Hi all,
Introduction
Another post in this series. Thank you for your support in the previous posts 😊
This series intends to determine if there are other aspects of cards that may contribute to increasing its value. Based on your feedback I can focus on more/other things – so feel free to tell me where you want me to go into further detail.
I include some analysis on where the cards fit in terms of gameplay, strategy, comparison with other cards, and a market analysis of its price. Feel free to suggest what more do you want me to look into in this series, and your support is much appreciated!
In this edition I will be looking at the Magma Troll.
Gameplay Analysis
Magma Troll is a Common Fire Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. It is a low-mana, high-speed Melee attacker that provides consistent frontline pressure with Reach and later gains Affliction to counter healing strategies.
Mana Cost: 3
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Reach (Can attack from the second position in Melee-only battles)
Level 6: Affliction (Attacks have a 50% chance to prevent the target from healing)
Level-Based Insights
Level 1: With Reach, Magma Troll is a cheap and effective second-position attacker, making it a solid choice for Fire’s aggressive Melee setups.
Level 6: Affliction allows it to shut down healing-based tanks, making it especially strong against Earth and Life teams that rely on sustain.
Comparative Analysis
How does this card compare to other similar ones?
Vs. Serpentine Spy: Serpentine Spy has Opportunity, making it better at picking off weak enemies, while Magma Troll provides a more stable frontline attack.
Vs. Tenyii Striker: Tenyii Striker has Sneak and Dodge, making it better at avoiding attacks, while Magma Troll excels at direct damage from the second position.
Vs. Lava Spider: Lava Spider is a Ranged attacker with Poison, while Magma Troll is more effective in Melee-focused battles.
Key Takeaway
Magma Troll is a fast, low-mana Reach attacker that becomes a powerful anti-healer at Level 6 with Affliction, making it a valuable pick against sustain-heavy teams.
Synergies
Tarsa (Fire Summoner): Boosts Melee attack and health, making Magma Troll stronger and harder to take down.
Living Lava: A durable frontline tank with Shield, allowing Magma Troll to safely attack from the second position.
Scorch Fiend: A 0-mana distraction unit that buys time for Magma Troll to apply Affliction.
Disintegrator: Applies Demoralize to weaken enemy Melee damage, making Magma Troll more durable.
Ruleset Performance
Favorable Rulesets:
Melee Mayhem: Allows Magma Troll to attack from anywhere, maximizing its impact.
Up Close & Personal: With only Melee Monsters allowed, Magma Troll is a great low-mana pick.
Healed Out: With healing disabled, Affliction loses relevance, but Magma Troll still benefits from Reach.
Challenging Rulesets:
Back to Basics: Removes Reach and Affliction, making it far less effective.
Reverse Speed: Its high Speed (4+ at max level) makes it weaker in slow-speed battles.
Equal Opportunity: Forces it to target the weakest enemy instead of benefiting from its natural second-position placement.
Market Analysis
Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.035
Gold Foil: around $ 1.5
Investment Potential
Magma Troll is a strong budget-friendly option for Fire Melee teams, with a key power spike at Level 6 when it gains Affliction. Its ability to counter healing-based strategies makes it a valuable pick in many matchups.
Ratings
Usefulness: 7/10 (Strong in Melee-focused teams, with anti-heal utility at higher levels)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10 (Affordable and useful at all levels, but Affliction at Level 6 makes it shine)
Versatility: 7/10 (Best in Melee-heavy battles, but struggles in Reverse Speed and non-Melee matches)
Conclusion
Magma Troll is a fast and reliable Reach attacker that gains Affliction at Level 6, making it a great counter to healing-based tanks. Its low mana cost and consistent damage make it a strong addition to aggressive Fire Splinter teams.
What do you think about this card? Do you use it in your lineups? Share your experiences in the comments and let me know which card you'd like me to analyze next!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. 😊