Hi all,

Introduction

Another post in this series. Thank you for your support in the previous posts 😊

This series intends to determine if there are other aspects of cards that may contribute to increasing its value. Based on your feedback I can focus on more/other things – so feel free to tell me where you want me to go into further detail.
I include some analysis on where the cards fit in terms of gameplay, strategy, comparison with other cards, and a market analysis of its price. Feel free to suggest what more do you want me to look into in this series, and your support is much appreciated!
In this edition I will be looking at the Frost Lion.

Gameplay Analysis

Frost Lion is a Common Water Monster from the Dice set in Splinterlands. It serves as a low-mana tank with defensive abilities, making it an excellent frontline choice for attrition-based Water strategies. With Void Armor at level 1, it can soak Magic damage efficiently, while Shield at level 6 further enhances its survivability against Melee and Ranged attacks.

Mana Cost: 4
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Void Armor (Magic damage is dealt to armor first, instead of bypassing it to health)
Level 6: Shield (Reduces damage from Melee and Ranged attacks, improving survivability)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Void Armor makes it a solid Magic tank, preventing Magic attacks from bypassing its armor.
Level 6: Shield further enhances its durability, making it resilient against both physical and Magic attacks.
Level 10: Max stats improve its ability to tank hits while dealing moderate damage.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Ice Pixie (Water - 2 Mana): Ice Pixie has Flying and Magic damage, while Frost Lion is a frontline tank with defensive abilities.
Vs. Hardy Stonefish (Water - 1 Mana): Hardy Stonefish is a simple 1-mana filler, whereas Frost Lion offers far more durability.
Vs. Diemonshark (Water - 8 Mana): Diemonshark has Trample and better offensive capabilities, while Frost Lion is more cost-efficient and better suited for low-mana battles.

Key Takeaway
Frost Lion is a low-mana tank that counters Magic with Void Armor and resists physical damage with Shield at level 6. It is a strong frontline option in low-mana battles where sustain is key.

Synergies

Kelya Frendul (Water Summoner): Provides additional armor and speed, making Frost Lion tankier.
Baakjira (Water Tank): Pairs well as a secondary tank, stalling the enemy while Frost Lion absorbs damage.
River Nymph (Water Support): Cleanses debuffs to keep Frost Lion alive longer.
Venari Wavesmith (Water Support): Grants additional armor, further improving its tanking potential.

Ruleset Performance

✅ Favorable Rulesets:
Lost Magic: Forces opponents to rely on Melee and Ranged, where Frost Lion’s Shield is most effective.
Little League: Its 4-mana cost makes it an excellent frontline choice.
Armored Up: Extra armor synergizes well with Void Armor, making it even harder to kill.

❌ Challenging Rulesets:
Unprotected: Loses its Void Armor advantage, making it much weaker.
Noxious Fumes: Lacks Immunity or Self-Heal, making it vulnerable to Poison.
Reverse Speed: Its moderate speed can become a liability.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.03
Gold Foil: around $ 1

Investment Potential
Frost Lion is a strong budget-friendly tank that excels in Magic-heavy metas. Its Void Armor and Shield combo ensures long-term viability, particularly in Little League and low-mana battles.

Ratings

Usefulness: 7.5/10 (A great budget tank with strong defensive capabilities)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8.5/10 (Affordable and useful in specific formats)
Versatility: 7/10 (Good in Magic-heavy matchups but struggles in Unprotected and Poison-based battles)

Conclusion

Frost Lion is a durable, low-mana tank that excels at countering Magic damage with Void Armor and resists physical attacks with Shield at level 6. If you need a budget-friendly frontline tank for low-mana battles, Frost Lion is a great addition to Water-based sustain strategies.

What do you think about this card? Do you use it in your lineups? Share your experiences in the comments and let me know which card you'd like me to analyze next!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. 😊