Sometimes Splinterlands feels like it’s balancing the game and then immediately setting everything on fire. With Equalizer modifier, everyone becomes a tank because all units share the same health. That alone already changes how you tackle the game. But then, add Global Warming modifier and suddenly all that bonus health just slowly melts away each round. It’s fair and unfair, it’s equal but chaotic, all at the same time but at the end of the day, it's fun. It's fun to see who wins when everything is equal... Equally burning.
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Now, back to the original broadcast!
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_d3d53d5a547dc11f564abf0c8be0dbb6?ref=aiko2ne1
With Equalizer active, everyone’s health becomes the same as the highest base health unit on the field. That means units with low health suddenly becomes like a tank. I actually like how the modifier boosts everyone’s health first, then balances it out with Global Warming modifier giving everyone burning debuff to slowly damage all units each round. So yes, everyone is equal but everyone is also equally burning. Because of this, the winner usually comes down to better units and luck.
Because of Equalizer, I wanted to experiment with using a non-traditional tank. Normally, tanks rely on melee stats and armor but Equalizer changes that logic completely. I thought I was being clever by placing Spellmonger in front. Then, I saw the enemy lineup and realized this was going to be closer than I expected. The rest of my strategy stayed simple. I have to stack magic damage since it’s still the most reliable option in Frontier Ranked.
Marlai Singariel: Since I committed to heavy magic damage, Marlai Singariel was the obvious choice. Her magic boost strengthens nearly my entire team. In Equalizer matches, high damage matters more since everyone has high health and that is more true when everyone is burning and you need to end the battle fast before it comes to a draw.
Spellmonger: Originally, Spellmonger is a terrible tank on paper with only 1 armor, 1 health and 1 speed. Under Equalizer modifier, his low health weakness disappears. Suddenly, he becomes strong enough to stay in front. What makes this a good tank is that he has Thorns, so every melee hit against him punishes the attacker. Equalizer modifier basically turns him from a weak tank into a viable tanky threat.
Great Bear Druid: Great Bear Druid is flexible because he has both melee and magic damage. While in the second position, he contributes magic damage safely. If he moves to the first position, he can attack with both melee and magic. That dual attack is not that strong since both has low damage but it's good enough in Frontier Ranked.
Water-Logged Wizard: She doesn’t have abilities but she still has magic damage so that is still valuable. In Equalizer, her health improves significantly as well. The magic damage may be low but with Marlai Singariel, that becomes decent. Sometimes, simple magic damage is enough when stacked properly.
Mystic Scaleweaver: Mystic Scaleweaver brings solid 2 magic damage along with Slow. Slow becomes very important in Equalizer modifier because attacking first means you can lessen the damage by killing some units before they attack. She adds both damage and some form of extra help team-wide with Slow ability.
Saltwater Mage: Saltwater Mage adds 2 magic damage and Sneak attacks. Sneak doesn't increase damage but is still good because in Equalizer modifier, everyone assumes the last position is the safest due to everyone becoming tanks. Over multiple rounds, that back damage adds up. She also benefits heavily from Marlai Singariel's extra magic damage.
Lunaki Howler: Lunaki Howler has no abilities, but again, magic damage is the goal. Equalizer modifier makes her easily killable than usual. I placed her at the very back to potentially absorb enemy's Sneak attacks and protect Saltwater Mage. Even when everyone has similar health, I believe that positioning still matters a lot.
Their lineup feels very similar to mine in terms of magic focus. The biggest difference is that they included New Beluroc Aegis for more defense. While my team leans more toward higher attacks with Mystic Scaleweaver, theirs has stronger defense with Taunt. While their strategy is decent, I still think that in Equalizer modifier, the higher damage wins more battles.
Marlai Singariel: Since their team is also magic-heavy, Marlai Singariel is a good choice. The bonus applies to most of their lineup. With good damage, it can counter the increased health from the modifier. Luckily, I had more damage than their team so it's okay.
Asel Alagosdil: She has no attack but comes with Divine Shield. In Equalizer modifier, her original 4 health doesn’t matter much since everyone’s health is increased and higher. Divine Shield, however, still blocks the first instance of damage which can be a problem depending on who attacks it. That extra layer of protection can buy critical time early in the match.
Great Bear Druid: I think he was added with the same logic as mine. Great Bear Druid contributes magic damage safely from second position. If pushed forward, he can attack with both melee and range attacks so it makes sense to make him sort of a second tank.
Lunaki Howler: She doesn’t have abilities, so her role is straightforward magic damage. With boosted health from Equalizer modifier, she becomes more durable than usual. I believe she was included purely for damage which is good. Sometimes, that’s enough of a reason for a unit to be added in your team.
Water-Logged Wizard: Again, simple magic damage without abilities. In Equalizer, simplicity works because everyone has similar health. She is a decent unit overall because of the synergy between magic attack and Marlai Singariel.
Saltwater Mage: She adds Sneak attack alongside 2 magic damage. Targeting the back of my lineup. Fortunately, I had my Lunaki Howler to protect my team in cases like these.
New Beluroc Aegis: New Beluroc Aegis provides Taunt which redirects attacks toward him. That kind of control is strong in any battles because it protects your units that deals damage. Even if he cannot attack from the back, his Taunt makes him valuable. If you lack extra magic damage options, New Beluroc Aegis is a solid filler.
Equalizer makes strange tanks possible but Global Warming makes the match a race against time. In the end, the more magic damage still feels like the safest bet. My strategies may be simple but it was proven effective.
