I've started playing Splinterlands four days ago. Have risen to the Gold III rank today and it felt really good! Other than buying the spellbook, I haven't bought anything else yet, however, my cards are not only phantom ones. Got a few gifts and delegation.
That's not going to help me though. Not any longer. Upon reaching Gold III, my first opponent had leveled up cards. I won, not because my strategy was better but because they were bad at playing their cards. It seems I will face stronger opponents with leveled up cards onward.
An update is imminent it seems. Let's see what changes it brings about.