Pandamonium: How to Play it Smart

​Over the last few days, I've read a lot about the new Pandamonium ruleset "ruining" the game. Many argue that it goes completely against the core philosophy of Splinterlands: laying down your tactics BEFORE the battle starts.

​Players have written articles expressing their hatred for the new rule, while others on Discord suggest it entirely wrecks the core essence of the game.
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"Question: Have you noticed that the new ruleset, with its randomized order, turns the game into a complete gamble? It is incredibly annoying and frustrating, especially since tactics must be applied before the actual order is revealed. This completely wrecks the sense of the game." - source: discord

​However, there are several abilities perfectly suited for this ruleset. I've compiled a list to prove that Pandamonium is simply another scenario where you can showcase your strategic skills, rather than just relying on luck.
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As a general rule, you will want to choose units with high health and/or armor. Since any of them could end up in the first position, the longer your tank can absorb hits, the more time the rest of your lineup has to weaken enemy units.
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For melee units, there are two key abilities to look out for under the Pandamonium ruleset:

• ​Sneak: Targets the enemy unit in the last position. Units with the Sneak ability can attack from anywhere, and if they end up in the first position, some can actually make excellent tanks. Tenyii Striker is one of my favorite Sneak units; with his high speed and Dodge ability, he functions as a very strong tank.

• ​Opportunity: Targets the enemy unit with the lowest health. Similar to Sneak units, Opportunity units can attack from any position and double as a tank if placed first. Deeplurker is a great example of this.
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For ranged units, prioritize the Close Range ability, which allows them to attack even from the first position.

Magic units can also be highly beneficial, but in my experience, it's best to aim for those with 3+ magic attack. If a magic unit gets shuffled into the tank position, you really don't want it sitting there with less than 3 power.
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Last but not least, the Scavenge ability can be incredibly useful for a melee unit. They can function as a first-position tank, but if placed further back, they have the chance to bulk up on health as units fall. This makes them a fantastic gatekeeper, protecting your backline attackers or making it nearly impossible for a weakened enemy to break through if their health gets high enough.