Building an effective Silver league deck at a reasonable price.
Hi everyone, Garzug here, and today I'll talk about building a silver league deck.
During this moment, we're a bit over midway with the Chaos Legion sale, and the card prices have returned to very reasonable levels. Because of that, I decided to write this article to show people the costs of building a competitive deck.
(Sorry, about the formating. Something breaks in the markup when too much text is added :) funny )
But why silver?
Well, for once, it's affordable for new players, and you don't need a max-level deck for it to do good. And secondly, the Silver league is so much better reward-wise than the bronze league.
Why not just rent a deck?
True, many people prefer to rent their decks instead of building their own. There are various reasons behind that, e.g., not wanting to commit such funds to a game. Or the other most popular reason - people want to be highly effective right from the start.
But there's a drawback to that - rental costs. Sure, you'll win matches, but will you make a profit? Or will you lose money?
That's why it's way better to build your very own deck. Of course, it will be way slower than straight-up renting. But the long-term gains will be higher.
Also, you'll not have to deal with rental cancels as you'll own the assets yourself. Personally, for me, this was one of the main points.
Do note that leveling summoners will cost quite a bit. And it will take some time to get them all up to a decent level. But remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Sure, one can play in the Silver league even with level 1 summoners, but to be more effective, you'll want to have at minimum level 2 summoners. Once you reach partly level 3/4 summoners and leveled supporting cards, they will get you high in the rankings if you play them right.
I'm doing quite well in the gold league with level 3/4 summoners (can get to diamond rankings). And before that, it was around the top 100 in the Silver I. And that was mainly due to my card and splinter diversity, not uber monsters or summoners that my competitors often rented.
I'll exclude some cards that require level 4 summoners as this article is aimed more at small-time investors. Once you reach level 3, you'll know which cards you'll want to develop next to match your playstyle.
Ok, let's get to it.
Summoners
It's simple.
The more various summoners you'll have, the better chances you'll have as you'll be able to adapt better to battle rules and counter your opponent.
But if you're building your deck from scratch, get a copy from each of the new chaos legion summoners. At the moment, while the Chaos Legion sale is ongoing, they are dirt cheap. But once it's finished, I expect the price will jump quite considerably. The new land expansion might also help. So don't miss out on them.
Of course, you don't have to buy everything at once. Pick one splinter at a time and get it to level 2 with supporting monster cards. After that, take another. Once you've leveled them all, go up a level and repeat.
Another good approach is to pick at least two splinters and develop them a bit first. And only then look at others.
Well then, let's look at the prices.
Rare summoners
| Summoner | Price per BCX | Level 2 (BCX 5) | Level 3 (BCX 14) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarsa | ~2.95$ | 14.75$ | 41.30$ |
| Kelya Frendul | ~4.40$ | 22.00$ | 61.60$ |
| Obsidian | ~3.65$ | 18.25$ | 51.10$ |
| General Sloan | ~2.50$ | 12.50$ | 35.00$ |
| Thaddius Brood | ~2.80$ | 14.00$ | 39.20$ |
Total for
level 2: 81.50$
level 3: 228.20$
Legendary summoners
| Summoner | Price per BCX | Level 1 (BCX 1) | Level 2 (BCX 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quix The Devious | ~33.00$ | 33.00$ | 66.00$ |
Suggested rental summoners
If you cant afford older edition summoners, you can always rent some to diversify your options. Quite a few cost a small fortune (popular legendary cards), but others go for as little as 1 to 2 cents per day. (level 3/4)
That doesn't mean they are less efficient. No! I've beaten numerous uber summoners with better counter summoner and supporting cards. It's all about reading your opponent and coming up with a better counter.
| Summoner | Splinter |
|---|---|
| Wizzard Of Eastwood | Earth |
| Zintar Mortalis | Death |
| Contessa L'ament | Death |
| Tyrus Paladium | Life |
If we're looking at rare summoners, then the level 3 version is preferred as that enables the use of level 2 legendary monsters. And many of them have strong abilities.
But more on that later. Let's go through the splinters themselves. I'll mention cards and the optimal levels that you should get.
Most of them will be from the Chaos Legion as they are both powerful and cheap. Some of those cards come from daily quests and season-end rewards. So it's possible that you already have them.
Monster cards
Fire splinter
Because your summoner will be Tarsa, we'll look more at melee cards as they have the best synergy with her.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Radiated Scorcher | ~0.05$ | 0.70$ Level 3 |
| Radiated Brute | ~0.07$ | 2.10$ Level 4 |
| Scavo Chemist | ~0.06$ | 1.80$ Level 4 |
| Antoid Platoon | ~0.09$ | 2.70$ Level 4 |
| Tenyii Striker | ~0.53$ | 7.42$ Level 3 |
| Exploding Rats | ~0.11$ | 1.54$ Level 3 |
| Forgotten One | ~3.40$ | 3.40$ Level 1 |
| Djinn Inferni | ~1.30$ | 1.30$ Level 1 |
| Scorch Fiend | ~6.00$ | 6.00$ Level 1 |
| Grum Flameblade | ~10.00$ | 10.00$ Level 1 |
Total cost ~36.96$
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
At level three, this card gains the shatter ability, which destroys opponents' armor, and here it becomes interesting. That's especially true for (equal health, melee can attack from all positions, all have the opportunity) rules.
A level one card could do it too, but a higher level has better health and speed, thus resulting in faster removal of negative-status effects.
Don't look down on it, it works great!
But for that, you'll need a level four summoner. If you can, do it, it could shift the battle in your favor.
It could work well if you boost your attack speed and slow down your opponent. But it will perform better in the equalizer ruleset.
Additionally, this card has immunity ability, and because of that, it's commonly used in poison rulest as it will be unaffected by it.
Take it if you anticipate such a card in your opponents' lineup.
The slow speed is a drawback, but in the slow ruleset, it's a beast.
Water splinter
Here we'll have a mix of cards as magic cards also mix well with Keyla in various situations.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy Stonefish | ~0.04$ | 0.56$ Level 3 |
| Flying Squid | ~0.10$ | 3.00$ Level 4 |
| Deeplurker | ~0.32$ | 9.60$ Level 4 |
| Merdaali Guardian | ~0.70$ | 3.50$ Level 2 |
| Diemonshark | ~0.64$ | 8.96$ Level 3 |
| River Nymph | ~0.23$ | 1.15$ Level 2 |
| Nerissa Tridawn | ~1.80$ | 1.80$ Level 1 |
| River Hellondale | ~9.00$ | 27.00$ Level 2 |
| Torrent Fiend | ~6.00$ | 6.00$ Level 1 |
| Baakjira | ~12.00$ | 12.00$ Level 1 |
| Pelacor Bandit | ~0.03$ | 0.90$ Level 4 |
| Venari Wavesmith | ~0.11$ | 0.55$ Level 2 |
| Djinn Oshannus | ~4.00$ | 4.00$ Level 1 |
Total cost ~79.02$
This one costs a bit more, but you can always drop a legendary card or two to keep the costs down.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
If you boost it with extra damage and combine it with another opportunity card, it can become quite a problem for the opponent.
It's one of my favorite monsters from the water deck.
I'd better go with a Crustacean King card. But it's rather expensive and comes from the beta edition. Also, once new battle formats roll out, you'll be able to use it only in the wild format fights.
The good news is that it has the trample ability right from the start. And that one is always fun when it triggers. With the help of the right conditions and battle rules, it can trample all the opponents' cards.
Additionally, this card has high defensive stats. Those have a vital role when no magic monsters are allowed.
It's also great for "back to basics" ruleset battles. That is unless you anticipate a magic counter from your opponent. A level one version of the card will do its job. But if you want more survivability for it, you can level it up a bit.
The mana requirement is steep, but it's worth it - two magic damage, resurrect ability, and at level two - inspire.
I love running this card together with Legionnaire Alvar if I anticipate a magic deck from my opponent. In such a case, the opponent must go through Alvars defense two times unless the River Hellondale or another card dies first.
As an anti-magic setup, this card works better with the Bortus summoner. But at times, this card can work well also with Keyla.
Before buying it, rent for a couple of days to check if it works for you. If you don't find it that useful, skip it to cut the overall costs.
You can cut the costs by accumulating these cards from daily / season rewards. But it will for sure take some time.
It's more powerful at level four when it gains another magic attack point. But a level two version of this card will work just fine.
It's not always working, but if you manage to make a noticeable speed difference against your opponents' cards, you'll be able to see magic monsters miss this card.
Nevertheless, a single copy of this card can always come in handy.
Earth splinter
Here we'll have mostly magic cards mixed in with some others as Obsidian favors magic monsters.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Mycelic Morphoid | ~0.05$ | 0.70$ Level 3 |
| Venari Knifer | ~0.07$ | 2.10$ Level 4 |
| Hill Giant | ~0.05$ | 0.70$ Level 3 |
| Goblin Psychic | ~0.22$ | 6.60$ Level 4 |
| Mycelic Slipspawn | ~0.46$ | 0.46$ Level 1 |
| Regal Peryton | ~0.32$ | 4.48$ Level 3 |
| Mycelic Infantry | ~0.20$ | 2.80$ Level 3 |
| Queen Mycelia | ~20.50$ | 61.50$ Level 2 |
| Fungus Fiend | ~6.00$ | 6.00$ Level 1 |
| Pelacor Mercenary | ~0.03$ | 0.90$ Level 4 |
| Centauri Mage | ~2.45$ | 2.45$ Level 1 |
| Djinn Biljka | ~2.75$ | 8.25$ Level 2 |
Total cost ~96.94$
Total cost ~55.94$ (with level 1 Queen Mycelia)
Things can get a bit pricy if you want to develop Queen Mycelia. This card is the second most expensive legendary from the Chaos Legion set. While it becomes great at level two, you can do well also with a basic version of it.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
Compared to the Wood Nymph, the usage cost is rather steep. It needs two extra mana points. But it's the cheapest healer you'll get from the earth splinter.
You'll need to combine it with Queen Mycelias's ability to survive longer.
Naturally, it's also great for the Earthquake battle ruleset.
If you can get it to level two - do it. Your cards with magic reflect, return fire, and thorns will be even more dangerous.
This card is, so to say, out of print. So it will be a bit expensive to get a higher-level card. But it's worth it. Plus, its high health will come in handy in back to basics battles.
Also, camouflage ability ensures that no one will attack this monster, thus increasing its chances to survive till the very end.
Life splinter
Here we'll focus more on ranged cards as General Sloan favors ranged monsters. But I'll also mix in others as one can't play successfully with a full ranged deck.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Stitch Leech | ~0.13$ | 3.90$ Level 4 |
| Blinding Reflector | ~0.07$ | 4.20$ Level 5 |
| Chaos Knight | ~0.07$ | 4.20$ Level 5 |
| Celestial Harpy | ~0.21$ | 2.94$ Level 3 |
| Time Mage | ~0.35$ | 4.19$ Level 3 |
| Pelacor Arbalest | ~0.30$ | 7.50$ Level 4 |
| Prismologist | ~1.50$ | 1.50$ Level 1 |
| Dax Paragon | ~1.41$ | 5.64$ Level 2 |
| Adelade Brightwing | ~9.50$ | 28.50$ Level 2 |
| Soul Fiend | ~6.00$ | 6.00$ Level 1 |
| Pelacor Conjurer | ~0.03$ | 1.80$ Level 5 |
| Venari Crystalsmith | ~0.14$ | 3.50$ Level 4 |
| Djinn Renova | ~0.50$ | 0.50$ Level 1 |
Total cost ~74.37$
I included a couple of higher-leveled cards here as life splinter is relatively cheap, including the summoner. And because of that, you'll have access to some very useful abilities.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
Combine it with Pelacor Conjurer, and you'll have an annoying frontal defense against magic attacks. The only downside for this card is its low attack potential - just one point.
At level five, Chaos Knight also gains giant killer ability. And that can do considerable damage to a card that costs ten or more mana.
Two damage points, at level three, combined with flying and the opportunity ability for the cost of two mana is a great deal.
Once combined with General Sloan, this card can dish out six damage. It's a rather costly card (mana-wise), plus a bit squishy, but it sure makes a hard punch.
This card is slow and costly regarding mana, but it works great in many situations.
The great thing is that it can also heal itself if it gets to the first position. So leave some monsters behind this one to get more time to damage your opponent. It's possible that you already have a few copies of this card as it comes from daily / season rewards.
Death splinter
In this splinter, we'll focus on various cards. Death splinter is more about debuffing your opponent.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Carrion Shade | ~0.04$ | 0.56$ Level 3 |
| Riftwing | ~0.12$ | 7.20$ Level 5 |
| Crypt Beetle | ~0.05$ | 3.00$ Level 5 |
| Silent Sha-vi | ~0.11$ | 1.54$ Level 3 |
| Life Sapper | ~0.22$ | 5.50$ Level 4 |
| Cursed Windeku | ~1.05$ | 26.25$ Level 4 |
| Magi Necrosi | ~2.20$ | 2.20$ Level 1 |
| Weirding Warrior | ~1.70$ | 1.70$ Level 1 |
| Djinn Muirat | ~7.80$ | 23.40$ Level 2 |
| Corpse Fiend | ~6.20$ | 6.20$ Level 1 |
| Lira The Dark | ~6.00$ | 18.00$ Level 2 |
| Pelacor Deceiver | ~0.03$ | 0.90$ Level 4 |
| Venari Bonesmith | ~0.10$ | 2.50$ Level 4 |
| Shadowy Presence | ~6.40$ | 6.40$ Level 1 |
| Harklaw | ~2.70$ | 8.10$ Level 2 |
Total cost ~113.45$
I included a couple of higher-leveled cards as they become great once you get your summoner to the required level. But you don't have to level them all up at once. First, try them out if you're unsure about their utility.
The above list is a bit pricy, but you can always drop a monster or two to keep the costs down.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
The downside is that only at level five this card gains some noticeable attack power.
You can leave out this card if you feel like you're using it rarely, as it's not that critical.
It's a bit pricy to level him up, but he's worth it.
This one also has camouflage ability. If you place this card at the very end, it will most likely survive till the very end of the battle. Of course, there are exceptions to it e.g. if blast ability targets the monster next to him.
A level one version will work just fine. But at level two, you'll gain the giant killer ability. Once that hits a ten mana plus card, it hits hard.
What makes this card special is the poison ability. It can make your opponents' life rather annoying.
The downside is the cost of this card as a single copy of it goes for ~7$.
But if the card can hold its ground, your supporting monsters can do the real damage.
Dragon splinter
Here you'll find many optional dragon cards, as with a dragon summoner, you can use any other splinters cards. That's also because quite a few cards can be a tad expensive. I'll mention only a few that are somewhat affordable.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Chaos Dragon | ~10.18$ | 30.54$ Level 2 |
| Desert Dragon | ~5.50$ | 16.50$ Level 2 |
| Void Dragon | ~5.70$ | 17.10$ Level 2 |
| Naga Assassin | ~0.10$ | 2.50$ Level 4 |
| Djinn Chwala | ~0.60$ | 6.00$ Level 3 |
| Robo-Dragon Knight | ~30.00$ | 30.00$ Level 1 |
| Carnage Titan | ~16.30$ | 48.90$ Level 2 |
Total cost ~151.54$
As you can see, it can get rather expensive to own dragon cards. But they are great once surrounded with appropriate monster cards. Sure, there are many other useful ones, but if you're just starting to build a deck, try not to blow too much money on a single splinter.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
On the negative side is the mana cost. It's huge - 14 mana points. That makes this card usable only in high mana cost battles.
When you combine it with this cards' piercing ability plus trample, it can get nasty. It's definitely on my buy list.
The great thing is that it costs only two mana to use. Because of that, it fits great in various situations.
Do note that this card costs eleven mana points. So it's more useful in high mana cost battles. Also, it automatically becomes vulnerable to the new giant killer ability. But its high defensive stats can compensate it for a few attacks.
The only downside is the high mana requirement which makes this card more viable for big mana battles. Also, it makes it vulnerable to giant killer ability.
Neutral splinter
Here we'll have a mix of cards as these are usable with any splinter. Don't forget to level them up! They will help greatly in your battles regardless of the splinter you start.
| Card | Price per BCX | Price, and level |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Runner | ~0.13$ | 7.80$ Level 5 |
| Scavo Hireling | ~0.08$ | 1.12$ Level 3 |
| Disintegrator | ~0.08$ | 4.80$ Level 5 |
| Chaos Agent | ~0.10$ | 6.00$ Level 5 |
| Xenith Archer | ~0.13$ | 1.82$ Level 3 |
| Xenith Monk | ~0.68$ | 9.52$ Level 3 |
| Venari Spellsmith | ~0.22$ | 5.50$ Level 4 |
| Magi of Chaos | ~1.50$ | 15.00$ Level 3 |
| Legionnaire Alvar | ~6.20$ | 18.60$ Level 2 |
| Spirit Hoarder | ~10.50$ | 10.50$ Level 1 |
| Creeping Ooze | ~3.39$ | 3.39$ Level 1 |
| Gargoya Devil | ~0.10$ | 2.50$ Level 4 |
| Uraeus | ~0.52$ | 5.20$ Level 3 |
Total cost ~91.75$
As you can see, it can get rather expensive to own dragon cards. But they are great once surrounded with appropriate monster cards. Sure, there are many other useful ones, but if you're starting to build a deck, try not to blow too much money on a single splinter.
Let's take a look at the most interesting cards:
While it's a decent combination, this card does not have that good stats to act as the main tank in a regular ruleset. I use it more in situations where melee can attack from any position.
My only concern is this card's low speed. But that can be increased with supporting cards.
The card itself costs quite a few mana points, so it will not be viable in many matches. But once it fits, it can turn the battle around with a single strike.
Of course, there are many other cards that you could check out. But these mentioned will give you a good base to work with and develop further.
On top of these, I often rent a couple of additional cards that enhance my deck further and make my battles easier. I'd like to own them, but some, for now, are out of my budget.
Well, that's it for this guide!
Hopefully, this will help you decide what cards to aim for when building your starter deck.
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This is an awesome post with so much effort put into it! I definitely agree with a lot, especially River Hellondale who is my favourite card right now!
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