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 Failed Summoner.

Gameplay Analysis

Failed Summoner is a Common Earth Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. With its low mana cost and powerful defensive abilities, it is one of the best budget tanks, excelling at countering Magic and Melee attackers.

Mana Cost: 2
Attack Type: None (Support Unit)
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Magic Reflect (Returns a portion of incoming Magic damage back to the attacker)
Level 6: Demoralize (Reduces the Melee attack of all enemy Monsters)
Level 10: Strengthen (Increases the Health of all friendly Monsters)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Magic Reflect makes it a top-tier counter against Magic attackers, reflecting damage back at them.
Level 6: Demoralize significantly weakens enemy Melee-based teams, making your front line more durable.
Level 10: Strengthen provides an extra Health boost to all allies, improving overall team survivability.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Mycelic Morphoid: Mycelic Morphoid has Thorns but lacks Magic Reflect, Demoralize, or Strengthen, making Failed Summoner a more versatile tank.
Vs. Brownie: Brownie provides Swiftness and Inspire for offense, whereas Failed Summoner is entirely defensive, focusing on damage reduction and team durability.

Key Takeaway
Failed Summoner is a low-mana defensive powerhouse, excelling against Magic and Melee attackers while providing valuable team-wide buffs at higher levels.

Synergies

Obsidian (Earth Summoner): Increases Magic Attack, which can bait opponents into using Magic teams—making Magic Reflect even more punishing.
Mylor Crowling: Grants Thorns to all friendly Monsters, combining with Demoralize to weaken enemy Melee teams even further.
Queen Mycelia: Provides Protect (Armor) and Strengthen, stacking with Failed Summoner’s Strengthen for extra Health boosts.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Little League: Its low mana cost makes it a top-tier tank in this format.
Keep Your Distance: With only Ranged and Magic units allowed, Failed Summoner’s Magic Reflect dominates Magic-heavy lineups.
Equalizer: Gains additional Health, making it even harder to take down.

Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Its moderate speed (3 at max level) can be a liability in slow-speed battles.
Noxious Fumes: Lacks self-healing, making it vulnerable to poison damage.
Armored Up: Magic Reflect is less effective if enemies have extra armor.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.16
Gold Foil: around $ 2

Investment Potential
Failed Summoner is one of the best 2-mana defensive tanks, offering Magic Reflect, Demoralize, and Strengthen. Its high utility in Little League, anti-Magic battles, and team-based strategies makes it a top-tier investment for competitive players.

Ratings

Usefulness: 9/10 (One of the best 2-mana defensive units in the game, countering both Magic and Melee effectively)
Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10 (Affordable and valuable at all levels, with great long-term potential)
Versatility: 8/10 (Excels against Magic and Melee but lacks offensive presence)

Conclusion

Failed Summoner is an exceptional low-mana tank, providing Magic Reflect for countering Magic, Demoralize for weakening Melee, and Strengthen for boosting team survivability. It shines in Magic-heavy battles, Little League, and sustain-based strategies. A must-have for players looking for a cost-effective, defensive Earth unit.

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. 😊