Backfire is one of the five newest abilities added to Splinterlands. The ability causes an attacking monster to take 2 damage if it misses the attack. This ability affects all types of attack styles, making it quite the potent ability.
As with all the new abilities, very few cards have this ability. In this case there are only two: Pelacor Deceiver and Naga Assassin. Both cards unlock this ability around the midpoint of their levels at 6 and 4 respectively.
Both cards have relatively high base speeds and further abilities that aid them in dodging attacks. The higher the speed difference, the greater the chance to do damage. Even though the Naga Assassin is a ranger, it is possible for her to still be useful to the team once forced to the front. I have even personally had success using the Naga Assassin as a starting frontline unit on Spreading Fury. 8 speed, with the potential of 11 if using Byzanite Kitty, can be an obstacle for many melee tanks.
Wrapping Up
I would love to see a summoner that gives this ability to all cards, similar to Mylor and “Thorns”. A summoner as such would increase the viability of many cards and shake the meta up a bit. I feel it would open the door to an obscure strategies of not attacking and solely focusing on buffing/debuffing speed.
