Weekly Challenge - Flying Squid
Hello Splinterlands Community!
One of the most formidable common monster in the Chaos Legion Edition is now featured in our Share Your Battle! Weekly Challenge, non other than Flying Squid from the water element. If you are new to my post, the information below are mostly based from the Silver League which I usually play.
It is my question before that how come this card is named Flying Squid but does not have really the flying ability but by reading the lore, it is stated why this is called Flying Squid.
Although Flying Squid are not truly capable of flight, their moniker comes from their ability to launch themselves from the water and glide above the surface for long distances before resubmerging. These aggressive predators shoot ink into the eyes of their prey to blind them before attacking with their lengthy tentacles.
I remember a squid character in One Piece which was used as a parachute to go back to the sea from the Skypiea Island.
Going back to the Splinterlands, let's take a look at this monster.
🦑 The Stats
Flying Squid is a powerful monster. The basic stat is above average for a common monster. Starting at ★1, it can already do a 2 melee damage with a high speed of 3 and a health of 8 on the second position because of the reach ability. However a power monster needs a big mana cost. Flying Squid mana cost is 7.
The main feature of Flying Squid is the reach ability which makes him the second frontline defense as it has high health and speed. This is available in every league.
Reaching ★6 will unlock the blind ability which further weaken the melee and range monsters of the opponent by increasing the chance of missing their target. This is only available starting in the Gold league.
Maximizing the level to ★10 will unlock the backfire ability which is very compatible with the high speed of this monster and the blind ability. This is available in Diamond and Champion League.
The cons that this monster have is the high mana cost in which for low mana cap matches, this card is not recommended to use.
Overall this monster is an all around monster and a very power addition to the water element.
Combo Cards
In terms of Summoners, Kelya Frendul is the best summoner that is compatible with Flying Squid.
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Kelya Frendul can further enhance Flying Squid speed which is very suitable for the blind and backfire ability. Also as a secondary tank, a higher chance to dodge incoming physical attack. Can be in Modern and Wild format. |
The monsters below are those monsters that are usable in the Modern format which have a good combination with Flying Squid based on the usage and position. The lineup is still depends on the ruleset of each match.
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Diemonshark is one of the great tank in the Water element which does have a pretty high health and armor. It can also have an enrage ability which is available starting from Silver league.Because of the thick armor, high speed and health, Flying Squid can freely attack from the second position. |
 | Another good frontline defense especially for ruleset Odd Ones Out in which DiemonShark is not available as a tank. In the Odd Ones both Serpent of Eld and Flying Squid is available. While Serpent of Eld is dodging incoming physical attack, Flying Squid can freely attack from the second position |
   | Djinn Oshannus, Torhilo the Frozen and Baakjira all have the void ability that can be use against incoming magic attack and can be place in the first position. Djinn Oshannus is best to use if the opponent is pure magic which can dodge incoming magic.Torhilo the Frozen is best to use if the backrow are magic monsters while the frontline is a melee monster as Torhilo does have a 5 armor to deal with for melee damage.Baakjira on the other hand have the highest health among the three and does have a slow debuff and health buff. If the lineup behind Baakjira are fast killing monsters then it is best to use. Having these 3 as frontline, Flying Squid could be on the second position to deal melee damage. |
 | The last and not the least, Riven Hellondale with the Inspire ability could further increase Flying Squid damage. In addition to inspire ability, Demented Shark is also an option however it does not do any attack if position in the back unless there is equal opportunity, melee mayhem or super sneak ruleset. |
Favorable Ruleset
Favorable ruleset to pair with this Flying Squid:
 Odd Ones Out | As mentioned, flying squid is one of the good option in Water element for odds one out ruleset as it does have a 7 mana cost. A great tank and a damager that can be combo together with Serpent of Eld. |
 Explosive Weaponry | A high speed monster for explosive weapon is always a good option. Flying Squid is one of the high speed monsters that can attack in the second position to support the tank damage. Because of the high health, it can also a good monster to absorb the blast damage from the frontline. |
 Up Close & Personal | Flying Squid is a great second in line of defense in this ruleset. It can continously attack because of the reach ability while waiting its turn to defend the frontline. |
Sample Lineup (Frontline Focus Fire)
Mana Cost: 49
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🦑 The Battle
Rules of Combat
Modifications: Equal Opportunity, Stampede
Mana Cap: 50
Playable Splinters: Fire, Water, Earth, Death and Dragon
Line Up
| Summoner | Kelya Frendul | 4 | Kelya Frendul provides a +1 boost to speed as well as providing additional armor protection to all allied monsters. |
| Front Row | Diemon Shark | 8 | Diemonshark the formidable frontline that can enrage and trigger the stampede damaging the enemies. It also have a high speed which is suitable for the equal opportunity. |
| Back Row 1 | Flying Squid | 7 | Flying Squid with the reach ability and the secondary frontline defense. However the equal opportunity ruleset supersede the reach ability in which Flying Squid will attack another monster with the lowest health. Because of the overall statsof Flying Squid, it is one of the best choice in this match. |
| Back Row 2 |  Sea Monster | 8 | A high damaging monster that can benefit the equal opportunity to defeat low health monsters. |
| Back Row 3 |  Deeplurker | 6 | Deeplurker is another high speed monster that deals a great damage. This monster is also a good choice on the current ruleset because of the combination of high damage and high speed. Though this monster already have the opportunity ability even without the equal opportunity ruleset. |
| Back Row 4 |  Nerissa Tridawn | 9 | One of the slowest but can deal a high magic damage. A higher health, it can also absorb Yodin Zaku's blast as Wave Brood will do the taunt to acts as decoy while the others will do the damage. |
| Back Row 5 |  Wave Brood | 8 | Wave Brood is the decoy in the group to attract all incoming attack while the team will do the damage. |
Round 1
This is a battle between Fire and Water.
Kelya Frendul specialized in Speed and protection vs Yodin Zaku's blast range damage.
The water team composed of 2 teams which mainly focus on the offense and defense. The Offensive team is compose of Flying Squid, Sea Monster and Deeplurker which target the enemy with the lowest health. The Defensive team compose of Diemonshark acting as the guard in the frontline and the decoys Wave Brood. Nerissa Tridawn support both defensive and offensive team by absorbing blast damage and dealing a direct 3 magic.
On the other hand, the fire team focus on the full damage range attack with the blast buff from Yodin Zaku.
At the end of 1st round, Pyromancer peril quickly before landing its attack due to high speed of Flying Squid and Deeplurker. Lava Launcher is severely damage because of the attack coming from Sea Monster, Wave Brood and Nerissa Tridawn.
Wave Brood and Nerissa Tridawn survive the massive attack but is severely wounded. It might not survive in the next round.
Round 2
Lava Launcher could not be able to launch its attack because of the quick attack from Flying Squid and Deeplurker.
The combined attack of Diemonshark, Sea Monster and Nerissa Tridawn defeated the frontline Tusk the Wide.
Wave Brood and Nerissa Tridawn did not surive the attack.
In the next round Fire Demon could not be able to attack as it was position at the frontline.
Round 3
The combine attack from Diemonshark, Flying Squid and Deeplurker will defeat Fire Demon thus placing Ettin to the frontline in which it will not be able to attack.
Cornealus will defeat Deeplurker.
Round 4
The combine attack of the remaining Water unit will kill Ettin and Cornealus. There will be no more incoming attack from the fire unit starting on this round.
Round 5
After a series of attack, Cornealus has been defeated on round 6.
Flawless Victory!
The Outcome
🦑 Final Thoughts
Flying Squid is a very powerful monster from the water element. It is very useful in most cases except for those low mana cap match. This card being a powerful is not that expensive to own. This card is recommended especially that the Modern Format is already released.
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Thanks for sharing! - @alokkumar121
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I never seen Skypiea Island before
I have been experimenting with the flying squid in some lineups lately and find its speed with high health is definitely favorable in the right conditions.
I haven't got to use it it Gold league yet, but I bet the blind ability is super useful against Prince Rennyn