As a dedicated Splinterlands player and investor, I’ve been immersed in this Web3 trading card game since its early days (I joined in 2021). The thrill of owning NFT cards, strategizing in ranked battles, and earning rewards like Dark Energy Crystals (DEC) and Splintershards (SPS) hooked me from the start.
But I’ll admit, there was a moment recently when I considered walking away.
The crypto bear market,declining player numbers,and economic challenges in the game had me doubting its future. That all changed with the Splinterlands team’s recent course corrections, led by CTO Matt Rosen @yabapmatt, and the electrifying release of the Conclave Arcana set. These developments have not only rekindled my passion but also solidified my belief that this phoenix is ready to rise again.
Here’s why I’m staying all in.
My Journey with Splinterlands: From Player to Investor
I jumped into Splinterlands during the 2021 crypto boom, captivated by its strategic auto-battler gameplay and true asset ownership on the Hive blockchain. I spent hours crafting decks, climbing to Diamond League, and reveling in the play-to-earn (P2E) model. As my love for the game grew, so did my investment—buying rare cards, staking SPS, and renting out my collection for passive income. But the crypto winter hit hard, with falling token prices and a shrinking player base testing my resolve. By mid-2024, I was seriously considering cashing out—until the team’s bold updates and the Conclave Arcana set changed everything.
The Turning Point: Course Corrections That Restored Confidence
Under Matt Rosen’s leadership, the Splinterlands team rolled out a series of updates that addressed the game’s biggest pain points. Drawing from recent community posts and town halls on platforms like Hive and Discord, it’s clear the team listened to players and acted decisively. Here’s what convinced me to stay:
Economic Overhauls and Token Stability
The oversupply of DEC and SPS was dragging down their value, but the team introduced burning mechanisms, like increased DEC sinks for in-game purchases and events, to reduce circulating supply. They also tweaked reward structures to favor active players, making ranked matches and tournaments more lucrative. These changes have stabilized token prices, boosting my confidence in my SPS stake and DEC earnings. As an investor, this was a game-changer.
Land 2.0 and Expanded Utility
The Land 2.0 expansion has finally taken shape, with players now able to survey and develop plots to produce resources like grain and SPS but now wood stone and iron. New crafting mechanics and ability to craft midnight potions (to enhance the probability of pulling black foil cards) have made land ownership more rewarding, turning my plots into a mini-game within Splinterlands. The increased utility has driven up land NFT values, making them a solid long-term investment.
Community-Driven Governance and Transparency
The Splinterlands DAO has empowered players like me to shape the game’s future through proposals, like those for validator nodes and strategic spending. Matt Rosen and new team members like Blaze and Dave, both longtime players, have been transparent in AMAs and podcasts, sharing a clear roadmap. This community focus makes me feel like a true stakeholder, not just a player.
The Conclave Arcana Set: A Game-Changing Spark
The release of the Conclave Arcana set in May 2025 has been nothing short of a revolution. This sixth core set, launched with a successful presale that saw over 2.4 billion DEC/Credits spent, has brought fresh energy to the game. Here’s why it’s a major reason I’m staying:
Innovative Card Packs and Mechanics
Unlike previous sets, Conclave Arcana introduced four pack types—Standard (4,000 DEC), Alchemist (12,000 DEC), Legendary (24,000 DEC), and Starter (1,000 DEC)—catering to different playstyles and budgets. The Starter packs, gifted to new players with a Spellbook purchase, are a brilliant move to onboard beginners. New abilities like Empower (boosts adjacent units’ power) and Last Word (counters specific strategies) have shaken up the meta, making battles more strategic. For example, cards like Bristleborn Brigand (with Snipe and Demoralize) and Archmage Yabanius (a promo card for the 7th anniversary) have become staples in my decks, especially in Silver and Gold Leagues.
Meta-Shifting Impact
The set’s introduction of Archon summoners and bloodline monsters has added a new layer of depth. The Conscript ability, now rotating out with Chaos Legion’s move to Wild format, has leveled the playing field, while abilities like Painforge and Reckless (seen in strategies with cards like Ashen Cindergrim and Runic Skychonk) have created explosive combos. I’ve been experimenting with these in ranked play, and the results are thrilling. The shift of Chaos Legion to Wild has also preserved the value of my Rebellion cards, a smart move by the team.
Hype and Community Engagement
The Conclave Arcana presale was a massive success, with a leaderboard frenzy and players vying for rare Black Foil cards, like Oridum Graybrow (Mint #7), which are now some of the most valuable in the ecosystem. The community buzz on X and Discord has been electric, with players sharing pulls and strategies. Posts on X highlight the set’s gorgeous artwork and its impact on Modern League, with sentiment overwhelmingly positive. This hype has driven SPS prices past $0.01, reinforcing my investment.
Why Splinterlands Will Rise Again
Splinterlands has proven its resilience, surviving two crypto winters while competitors faded. The Conclave Arcana set, combined with economic fixes and land updates, has revitalized the game. Recent posts on Hive note a 10% uptick in daily active users since the Rebellion set, and Conclave Arcana has only amplified this trend.
As a player, I’m having a blast with new Conclave Arcana cards and their meta-shifting abilities. As an investor, I’m bullish on the rising value of my cards, land, and SPS stake, especially with a potential bull run on the horizon. The team’s transparency, community governance, and relentless innovation—spearheaded by Matt Rosen—have convinced me that Splinterlands is not just surviving but thriving.
Final Thoughts: A Phoenix Ready to Soar
To anyone wavering on Splinterlands, I understand the hesitation—Web3 gaming is a wild ride. But the Conclave Arcana set, with its innovative packs and game-changing cards, has breathed new life into the game. The team’s recent updates show they’re committed to players and investors alike. Whether you’re here for the strategic battles or the investment potential, Splinterlands is worth your time. I’m all in, battling with my new Archmage Yabanius deck and managing my land plots, and I can’t wait to see where this phoenix flies next. Grab a Spellbook, dive into the Conclave Arcana chaos, and join me in the Splinterverse!
Disclaimer: This is my personal perspective as a player and investor. Always do your own research before investing in any game or cryptocurrency. For more on Splinterlands and the Conclave Arcana set, visit splinterlands.com or join the community on Discord.https://discord.gg/Zz3EEhEr
[//]:# (@splinterlands, everyone deserve a second chance, a transparent and honest (rarity in web3) dev more so!)