Social Media Challenge - Facing Dar 'Gottem' Gearnut - What A Thick Meatshield

Prelude
Good day to all, hope that all of you are having a good week so far and having many memorable and interesting battles in Splinterlands. In today's sharing, I will be sharing on an interesting match that I had played within the week facing a very strong card, Dar 'Gottem' Gearnut. Interesting card that I do not own. And boy, the health stat on this card is humongous. So let's get on with today's sharing.

Dar 'Gottem' Gearnut

This is the card that I faced today that really got me shocked. The health is so thick. At level 1, this card already had 20 health. This is a really big tank to face and when it is able to kill a card, it can trample. And as it continues growing, it gains flanking, inspire and void. All of these are very suitable for tank usage. Facing such a crazy high health card, how long do I need to clear it or will I be cleared out by opponent's lineup when I try to take down this card?

So let's dive right in to today's battle sharing.

Battle Sharing

Reference Battle
Battle Link:

Ruleset: Target Practice
Mana Limit: 53

Selection Analysis
In today's matchup, we have every single splinter available for selection. With everything available, so for me, I have chose to use water splinter which so far have been the best performing splinter for me.

To lead the lineup, I call upon Mariel Singariel, whom is a water splinter foundation archon that gives +1 magic to whole of my lineup. To lead the lineup, I chose to have Commander Slade which is a really strong card that has dodge and plenty of health, speed and armour. The card that follows is Abyssal Elemental which has the resurgence ability that can rebirth this card and give everyone in opponent lineup 1 physical damage. Next will be Mystic Scaleweaver with slow, allowing us to strike early. Following which is Saltwater Mage which has sneak and potentially help to clear things from the backline. And the card that will be key in smashing cards with big damage is Shock Trooper just that it has a side-effect that zaps the whole lineup for 1 damage. And last in my lineup is the taunt card, New Beluroc Aegis that will suck all damage from the backline towards it. A lineup that is filled with loads of magic and diversion is planned for my opponent.

As mentioned, opponent used a Level 4 Incessant Sage which is a life splinter foundation archon which give +1 armour the whole of opponent lineup. Silverblade Fighter leads the lineup with the flank, which allows the 2nd card in the lineup, Dar 'Gottem' Gearnut to strike from 2nd position. Follow that card, we do have Nimbledook Explorer that further give more pressure with armoured strike. The next card that opponent have is Janni Rebel which increases the melee attack for the lineup. And following will be Conclave Tracker that has repair to heal up opponent cards that have armour depleted. And the final card that opponent have is a difficult card to handle, Olivia of the Brook which have mimic and can really make things hard for us if being left on for long.

A combo filled lineup that my opponent had with all kinds of complement abilities which mine is a straightforward magic filled direct attack. Which will prevail, especially with a monstrous tank that my opponent had?

Let's go to the round by round synopsis.

Round by Round Synopsis

Round 1 - Nimbledook Explorer was easily zapped by Shock Trooper due to snipe with Saltwater Mage adding pressure to reduce health on Olivia. Things go into a flying start but I do see that beast tank is still untouched at 20 health.

Round 2 - Shock Trooper take out Janni Rebel quickly while Saltwater Mage took out Olivia. However, I do see Olivia gaining resurgence and smash one damage to my whole lineup. Opponent lineup is thinning but that big tank still untouched.

Round 3 - With everything clear, now frontline Silverblade Fighter and Olivia both fell and now we are alone with that super tank. But from the looks, my only worry is that I self destruct because of Shock Trooper. So let's see.

Round 4-5, All firepower channeled towards it melee or magic. Everything goes and at that final moment, we gotten the victory even before Shock Trooper chew up my whole lineup due to the side effect. A nice win!

Battle Summary
While I personally think this tank is a good card, the biggest problem is that there is a huge compromise when it takes up a whopping 14 mana, leaving opponent a big selection issue when it comes to the supporting cards to take advantage of having superb tank.

The game is about balance, unless this card can really overturn things by itself, a more balanced lineup would do better.

Wrap Up
Thank you all for dropping by the post and walking through with me on the sharing on this match and learning together with me on how to do better in various rulesets, card selection and against strong foes that in normal days are hard to overcome.

See you next time!

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Till my next battle sharing, take care, stay safe and happy battling!

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