Living Lava | Too Hot for Melee and Ranged Attackers

0 62

Written by

AbunEnt

No bio yet...

3 years ago

In community: Random Articles(a45d)

Topics: Game, Blockchain games, Crypto games, Gaming, Splinterlands

Introduction

Although I had to write about the Naga Warrior and I had purchased one for the purpose, I was left disappointed. Why? Well, this cool-down period is killing, and it will remain for another 26 hours from now. By the time I would be able to use the Naga Warrior, it would be too late for the current Splinterlands post.

Anyway, let me take the opportunity to discuss one of my favorite cards then. I will throw some light on the Living Lava from the Fire Splinter. Now, as a newbie, I was fascinated with the Goblin Mech for its ability to run down the opposition. However, I had lost a few battles with the Goblin Mech, where the opponent used the Living Lava. On a closer look, few things were revealed.

The Living Lava was taken only half of the attack value of my Goblin Mech. As such, it could survive the Mech’s marauding attacks. Besides, the Lava itself had an attack value of three, which meant that once the Mech’s armor was gone, the Mech would race towards destruction.

But more than this, my love for the Lava solidified during a 13-Mana battle. I went in with the Goblin Mech alone while the opponent had the Living Lava and one more monster. I thought it was a piece of cake. Mann, I was wrong! The Lava gobbled up my Mech in no time. That tipped the balance. I had to get the Lava, and I did.

Let’s get to know more about the Lava, but before that, how about we get to know Splinterlands? I am sure that would help the newbies and potential gamers. 😊

What Game is Splinterlands?

Well, it is one of the earliest blockchain-based collectible games. Though I started playing the game relatively late, I should have had gotten going early in hindsight. Anyway, no need to despair. There are so many opportunities no matter when you start.

*Splinterlands is a digital card game that allows you to collect, trade, battle, rent, and even earn on the cards. It is one of the most generous games that I have seen where cards, potions, Dark Energy Crystals (DEC. Cryptocurrency) are given out every day to thousands of players for just playing and winning daily quests. And there are tournaments or guilds that you can join.*

*Just to give you an idea of a few of the uber-expensive cards, take a look at this recent purchase of Prince Julian at USD 3500.*

Card Purchase Contract: Gold Foil Prince Julian

Did you go to the link and see for yourself? I hope you did. And I hope that gives an overview of the game. I just love the game, and those interested can go to Splinterlands’ site and join. If you want a link to join, I will leave one at the end of the article, which you can use.

Scroll down, quick. 😊

The Living Lava | A Decent Tank

The Living Lava is everything that you would want from a tank. The only complaint that I would have is its health and its speed. Of course, that’s more of a wish than an ask because if the Lava had a decent speed and health, it would be practically invincible. So, the makers did a good job of balancing every other strong point of the Lava with its health and speed.

Even for a base level card, the attack value of three is indeed awesome. The best thing that I have seen is ranged and melee attackers with an attack value of one having zero effect on the Lava. So, no matter how many rounds they attack, an attack value of one has no impact on the Lava. That said, the magic attacker remains the sore thumb of the Lava.

Let’s look at the Lava in battle.

The Living Lava in Battle

I hadn’t pointed out this before, but here’s one important thing about the Lava: it is one tank that fits perfectly in low, medium, and high mana battles. I haven’t seen a monster card this versatile in all of Splinterlands’ Splinters.

Coming to the battle at hand, it was a 15-mana battle that allowed the Fire Splinter. The Living Lava was an automatic choice. More often than not, in low mana battles involving the Lava, the victory is almost always on my side, assuming that the opponent has also not taken the Lava in his/her lineup.

Let’s find out how the battlefield looks like.

-------------******-----------------

The Face-Off

My assumption that I would win the battle easily stood a bit challenged as I saw the opponent’s lineup.

The opponent had chosen one melee attacker and one magic monster. The Undead Minotaur was the main melee attacker, while the Boogeyman was the magic attacker. It was not the Minotaur which was my worry as it would take two rounds just to handle the Lava’s armor. It was the Boogeyman with a magic attack of three. Within three rounds, it could do away with my Lava. That was the worry. The summoner of choice for the opponent was the Zintar Mortalis which would reduce my melee monster’s attack value by one.

Was the opponent’s summoner a cause for concern? Well, not really. My summoner, Malric Inferno, which would add an attack value to my monsters, would kind of neutralize the opponent’s summoner. So, the Lava would stay at an attack value of three. I also chose the Zalran Efreet with the life-leech ability. That would have to be my go-to monster should the Lava perish too soon.

Let’s get on with the battle, shall we?

-------------******-----------------

The Living Lava | Impenetrable to Melee But Falling to Magic

As my luck would have it, the magic attacker from the opponent's arsenal made some early inroads into the Living Lava’s health.

The good news, though, was that both the Lava and Efreet were tearing into the Minotaur. It was a matter of time. I was aware that my Lava, too, did not have much time. The only hope was that the Efreet would be fairly powered up by the time it reached the front.

-------------******-----------------

The Battle Races to Conclusion

In a fitting send-off, the Lava finished off the Minotaur, bringing the Boogeyman to the front. In the very next attack, the Lava perished too. However, my Furious Chicken between the Boogeyman and Efreet allowed the Efreet one more round of powering itself up before coming face-to-face with the opponent’s magic attacker. And that did well for me.

No sooner did the Efreet come to the front, it took out the Boogeyman without much fanfare. That won me the battle.

Do I Use the Living Lava Often?

Quite often. In fact, under the Fire Splinter, the Lava is my tank most of the time.

The concerns with the Lava are something that I have pointed out already. The least speed makes it vulnerable to maximum attacks before it could launch its attack. Besides, if the opponent has two to five magic monsters of higher speed than the Lava, then the Lava is finished even before it could attack.

Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the Lava is still my trusted companion in battle.

Where Else Does the Living Lava Fit In?

The Lava fits in almost all the fight scenarios but more so in some cases. For example, in the opportunity rule or melee, monsters can attack from any position rule, the Lava can be placed in the second of later positions. It delivers the same attack while remaining guarded itself. And by the time it comes to the front, if it had sustained no or fewer attacks, then it as good as a new tank in the first position.

The reverse speed rule is another rule which serves the Lava well. For once, it attacks before any other monster. Also, the health-equalizer rule is an awesome thing for the Lava. Imagine the Lava at health ten during battle. How would that be? In fact, if the reverse speed and health equalizer rule, if they ever come together, then the Lava’s two known weaknesses are handled quite well. I guess, in such circumstances, the Lava would be unstoppable.

How Does the Lava Level Up?

The Lava gets two more abilities as it levels up, making it quite a potent melee attacker.

The Lava gets “rust” ability at level five, whereby the opponent’s armor is reduced and “thorns” at level eight. Interestingly, the Lava’s speed never increases throughout the levels. I would have wished for a higher speed, but then that is not a deal-breaker. The health improves to eight while the armor goes up to four. All these make it a powerful tank in battle.

Living Lava | Almost Invincible Tank

So, you would agree that the Living Lava is an almost invincible tank. Barring its vulnerability to magic, there is hardly anything that goes against the Lava. If we could get in a healer in the lineup, the Lava would live on forever! 😊