Community Engagement Challenge: Unsung Heroes - Mana Warden - The Tank Guardian

Prelude
Hi all, good day to all of you. It's time again for Community Engagement Challenge. Today's topic is on Unsung Heroes which I think is something really worth looking into. These are cards that might not be the bruiser or the match tide turner that many have shared and raved about, but these are cards that work in the background and give you the right boost to ensure your victory in the matches that you field them. So let's look at one them in today's post which had been instrumental in my battles whenever I use Fire or Life Splinter in the matchup.

Unsung Hero
The card that I deem as unsung hero is actually the Mana Warden that can be used in both life and fire splinter, though I would love it more in a fire splinter lineup because it is a dwarf and I can use the Fire Dwarf Archon and grant it a void ability to elevate its value in the match.

This is a card that I always consider to place at 2nd position to give tanks that do not have shield, an added bonus which does not wear off even if Mana Warden falls. Sometimes even when we have a high health tank, it might not be able to fend off consistent barrage but for this card, it will make the tanks more sturdy, sustain longe and reduce returned damage from thorns too. It might be just something simple and often go unnoticed, but the difference is really significant especially in a melee match. And if we are able to pair it with a flank tank, this card will even get the opportunity to hit and if you have enough of it to level it up to level 4, it can even impede opponent cards and ensure even better sustainability for your tanks.

So let's take a look a match where Mana Warden did its part and lead us to victory.

Matchup

Battle Link: https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_1b75d6c88b602a35573226e2e15a71b5?ref=vaynard86

Ruleset: Lost Legendaries and Lost Magic
Mana Limit: 48

Selection Analysis
In terms of splinter, it is only fire and death. To capitalize this ruleset, I went for fire splinter since it has a nice collection of melee cards at our disposal. Would be a waste to go for death as it also has a good amount of magic attackers that couldn't be used in such a match.

Now for my lineup, I went with Fithe Bloodstone, the dwarf Archon which will give the lineup +2 armour. Unfortunately, no magic for this match, so the additional void will not be useful. The lineup is fronted by Drybone Megalodon as the tank with flanking which will allow position 2 card which in this case, Mana Warden to be able to attack as well. Mana Warden anchors position 2 and gives Mana Ward to Drybone Megalodon for the shield to be added onto its ability. The next 2 cards are melee attackers which can strike opponent weak cards or the backline. Torch Vizier has opportunity and will strike any low health cards while Gobalano Solider with ambush and sneak, takes out things from the rear. Portly Cannoneer inspires the lineup and gives every melee attacker an additional +1 melee damage. Last but not least, it will be Swiftbeard Stout that taunts attacks from opponent backline onto it, to allow the rest in front to do their required damage early without getting taken oout.

My opponent used foundation fire Archon which give +1 speed and will strike faster than me in this matchup. Similar to me, opponent also used Drybone Megalobdon as tank and having Frankasgard on 2nd position to strike me with the flanking. Opponent fielded a Scales of Justice in the lineup with high speed and intend to help dodge some attacks to allow backline to strike. Backline consist of Sturdy Axe Warden, Vengeful Monk and Ash Archer of which all have 2 damage of their respective kind and expected to do me a fair bit of damage.

Will what they plan work against what I have designed for them in terms of my lineup?

So let's move on to the match itself and see how things progress during the rounds.

Round by Round Synopsis

Round 1 - A crash round started with loads of things flying all over the place and somehow I manage to take out Ash Archer while my Swiftbeard Stout managed to hold on amidst the crazy strikes from my opponent. Drybone Megalodon on my end remain relatively unscathed with only armour being reduced. While on my opponent's end, their Drybone looked like it will fall next turn right at the start.

Round 2 - As per predicted, opponent's Drybone was taken out by Torch Vizier and Vengeful Monk was taken out by Gobalano Soldier. Swiftbeard was already low on health and fall this turn as well. My Drybone Megalodon still going strong and still had 1 armour remain on it.

Round 3 - We continued the rampage onto my opponent's lineup and my Drybone Megalodon just continued to hold strong. This round we managed to take out Frankasgard and now left with 2 more in our way to secure victory.

Round 4 and 5 - We push through both cards in this 2 rounds though with a pesky dodge and claim the victory with most of my lineup still intact. A nice win!

Post Match Discussion
This is an interesting match whereby I see how that extra shield given on to my tank, Drybone Megalodon was able to give me that edge in such a matchup and see how it sustain through my lineup, helping me to hold the front while the backline do their work. Tanks are crucial to help take in damage and hold on long enough to ensure the backline don't get taken out and do their damage to opponent lineup. And to have a boost through a card like Mana Warden, it helped the tank to become more lasting, preventing a premature exposure of the backline and win us the match!

Wrap Up
Thank you for coming by my post and look at the match I shared today. Hope you had a good read and consider to use Mana Warden in your next heavy melee matchup or to help your tank last a little longer.

I am currently part of PIZZA, an active gaming and creative arts crypto community on the HIVE blockchain and part of PIZZA guild. Popular cryto games such as SPLINTERLANDS, RISING STAR and HASHKINGS are actively discussed in this community.

Many events are being organized from time to time. Join the PIZZA DISCORD. This is a place filled with 💰🍕🎁GIVEAWAYS & AIRDROPS💰🍕🎁 and most definitely consisting of a friendly community to be in.

Till my next battle sharing, take care, stay safe and happy battling!

If you are keen on playing Splinterlands, feel free to join me via this link: https://next.splinterlands.com/register?ref=vaynard86

If you have some time, can check out the link below to learn more about the Crypto Company campaign.