Strategy for Non-Strategists

Let me start by giving a big shout-out to all the more seasoned players out there. You all know who you are. Thank you for your advice, for your analysis, for your strategy. I learn so much collecting the scraps at your feet. You are also collectively a really cool group of gamers to hang with (virtually of course).

But here is the rub...

The deck analysis and card selection is light-years ahead of where us plebeians are. Which is not to say you should dumb yours down....NO! it gives us something to learn from and aspire to. But it does suggest that there is a need for a beginner to give their humble thoughts, un-warranted and un-requested, and quite frankly un-requited on beginner game play.

So in that vein allow me to obnoxiously throw my proverbial hat into the even more proverbial arena.

Today I would like to look at the Life Splinter and more importantly the new Untamed card Lone Boatman.

Sure out of the gates, he is a 5 mana with 2 range 2 speed and 1 shield and 3 life. The snipe is a nice additive but you are not winning hearts and minds with this one. So my friends, you will have to indulge me a bit and work this lonesome sailor up to a level 5 (for those of you relatively new that is the possibly hard to swallow task of combining 60 of these cards). On the plus side it is a common so relatively easy to get your hands on and not expensive (or you can rent).

Now the magic starts to happen. At level 5 he has the same range, he has a 3 speed, a 2 shield and that same 3 life. BUT he adds repair which in certain formats with a Life deck is a lifesaver (we are not even going to talk about how bad a$$ he gets if you level him up to completion).

In most Life splinter decks, shield plays a major role. Now i have always been partial to Armorsmith for his repair ability but let's face it, that was basically a one trick pony for 2 mana. With a max of only 3 melee if this guy ever made it to the front line your game probably isn't going your way. But now his big brother comes along, with the same repair, relatively the same attack but back bench versatility you now have a player to contend with.

Well those are my thoughts for the day. Reply back if you have any comments or feedback. I will try to get here every so often but this way we can think out loud and do our fore-bearers proud to carry their gaming mantle.