LAVA SPIDER

The monster for this week's battle challenge is none other than the Lava Spider! A new addition from the Chaos Legion set, this monster is a common fire card, and it has been interesting playing with it, to be honest, although I have to admit that I'm not really a fan of it.

The main problem with this monster is that it doesn't have synergy with the Fire summoners from the base set, so most of the time, I prefer using another monster. Nonetheless, here's a strategy that worked for me.

Stats

As I said before, I don't think this monster has much synergy with the summoner, especially Tarsa, since it has ranged attack. At level 1 it has 1 ranged, 2 speed, 4 health, and the ability Snipe, which targets the first non-melee monster in the backline. Now, the problem for this arachnid is in its 1 attack, which is hardly enough to deal serious damage. And it doesn't benefit from Tarsa's +1 melee.

Then, after leveling it up, it also gets Snare, which is useful against Flying enemies, and Poison, which has a chance of inflicting onto its target, making it take poison damage each turn. While I don't find Snare that great, outside Earthquake battles, the Poison is great for any battle, and gives much use to this card.

Preparations

• Allowed Splitners: All.
• Mana Cap: 20.

Since it's only a 20 mana battle, that means I can use a lot of low mana monsters, which includes the Lava Spider.

Cards Used

Card	Description
	SELENIA SKY Since the Lava Spider didn't have synergy with Tarsa, I chose another summoner that could work well, and that's why Selenia was picked. She gives +1 ranged attack to every monster, being of much help to the spider.
	MOLTEN ASH GOLEM With 9 health and Close Range, this ranged monster can be a great tank, being able to attack from the first position.
	XENITH ARCHER The first of many of my low mana ranged monsters. This Archer, combined with Selenia, has 2 attack for only 2 mana. A steal!
	GOBLIN FIREBALLER Just like the Xenith Archer, it has 2 attack while only costing 2 mana. The rest of its stats are exactly the same as well.
	LAVA SPIDER This week's monster. Now with 2 attack it'll also be able to deal some damage to the enemy.
	SCAVO FIREBOLT Honestly, the best card of this team. It naturally has 2 ranged for only 4 mana, and thanks to my summoner, that increases to 3 attack. This little guy can cause a lot of trouble.

Battle

And now, I'll tell you about the battle. However, to see the full battle, click here!

ROUND 1

The enemy went with Obsidian and only 2 attacking monsters vs my 5 monsters. However, if my Golem falls, it could spell trouble for me.

The Slipspawn is the first to attack, dealing 3 damage to the Golem. Then, the Lava Spider and Scavo Firebolt attack the enemy tank. The Spider attacked the tank because of its ability Taunt. I think that I can defeat the Slipspawn in the first round with all of my attacks!

But oh, no, I forgot about the Goblin Psychic's heal, which recovers 3 health of the tank. And then it attacks the Golem, leaving it with only 3 health left. Finally, my other 2 archers in the back attack it, leaving it with 4 health.

ROUND 2

Once again, the Slipspawn attacks first and manages to defeat the Golem. This doesn't look good for my future. Then, the Scavo and the Spider manage to defeat the enemy tank. Now it's even! Goblin Psychic defeats the Xenith Archer, which leaves my Goblin in the first position, unable to attack.

ROUND 3

Scavo deals the first attack against the Morphoid, defeating it. Then, the Spider attacks the Psychic, however, it heals itself up, negating the attack, and right after it defeats my Goblin Fireballer, putting the Lava Spider in the first position.

ROUND 4

Scavo Firebolt attacks first once again, and thanks to its 3 ranged attack, defeats the Goblin Psychic in one blow, winning me the battle.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I must say, this was a very close battle, and hadn't it been for Selenia, I wouldn't have stood a chance. However, even with Selenia, the Lava Spider didn't perform that great in this battle, especially when compared to the Scavo Firebolt, which undoubtedly was the reason I won.

Also, I have to say that having an all ranged team is a risky thing to do since unless they have close range, they can't attack in the first position, rendering them useless if they ever get there.

Overall, I'm still not a fan of the Spider, but I think that if I were to level it up, it'd be different. However, the Scavo was great and I'd love to use him a lot more in the future, so I'm looking forward to it.

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