Greetings, Splinterlands warriors,
There’s one moment in the arena that still feels like watching a gladiator duel—fast, brutal, and full of surprises. This time, the ruleset was Equalizer, with a limit of only 4 monsters on the field. So it wasn’t just about who was stronger, but who could maximize a single factor: the highest HP.
And that’s where the story begins.
I made a decision that, honestly, was a bit reckless but felt logical—using Marlai Singariel as the archon and focusing on magic attacks. My team consisted of Conjurer’s Hubris, Mindless Thrall, Wailsworn Specter, and the main star: Shock Trooper.
Why this lineup? Simple. In the Equalizer ruleset, all HP is set to match the highest HP on the battlefield. That means monsters that are usually “fragile” suddenly become durable. And Shock Trooper, which is normally a double-edged sword because of Electrified, turns into a killing machine if it can survive longer.
My team’s maximum HP was only 6. Honestly, I was hoping my opponent would bring monsters with higher HP. Sounds strange, right—hoping your opponent is stronger. But that’s how Equalizer works. Sometimes you need a little “help” from your enemy.
And when the opponent’s lineup appeared… I immediately realized this wasn’t help—it was a test.
Standing there was a truly brutal melee squad. Saltwraith Bulkhead with up to 8 damage, Colossus Raider with 6 damage, Echelon with 5 damage, all supported by the healer Meriput Magician. This wasn’t a team—it was a bulldozer.
Round one started without hesitation.
Saltwraith Bulkhead instantly wiped out my tank. Fast, clean, no compromise.
I even thought, “well, that’s it.”
But Shock Trooper hadn’t said its final word.
With one strike, it retaliated—taking down Saltwraith Bulkhead. A trade that felt fair, yet intense. By the end of the round, Mindless Thrall fell, and I began to realize… this would be a battle of who survives last.
Round 2 brought the impact of Electrified. Everyone got zapped. This is usually the part that makes me regret using Shock Trooper. But this time was different—since all HP had been “equalized,” the effect was more manageable.
And in this round, Shock Trooper truly began to show its class. The enemy tank was destroyed quickly. Its attacks weren’t just powerful—they were consistent.
Entering round 3, Meriput Magician fell. That’s when I started to feel hope. But still, Shock Trooper’s HP was becoming critical. Every round felt like walking a tightrope.
Round 4… it came down to a one-on-one.
Shock Trooper vs Echelon.
This was no longer about strategy. It was about who blinked first.
Shock Trooper stood with critical HP. One more hit and it was over. But it attacked first. And in that moment—that final strike—Echelon fell.
I paused for a second. Then let out a small laugh.
Sometimes victory in Splinterlands isn’t about domination—it’s about surviving one second longer.
If you’d like to see how this battle unfolded, you can watch it here:
What made this battle most interesting was how Shock Trooper, usually seen as “dangerous to your own team,” became the deciding factor. In this ruleset, its weakness turned into strength.
It also reminded me of many discussions in the community. Many players say:
“Don’t judge a card from one side—look at how it interacts with the ruleset.”
And today, I truly felt that.
My honest opinion?
Shock Trooper is a ‘high-maintenance’ card, but if you understand it… it can be a game-changer.
The lesson I took:
don’t be afraid to take risks, as long as you understand why you’re doing it.
A short tip from me:
when you encounter Equalizer, don’t just look for high HP—look for cards that are usually weak because of low HP. That’s where surprises often happen.
See you in the next arena.
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