Carrion Shade - Luring in the Birds of Prey

Carrion Shade is one of those rarely used cards in battle. However, there are instances, especially in low mana battles, where it becomes valuable. There are even rare instances where it can be placed in the first position. Its stats suggests that it can be a valuable decoy for opportunity and sneak attacks.

Stats and Abilities

Ability	Description
Flying	Has an increased (+25%) chance of evading Melee or Ranged attacks from Monsters who do not have the Flying ability.

Carrion Shade in Action

Battle Formation

I am expecting opportunity and sneak attacks on this battle. There is also the high of possibility of frontal magic attacks due to the ruleset. I will need to consider this two things while I build my team.

Summoner: Thaddius Brood

I chose Thaddius Brood because of the high possibility that the opponent will use mostly magic on this battle. This is mainly because of the Armored Up ruleset.

Position 1: Djinn Muirat

My main tank. I am expecting more of magic that's why I choose him. His high health and void armor ability is perfect in facing of magic attackers. It can also deliver a magic attack which will be perfect against a tank with the shield or thorns ability.

Position 2: Corpse Fiend

The monster that I chose last to maximize the position slot. Placed it here to take at least 1 damage before my next monster. There is also, still, a possibility that the opponent will use an opportunity attacker under the fire splinter. This will be a perfect diversion in the early rounds.

Position 3: Silent Sha-vi

I am expecting more of magic attackers with low health positioned in the back. Sneak attackers like Silent Sha-vi will be a perfect pick. Positioned it here because of its health. It will act as the secondary tank in case Djinn Muirat falls.

Position 4: Uraeus

An epic sneak attacker. I positioned it here just incase the opponent uses sneak attackers and the monsters at the back of my team will be eliminated prematurely.

Position 5: Undead Badger

Second to the last monster that I picked to maximize the mana cap. An extra backline shield that can also deal a sneak attack. I place it here to receive early opportunity and sneak attacks from the opponent.

Position 6: Carrion Shade

My teams first line of defense against sneak attacks, if there will be any. It may not be able to attack from this position but it is a great diversion for opportunity and sneak attacks. Its flying ability may make non-flying attackers miss.

The Actual Battle

Post Battle Analysis

The opposing team did not use magic as I was expecting the most. Good thing, I still considered the possibility of a fire team being used. Djinn Muirats' armor played an important role in defending against physical attacks. Its magic attack ignored the shield ability of Living Lava. My backline also did a great job facing off the opponents.

Conclusion:

I don't much use Carrion Shade primarily because of its low health and it cannot attack from any position. However, there are instances (mana cap and rulesets) where it is very useful. I generally use Carrion Shade to lure in opportunity and sneak attackers due to its flying ability.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

If you appreciate my post, please give it an upvote and or a rehive.

Have a great day!

Attribution:
All resources (e.g. images, audio, etc.) used in this post and in the video, unless stated otherwise, belongs to Splinterlands.
Thumbnail background image Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash