Empusan Darkguard: Dual Role Unit of the Earth Splinter
Hello Splinterlands warriors and welcome back to my blog!
The Empusan Darkguard is a rare Earth unit from the Escalation mini set. It is a Fiend bloodline unit with a relatively high nine mana cost. He has a combination of offensive and support abilities that makes him much more versatile than a typical melee attacker.
Lore
Empusae are lesser demons from the lower planes who thrive on violence, bloodshed and brutal close combat. When Barashkukor sent his Darkguard to the Pristine Northwest, the empusae joined the ulund and Khymians as fierce warriors against Palifala’s magical forces. Their axes tear through weakened enemies and turn battles into chaotic bloodbaths. However, their loyalty is only temporary, as Underlord Malthraksis has promised them endless violence and eventually, their supposed allies may become their victims too.
Stats and Abilities
Empusan Darkguard deals five melee damage and has three speed. On defense he has six armor and nine health, almost making him a good tank. He has three abilities that give him a dual role depending on where the players position him. He has the Opportunity ability making him an assassin to hunt down the enemy's low health units. He has Shadow Focus, a support ability that when Empusan is placed in the last position, he gains Camouflage, cannot attack, and gives all allied units +1 Power and Determined. Finally, he has Resurrect, enabling him to bring back one team mate after it gets defeated.
Empusan has two very different roles depending on where you place him:
Middle: Use him as a Opportunity assassin to pick off fragile enemies.
Last position: Activate Shadow Focus and turn him into a support unit that buffs your entire team while hiding behind Camouflage. This is especially interesting because the +1 Power and Determined buff can improve the effectiveness and survivability of your whole lineup.
The Resurrect ability makes the second setup even more interesting: Empusan can sit safely at the back, strengthen the team and potentially bring back an important frontline unit after it dies.
Featured Battle
In this battle, player owjay28 had the Underboss Fabino as archon. His strategy was to grant two units with +2 melee attack. These two units were the Empusan Darkguard and Thanalorian Blade. It's clear that his strategy revolves around the two assassins hunting the enemy's low health units.
His enemy is equally strong or even had a stronger line up. It had Captain Frankie archon and three units with Inspire ability. This buffed his melee units stronger than owjay28's two units. However, owjay28's strategy worked as he was able to decimate his enemy's troops with his dual assassins. Prioritizing the enemy's low health units and removing them from battle before they can do damage did the trick and won the battle.
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I love the shadow focus ability.
I don't use it myself. I would prefer him being an assassin.