Navigating Six Months in Splinterlands: A Newcomer's Insight

Being a newcomer to the world of Splinterlands, I would like to share my impressions and views on this game, collected during my six-month journey, which may be interesting or useful to newcomers like me.

First and foremost, my enthusiasm for the game remains unwavering. The engaging gameplay and the intricate world of Splinterlands have kept me hooked throughout this period. One notable achievement during this time is the construction of a competitive silver league card deck. While it is not a top-tier, it has proven to be a formidable contender in the ever-evolving Splinterlands arena.

The tournaments and brawls stand out as the most captivating aspects of my journey in Splinterlands. Engaging in these events not only proves interesting but also introduces a dynamic element. The challenges within these competitions bring forth a sense of excitement and strategic thinking.

One invaluable companion during my journey has been the x-bot battle-helper feature, a boon for newcomers like myself. It served as a guiding light, unraveling the intricacies of game mechanics and battle rules, providing a rich in-game experience. However, I acknowledge the recent bot ban, though its effectiveness remains questionable with reports of players still utilizing similar utilities.

Yet, as I reflect on my journey, I can't ignore the challenges faced by newcomers. The stark imbalance between new and seasoned players, exacerbated by the absence of avenues to bridge this gap without significant financial investments, presents a significant barrier. New decisions by developers, such as the RP system and the recent Great Burning event, seem to widen this chasm, leaving newcomers struggling to keep pace.
Just for example, 4000 SPS that I have accumulated during this time are not enough for a normal game with the new RP system and I have to rent additional coins. Also, having invested a certain amount of money in cards from the Chaos Legion and Riftwatchers sets, we are now approaching the moment of releasing a new set, for which there are simply no resources - we need to invest money again.

The Great Burning event itself was useful for the game and interesting for the players, however, again, newcomers flew past it due to a lack of resources. It turns out that in order to get at least some Guild Power points, I had to invest real money and then just burn it. The same applies to other gaming resources - for example, vouchers. Now there is a lot of noise that their number is very large and they need to be burned. However, I only have a little over 3 vouchers and have spent 3 more so far.
And I’m not even talking about the Land - there is no chance for beginners at all.

The scarcity of resources becomes painfully evident, impacting progression and participation in significant events. The impending release of a new card set adds financial pressure, highlighting a cycle that demands continual investments. Parting with some gold cards in anticipation of a new card set, I found the current market conditions challenging for sellers. Prices remain low, and selling even gold legendary cards at market lows proved to be a daunting task. This raises concerns about how new players can progress without significant financial investments.

In my vision for a more inclusive Splinterlands experience, three key changes come to mind.

First, a revamped reward system could inject vitality into the game by providing tangible resources for players to buy, sell, and trade within the in-game market. A reevaluation of drop rates (e.g. CL packs from chests - I haven't seen any during 6 months in Silver) and introducing options like burning Soulbound cards might offer a more balanced progression path.

Secondly, an overhaul of the guild battle systems could infuse a sense of community and strategy. Shifting from a passive two-day wait to a more interactive, teamwork-oriented battle format could breathe new life into the game, attracting and retaining a diverse player base.

Last, to enhance the learning curve for newcomers, a modified practice mode (allow using bots and helpers in practice or player vs bot format) could serve as a valuable training ground. This would empower players to experiment with card combinations, understand match rules, and gain practical experience at their own pace.

In conclusion, while Splinterlands stands as an intriguing and enjoyable game, it faces challenges that hinder the essence of gaming itself, since you are limited by the amount of energy and only thing you need is to fill up the teams. You hardly need more than an hour of time a day for all this. Addressing these issues could ensure a more vibrant and accessible experience for players, both new and veterans.

In any case, I remain a sincere fan of this game and wish the devs success and the game proper development!

@arc-echo
@youloseagain
@Phoenix-Bank