The "Supply Runner" Run

konaqua(71)

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#splinterlands

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Edited in Canva

Hello, everyone. KonAqua-desu! This is my entry on Splinterland's SHARE YOUR BATTLE Weekly Challenge! SUPPLY RUNNER, where, as the title suggests, share your experiences and insights in one of your battles. Enjoy!

Introduction

To be honest, this was a hard challenge for me because I'm weak when using range units. Range has this mechanics that when they're in first position, they cannot attack. This becomes a pain when your opponent killed your last monster acting as a tank for your range units and they just stand there at the front waiting to die.

In this challenge, we're looking towards using Supply Runner, a 6 mana ability-less ranged unit. Everything that you don't need is in this unit.

But is he as useless as I think he is? Let's find out.

Lore

Every army should have them, every artisan should hire them, and every noble should own one. If you need absolutely anything, then a supply runner will get it for you. For their size they can carry vast amounts, they’re incredibly fast and they’ll even defend your deliveries with exuberant relish. Not only that but their expertise with the catapult they carry is renowned across the land. Countless confrontations have been recorded in the history books of these hired hands coming to the aid of convoys beset by bandits or roaming patrols attacked by the enemy. They have swarmed the foe, firing their shot down upon them and running havoc amongst their ranks with their incredible speed. Most of these forays have ended with the enemy fleeing, but those that did remain and fight didn’t last for long.

Gnomes have lived throughout Praetoria ever since the land was inhabited and are stalwart characters indeed. It is unsure as to whether they are native to this continent or not, but what is clear is that they didn’t originate or come from any of the other known Splinters. Talon and Gorst are the agency that hire them out and this organisation has always been crystal clear in the first and most important clause of their contracts, ‘These creatures are not to leave the shores of Praetoria, ever!’ Whether they are simply unwilling to share these efficient people with the rest of the world or there is some darker more sinister note that prevents them travelling is unknown, but the Praetorians don’t really care seeing as they have the exclusivity rights.

Usually, Gnomes have a natural resistance to magic, but the creeping plague seems to have afflicted some of them in a most curious way. You may get lucky and find one that has picked up the odd abilities that are incredibly useful when working with others, but on the other hand, some side effects have led to manic behaviour, an affinity to ale, mischievous use of their catapults, and downright murderous conduct. Needless to say, reliability can now be a bit hit and miss. You are strongly advised to read your contract of employment carefully, or you may find yourself in an unpleasant situation.
“My Lord, it would appear that there is something awry with your supply runners.”

“What do you mean man? Show me.” Ranrence freed his bulk from the chair with the assistance of his servant who set off towards the great hall.

He followed, already annoyed at having to move anywhere so soon after dinner. His servants knew not to disturb him with petty trivia. The doors to the hall groaned as they opened, revealing a disturbing scene indeed. Two out of the three exquisite crystal chandeliers had fallen from their fixings, smashed to tiny pieces across the floor. The third was swinging precariously with a gnome hanging from the bottom of it. Another was standing nearby, catapult in hand, firing lead shot at its companion who was laughing maniacally.

“What is the meaning of this outrage!” Ranrence bellowed, flecks of spit landing across his chins.

The gnome dropped from the chandelier, landing effortlessly on the long table, scattering Ranrence’s silverware across the polished wood. Then they both crept towards him, their eyes tinged with a venomous green, glinting with malevolence. Ranrence started to back away, grabbing hold of his servant and using him as a mobile shield. A manic chuckle came from behind and he spun about, flinging the servant onto the ground in his haste. Another gnome was approaching, chattering gibberish to itself and brandishing a long kitchen knife, the same green aura radiating from its eyes.

“P-pl-please,” Ranrence whimpered. “Don’t hurt me.”

Card lore can be found on the Splinterlands Website.

Monster Stats and Skills

In my opinion, Supply Runner is bad on lower levels. He has low health, high mana cost and is ranged. As I said, I don't like range because of that certain mechanic, where they cannot attack while in 1st position.

The saving grace is that he has 2 damage and 3 speed meaning he attacks earlier than most, and has decent 2 damage, which can be further increased by abilities like Headwind or by summoners like General Sloan and Selena Sky.

By level 5, Supply Runner's speed is not only increased by 1 but he also gets Swiftness ability, which increases ALL allies' speed by 1 as long as he is alive.

By level 10, Supply Runner also unlocks another ability called "Strengthen" , which further increases ALL allies' health by 1.

Battle

Click on this link to view the full battle.

Mana and Rule Sets

I think Bronze 3 league has always the same rules, Standard. The difference is 29 mana cap. This is a mid mana cap and is best to when use Supply Runner.

Standard - Standard gameplay, rules and mechanics without any changes.

Team Lineup

Description
Summoner: Thaddeus Brood: Currently the best standard summoner for Death as every opponent is affected by -1 Health regardless of the damage type. Cursed Windeku: Standard tank for Death. Has Thorns that damages melee attackers by 2 per attack. Silent Sha-vi: Has 5 health to serve as another tank. Has sneak so he can attack from any position. Supply Runner: I placed him on the 3rd position to protect him. He can act as my 3rd tank for the other back line attackers. Range and magic damage does not trigger Thorns ability. Death Elemental: The most important is the snipe ability that targets non-melee first. Undead Badger: A low mana-cost card with sneak. Complements Silent Sha-vi. Maggots: Another low mana-cost card but with opportunity instead of sneak. Opportunity prioritizes attacking lowest health monsters.

Description

Summoner: Thaddeus Brood: Currently the best standard summoner for Death as every opponent is affected by -1 Health regardless of the damage type.

Cursed Windeku: Standard tank for Death. Has Thorns that damages melee attackers by 2 per attack.
Silent Sha-vi: Has 5 health to serve as another tank. Has sneak so he can attack from any position.
Supply Runner: I placed him on the 3rd position to protect him. He can act as my 3rd tank for the other back line attackers. Range and magic damage does not trigger Thorns ability.
Death Elemental: The most important is the snipe ability that targets non-melee first.
Undead Badger: A low mana-cost card with sneak. Complements Silent Sha-vi.
Maggots: Another low mana-cost card but with opportunity instead of sneak. Opportunity prioritizes attacking lowest health monsters.

Below are the list of abilities in my team:

Below are the battle per turn.
Red texts
indicates that opponent killed someone on my team

Round 1

Both team's last 2 monsters die this turn.
My Maggots dies from opposing Undead Badger's sneak.
Opponent's Xenith Archer dies from my Silent Sha-vi's sneak.
Opponent's Undead Badger dies from my Undead Badger's sneak.
My Undead Badger dies from opposing Silent Sha-vi's sneak.

Round 2

Opponent's Cursed Windeku dies from my Supply Runner.
My Cursed Windeku dies from opposing Silent Sha-vi.
Sneak abilities does not work while in first position.
Opponent's Sha-vi dies from my Cursed Windeku's Thorns ability. Thorns ability activates when attacked by melee monsters.
Dhampir Stalker dies from my Silent Sha-vi's attack.

Round 3

Opponent's Death Elemental dies from my Death Elemental.

Author's Notes

About my Lineup

I like using the mix of melee and magic. Both can attack when in first position unlike range. Adding Supply Runner is okay on that build because I can't see other playable monsters that I have that will improve the line up at that time. There's certainly some improvements that I would've done better for it.

Did your strategy work?

Yes. Supply Runner actually helped dealing with opponent's Cursed Windeku. To be honest, it may actually be the winning card on that game killing opposing Cursed Windeku at the right time.

What will you try differently next time?

I have doubts about this. I am not sure if putting Supply Runner at the very back would be better as he would block some of the sneaks saving two of my monsters at the start of the turn. The problem is doing this might allow opposing Cursed Windeku to survive longer, which might be a bad case.

Is this a better or worse lineup? We'll never know.

Do you like the SUPPLY RUNNER? Why or why not?

I don't like using a low level Supply Runner. The mana cost is high, the health is low and only has decent damage. However, I think the level 6 and level 10 of Supply Runner is great providing two increased stats for all of your allies.