Steemmonsters - Staple Cards

One of the challenges for splinterlands to take off in popularity is the initial upfront cost players have to put in order to have a competitive deck. I do not know how to solve this, but would like to bring up specific cards that tend to be played a lot and cost to obtain is reasonable. The focus would be the most common card I see for each splinter and explain why they are considered popular. Hopefully this will help new players and players who struggle to move up in ranking on what cards to obtain but whom have minimum assets to spend into this game. This is based on my +4000 games of experience playing so far. Furthermore it is mostly focused on bronze to silver ranks as most of my time has been within that range. For veterans who read this post and like to chime in please feel free.

Common Cards That Players Love

There are a few factors as to why commons are used by many. The supply of commons are the highest in the game and because there is a large supply the prices would also be among some of the lowest. When upfront cost is considered many players would likely focus on their favorites and level up their summoners/monsters as high as possible without burning the wallet. So a gradual leveling up of commons is less costly in the initial levels of 1 - 4, but gets expensive at higher levels than other rarity cards. This is due to commons requiring a lot of cards to max.(I would like to add that Untamed cards are not discussed here due mostly I have not seen enough battles with and against them to identify what cards are the most popular.)
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmPrEu2QuXQvZoMVWw6qntrTciYB4bThQJ5b1QaPrTdaER

Fire Splinter - Cerberus

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qmbo2BGogWMXu4MCGj9Wo4KdmFrK2VPVFa63NQvEQSeS7W
Level 1 Priced = $0.60 - $0.90 for beta or alpha respectively

You will soon find out that most if not all cards listed here mainly focuses on healing. Cerberus starts off the list. Although not a common card the popularity for using this card is still high. It's benefits includes low mana that has heal and can have decent attack of 3 at level 3. The self heal is key for some players playing fire splinter to be putting Cerberus at the front.
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmcDCNXJ222h6itfRp1c3jbnGkYmFu1cgdJd5FEuUrnGwa

Water Splinter - Spineback Turtle

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmcqoASzPjqnBsw35d5MzASrJiLChABSKdNe7ED2JNEXtJ
Level 1 Priced = $0.19 to $0.53 beta and alpha respectively.

Often used at the front of the formation and players invest a bit more to make it a level 4 to gain its thorn ability. The thorn ability makes this card difficult to kill as it has high health and decent toughness for a 4 mana monster. Call it a monster shield for water splinter more like it.
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmU9PC1KK8Dciork9jXFgsUeZfVj9uvW1VicQ8cuzKa7qb

Earth Splinter - Flesh Golem

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmV55CmjLkMZWa8y5zXrkZ9xCfETwZkraEu37oQi7bjxtK
Level 1 Priced = $0.26 to $1.15 beta and alpha respectively.

At level 1 the card will not be much of a use other than a punching bag. A level 3 or higher card is needed to get this monsters's healing ability. At a 6 mana cost it may seem less desirable, however it has a high health to offset. I see this monster in the front position of formations.
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmRECNuJAESePtndZjy6ED8zTa6vJereNUzxcbhc85f5iH

Life Splinter - Divine Healer

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmSD2A5bz6eGsHZ4ripzB6hQZX267xomeneTvJpcXMLKHj
Level 1 Priced = $0.12 to $0.48 beta and alpha respectively.

At level 3 the card has a magic attack, but even at level 1 it serves it's purpose. Which is to heal first position monster in formation. The Divine Healer is likely to be located at the end of formations. Cost for it at level 3 is relatively less than previously discussed Flesh Golem.
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmPL2QjsrGQ3b2eiMijfu6WRXcYDKmo71eJYTwnbtSCsJd

Death Splinter - Haunted Spirit

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmPrT4UvHgYysccgF4wmmFUaU2jg5JDCPd4jY9NF1925dx
Level 1 Priced = $0.65 to $1.45 beta and alpha respectively.

Another self heal monster at level 1. Again like many of the other cards listed here this monster tends to be placed at front of formations. Another positive is that Haunted Spirit can have a melee attack of 3 at level 3.