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 Giant Scorpion.

Gameplay Analysis

Giant Scorpion is a Common Death Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. This low-mana melee unit is known for its defensive prowess and effectiveness against melee attackers. With abilities that punish close-range combatants, it serves as a durable frontline or off-tank in control-based strategies, particularly in low-mana battles.

Mana Cost: 3
Attack Type: Melee

Abilities by Level
Level 1: No abilities
Level 5: Thorns (When hit with a Melee attack, deals damage back to the attacker)
Level 10: Poison (Successful attacks have a 50% chance to apply poison, dealing additional damage each round)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Functions as a basic low-mana tank with decent armor and health, making it a solid pick in Little League matchups.
Level 5: Gains Thorns, allowing it to punish melee attackers by reflecting damage back, making it especially effective against melee-heavy lineups.
Level 10: The addition of Poison makes it dangerous offensively, inflicting damage over time even against high-health or armored foes.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Cursed Windeku: Both have Thorns, but Cursed Windeku offers higher health and damage output, making it better for sustained fights, whereas Giant Scorpion is more mana-efficient.
Vs. Undead Rexx: While Undead Rexx provides high offensive power with Trample, Giant Scorpion is more defensive, offering better value in low-mana matches.
Vs. Harklaw: Harklaw has better overall tank stats and abilities like Immunity, but it’s much costlier in terms of mana compared to the budget-friendly Giant Scorpion.

Key Takeaway
Giant Scorpion is a low-cost, defensive melee Monster that punishes enemy melee attackers. It shines in low-mana battles and offers excellent value for control-based teams, especially in matches where melee units dominate.

Synergies

Contessa L'ament (Death Summoner): Reduces enemy Ranged Attack, forcing more melee engagements, which plays into Scorpion’s Thorns advantage.
Harklaw: Provides extra debuffs like Demoralize and Shield, enhancing Scorpion’s defensive capabilities.
Doctor Blight: Works well in combination with Scorpion’s Poison ability to overwhelm enemies through damage-over-time effects.
Dark Ha'on: Acts as a strong secondary tank behind Giant Scorpion, enabling layered defenses and synergy with Thorns.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Melee Mayhem: Allows Scorpion to deal damage from any position while reflecting melee damage with Thorns.
Little League: Its 3-mana cost makes it an excellent option in battles limited to Monsters with 4 mana or less.
Equalizer: Boosts Scorpion’s survivability with increased health across the board, extending its tanking and counter-damage potential.

Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Its average Speed becomes a disadvantage when slower Monsters gain the upper hand.
Noxious Fumes: Without Immunity, Scorpion struggles to survive prolonged poison damage.
Earthquake: Lacks Flying, making it vulnerable to consistent environmental damage in this ruleset.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.037
Gold Foil: around $ 1

Investment Potential
Giant Scorpion is an excellent investment for players looking for a cost-effective defensive Monster in Death Splinter. Its Thorns and Poison abilities at higher levels increase its strategic value in mid- to high-level gameplay, particularly in melee-dominant metas.

Ratings

Usefulness: 8/10 (Great low-mana melee counter, especially with Thorns and Poison at higher levels)
Cost-Effectiveness: 9/10 (Affordable and scales well with investment)
Versatility: 7/10 (Best in melee-focused battles but struggles against magic damage)

Conclusion

Giant Scorpion is a low-mana melee tank that thrives in punishing melee attackers through Thorns and dealing persistent damage with Poison. It's a reliable choice for control-based Death Splinter strategies and becomes a valuable asset for players focused on low-mana battles and attrition-based tactics.

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. 😊