⚡ TL;DR

• Frontier is great, but it’s not the real game

• The real KPI is Spellbook purchases that convert into active players

• Right now, players buy a Spellbook and get dropped into confusion (especially rentals)

• Fix it by offering Spellbook Plus — a playable starting bundle

• Keep the original Spellbook for DIY players (with a simple cheatsheet)

• Source cards from the marketplace → supports the economy

• Make SPS requirements clear upfront → no hidden systems

👉 Sell a playable start, not just access

🌱 Frontier Is Good — But It’s Not the Game

Frontier is a great concept.

It:

• Lowers the barrier to entry
• Introduces the world and characters
• Lets players explore without pressure

But it’s a different lane.

It’s casual.

I would not have jumped into Splinterlands based on Frontier. I find the grind unrewarding.
The characters and new cards are interesting but my bandwidth limits me to focusing on the Main Event.

⚠️ The Moment Things Break

When a player decides:

“I want to play the real game”

They buy a Spellbook…

…and get dropped into the middle of a jungle.

• No clear direction
• No functional deck
• No understanding of SPS
• A rental screen built for experienced players

👉 They don’t feel empowered
👉 They feel lost or reliant on others

I know that I would not have liked to have been mired within Discord and reliant upon an enthusiastic Community, just to play a game.

🚨 The Rental Screen Is a Churn Funnel

The Spellbook says:

“Here’s 3,000 Credits — go rent a set!”

Then players see:

• Multiple sets
• Different card counts
• No explanation of value
• A ticking season timer

They’re forced to answer questions like:

• “What should I rent?”
• “Is bigger better?”
• “Will I lose this?”

👉 This isn’t onboarding — it’s friction

Again, I very much dislike renting cards. I prefer owning the cards. Different strokes for different folks. The idea to Rent or Buy are both confronting situations when you really don't know much about the game and which cards are necessary to be competitive.

🎯 The Real KPI

Not:

• Free signups
• Frontier engagement

But:

• Spellbook purchases that convert into active players

Right now:
👉 Too many don’t convert

💡 A Possible Fix — “Spellbook Plus”

Instead of selling:

Access to the game

Sell:

A playable starting point

🧰 Spellbook Plus (Bronze Start) ... or Silver ...or Gold ...

A clean upgrade path:

Current Spellbook ($10):

Purchasing a Summoner’s Spellbook allows you, the Battle Mage, to harness the elemental magic contained within its pages. Each Spellbook comes with a 30-day Battle Reward Boost, 5 Starter Packs, and 3,000 Credits that can be used to rent a full set of cards! Spellbook holders can compete in tournaments, list items on the market, and earn even better rewards!

• 5 packs
• 3,000 Credits
• Rental dependency

Spellbook Plus (~$39):

• Spellbook (Team revenue and curation premium)
• Summoners (so teams actually work)
• Curated playable cards (possibly from a pool of cards to assure deck variety/value conscious)
• Packs + GLINT
• Optional SPS guidance (The SPS Tiers should be rounded amounts IMO and a player can purchase via a scale to add to their total price)

👉 You log in and play immediately
👉 No rental maze required

🪙 SPS — Make It Clear

Instead of hiding it, show simple targets:

• 25 SPS → Starter rewards
• 65 SPS → Full rewards
• 125 SPS → Optimised

Also show:

• Current price
• Estimated cost

👉 Turns confusion into clear progression

🧱 No New Cards Required

Bundles are built by:

• Buying cards from the marketplace
• Redistributing existing supply

Result:

• Supports current players
• Creates buy pressure
• Strengthens the economy

🧭 Keep All Entry Paths

This doesn’t replace anything.

Players can still:

• Use Frontier
• Build decks manually
• Rent if they want

This simply adds:

A clean, premium entry option

💰 Why This Works

You’re not selling power.

You’re selling:

• Clarity
• Convenience
• Agency

Players will pay for:

“I can actually play properly from day one”

📈 What Changes

Metric	Now	With Spellbook Plus
Revenue per player	$10	$39+
Early retention	Low	Higher
Player experience	Confused	Clear
Marketplace activity	Passive	Active

🎯 The Goal

Not:

Give players everything

But:

Give them enough to win, understand, and want more

Because once players understand the game…

👉 They naturally upgrade

🔚 Final Thought

Splinterlands doesn’t need less depth.

It needs:

Players to feel in control from day one

📢 Suggested Actions

1. Add Spellbook Plus (Bronze)
2. Source cards from the marketplace
3. Show SPS targets clearly
4. Simplify or bypass the rental experience for new players

Because right now…

👉 You’re selling a key
👉 But not the door it opens

🧭 Keep the DIY Path (Important)

Not every player wants a bundle.

Some want to:

• Learn step by step
• Build their own collection
• Optimise their spending

👉 Keep the original Spellbook exactly as it is

But improve it with one addition:

📄 A Simple “Starter Cheatsheet”

Give players:

• Recommended starter cards
• Suggested summoners
• Basic team compositions
• SPS targets

So instead of:

“Figure it out yourself”

They get:

“Here’s how to build your first working setup”