Hello Splinterlands Community!
Since the 12 new reward cards were already release. Let's take a quick look on each of these cards on how I think they can perform in silver league where I usually play.
Sidenote: I am not a Leaderboard player but an average player who owned some card but still do rentals. All information below are based on my opinion and playstyle. Each player has its own opinion regarding these cards and I'm just going to share my opinion.
Judging at the first look, Blood Maker is really a good reward card which can deals a 3 range damage randomly. This scattershot can bypass taunt ability. Yodin Zaku's +1 range attack and blast ability and Blood Maker scattershot is a very powerful synergy.
Usage: Blood Maker together with Yodin Zaku for blast and scattershot combination attack.
Rating: ★★★
I would say that Countess Sinash abilities are very useful for fire element. The swiftness ability which can greatly boost allies speed and the opportunity attack to target low health enemies are a key ingredients with Yodin Zaku. Attacking first with a blast damage can definitely seal the battle. The only problem in this card I think is the high mana requirements and the possibility of a blast damage.
Usage: For a high mana matchup, Yodin Zaku with Countess Sinash + powerful range attack cards can secure the battle. Try to include Supply Runner for a double swiftness.
Rating: ★★★★★
Initial look, Medhampir seems to be a not so good card but by looking at ★5 this unlocks thee cripple ability which can be use against healing enemies and increase the range attack damage. With the same mana requirements and damage with Kulu Swimhunter, I think Merdhampir can provide a better benefit because of the life leech and cripple ability.
Usage: A good substitute with Kulu Swimhunter. Best to use in little league which can disable Xenith Monk because of the cripple ability.
Rating: ★★★
The first card to have the reflection shield ability which can negates Blast, Thorns, Magic Reflect and Return Fire. Tide Biter because of the reach ability is best to place in the second position especially against blast and thorns enemies. The downside is that it has a low health and a low attack compare with Flying Squid and Wave Runner.
Usage: Expecting a Mylor users in a little league ruleset? Tide Biter could be a good choice.
Rating: ★★★
I would say that Vampire Bat is a downgrade version of Riftwing, A melee attack with a low health seems to be not a good choice to position this monster in the frontline. Positioning this in the backline can only provide a chance for a missed sneak attack but Riftwing can provide a return fire damage. If only Vampire Bat attack is magic or a range, then this card should be a good one.
Usage: Expecting a sneak attack? Vampire Bat can be position at the rear for a chance to avoid physical attack. I personally still choose Hill Giant over Vampire Bat even with the earthquake ruleset.
Rating: ★
Fighting against Earth element usually use those cards with Magic Reflect to give a return magic damage as the Earth element when Obsidian was introduce becomes very powerful. With the introduction of Vampiric Blossom, A range damage with the Oppress could negate this setup.
Usage: Enemy using Pelacor Conjurer and Failed Summoner as a tank could be eaten alive by Vampiric Blossom. This is a good addition to the Earth element which can destroy those no attack with magic reflect.
Rating: ★★★★
Looking at the basic stats of Vulguine, it does have a good speed, a decent health and an okay attack for a 2 mana cost monster. Vulguine scavenger ability is a great ability to increase health.
Usage: For a low mana match with the equal opportunity or super sneak ruleset in order for Vulguine to attack without positioning in the frontline.
Rating: ★★
Jared Scar is the 2nd card outside Brawl that have the bloodlust ability. Looking at the stats, Jared Scar have a great attack but with a low health for a 7 mana requirement. The slow speed is not an issue because of the True Strike ability. Jared Scar main weakness is magic which especially Mycelic Slipspawn with the force field ability.
Usage: Jared Scar is not applicable in every matchup and scenario. I personally think that Jared Scar is best for the equal opportunity and super sneak ruleset. I won't put Jared Scar as a tank.
Rating: ★★★
I called Ever-Hungry Skull the perfect bait because of its very high armor and a 1 health. Imagine monsters like Serpentine Spy, Deeplurker and Screeching Vulture are attacking this thick skull. It is such a waste of attack. The main weakness of Ever-Hungry Skull is magic and unprotected ruleset.
Usage: Weak Magic, Lost Magic, and Equalizer are the best ruleset for Ever-Hungry Skull serving as the tank for only 5 mana.
Rating: ★★★★
Revealer main job is to stun the enemy which is very useful in most of the cases. For only 4 mana, a 1 to 2 magic damage with a chance to stun is a very useful card. The only thing to watch out are the sneak, snipe and opportunity attack.
Usage: Very useful in most of the cases to stun the enemies.
Rating: ★★★★
Another high class card not only because of the artwork but the stats itself. Dhampir Infiltrator is another variant of Silvershield Assassins in my opinion because of the the same ability but with a lower mana cost and lower health. With Daria Dragonscale as the summoner, Dhampir Infiltrator could be a real pain the back.
What would happen if Daria Dragonscale together with Grum, Carnage Titan, Dhampir Infiltrator and The Viligator? For sure it will be raining a lot of attack in every side.
Usage: Very useful for most of the cases.
Rating: ★★★★★
The Sole Survivor. The first thing that you will think when you see this card is that this card is a buffer card. This can be place in the last position in the noxious fumes ruleset to be the last one to survive the battle because of the shield reflector, camouflage and immunity. It can be place in the position next to the taunt monsters to fully absorb blast damage.
Usage: I don't see Venator Kinjo as a offense or a defense card. The only ruleset that I can use this is for the noxious fumes and will just put this card in the last position.
Rating: ★★
The Vampire Squad are awesome addition to the Splinterlands collection. There are some cards that are not playable in silver league but does not mean that they are trash but those cards may perform better in higher league. These cards may also provide more use in the future once the Legendary Summoners are revealed.
With regards to silver league, Fire, Death and Dragon element stole the show. Blood Maker and Count Sinash totally rock the Fire element which made Yodin Zaku much deadlier. Ever-Hungry Skull and Revealer are great addition to the deck and does have a lot to play in. Dhampir Infiltrator brings more power to the Dragon element.
On the other hand, Merdhampir and Tide Biter are option to play for some scenarios in the Water element. Vampiric Blossom is a great addition to support earth magic users to easily defeat those reflector monsters while Vampire Bat seems not so much in use. For Life both Vulguine and Jared Scar seems to be good for the low mana equal opportunity or super sneak ruleset. Neutral Monster Venator Kinjo is a great option for the noxious fumes ruleset in every element.
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