Up Close and Personal Modifier is one of the most tricky modifiers in Splinterlands. Melee units normally can only attack while in the front but there are abilities that make melee units attack from other positions. Because of this, Up Close and Personal Modifier becomes a battle of who knows more about the game and who can maximize the usage and damage of their melee units that they can play in that battle.

Modifiers

Up Close and Personal - Only Units with Melee attack may be used in battles.
Up Close and Personal Modifier removes a lot of flexibility from every Element. Because everyone is forced to use melee units, damage trades become more predictable. This also makes armor and damage reduction more valuable than usual. Positioning also matters more since only front units can attack without specific abilities.

Good Abilities to use in Up Close and Personal Modifier

Shield - Reduced damage from Melee and Ranged attacks
Shield is very strong in Up Close and Personal Modifier because all enemies deal melee damage. Since enemies will have melee attacks, Shield that can halve them is a good idea. This allows tanks to survive much longer than normal. When battles last longer, your backline units have more time to deal damage. Shield also works well with armor which further reduces incoming attacks. Because of this Shield can be a valuable piece for you winning the game.

Inspire - Gives all friendly Units +1 Melee attack
Inspire becomes very useful in Up Close and Personal Modifier. Since all units use melee attack, the +1 melee bonus affects the entire team. This increases total damage every round which adds up quickly. Inspire also helps low damage units stay relevant in long fights. With more damage, your team can break through enemy units faster. This makes Inspire an ideal ability to use when all you can use are melee units.

Opportunity - Units with the Opportunity ability may attack from any position and will target the enemy Unit with the lowest health
Opportunity is very important in Up Close and Personal Modifier. Normally, melee units cannot attack from the back but Opportunity solves that problem. This ability allows your melee units to attack from behind the line which keeps them useful. It also targets the lowest health enemy which can kill weak units quickly. This helps reduce enemy damage early in the fight. Opportunity gives flexibility for your melee units to attack without waiting to be in the first position.

Piercing - If Melee or Ranged attack damage is in excess of the target's Armor, the remainder will damage the target's Health
Piercing is valuable in Up Close and Personal Modifier because melee attacks usually hit armor first. Melee attacks does not bypass armor unlike magic damage so Piercing is good since excess damage to armor can go to health. This prevents tanks from relying too much on armor. Even small amounts of extra damage can help finish enemies faster. Piercing also works well with Inspire since higher damage increases the damage that can damage the health. This makes Piercing a strong ability in this Modifier.

Demoralize - Reduces the Melee attack of all enemy Units
Demoralize is another strong ability in Up Close and Personal Modifier. This reduces the enemy team's overall damage which helps your tanks survive. Since all enemy units use melee attack, Demoralize affects the entire lineup. Lower damage also makes surviving easier. This can slowly tilt the battle in your favor. Demoralize works in any situation in this modifier since your enemies have no choice but to use melee units.

Battle Summary

This is a weird battle because of my strategy but I am happy that it worked. I could put Stampeding Calf in the back but in here, I just used him as a temporary blocker because I don't want Great Bear Druid to die too early. With the two units that can dish out both melee and magic attacks, I were able to dominate this battle especially since my enemy misplaced Grimbardun Fighter which should be in the front and Grove Doomblade which should be in the back. I don't think there would be any changes in the result though since my units have magic damage that the enemy Shield ability doesn't affect.

To see the full battle, you can click this link:
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_3609ad1385140fa4ab495c32913b20aa

Up Close and Personal Modifier creates a battle where melee synergy and strategy matters most. My strategy looked weird but using Stampeding Calf as a temporary blocker helped protect my more important units. Since Up Close and Personal Modifier only requires that the unit must have melee damage to use, any unit with multiple attacks can be used as long as one of them have melee damage. That is why I was able to use a magic damage focused build in a battle where only melee units can be used. With two units dealing both melee and magic damage I were able to dominate the fight. Up Close and Personal Modifier rewards players who know about how you can use the most of what your cards have to offer.

Posted Using INLEO