Introduction

When you seek raw fun at your fingertips, Splinterlands is the game you need to check out. In my numerous posts before this one, I had mentioned how Splinterlands is interestingly addictive, strategy-based (jogs your grey matter) and fun to play. No wonder, I just don’t play the game but write about it too.

The excitement that the game unleashes is partly due to the entertaining cards that are available in the game. So, it is apparent that we need to know these cards, which are also our allies in the game. Today, we will be looking at one such partner – the Tortisian Fighter.

In the Splinterlands world, the main idea in any battle is to keep yourself safe from the opponent’s attack, and to that level, a shield is always helpful. Not all cards come with a primary shield. However, the Tortisian Fighter is an exception, wherein, it comes with protection from its base level.

Not only the shield but an attack value of two and health value of three for just four mana cost makes it a card hard to overlook. You would want to use it in your battles, and more so, in case of low mana cost battles.

I am sure, you want to know more about the card, so let’s get on with it, but before that, a few seconds to understand what Splinterlands is all about wouldn’t be a bad idea. Wouldn’t you agree? It will help newbies and readers who aren’t aware of the game.

Let’s explain it to them.

What Game is Splinterlands?

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

*Splinterlands is a digital card game which 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 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. 😊

Tortisian Fighter – The Martial Warrior

One of the things that I look for in cards that I wish to use in a battle is their attack value. Let’s admit it, no matter how good the health of the card is, it needs to inflict much damage when its turn comes. That’s where the Tortisian Fighter shines through.

With an attack value of two at the lowest level, the Fighter lives up to its name. The attack is good enough to pulverize the stubborn most opponents in the first position and open up the rest of the field. From there, it is the choice of the lineup which decides the fate of the battle. As such, the Tortoise does an excellent job of guarding the front. 😊

That’s all cool, but you would like to see it in action, wouldn’t you? I am sure you do.

Let’s get the Fighter fighting.

Tortisian Fighter – In Action

Despite all the good things about the Tortisian Fighter, one of the shortcomings is the lack of ability at the very start. It, of course, gets a couple of abilities as we level up, but the absence of abilities in the base card is sorely missed.

Notwithstanding the shortcomings, the card can hold its own in a game. Here is one battle where the Fighter accompanies another melee attacker in the front.

Take a look.

Screen 1: We Get Ready for the Battle

The opponent’s team and mine look friendly (on a lighter note) than menacing. 😊 Here they are:

So, OIVAS is my team and easy to realize that it has to do with the Water splinter. Here is a short description of each monster in the group.

Postion 1: Sea Monster

Because the battle was with a 24-mana-cap, it fell in the medium mana classification. What this means is that the opponent can have a strong attacker in the first position. So, getting the Tortisian Fighter in the first position would be a bad idea. That’s where the much stronger Sea Monster comes in. The advantage of the Sea Monster is that it also has a self-healing ability and can sustain a good amount of attacks. That fact should help.

The Sea Monster also deliver a sharp attack of value four which should be good to impale the opposing monsters. We will get to see how that works in the battle.

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Position 2: Tortisian Fighter

And we have the hero of our article, the Tortisian Fighter, in the second position. Just in case the Sea Monster is blown to smithereens, the Fighter would be in an excellent place to defend the lineup. On hindsight, looking at the opponent’s Goblin Mech, the Tortisian back-up was not a bad idea.
So, the logic in getting our hero in the second position is the right one. The Fighter can’t attack until it comes to the first position, though. That is a mini drawback we will have to live with for the battle.

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Position 3: Coral Wraith

The Coral Wraith brings in the much-needed magic attack to the lineup. The best part is that the attack value of two is available for a mana cost of just four. The only worry will be its health value of two if the opponent’s monsters focus their attacks on the Wraith.

Let’s see how that progresses.

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Position 4: Water Elemental

And the last position is filled by the Water Elemental, another self-healing monster in the team. Of course, the attack value of two is a bonus and should work well for the team. Also, this particular battle allowing a ranged attack from the first position would work well.

A self-healing Water Elemental in the first position after a depleted attack would be as good as the Sea Monster at the very beginning of the battle.

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Opponent’s Team

The Opponent’s team also looks menacing with the Goblin Mech in the beginning. The Divine Healer in the third position should also work in their favour in keeping the Goblin Mech alive for long, and that could spell doom for my lineup.

The Spirit Miner in the second position also appears to be the right choice for the magic attack. Now, it all boils down to how the actual battle proceeds.

So, let’s get to check out the battle.

Screen 2: We Rock and Rumble

Well, the Goblin Mech and the opponent’s team was proving menacing for my humble Sea Monster. It couldn’t even self-heal to stay in the battle. Take a look:

And that brings the Tortisian Fighter to the front. The Fighter makes a good attack on the Mech and reduces its health. Here is how it looks:

The Fighter’s attack was good, but the Mech is still alive. With the piercing attack it may completely decimate the Fighter should it get a chance.

Screen 3: The Battle Takes A Turn

Before the battle takes a turn, the Fighter does well to stand its ground. The Spirit Miner’s attack reduces its health by one, and results, in a health value of two and armour of two. That means it is in the exact attack spot of the Mech where one piercing attack would take it off.

And that’s what happens.

The Tortisian finally gives way, and the Mech is still alive. But that’s where the battle takes a twist. The Water Elemental finally takes off the Mech and reaches the first position. After that, things don’t move forward.

The Earth Elemental recharges after every attack of the Spirit Miner while the attack of the Elemental is recharged for the Miner by the Divine Healer. As such, we reach a stalemate.

The attack and counter-attack go on for a while before the game brings in the “Fatigue” health reduction. And guess what, after a couple of rounds, both the teams are completed destroyed by the Fatigue reduction.

In other words, it was a draw. 😊

So, the Tortisian Fighter was not a bad choice, huh? You bet. If it was not for the Goblin Mech with the piercing attack, I might have won too. But then again, this is not an adverse outcome either.

Is The Tortisian Fighter One of My Regular Choice?

To be honest, if the Fighter were the one among lesser choices in the Water Splinter, then there would be no comparison at all. However, the Water Splinter provides a lot of options for melee attackers, and therefore, the Tortisian Fighter becomes an optional choice and not the main one.

However, when it is a low mana battle then yes, the Tortisian Fighter as the first position melee attacker is the right choice. In short, the Fighter is not an obvious choice for me all the time, but certainly during low mana battles.

But as the Fighter levels up, maybe the choice becomes more apparent. Why? Let’s find out.

How Does the Tortisian Fighter Level Up?

One of the competitiveness of a card, other than its stats, is known by its abilities. Now, with the Fighter the abilities are unlocked at level four and another one at level eight. Then the Fighter takes a whole new look.

Again, would the Fighter be someone I would use in high mana and medium mana battles would depend on the strategy, however, when it comes to low mana battle or the less than four mana rule, the Tortisian is an obvious choice. There is no denying that fact. I mean, a level ten Fighter with the “Shield” and “Repair” function is an asset. And the best part is that at the highest level it comes with an attack value of three, a shield of value four and health value of four. So, all these benefits for a mana cost of four only. Isn’t that a steal? You bet it is.

So, yes, at the higher levels, a Tortisian Fighter may indeed become useful; rather, it becomes crucial.

So, What Is Your Opinion?

I am sure you see my point of using the Tortisian Fighter and its benefits. If I were you, I would rush to level up the Fighter and unleash it on the opposition during low mana battles. In such circumstances (levelled up + low mana battles), the chances of victory go up.

So, get your hands on the Tortisian Fighter and try it out. I guess you will love it. 😊

Want to Join Splinterlands?

You can click below and follow the link. All the best!

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**Image Courtesy:** Splinterlands