Hi all,

Introduction

Another post in this series. Thank you for your support in the previous posts 😊

This series intends to determine if there are other aspects of cards that may contribute to increasing its value. Based on your feedback I can focus on more/other things – so feel free to tell me where you want me to go into further detail.
I include some analysis on where the cards fit in terms of gameplay, strategy, comparison with other cards, and a market analysis of its price. Feel free to suggest what more do you want me to look into in this series, and your support is much appreciated!
In this edition I will be looking at the Albatross.

Gameplay Analysis

Albatross is a Common Water Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. Known for its extremely low mana cost and healing support role, it is an excellent choice for defensive Water lineups, especially in low-mana battles.

Mana Cost: 1
Attack Type: None (Support Unit)
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Flying (Increased chance to evade Melee and Ranged attacks from non-Flying enemies)
Level 6: Tank Heal (Restores a portion of the front-line Monster’s health each turn)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Provides Flying, making it useful in Earthquake rulesets and giving it extra evasion.
Level 6: Gains Tank Heal, turning it into a valuable support unit for sustaining frontline tanks.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Hardy Stonefish: Hardy Stonefish is a basic Melee attacker, while Albatross provides healing and evasion, making it better for support roles.
Vs. Crustacean King: Crustacean King offers Tank Heal and Protect, but at a higher mana cost (3). Albatross is the more affordable alternative in low-mana battles.

Key Takeaway
Albatross is a cheap yet effective support unit, offering Flying for evasion and Tank Heal for sustain.

Synergies

Kelya Frendul (Water Summoner): Boosts Speed and Armor, enhancing Albatross’ survivability.
Wave Brood: A frontline tank that benefits greatly from Tank Heal, increasing its durability.
Djinn Oshannus: A high-health Magic tank that can sustain even longer with healing support.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Little League: With 1 mana cost, Albatross is an excellent fit.
Earthquake: Flying makes it immune to Earthquake damage.
Equalizer: Gains additional health, making it harder to remove.

Challenging Rulesets:
Noxious Fumes: Low health makes it vulnerable to poison damage.
Unprotected: Removes any armor benefits from Kelya Frendul.
Aim True: Negates Flying’s evasion advantage.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.045
Gold Foil: around $ 0.8

Investment Potential
Albatross is a budget-friendly support card, offering Flying for evasion and Tank Heal for sustain. While it lacks offensive capabilities, its utility in low-mana battles makes it a valuable long-term investment.

Ratings

Usefulness: 7/10 (Great for sustain strategies, but lacks offensive presence)
Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10 (Affordable and impactful at Level 6 for Tank Heal)
Versatility: 6/10 (Limited outside of sustain-based teams)

Conclusion

Albatross is a low-cost healing support unit that excels in sustain-based Water lineups. Its Tank Heal ability at Level 6 makes it essential for tank-heavy compositions, while Flying provides evasion benefits in Earthquake battles. A must-have for budget players and defensive team setups.

What do you think about this card? Do you use it in your lineups? Share your experiences in the comments and let me know which card you'd like me to analyze next!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. 😊