Definition

Demoralize is an ability that reduces the Melee attack of all enemy Monsters by 1.

Effect:

• When a monster with Demoralize attacks and hits an enemy monster, it will reduce the target's Melee attack by 1.
• This debuff applies immediately and lasts for the entire battle, weakening the enemy's offensive capabilities.
• The attack reduction remains in effect even if the Demoralize effect misses its target or fails to trigger.

Strategic Considerations:

• Counteracting offensive strategies: Utilize Demoralize against decks heavily reliant on powerful Melee attackers. By weakening their damage potential, you can significantly improve your survivability and disrupt their strategies.
• Protecting your team: Prioritize applying Demoralize to enemy monsters directly threatening your key defenders or vulnerable backline. Reducing their attack can give you time to maneuver and protect your vital assets.
• Combo potential: Combine Demoralize with other abilities like Weaken or Silence to further cripple enemy offensive capabilities. Creating a layered defense can significantly weaken your opponent's attacks and give you a tactical edge.
• Spread the debuff: Consider using multiple Demoralize monsters to increase the likelihood of weakening several enemy attackers, creating a broader defensive advantage.

Notable Rulesets

• Up close and Personal - Only melee monsters may be used. This ensures that the demoralize ability will have a significant impact on your opponent's strategy. Be warned! They may do the same to you.
• Keep your Distance - monsters with melee attacks may not be used, nullifying this ability.
• Melee Mayhem - Because melee monsters can attack from any position with this rule set, your opponent may be more likely to stack their team with melee monsters.
• Close Range - Ranged attack monsters may attack from the first position. This makes it less likely they will use melee attacks. Keep in mind - your opponent may do the opposite to throw you off!
• What Doesn't Kill You - All monsters gain enrage ability. Beware of granting your enemy 1.5x increased speed and melee attack (rounded up) Demoralize reduces their attack, hampering their strategy.
• Going the Distance/Wands Out - Only monsters with Ranged or Magic attacks, respectively, may be used - rendering demoralize ineffectual.

Notable Abilities

• Thorns - Your opponent will still take damage from thorns, even if their attack is reduced. use Amplify to increase their returned damage.
• Cleanse - If your opponent plays a monster with cleanse be aware that demoralize will have no impact on the cleansed monster.
• Headwinds - Any ability that increases the likelihood of your opponent missing is valuable. Combined with -1 to melee attack, this ensures your monsters will stay in the game longer in order to secure victory!
• Immunity - If your opponent plays a monster with Immunity, be aware that negative status effects will not impact it. This includes demoralize.
• Weaken - Further hamper the enemy team by reducing the Health of all enemy Monsters.
• Inspire - Grants +1 melee attack to friendly monsters. This is a solid counter to demoralize, that is, until the inspiring monster is destroyed!

Overall, Demoralize is a valuable debuff ability that can significantly enhance your defensive capabilities and counter enemy offensive strategies. By understanding its mechanics, incorporating it into your deck, and adapting your approach based on the situation, you can leverage Demoralize's potential to create a resilient stronghold and dominate the Splinterlands battlefield!