A recent favorite line up of mine is Wave Brood plus 1 healer (usually for Mana Cap 15) or 2 healers (Mana Cap 18 and above). The Healer/s are Merdaali Guardian (included in the starter cards) and/or the second is the Crustacean King. I have not encountered an opponent with this particular line up so far. But it did help me reach Bronze 1 from Novice Level. The few that I've seen using Wavebrood were placed at the end of the line up. I guess it is a matter of preference?
Rented Wavebrood level 1 (0.179 DEC/day) and the Crustacean King level 1 (0.100 DEC/day). Please note thou that with this line up, it takes a while for you to defeat the opponent if you do not click the Skip to Results option.
Wave Brood (Chaos Legion-Water-Epic)
Pros: Taunt and Close Range Abilities at level 1.
Taunt will force opponent's monsters to attack it. With it's 12 Health Stat, it is a good tank.
Then there's the Close Range that allows range monsters to be placed in the first position.
Cons: Range Attack Damage is only 1. No damage done to monsters that have the Shield Ability which reduces damage from melee and range attacks.
Merdaali Guardian (Chaos Legion-Water-Rare)
Pros: Heal Ability +4 Healing at level 1
Cons: No attack
Crustacean King (Alpha/Beta-Water-Common)
Pros: Heal Ability +4 Healing at level 1
Cons: No attack
Example Matches:
Water Kelya Frendul VS Earth Obsidian - Mana Cap 15
https://splinterlands.com?p=battle&id=sl_43342a4bc7dda7e86bf41681a99e738d&ref=straylight
Water Kelya Frendul VS Water Kelya Frendul - Mana Cap 24
https://splinterlands.com?p=battle&id=sl_d8c216a5242260d16b298503154cd5db&ref=straylight
Water Kelya Frendul VS Water Kelya Frendul - Mana Cap 27
https://splinterlands.com?p=battle&id=sl_941e2ba525b9e4c79b8f0e989778d71f&ref=straylight
Abilities Source: https://splinterlands.world/?p=gameplay