Is this how I would get started in Splinterlands back in 2026?

Best regards Splinterlovers 💚

Since Splinterlands launched its official version in 2018, it has been evolving nonstop. In fact, I can say with complete confidence that since they started this project, no one has really stopped working; they’ve stuck to the roadmap, even with setbacks and changes that perhaps didn’t happen on schedule. But this is completely normal in any project—sometimes plans or deadlines aren’t met, and that’s okay. there’s no such thing as a perfect project out there. So, understanding this and appreciating the work is what we should keep in mind, and that’s why the game has endured all these years.

That’s why I write posts like this, and today I’ll show you exactly how I would get started in Splinterlands in 2026, step by step, so you don’t miss a thing. Of course, before diving into the main topic, I’ll outline some common mistakes beginners make—where you shouldn’t invest at first, but also where you can. All these details and more are covered below in this post.

If you want to learn more about all of this and how to get off to a good start in Splinterlands, stick around until the end of this post:

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What common mistakes should we avoid?

The first thing you do when entering an ecosystem is to do your research; you can’t dive in without having real information about how everything works within it. It’s like driving on a highway blindfolded—we wouldn’t know where we’re going or which lane to choose, and therefore the most likely outcome is that we’ll inevitably have an accident. Well, with investing—even if it’s just a game—it’s practically the same thing.

So, with all that said, here are the most common mistakes and/or errors you should avoid if you really want to get off to a good start in “Splinterlands”:

Common mistakes

• Buying cards without understanding the current META: Many players buy cards from older sets without knowing how the game’s ecosystem and META work. While buying cards from older sets in hopes of future appreciation works in traditional games, here it’s the exact opposite: you must be familiar with the “Wild” and “Modern” formats, understand the rules of each and how they’re played, and know why newer cards are in higher demand.

• Ignoring SPS Staking: This is a mistake many beginners tend to make, since Splinterlands isn’t just about the cards—it’s also about the fuel that earns you rewards every time you win a battle in ranked play. That fuel, which keeps everything running, is SPS. That’s why it’s so important: that multiplier is what will truly help you earn rewards.

• Jumping into “Lands” too soon: Praetoria’s land-plot-based ecosystem is an advanced economic management game. While it relies heavily on cards, it’s not just about making a small investment and expecting it to multiply overnight; it requires understanding how the “Farm” works and paying attention to many other details.

• Not reading the battle rules: This is the absolute worst—maybe I shouldn't even mention it here—but the rules are everything in the game, since they dictate your actions and strategies. While it's true that you can base a strategy on how your opponent plays, the critical decisions are based on the rules and conditions of the battle. This is what truly determines whether you win or lose.

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Where should you invest your initial capital?

This is where we’ll explore where to invest our first few dollars and how to do it. Although some of the methods I’ll discuss are completely free, they can help you earn significant in-game rewards if you’re consistent—because yes, it takes discipline; you can’t earn significant rewards unless you put in the effort. And the only way to do that is to have a good amount of capital that will allow you to leverage your investments and earn more than the average player, but that’s a topic for another post, since this one is designed for those starting out with very little.

With that in mind, here’s where I would pay special attention:

What to look out for

• Mazo Foundations: While you can get most cards for free in “Campaign Mode,” there are a few others that aren’t available there and can be found on the marketplace. This is where I would focus my initial investment to start testing the game and getting the hang of it with very little money, because yes, these cards are extremely cheap—some even cost as little as $0.01.

• SPS for Staking: Before buying any high-rarity card—whether "Epic," "Legendary," or a gold or black card (which you shouldn't do)—you need to invest in SPS. As I explained earlier, SPS is the fuel for your in-game empire, since it gives you a higher "Multiplier" for earning SPS with every battle you win. Although you start in “Frontier,” the goal is to move on to “Modern,” and here you will definitely need SPS.

• Key Cards from Rebellion and Conclave Arcana: This is where you should focus your efforts once you have the previous sets, as these are the main expansions that define the current META and are part of the “Modern” format, where the highest liquidity for SPS rewards is concentrated. The idea is to build a deck with a larger number of versatile cards that can help you in different situations. To find out which cards to buy, you need to read my previous “Splintiers” post.

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Conclusion

All these tips are more than enough to get you off to a great start in “Splinterlands,” since I’m giving you the key insights that 90% of new players overlook—the fact is, most people think this is a way to make quick money, but the reality is that it’s actually quite complicated, because even though the narrative of Web3 games is practically forgotten right now, they’ve matured a lot, so winning means building a solid foundation—and that’s exactly what I’m teaching you in this post.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about how Splinterlands works, leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer them.