Navigating splinterlands tokenomics can overwhelm new players facing multiple currencies with different purposes and acquisition methods. This post breaks down each token, explaining when to use them and how they fit into your overall game strategy.
Each of splinterlands tokens serves distinct purposes and offers different advantages depending on your playing style and investment approach.
Credits represent the most straightforward entry point for new players. These tokens serve as your primary spending currency within the game ecosystem. Purchase credits directly through the in-game interface using multiple payment methods, but please note that credit card payments require identity verification. Credits can be used throughout the splinterlands ecosystem (purchasing Spellbook, acquiring Guild Power and Wild Pass, etc.), but probably what most players will use Credits for is to purchase the Spellbook, as this is critical for unlocking the true play-to-earn ecosystem within splinterlands. If you have a long-term mindset and want to keep things simple, purchase the Spellbook using Credits.
Dark Energy Crystals (DEC) function as splinterlands' stablecoin. Unlike Credits, DEC can be bought, sold, and traded on external markets. It is designed to maintain a peg value of 1k DEC = $1. However, the market drives pricing, which creates fluctuation opportunities. Currently, 1k DEC is $0.85, and therefore, if you believe DEC will increase towards its peg in the long term, there is a value trade here (NFA). DEC can be acquired via in-game and external marketplaces like Hive-Engine. To keep it simple, when DEC is below its $1 peg, DEC purchases become more cost-effective than Credits. Therefore, purchasing or renting when the DEC is below peg most of the time will always be a more cost-effective way of maximising your buying power.
Splintershards (SPS) serves as splinterlands' governance token, combining traditional cryptocurrency functionality with player voting rights and staking rewards. Players can vote on community and DAO proposals. SPS offers staking mechanisms which earn between 10-11% staking rewards. It's fundamental in ranked battles as the more you have staked, the higher your SPS earnings from each battle, i.e., more staked SPS = higher ranked battle rewards. New players joining the game should prioritize accumulating SPS as staking creates compounding benefits and offers players a chance to influence long-term governance decisions.
Glint represents gameplay rewards earned exclusively through playing and winning matches. Every ranked battle provides players with an opportunity to earn small amounts of Glint. Every season, player will earn large payouts based on their performance ranking for the season. One of the great benefits of Glint is that it's available to all players regardless of whether you have purchased the Spellbook to unlock the play-to-earn mechanisms within the splinterlands ecosystem. I love spending Glint at the end of each season by purchasing Loot chests and hoping to unlock a legendary monster or two.
For players seeking alternatives to in-game purchases, Hive Engine provides secondary market access for DEC and SPS trading using swap tokens representing other blockchain currencies.
Here are some common pitfalls that I often see new players falling into:
To succeed in splinterlands requires patience and having a long-term mindset and approach. Understanding how the different tokens work together within the splinterlands ecosystem can be daunting to new players. Many have said that splinterlands has too many tokens, but if you look at it critically, each token has a key purpose. Credits provide easy accessibility to splinterlands, DEC is the game's stablecoin, SPS delivers governance functionality and staking rewards, and Glint rewards consistency. Start simple with Credits and the Spellbook purchase, and gradually start to learn the splinterlands ecosystem and everything it has to offer.
Are you new to splinterlands and want to learn to play the game? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Splinterlands: A Collection of Articles and Guides. If you enjoy reading my splinterlands content, please follow and support me by signing up to play splinterlands through my affiliate link: https://splinterlands.com?ref=mercurial9.
Thank you for reading, and hope you have a good rest of the day!
Follow me on these other platforms where I also post my content: Publish0x || Hive || Medium || Twitter
