Splinterlands Highlight: Spineback Wolf in the Unholy Trinity (Haunting Spirit, Spineback Wolf and Ancient Lich)

Spineback Wolf

The Spineback Wolf is an Alpha/Beta Death Monster in Splinterlands, a trading card game on the Hive Blockchain. At level 1, it costs 5 mana, has 1 attack, 6 speed, 1 armor and 3 health, as well as the Reach ability.

Its Reach ability allows it to attack from the second place in the battle, despite being melee. Combined with its high speed, this is very efficient in removing a 1-armor on the front unit, especially against Life or Dragon decks.

Match Replay

As part of @Splinterlands Weekly Challenge, I have recorded two matches in which I used the Spineback Wolf. I will analyse the team in my first composition deeper:

Lineup

• Haunting Spirit
• Spineback Wolf
• Ancient Lich (Legendary)
• Twisted Jester
• Cursed Slimeball

Strategy

I put the Haunting Spirit in front, as a melee attacker with healing abilities, this is a great frontliner. If enemies target my other cards, the Haunting Spirit will spend more time in play, healing itself and prolonging the game. After it, because of its Reach ability, I put in Spineback Wolf, as explained above.

In the third slot, I put Ancient Lich, which heals itself with its Life Leech ability proportionate to the damage it deals. The Twisted Jester goes in fourth as my ranged sniper, with the 1-cost Cursed Slimeball in last place. This is simply a card with little cost that can soak in an attack that would be Sneak or Opportunity

Outcome

As the opponent had low attack as well as two sneak abilities, my Haunting Spirit was never targeted enough to have its health threatened. This means that my strategy of putting it first really worked out, making it the Most Valued Card for my match.

The Spineback Wolf, although hitting and destroying some armor, did not quite get to shine, particularly against the Paladin. On the other hand, the Ancient Lich (which I luckily got as reward from Daily Quest), managed to both do a lot of damage, piercing through armor, as well as heal itself up enough to not be bothered by the sneak attacks.

The Twisted Jester managed to get a couple of hits off before it died to Sneak attacks. Unfortunately, because of the summoner giving shield to the enemy's Divine Healer, the Divine Healer lived with 2 health when the Jester died. However, my Cursed Slimeball came in handy as it soaked a sneak attack, which helped the Jester live a turn longer.

Personal Opinion on the Spineback Wolf

I think the Spineback Wolf is an interesting card. At level 1, I do think it fits a very nice niche in my unholy trinity of Haunting Spirit, Spineback Wolf and Ancient Lich. I don't think there's a better card for me to put in that place at the moment, so I am pretty pleased with my decision to include it in what I now the deadly unholy trinity.

However, it's true value would come out with levelling, as both its attack stat is increased, as well as the Thorn ability, which would allow it to damage enemies back. Without such upgrades, it is only a decent supportive card that fits as long as you have other cards that can carry.

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Links

• Splinterlands
• Youtube: PinkGeeRough
• Twitter: @PinkGeeRough