Conclave Arcana hype is still raging. The cards are strong and new meta are being developed. I had the opportunity to use them at maximum level in a recent tournament I joined. I gained some insights on which cards are more desired than others. I list my favorite cards below classified by their rarity.
Legendary Cards
Gramel the Hunger
The first unit to have all 3 attacks, Gramel the Hunger stands on top of the legendary cards. On top of that, his skill set is very strong. He has Shapeshift that makes him benefit from all archons. Relentless Strike invalidates the enemy Void, Shield or Forcefield skill. Charge can enable him to attack with melee from the rear. His 3 attacks will sum up to 6 every time he attacks.
Bren Palesworn
Maybe not as strong as Gramel but one can argue that Bren Palesworn can be as valuable. Bren has 2 attacks (2 ranged, 3 melee) for a total of 5 attack every turn. He also has Shapeshift same as Gramel. He has True Strike that enemies cannot dodge from his attack. Finally he has Weapons Training giving attacks to units like Conclave Artificer. I used him in my team in a recent tournament. Here is my game with Bren:
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sm_xhKR0dDOY2hNHw0xqSjE?ref=iamchessguy
Taye Loreswift
I like Taye Loreswift like her namesake. She is only 3 mana and has Inspire. She has Snare to counter flying units. On offense, has 3 melee attack. My recent game with Taye: https://splinterlands.com/battle/sm_Wi0IBqOehTSXIlxIzplr?ref=iamchessguy
Archmage Yabanius
Archamage Yabanius a card named in honor of the founder, yabamatt. A good attacker with a lot of skills like Empower, Stun and Relentless strike. I used him in my recent tournament: https://splinterlands.com/battle/sm_5yGttY5p7jMRbbbpkGU5?ref=iamchessguy
Epic Cards
Hodlor
Hodlor is a double attack (2 magic, 3 melee) unit. He is a unit to be placed behind a tank. He has three useful skills, especially Reach to make him effective on offense.
Ferrous Brewer
Ferrous Brewer is the only single attack unit in the epic list. I like his kit for only 4 mana. He has Charge that can make him attack with melee from anywhere. He has both Relentless and True Strike, nothing can avoid his attacks. He has a support skill, Immunity against poison. For a low mana unit, he brings a lot to the game.
Molten Elemental
Molten Elemental has double attacks (2 ranged, 4 melee) that can play tank. He has Close Range enabling him to use ranged attack as a tank. For defense he has 2 armor and 6 health and he has anti magic Void skill. He is very fast with 5 speed and can fly.
Lucky Longshot
Only 3 mana and has 2 attacks (2 ranged, 1 magic). Lucky Longshot has Weaken to decrease enemy health and she has Weapons Training skill to give attacks to units like Nimbledook Explorer.
Rare Cards
Arcane Skinwalker
Just like the legendary cards, I feel the promo card Arcane Skinwalker is the top rare card. His Shapeshift skill is strong as he can benefit from all archons. He has Inspire to add damage to melee attacks at the same time decrease enemy magic attacks with Silence. Arcane Skinwalker has 3 magic damage and great survivability with 4 armor and 6 health.
Shadowfey Shiek
Shadowfey Sheik boasts of four skills. He can fly for Earthquake rules. There are not may units that have this ability in Conclave Arcana. He can increase his health with Life Leech adding to his survivability. He has Painforge which can increase his power in right combinations. He can stop healing of opponents with his Affliction. On offense he has 3 magic attack and 3 speed.
Aerial Shieldmaiden
Another unit that can fly, Aerial Shieldmaden has a lot of attack (4 ranged). She can attack with her armor with Armored Strike making her a rare unit that has two attacks. This makes her one of the top rare units. She can attack from anywhere with Opportunity skill.
Deep Delver
Deep Delver has a combination of support and debuff skills in his kit. Corrupted Healing is a very strong support skill that can heal allies from all positions. Rust will decrease the armor and defense of enemy units. Deflection Shroud, a strong support ability. As for his stats, Deep Delver boasts strong offensive power with 4 ranged attack and solid durability thanks to 1 Armor and 6 Health. He is a bit slow with 2 speed but it could be plus in reverse speed games.
Common Cards
Caravan Guard
Aside from the legendary Mahkah Hemlig, only the Caravan Guard has the Triage skill. This makes him a very sought after unit among the commons. Triage is even doubled with his Echo skill making him a great support unit and the top among the commons.
Steppe Stalker
A common unit with 4 skills, Steppe Stalker is one of my favorite cards. He has Closed Range and enough armor, health and Shield skill to be able to play as a tank. He can slow the enemy and has Painforge. On offense he has 3 ranged attack.
Calabash Sage
For a common unit, Calabash Sage has plenty of attacks (5 ranged) and True Strike skill making his attack unavoidable. He can heal tanks making him good for support. He will be a good unit to play in high mana games.
Buttercup Mauler
Buttercup Mauler has a skill that counters Archmage Yabanius's Empower skill. Reveal will counter Camouflage thus invalidating the Empower skill and making the unit visible to sneak and opportunity attacks. The skill is a good combo with her Sneak skill. She is a good unit to counter the likes of Dr. Blight. Aside from that, Buttercup has a crazy attack (5 melee). This in my view makes her one of the top common units.
