Introduction

The battle has officially begun – not just in Conclave Arcana conflicts, but also in the way it's being handled. If you've been following along, I laid out my strategy and expectations in a previous blog post, but now that the event is live, it's time to revisit my thoughts, reflect on what’s changed, and share some real-time observations.

The Drama

First off, let’s just say the start of the conflict phase was a bit… messy. If you peeked into Discord or caught a few recent YouTube streams, you’ll know what I mean.

Concerns were raised about the way Collection Points (CP) scaled, especially with the introduction of Black Foil (BF) cards. Some of this was expected — of course, CP would rise with new high-rarity foils — but other issues caught some of us off guard.

One notable issue: players could end up with more cards than they had wagons for.

Thankfully, the Splinterlands team responded quickly and is making adjustments for the next airdrop cycle.

It’s easy to complain, but I see it as a huge positive that the team listens and adapts — even if not instantly, they do respond.

And let's be honest, no matter what system is in place, edge cases will always pop up. That’s just how gamers roll (even more DeFi Gamers) — we find the limits, push them, and try to optimize (or break) things. It’s part of the fun for some!

The First Conflict

Now, back to the conflict system. Like a lot of other players, I want/like to earn something. It feels like free loot, even though we’ve all invested to get here — whether through buying packs, crafting wagons, or participating in land. And yes, wagons take damage and need repairs, which adds another layer of cost. Still, the chance at airdrops keeps the excitement alive.

Personally, I try to stay cool-headed with these systems. If I get an airdrop card, awesome! If not, well, better luck next time.

I approach it casually — but I can relate to why more competitive players might be frustrated.
If you’re someone who relies on these cards to strengthen your deck, missing out can sting. Suddenly, cards you "expected" to earn must now be bought, and that can feel unfair — especially when someone else hits a jackpot with a BF legendary, effectively doubling their CP and odds. Life’s not fair, and neither are RNG drops. But again, the team has acknowledged this and is exploring improvements, which is encouraging.

As for me, I’ve opened my Conclave Arcana packs and got what I’d call average luck. I ended up with a few BFs, which I moved off my land and into my wagons. Right now, I’m sitting on about 156,000 CP/hour, which guarantees me at least one airdrop — so no complaints here!

I didn’t have to buy any wagons — that’s the benefit of having a stash from Rebellion. But I can definitely see how it might feel risky for newer players. Spending $5 to craft a wagon when you’re not guaranteed much (unless you spend a decent amount or got lucky with BF) can feel like a gamble. If that’s you, maybe consider holding your packs and opening them later — once the airdrop cards are already in the pool — or just snag the ones you want on the market later.

The Strategy (changed)

One thing that’s changed in my strategy:
I’ve decided I won’t repair one of my damaged wagons. It only provides 1,250 CP/hour, and spending $5 to fix it doesn’t feel worth it right now.

I do have the resources to craft a new wagon or two, but I’m holding off to see how the meta develops. Being flexible has always helped me in these kinds of events.

The Airdrop

Let’s talk about the airdrop card itself for a second — wow. Stat-wise, it’s an absolute beast.

I’d love to get one leveled up to 2, 3, or even 4. Every level offers a sweet boost. Realistically though, I’ll probably only get one copy (unless RNG smiles on me). And if I somehow manage to hit a BF version? That’d be insane — but hey, a casual player can dream! 😆

I think this unit can be paired well will with a painforge unit beside it.

Final thoughts

So yeah… a little bit of a rant from my side, but also a lot of appreciation. I think the team is doing a solid job overall — acknowledging problems, addressing them, and keeping the community in the loop. As a casual player, that’s all I ask. I just want to keep growing my deck, improving my land setup, and enjoying the game at my pace.

And one last shout-out: the community. So many of you are engaged, respectful, and full of ideas. You help push the game forward and make it fun to be part of. Honestly, the community might be one of the main reasons I’m still here after all this time.

So, let’s prepare for battle — and keep moving forward. One airdrop at a time.

That's all for this week, see you all on the battle field

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