This week's battle challenge focuses on the Spineback Wolf:

The Spineback Wolves of Mortis have more defense mechanisms than any wolf should need. The spikes on their backs and necks prevent blind side attacks, their teeth can tear through a Bronk’s rump, and their saliva is a powerful corrosive acid that the Gloridax are still attempting to weaponize.

Card Details

An Alpha/Beta common rarity monster from the Death Splinter at level 5:

• Estimated cost: $1.775
• Mana cost: 5
• Melee attack: 2
• Speed: 6
• Health: 4
• Armor: 1
• Reach ability: Melee attack Monsters with the Reach ability may attack from the second position on the team.
• Thorns ability: When hit with a Melee attack, does damage back to the attacker.

When I started playing splinterlands, the first battle mechanics I got familiar with were monsters with the reach ability. Therefore, I have a slight fondness for this ability, and therefore I almost always like to use monsters in the second position with the reach ability. Secondly, the Spineback Wolf unlocks the thorns ability at level 5, which is another ability that the king of tanks has, Lord Arianthus, which is only a good thing. Finally, the Spineback Wolf has respectable stats for a monster that operates in the backline and primarily acts as support. It's fair to say that I use the Spineback Wolf often!

Battle - Full Battle Replay

Battle Details

• Mana cap: 24
• Ruleset(s): Heavy Hitters, Up Close & Personal

Lineup Details

• Zintar Mortalis (Summoner): -1 Melee damage
• Furious Chicken: decoy to absorb some hits from opposition
• Phantasm: primary melee damage
• Spineback Wolf: support melee damage
• Sand Worm: sneak melee damage
• Cursed Slimeball: cheap mana cost monster that does damage to all enemy monsters when it perishes (redemption ability)

Did your strategy work? What will you try differently next time?

I am still unsure about how I lost this battle. This battle showcased why I have such fondness for monsters with reach ability, thorns ability and high speed. The Spineback Wolf was so OP in this battle and almost singlehandedly took out most of the oppositions monsters while evading damage due to high speed. I am still confused when Spineback Wolf attacked the Chain Golem; no damage was dealt - not just once but a few times. Maybe it's a bug? or Maybe I do not understand a battle mechanic. Regardless, the Chain Golem prevailed in the end and dispatched Phantasm and Spineback Wolf in the end, but was this such a great battle!

Do you like the Spineback Wolf? Why or why not?

For me, the combination of abilities and stats, the Spineback Wolf is an excellent support monster that should be part of your Death Splinter deck. It is also still relatively cheap to get it to a practical level (level 5/6). The only other monster with the same abilities is the Manticore, another favourite card of mine. So if you are looking for a speedy melee support monster for your deck, please consider the Spineback Wolf!

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