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 Whelp Herder.
Gameplay Analysis
Whelp Herder is a Common Dragon monster from the Riftwatchers set in Splinterlands. With its low mana cost and versatile abilities, it serves as a strategic asset for players seeking to enhance their team's offensive capabilities.
Mana Cost: 3
Attack Type: Melee
Melee Attack: 1 (Level 1), 2 (Levels 2–4), 3 (Levels 6–10)
Speed: 1 (Levels 1–2), 2 (Levels 3–10)
Health: 4 (Levels 1–3), 5 (Levels 4–5, 8), 6 (Levels 7, 9–10)
Abilities:
Opportunity (Level 1): Allows the monster to attack from any position, targeting the enemy monster with the lowest health.
Snare (Level 5): When attacking enemies with Flying, removes the Flying ability and ensures the attack cannot miss.
Dispel (Level 10): When this monster hits an enemy, it clears all positive status effects on that enemy.
Whelp Herder's combination of Opportunity, Snare, and Dispel allows it to effectively target vulnerable enemies, neutralize flying opponents, and remove beneficial effects, making it a versatile choice in various battle scenarios.
Level-Based Insights
Levels 1–4: At these levels, Whelp Herder offers increasing melee attack and speed, with the Opportunity ability enabling it to target low-health enemies from any position.
Levels 5–9: The addition of the Snare ability at Level 5 enhances its effectiveness against flying enemies, ensuring hits and removing their evasion advantage.
Level 10: The Dispel ability at this level provides an extra layer of utility, allowing Whelp Herder to remove positive status effects from enemies upon hitting them.
Comparative Analysis
How does Whelp Herder compare to other low-mana Dragon monsters?
Vs. Dragonling Bowman: Dragonling Bowman offers ranged attack but lacks the versatility of abilities that Whelp Herder possesses. Whelp Herder's Opportunity and Snare provide more strategic options in targeting and neutralizing specific threats.
Vs. Twilight Basilisk: Twilight Basilisk has Reach and Stun abilities, making it effective in the second position. However, Whelp Herder's Opportunity allows it to attack from any position, and its additional abilities at higher levels offer broader utility.
Key Takeaway
Whelp Herder is a cost-effective melee attacker within the Dragon splinter, capable of targeting low-health enemies from any position and neutralizing flying opponents. Its abilities make it a strategic choice for players seeking flexibility and targeted offensive capabilities in their battles.
Synergies
Whelp Herder pairs effectively with:
Brownie: Provides Inspire and Swiftness abilities, boosting Whelp Herder's melee attack and speed.
Maggots: Combining Whelp Herder's Opportunity attack with Maggots' Opportunity attack increases the likelihood of securing kills.
Ruleset Performance
Favorable Rulesets:
Little League: With a mana cost of 3, Whelp Herder is eligible and effective due to its Opportunity ability.
Earthquake: The Snare ability at higher levels allows Whelp Herder to counter flying enemies, making it valuable in this ruleset.
Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Monsters with lower speed attack first; Whelp Herder's increasing speed at higher levels may be less advantageous in this scenario.
Super Sneak: All melee monsters have the Sneak ability; Whelp Herder's Opportunity may not provide additional benefits in this ruleset.
Market Analysis
Historical Price Movement
Regular Foil: Approximately $0.04 per BCX, with 97 cards available on the market.
Gold Foil: Approximately $0.31 per BCX, with 17 cards available on the market.
Investment Potential
Whelp Herder's affordability and utility in various battle scenarios make it a valuable addition to any player's collection. Its demand is sustained by its effectiveness in low-mana battles and the strategic advantage provided by its abilities at higher levels.
Conclusion
Whelp Herder stands out as a versatile, low-mana melee attacker within the Dragon splinter, offering the ability to target low-health enemies from any position and neutralize flying opponents. Its synergy with various team compositions and effectiveness in multiple rulesets make it a strategic asset for players seeking flexibility and targeted offensive capabilities in their battles.
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. 😊