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 Orc Sergeant.

Gameplay Analysis

Orc Sergeant is a Common Earth Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. With its low mana cost, melee attack, and tanky build, it serves as a second-position attacker in melee-heavy teams. As it levels up, it gains Inspire, making it an essential damage booster for melee-focused lineups.

Mana Cost: 4
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Reach (Can attack from the second position in Melee-only teams)
Level 6: Inspire (Boosts the Melee attack of all allied Monsters by +1)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1-5: Reach makes Orc Sergeant effective as a secondary attacker, dealing damage while staying protected behind a frontline tank.
Level 6+: Inspire boosts all friendly melee units, making it a key support piece in aggressive melee teams.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Brownie: Brownie provides Swiftness and Inspire at a lower mana cost, but Orc Sergeant has better durability and damage output.
Vs. Hill Giant: Hill Giant is a cheaper, high-health tank, but Orc Sergeant contributes more offense and team synergy.
Vs. Regal Peryton: Regal Peryton is a Magic-based tank with Flying, while Orc Sergeant fits purely into melee strategies.

Key Takeaway
Orc Sergeant is a strong second-position melee attacker that transitions into a powerful melee support unit with Inspire at Level 6.

Synergies

Mylor Crowling (Earth Summoner): Gives Thorns, making Orc Sergeant more effective against melee enemies.
Kelya Frendul (Water Summoner): If used in Water Melee teams, the extra Speed and Armor increase its survivability.
Grund: Double Strike with Inspire creates massive damage potential.
Tusk the Wide: A high-health frontline tank that benefits from the extra melee attack boost.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Melee Mayhem: Allows Orc Sergeant to attack from anywhere, maximizing its potential.
Super Sneak: Lets all Melee units attack the enemy backline, making Orc Sergeant’s Inspire even more valuable.
Up Close & Personal: Since only Melee Monsters can be used, Orc Sergeant becomes an excellent damage booster.

Challenging Rulesets:
Fog of War: Disables Sneak and Snipe, limiting melee team flexibility.
Noxious Fumes: Lacks self-healing, making it vulnerable to poison damage.
Back to Basics: Loses Reach and Inspire, making it significantly weaker.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.035
Gold Foil: around $ 1

Investment Potential
Orc Sergeant is a solid investment for melee-based Earth teams. Its Inspire ability at Level 6 makes it a key damage amplifier, while Reach at Level 1 ensures it contributes from the start. Players who favor aggressive melee strategies will find great value in this card.

Ratings

Usefulness: 8/10 (Good from Level 1, and Inspire makes it even better at Level 6)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10 (Affordable and impactful in melee-based teams)
Versatility: 7/10 (Limited to melee-focused lineups but highly effective there)

Conclusion

Orc Sergeant is a versatile melee unit that starts as a Reach attacker and becomes a powerful team buffer with Inspire. It thrives in melee-centric rulesets and aggressive Earth strategies, making it a must-have for melee-heavy players.

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. 😊