Splinterlands | Grim Reaper | Ranged Attacker with Affliction, Oppress and Piercing

8 min readFeb 16, 2021

Introduction

We are back, discussing a new card and its potential use in a battle. So, the card that we will be taking a closer look at is the Grim Reaper. The first time I got the card, I was quite happy to have such a strong ranged attacker. I overlooked all other stats and couldn’t wait to play the card. It is one of the few cards having a ranged attack value of three right from level 1. What’s more, it even causes affliction on the opponent’s monsters, refusing them the chance to reheal.

Well, the plus points about the card do not end there. It also has a mana cost of only 6, which means it can be easily accommodated in battles in the small to medium mana cap ranges too. That makes the card a lot versatile.

There are shortcomings, though, and we will see that soon. But before everything else, how about getting to know Splinterlands? I am sure newbies and players yet to explore the game would like to know.

So, let’s get going.

What Game is Splinterlands?

Well, it is one of the earliest blockchain-based collectible games. Though I started playing the game relatively late, I should have had gotten going early in hindsight. Anyway, no need to despair. There are so many opportunities no matter when you start.

Splinterlands is a digital card game that allows you to collect, trade, battle, rent, and even earn on the cards. It is one of the most generous games that I have seen where cards, potions, Dark Energy Crystals (DEC. Cryptocurrency) are given out every day to thousands of players for just playing and winning daily quests. And there are tournaments or guilds that you can join.

***Just to give you an idea of a few of the uber-expensive cards, take a look at this recent purchase of Prince Julian at USD 3500.***

Card Purchase Contract: Gold Foil Prince Julian

Did you go to the link and see for yourself? I hope you did. And I hope that gives an overview of the game. I just love the game, and those interested can go to Splinterlands’ site and join. If you want a link to join, I will leave one at the end of the article, which you can use.

Scroll down, quick. 😊

Grim Reaper | Leads to Grim Future For The Opponent’s Monsters

All of the stats are just superb for the Grim Reaper. The only thing if at all found wanting is its health. At a health value of 3, the Reaper stands to be eliminated should the opponent’s sneak-and-snipe ability monsters target it. That said, it still packs a punch and a hard one at that. It would be great to see the Reaper in action, wouldn’t it?

So, let’s find out how it fares in battle.

Grim Reaper Strikes In Battle

As I mentioned before, Grim Reaper is one of my favorites in battle, and we will soon find out why. I mean, with the Reaper as one of the ranged attackers, you may not need another. Before getting into the battle, let’s look at the rule that was in play at the time of choosing the Reaper. It was a 42-mana battle with no common monsters to be used. Pretty easy, I thought, with a decent pack of death monsters that I had.

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The Face-Off

At the start, my death monsters were facing off with the opponent’s fire monsters. My second row was all magic monsters barring the Reaper. We appeared to be well matched. I had a life leech monster in the Ancient Lich against the Zalran Efreet in the opponent’s arsenal. Zalran is also a life leech. The only plus point for the opponent was the Living Lava, which would take only half the melee and ranged attackers’ attack. However, with the magic monsters on my side, the Living Lava would have difficulty living for too long. 😊

The other plus point was my Death Summoner. It instantly reduced the attack value of the opponent’s ranged monsters. Since there were three ranged monsters, the lethal attack value of the opponent was somewhat neutralized by my summoner.

Now it was all hands on deck.

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The Battle Begins

My magic monsters took out the Living Lava faster than I had anticipated. Here is how the battle appeared even before the first round ended.

However, my Undead Rexx was also being hit hard by the opponent’s ranged attackers. Two of the rangies, being blast ones, got the Rexx and my magic attacker in the second position. And then this happened.

My Rexx was gone too, and the magic attacker was facing off with the opponent’s melee attacker. In all this, the Grim Reaper’s attacks were proving potent. I had to admit.

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The Battle Races to Conclusion

As we moved to Round 2, my monsters were breathing heavily on the opponent.

The only monster refusing me the victory was the Zalraan Efreet. Of course, once it was out of the way, the ranged attackers would further lose their potency. As each of the ranged attackers came to the front, it would no longer be a threat.

And that’s what happened. The Efreet soon fell, followed in quick succession by the Fire Elemental. Then it was the remaining two ranged attackers.

They were disposed off quickly, with the last attack coming from the Ancient Lich. That was it. My Grim Reaper, Ancient Lich, and the Phantom Soldier were still holding ground. 😊

Do I Use the Grim Reaper Often?

Yes, and a lot. I had already mentioned that everything about the Reaper is just fine and works well in a battle environment. I only keep an eye on situations where the opponent’s sneak-and-snipe monsters go for the Reaper. So, any rule that allows the opponent’s monsters to get into the sneak-and-snipe mode is a strict no-no to use the Reaper.

The rules like Opportunity, Melee attackers can attack from any position, and all melee attackers have the sneak-and-snipe ability are the ones where I don’t choose the Reaper. The opponent will only require two attacks on the Reaper to take it out. In such circumstances, the Reaper is not worth it.

Where Else is the Reaper Awesome?

The Reaper is already excellent everywhere else. Barring the above situation that I mentioned, the Reaper should do good. However, there is one rule which further accentuates the Reaper. I know you would have guessed it. I am talking about the Health Equalizer rule where the Reaper’s health finds an upgrade. As such, its only negative is neutralized.

If I am selecting the Death Splinter and the Health Equalizer rule is in play, you know for sure that the Grim Reaper would be in the team.

How Does the Grim Reaper Level Up?

I don’t have many complaints with the Reaper in the base form. But as it levels up, the stats become further impressive.

The health improves to a respectable six at the Reaper’s highest level. As such, the only complaint is taken care of to some extent. But what is impressive is that the attack value improves to four, and the speed too goes all the way to four. Can you imagine the Reaper being one of the first monsters to attack? Lethal for sure.

Also, the Reaper gets two more abilities as it levels up. At level 5, it gets oppress, while at level 8, it gets piercing. That means the attack value of four can not only torment the opposition but could pierce through the opponent’s monsters hiding behind their armor. Tell me now, what is there not to like in this monster? Hardly anything.

Grim Reaper | Useful Monster with more than Useful Abilities

That’s basically all about the Grim Reaper. I have my reason to like it, but I would be surprised if you find no reason to like it after reading through this article. True, there could be other equivalent monsters, but they are all far-and-few. In my opinion, the Grim Reaper is a superb addition to the Death Splinter and to the game as a whole!

😊