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In this week's Social Media Challenge, I will delve into exploring the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, a constant presence in the Splinterlands scene. This ruleset bestows the THORNS ability upon every unit at the beginning of the battle. Consequently, enemy units employing Melee attacks will suffer damage in return. The damage inflicted is equivalent to half of the attacker's damage, rounded up! 😖

Summoner, Mylor Crowling

When talking about the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, Mylor Crowling is the Summoner that immediately springs to the minds of many Splinterlands players. This specific Summoner could artificially create the BRIAR PATCH ruleset as it grants all units the THORNS ability as well. I've grown quite attached to using Mylor Crowling, particularly during my early experiences in Splinterlands in the lower tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold Leagues), where the formidable THORNS damage proved to be overwhelming for opposing Melee monsters 😁

While fulfilling my responsibilities in the Splinterlands scholarship account I have with Balthazar, bltzr-wizard-729, I was able to engage in a battle that involves the BRIAR PATCH ruleset. To get right into the action, the battle link can be found here. Otherwise, do read on as I go into more detail regarding the lineup and fight.

Let's begin by analyzing the ruleset applied in this battle. It's a straightforward encounter with only one ruleset, and that's none other than the main focus of this week's challenge — the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, which we've thoroughly discussed in the preceding sections. The battle imposes a mana restriction of 13 and permits the utilization of only the Earth and Dragon Splinters.

Summoner, Quix The Devious

Considering the impact of the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, my choice of Quix The Devious as the Summoner is chiefly centered around a specific Dragon Monster intended for deployment in this battle — the Void Dragon. The constrained mana and Splinter options available in this battle narrow down our choices, making a dependable tanker crucial for our success. Furthermore, the Summoner's -1 Range and -1 Speed debuffs provide valuable tactical advantages during battles 😄

First Position, Void Dragon

Typically, opting for a tank would lean towards selecting a Melee unit. However, in light of the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, I diverged from the usual and chose the Void Dragon, a Magic-type monster. Despite its 5 mana cost, the Void Dragon boasts impressive statistics and is endowed with valuable abilities like Flying, Void, and Phase. These attributes serve as effective defenses against both Ranged and Magic attacks, rendering the Void Dragon a strategic and formidable choice for this battle 💪

Second Position, Fungus Fiend

Having the ability to deploy a Monster at zero mana cost is always advantageous, especially with a limited mana capacity. At its maximum level, Fungus Fiend also possesses the valuable Slow ability, imparting a -1 Speed debuff. This feature enhances the Void Dragon's evasion rate against enemy attacks. Positioning it in the second slot also serves as a makeshift tanker in the event that the Void Dragon falters! 😝

Third Position, Naga Assassin

The Naga Assassin is celebrated for its outstanding Speed, establishing itself as an impressively swift Monster. I strategically positioned it in the third slot to maximize the effectiveness of its Backfire ability when called upon in the first position. This ability inflicts damage on any enemy Monster that attempts to target the Naga Assassin but fails to land an attack. Additionally, its Swiftness ability contributes to the team's overall Speed, increasing the chances of opposing Monsters missing their targets in battles 👊

Last Position, Acid Shooter

Finally, we have the Acid Shooter. This Monster carries a mere 2 mana cost but harbors a potent attacking capability, particularly when luck is on your side! In battles featuring the Scattershot ability, luck plays a role as the attack randomly targets an enemy. Additionally, the Acid Shooter possesses the Poison ability, which also demands a degree of luck for the Poison effect to be inflicted on the target enemy! 😅

Given the limited Splinter options and the low mana capacity available for this battle, players didn't have a multitude of options or strategies to consider during the setup. Moreover, with the presence of the BRIAR PATCH ruleset, it was evident that the use of any Melee Monsters would be restricted due to the THORNS backlash!

My strategy was straightforward: deploy the Void Dragon, benefiting from its high evasion rate against enemy attacks, especially with its Flying and Phase abilities. I augmented its capabilities further with the Slow debuff from Fungus Fiend and the Speed buff from Naga Assassin. Anticipating that my opponent might also choose the Void Dragon as a tanker, I opted for the Acid Shooter, which possesses the Scattershot ability to target the enemy's backline instead. Throughout the battle, my Void Dragon proved too formidable for the enemy's team to overcome, ultimately securing my victory! 🤗

Do you guys have any better recommendations for setting up the team in this particular ruleset? Do share them with me in the below comments 😜

If you made it this far, I sincerely appreciate your time and value your encouragement. Please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions so that we can discuss about other strategies. Thinking about giving Splinterlands a try but haven't signed up yet? Feel free to use my referral link: https://splinterlands.com?ref=ak08, and be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions!

Are you interested in reading some of my future writings? Don't forget to follow me! In the meantime, here are some of my most recent blogs if you'd like to view them:

UNVEILING THE MAGIC OF TRADING CARD IN SPLINTERLANDS!	DUAL DYNAMICS OF DEFENSE AND MAGIC DAMAGE IN BACK TO BASICS BATTLES!
MASTERING THE BORN AGAIN RULESET: TACTICAL INSIGHTS AND STRATEGIES!	REBELLION UNLEASHED: IS EARTH SPLINTER THE BEST FOR WANDS OUT RULESET? (Latest Blog)

All banners, dividers card and battle images used in this article are open source and obtained from the Splinterlands team or made by flauwy. Do check out his link for other amazing designs.