To be frank this card is disliked by many players as it is slow as heck with only +2 melee. However, in a reverse speed low mana rule-set it might come in handy as a tank or meat shield.
To demonstrate this cards effectiveness or perhaps glaring weaknesses, I will share a battle with you.
Animated Corpse is from Alpha and Beta versions of @splinterlands and it's a common death monster.
At level 1, Animated Corpse has a mana count of 4 with +6 health. Its low mana count and relatively high health make it a solid meat shield in a reverse speed low mana rule set. Why reverse speed you may ask? Well it has an atrocious speed count of 1. And its melee attack is only +2.
Now do you see why this card is hated by many? lol.
Show me the Stats
At level one as we've already discussed animated corpse is slow as heck and does not provide much of an attack. I mean it makes sense, the thing is a zombie. Individually, this card is rather weak but if there were thousands of them like in a zombie apocalypse than that would be another story haha.
However, starting at level 4 it does start to bring more to the table with its reduced damage from magic attacks. But other than that as you continue to level up health, speed and melee only improve marginally. To be honest you're better off leveling up other cards and leaving this one alone.
In summary this card is rather ineffective unless used in very specific rule sets. Mainly at low mana, reverse speed where Animated Corpse can certainly be a wonderful addition to your lineup.
The Battle rule set was little league. Only monster and summoners that cost 4 mana or less could be used. And the mana count was 15.
This rule set favored Animated Corpse given its low mana cost and decent health +6 health.
With that said below is the lineup I went to battle with.
1.Animated Corpse :
Since it was a low mana, little league, death splinter rule set, I went with Contessa Lament as my summoner. In death there is quite a few low mana count range monsters. So I figured reducing my opponents range attack would be helpful. And as discussed I put Animated Corpse as my tank because it is a solid meat shield for a low mana cost.
2. Twisted Jester:
Usually I like to put Twisted Jester in the back line but since this was a low mana rule set, I put him number two, to get a few good snipes while Animated Corpse held the front. Also, I didn't want him to be last man standing because at that point range is useless.
3. Venari Bonesmith:
I put in Venari Bonesmith last hoping he would survive any sneak attacks as he replenished his health while Animated Corpse and Twisted Jester took the brunt of the damage. Should he be the last man standing hopefully his life leech would be enough for victory.
My adversary went with Death Splinter summoner Zintar Mortalis and monsters Animated Corpse, Undead Priest, Undead Badger, and Twisted Jester. They're strategy was reduced melee attack, reduced health, combined with sneak and snipe.
Battle
Round 1
My strategy of lowering my opponents range by minus one worked as they went with Twisted Jester as one of their monsters. Which makes sense that card is a devastating card as it has plus 2 range sneak with a low mana count and a respectable +4 health. The fact that Twisted Jester now only had a range attack of one was huge for my side.
My team attacked first, as Twisted Jester sniped their weakest monster, Undead Priest. While my backline monsters took damage via sneak and snipe attacks. The round ended relatively even.
Round 2
This round started off with my opponent attacking first. As Twisted Jester and Undead badger tried to pick off our back line. Thankfully we survived their attack, allowing us to go into the the final round with enough firepower to finish them off.
Round 3
This round started pretty even as both sides still had three monsters remaining. My opponent had the slight health advantage but should Venari Bonesmith survive life leech ability would come in handy.
My opponent continued to attack my backline but their damage was too weak to take us out. Once again we survived and took out Animated Corpse. Leaving my opponent with only two monsters.
Round 4
By this point victory was pretty much in our hands. As Undead Badger isn't much of threat as a tank. We took him out leaving Twisted Jester as last man standing.
Round 5
The final round, was a formality as my opponent could no longer attack. Venari Bonesmith quickly took out Twisted Jester. And victory was ours.
Watch my battle
Questions and Answers
Did my strategy work? What will I try differently next time?
My strategy worked out to perfection as my choice of summoner was too much for my opponent to over come. Neutralizing Twisted Jester to a range attack of one was huge for my side. As it allowed for my backline to survive and continue attacking.
Leaving Animated Corpse in first position was an excellent choice as he provided enough cover for my backline to do its job and continue attacking.
Venari Bonesmith life leech ability was also important because it gave us just enough protection to continue attacking, leading us to victory.
I'm not sure I would try anything differently next time. As this was a solid win. But with that said, this battle is another reminder that in Splinterlands, your choice of summoner is very important. It is where battles are won and lost.
Do I like the Animated Corpse? Why or why not?
I don't mind Animated Corpse as a meat shield. However, its limiting stats make it a difficult monster to use. Its not very versatile. However, in reverse speed, low mana rule sets, it can be a useful monster.
With that said, would I ever level up the monster to get the reduced magic attack ability? Probably not. But no matter what Splinterlands is always fun to play.
This concludes my battle challenge. I hope you enjoyed it and were able to learn a little bit more about Animated Corpse and see how it stacks up against the rest of the competition.
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