Rage, and several other amazing cards. Among them, Cryptic has been my favorite—it’s highly underrated, and I’ve had fantastic results using it. I’m confident it’ll play a key role in my strategies next year! 🔮💪

As for the Halls of Legends promo cards, while they’ve been great for the game, they were mostly out of my price range. I couldn’t afford to level them up properly, so I decided to skip most of them. That said, I did pick up Elanor Bravefoot, and I use her every chance I get. 🌟

This year, I also made significant progress with land ownership. I bought five plots at a bargain price and stocked up on Chaos Legion (CL) epics and legendaries at near-burn value to fill my land. 🏞️ My workers didn’t cost me much, and now my plots are producing, and I’m even working land for others to earn DEC.

Lastly, my account @javiss01 performed really well this year. I earned about 300k DEC and built a solid Soulbound (SB) collection. I’ve kept this account mainly for guild brawls and to continue expanding its SB collection—it’s been a fun and rewarding experience! 💰⚔️

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II. What to Expect in 2025: The Splinterlands Universe 🚀✨

If 2024 has taught me anything, it’s that you shouldn’t bite off more than you can chew. Playing at the top of the rankings is incredibly expensive, and I’ve realized that this goal is no longer sustainable for me.

For 2025, my main focus will be on the next expansion: Conclave Arcana. My goal is to purchase 2,000 packs (including bonuses) during the presale. Right now, I can afford about half of that, so I’m not far off! If I can’t reach my goal, I’ll focus on buying specific cards directly from the market. The key will be identifying the meta-defining cards quickly. 📦🃏

One major shift next year will be the retirement of Chaos Legion (CL) from Modern format. As a Modern player, this means I’ll likely end up burning or selling most of my CL cards. This also means I’ll have to say goodbye to my @javiss01 account, as it’s primarily built around CL cards. 😢 While it’ll be a bittersweet moment, I’ve been preparing for this transition.

With Rebellion cards, Soulbound rewards, and whatever I can collect from Arcana, I believe I’ll be able to compete in Diamond League—maybe even Champion! However, predicting how 2025 will treat Splinterlands is tricky. The end of CL’s era will undoubtedly shake things up, especially since it was so overprinted. Change is coming, and I’m ready to adapt! 🌀

Lastly, I’ll likely skip most of the promo sales throughout the year, focusing all my efforts on Conclave Arcana. That said, I’m already eyeing Fizbo, as I think it’ll be a unique and powerful card worth investing in. 🌟

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These are my plans for 2025. Focusing on the next expansion and adapting to the evolving Splinterlands landscape. Let’s see what the future holds! 🚀🔥

🥊 Lastly: A Battle Featuring My Favorite Strategy with Cryptic!

I wanted to wrap up this post by sharing a battle that highlights one of my favorite strategies using Cryptic. 🛡️✨

This match wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, but I absolutely love this combination of cards when facing Tofu teams. It’s a reliable and fun strategy that works beautifully with Cryptic’s strengths.

Cryptic vs. Classic Tofu

Let’s dive into the action! ⚔️🔥

Watch the Full Battle Here

In this match, my speed-focused Cryptic lineup went head-to-head against a Classic Tofu team—a setup known for its heavy damage output and durable tanks. Despite their robust defenses, Cryptic’s strategy made quick work of them.

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Lineup Breakdown 🛡️✨

1. Venator Kinjo: Acting as an off-tank, this card’s Slow ability was critical for reducing enemy speed. Its low mana cost made it an efficient pick.
2. Merdaali Guardian: Served as a healer for my main tank. While its Repair wasn’t often needed (Cryptic teams typically lack armor), the extra magic attack it gained from Weapons Training proved invaluable.
3. Djinn Oshannus: The backbone of my team. With Forcefield and incredible speed, Oshannus absorbed damage while retaliating swiftly.

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Battle Highlights ⚔️🔥

• First Strike Advantage: My team’s speed allowed them to attack first, quickly eliminating one of the opponent’s tanks.
• Enemy Disruption: Venator Kinjo’s Slow and Cryptic’s Blind synergized perfectly, making it nearly impossible for the enemy to land hits.
• Damage Mitigation: Even when the enemy’s Venka connected, Forcefield reduced the impact, keeping my Djinn Oshannus in the fight.

Pivotal Moment:

By the late game, my Djinn Oshannus had built up 6 speed, leaving the enemy monsters stuck at 1-2 speed, blinded, and unable to hit. The fight stretched on due to the Equalizer ruleset, but my victory was inevitable.

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Key Takeaways 📜💡

1. Speed is King: In Cryptic lineups, leveraging speed buffs can neutralize even the most powerful opponents.
2. Adapt to the Enemy: Utilize cards like Forcefield and strategic healers to counter heavy hitters such as Venka.
3. Utility Wins Matches: Monsters like Venator Kinjo provide crucial debuffs that can turn the tide in your favor.

This battle showcases why Cryptic remains my go-to summoner for dismantling Tofu teams. It’s a reminder that speed and strategy can overcome brute strength any day! 🌀✨

🎉 Wrapping It All Up

2024 has been an incredible journey in the Splinterlands Universe, filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of lessons. From building my collection with Rebellion cards to exploring the limitless potential of Cryptic strategies, it’s been a year of discovery and fun. While I didn’t quite reach my goal of dominating the top ranks, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, especially with my land plots and growing SB collection.

Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for the game. With Conclave Arcana on the horizon and the end of Chaos Legion’s modern era, we’re about to witness some major shifts in the meta. My focus will be on staying prepared, adapting to changes, and continuing to enjoy everything this amazing game has to offer.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through my year in Splinterlands and my plans for the future! Whether you’re here for the battles, strategies, or just to share the love for the game, I appreciate your time and support. Let’s make 2025 another year of epic battles and unforgettable moments! 💥🛡️🔥

What were your highlights from 2024 in Splinterlands? And what are you looking forward to in the year ahead? Let me know in the comments below!

See you on the battlefield, my friends! 🌀⚔️