Mirror matches in Splinterlands looks fair on paper but they rarely play out that way in real games. One small change in positioning or one extra level can decide the entire fight. This is especially true in Frontier Mode where games are more predictable and the units are limited. In here, every point of damage matters more than usual and whom receives those damage.

In this match, both sides are using very similar units and ideas. What made the difference was not damage or the health or speed but how the team was arranged and positioned. It's very close that the only difference is position between two units. This battle is a good example of how important a good positioning is and why it can cost you your games.

My Team's Core Structure

Marlai Sangariel: She serves as the summoner/archon and provides +1 magic attack to all units. This directly increases the unit's attacks making fights easier. This small boost adds up quickly the more magic attack unit you have and helps your magic units break through enemy lines faster.

Asel Alagosdil: She is a solid low-cost tank for just 4 mana thanks to her good health and Divine Shield. Divine Shield allows Asel Alagosdil to absorb one full hit for free, buying your backline more time to deal damage.

Saltwater Mage: With 2 magic attack and Sneak, Saltwater Mage is the main damage dealer in this lineup. She targets the enemy backline directly with Sneak and must be protected at all cost because losing her early greatly weakens the team. Her damage goes to 3 with Marlai Singariel's ability.

Mystic Scaleweaver: Mystic Scaleweaver also gets up to 3 magic attack with Marlai Singariel's ability. She is flexible and can function as either a frontline tank or a Sneak blocker. I usually place Mystic Scaleweaver in the last position to absorb Sneak attacks and keep Saltwater Mage safe.

Why This Team Works in Specific Rulesets

This is a low mana build and really strong as it focuses on Magic attacks with Marlai Singariel. It also gives a spread damage, one attacking the front and one attacking the back which is good in avoiding being countered hard by units like Nim Guard Captain's Void ability.

This build works best with rules like Briar Patch or Fire & Regret or any rule set that does not affect magic attacks very much. Saltwater Mage and Mystic Scaleweaver both rely on magic attacks and positioning so these rules allow them to get more defended while having no drawbacks.

This lineup is very bad in rules like Counterspell and Arcane Dampening because those rules are specifically a problem to units with magic attack. Counterspell reflects magic damage back, while Arcane Dampening gives everyone Void which halves magic damage.

The Key Synergies & Power Plays

1. Mystic Scaleweaver + Saltwater Mage
   Both of these are magic attacking units and are crucial when playing Frontier Mode. They have the highest attacks in this mode especially if you add Marlai Singariel's bonus on top of their 2 magic attacks.

2. Mystic Scaleweaver at the last position
   Mystic Scaleweaver has 7 health and is decent enough to take 3 Sneak attacks from Saltwater Mage. While she is crucial to make a good Water Element team in Frontier Mode, Saltwater Mage is more important and needs to be kept safe more against enemies prioritizing the rear instead of the front.

Show & Tell: Battle Link

https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_77703f3263044b6f7a53c4fb2c28adb5?ref=slimeyph

With the reasons I said in the previous section, this battle was in my favor with just a simple difference in positioning. Within a round, the enemy Saltwater Mage took 5 total damage with the Sneak attack and Earthquake damage. This landed me in a relatively good position in round 2 with me having all 3 units alive while the enemy only has 2. I won because of that one simple difference and shows how important it is recently to always add someone to block Sneak in your games.

Surprise Gifts?

A quick thank you to @mhar2 for the Codex Sage and @sl-giveaways for the Conclave Arcana Pack. That was a nice and unexpected surprise so thank you for those.

These are what I got from the Conclave Arcana Pack. Ashen Cindergrim is a good addition but the low health is concerning. Deep Delver's Rust can be a nice combo with Thalgrimore for the -1 health and -2 armor. Fenmoor Wood Troll is nice as a unit for Earthquake since there's a lot of Flying units in that for his Wingbreak. Buttercup Mauler's Sneak is good for combos and Deflect would be nice in Explosive Weaponry. Lastly, Silverleaf Mage is a really good unit with Taunt and high health that has many usage.

Once again, thank you @mhar2 and @sl-giveaways for these gifts.

Hi, y'all. Slimey here, your jolly and gullible little blue slime. I got reincarnated to this world to better my art and join community challenges to get more practice and improve my skill.

Know more about me by checking out my introduction post

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Images are taken from Splinterlands, Drawn in Krita, Animated in Photoshop and Edited in Canva.