The Martyr ability is new to Splinterlands. The ability increases the stats of adjacent monsters by +1. Used effectively, it can sway the outcome of a battle. Considering how regularly a battle can be decided by just a single point of health particularly in the lower leagues, this is a pretty potent ability.
When this Monster dies, adjacent Monsters get +1 to all stats - Splintercards
A 5 cost mana card with Martyr at first level is quite nice. The 2 ranged damage is good but it does remain slow until you get to 4th level. Fury and Snare are interesting abilities which make this quite an interesting card to play, especially in a flying ruleset such as Earthquake. Moving to 3 damage at third level makes this quite a strong card and in an Aim True ruleset this could be quite a strong card for the 5 mana position. Worth checking out for sure. I'll add it to my list.
The most recent addition to my own collection. This card is unique in that it requires max level to receive Martyr. With a great speed, health and armour, this card becomes quite a strong tank. With Backfire and Dodge, this card is bound to make the opponent pay for every miss and especially so when it eventually is defeated. A good card and one to look out for a bit later down the line when you have enough copies. I only have another 45 copies to go!
A nice cheap Earth option at just 3 mana. While the stats do not scream very exciting at the lowest levels, once you get into Gold leagues and above, the ability to Blind along with Affliction are quite good. This card is very similar to the Marksrat and offers only some differences in abilities. There may be a good combination of the two cards somewhere down the line that I'd like to explore. I personally have this card but am yet to use it as I have opted for the Marksrat more often than not due to the Neutral option being more flexible. It's low cost here and Martyr at first level for the Fungus Flinger makes it an interesting proposition and one that I'd like to explore further. Definitely effective in Bronze and Novice.
Taunt with Void is always a great combination but adding in Martyr makes this a unique opportunity to bolster the stats of adjacent monsters. An opportunity worth taking if you are using the Life deck and have 11 mana to spare. Ranged attack of 2 magic is excellent as it allows you to place this monster within the backline of your line up. With a very high health stat of 14 and a good speed of 3, Iziar is a card I am looking forward to collecting, hopefully in the rapidly upcoming End of Season rewards! 6 BCX required to receive Martyr which puts it into the higher leagues for me. Hopefully I pick enough up sooner or later. Certainly would like to try this card in Silver and Gold with minimal BCX as I think there is a use as a solid tank for sure.
Most of my experience using the Martyr ability has come in the form of the Marksrat. The only rare card on this list and with a mana cost of just three, it is a great alternative to other ranged options such as the Xenith Archer. While at its base level it does not compete too well with only one damage and speed alongside two health, the Martyr ability sets it apart. With a low health, this card becomes an Opportunity target and its timely death could spark some of your slower attackers into life. While a single BCX copy of this card will likely impact most players reward shares, this card and ability may just be too good to overlook. This is one of my favourite new cards.
https://splinterlands.com?ref=holdeck2
...and rent out your cards for some juicy DEC rental fees. Save yourself the hassle of listing and relisting and let the Rental Golem take over for you:
https://splex.gg/?ref=3s5haoqkjteadpf8
Splinterlands Fire divider by freeztag
All card, icons, Splinter images and stats courtesy of Splinterlands
Ability and Ruleset blurbs taken from Splintercards
Splinter Element Icons taken from Splinterlands
I have reformatted them into PNG files which you are welcome to use here
