It has been about two seasons since I last had the opportunity to level up cards from the Gladius set. Such opportunities will likely become less frequent as time goes on because the higher a card's level, the more copies are required to upgrade it. For instance, with Common cards, you need to combine five copies to reach Level 2, whereas advancing from Level 2 to Level 3 requires fourteen copies, and reaching the maximum level demands 400 copies. However, the number of required copies decreases for higher-rarity cards; for example, Legendary cards require combining only three copies for Level 2 and just eleven for the maximum Level 4. Naturally, reaching higher levels will likely take more time due to the increased number of copies needed, but it is essential to keep this progress going; only then can all the cards reach their maximum power, helping me improve my in-game ranking and strategies.
The first card I leveled up today is a Fire element melee attack card with a mana cost of 8. Even at Level 1, it is a powerhouse, boasting 5 melee attack power and a massive 12 health points. However, its speed was somewhat lacking—an area where I had hoped to see improvement at Level 2. It seems the card designers caught wind of this, yet they did the exact opposite: instead of a +1 speed boost, they gave it a +1 health boost at Level 2. Well, there’s not much to be done about that, but the update isn't bad at all; the attack power is already excellent, the health has improved by +1, and the 'Bloodlust' ability remains a fantastic asset. Strategically, it can now be deployed either in the second line of defense—behind a card with the 'Flank' ability—or right at the front to serve as a tank.
The next standout card—belonging to the Water element—is "Alva the Crusher"; incidentally, it was the first card in my deck to reach Level 4. It is a melee attack card with a relatively low mana cost. While its attack power is admittedly on the lower side, it is still a highly effective card—a fact it has certainly proven. Advancing from Level 3 to Level 4 grants it a +1 boost to melee power; although this figure remains lower than that of some other cards, it compensates with 3 points of armor (providing protection distinct from its health pool) and 7 health points, making it an above-average card overall. Its speed of 3 is also significant and cannot be overlooked, as striking first on the battlefield often provides a crucial advantage. Finally, in addition to the "Bloodlust" ability, it possesses a "Shield" ability that reduces damage from incoming melee attacks by 50%, further bolstering its resilience. That is precisely why I favor this card; the excellent blend of stats and abilities makes it a truly great card.
The third one is a somewhat basic card. I say this not because of its low attack power—since I know that even such cards can prove useful in battles—but because its health is extremely low. Health is a major factor determining how long you last on the battlefield, which ultimately dictates your performance; after all, if you don't survive on the battlefield, you can't launch any attacks. That is why I classify certain cards as useless or nearly useless, and this card falls into that category—at least until there is a significant boost to its health or it gains some armor. Even at Level 2, it has only 2 health points; it would be a feat for it to withstand enemy attacks for even two rounds. So, while it might be acceptable at Level 2, by Level 3, I would expect it to have either better health or some armor.
Note:
English is not my first language. So sometimes I use 'Google Translate'. Please don't think that anything I have written in this blog has been copied from somewhere or is AI-generated.
Paragraph Dividers and all the photos are from #Splinterlands.
All the other content images and words are mine unless otherwise stated.
Have a Happy and Blessed day!
