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 Phantasm.

Gameplay Analysis

Phantasm is a Common Death Monster from the Untamed Reward set in Splinterlands. It is a fast, evasive Melee attacker with Flying, making it an effective dodge tank. As it levels up, it gains additional defensive and offensive abilities, increasing its survivability and damage output.

Mana Cost: 5
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Flying (Increases dodge chance against non-Flying enemies, improving survivability)
Level 5: Return Fire (Reflects a portion of incoming Ranged damage back to the attacker)
Level 9: Retaliate (Has a chance to counterattack when hit with a Melee attack, boosting damage output)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Flying makes it a strong early-game dodge tank, avoiding many attacks from non-Flying units.
Level 5: Return Fire makes it a great counter to Ranged attackers, punishing them for targeting it.
Level 9: Retaliate enhances its power against Melee enemies, making it deadly in close combat.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Cursed Windeku (Death - 6 Mana): Windeku has Thorns, which punishes Melee attackers passively, while Phantasm punishes Ranged attackers with Return Fire and Melee attackers with Retaliate.
Vs. Riftwing (Death - 4 Mana): Riftwing has Scavenger and Flying, making it better for long battles, while Phantasm is more aggressive and counters both Ranged and Melee attacks.
Vs. Silent Sha-Vi (Death - 5 Mana): Sha-Vi has Sneak for backline pressure, whereas Phantasm focuses on frontline survivability and counterattacks.

Key Takeaway
Phantasm is a fast, multi-counter tank that evades attacks, reflects Ranged damage, and counterattacks Melee opponents. It is an excellent choice against teams with heavy Ranged and Melee damage.

Synergies

Contessa L’ament (Death Summoner): -1 Ranged damage weakens enemies, making Return Fire more effective.
Thaddius Brood (Death Summoner): Reduces enemy Magic attack, helping Phantasm survive longer.
Night Ghoul (Death Tank): Has Taunt, drawing attacks away from Phantasm while it builds momentum.
Soul Strangler (Death Ranged): Provides strong backline support while Phantasm holds the frontline.

Ruleset Performance

✅ Favorable Rulesets:
Earthquake: Flying makes it immune to Earthquake damage, giving it an advantage.
Melee Mayhem: Can attack from any position, making Retaliate even stronger.
Close Range: Lets it attack even if moved to the backline, increasing its utility.

❌ Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Its high speed becomes a disadvantage.
Noxious Fumes: Lacks Immunity or self-healing, making it vulnerable to Poison.
Unprotected: Loses its natural armor, making it more fragile.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.03
Gold Foil: around $ 1.3

Investment Potential
Phantasm is a solid, low-cost frontline tank that remains relevant in dodge-based and anti-Ranged/Melee strategies. Its Flying and Return Fire give it strong defensive value, while Retaliate at higher levels makes it a Melee counter.

Ratings

Usefulness: 8/10 (Strong against Ranged and Melee, struggles against Magic-heavy teams.)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8.5/10 (Cheap and effective at all levels, making it a good investment.)
Versatility: 7/10 (Excels in specific matchups but can struggle against Magic-focused teams.)

Conclusion

Phantasm is an agile, multi-counter tank that excels at avoiding attacks, reflecting Ranged damage, and countering Melee opponents. Its Flying, Return Fire, and Retaliate make it a powerful frontline option in fast-paced battles. If you're looking for a strong, evasive tank for your Death team, Phantasm is a great pick.

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. 😊