Section 1.1: The Lore Behind Splintershards

As with everything in Splinterlands, the narrative behind the Splintershards is captivating. The Wizards’ Council wielded enigmatic powers that allowed them to manipulate the very essence of space and time, reshaping reality to their will. After the Council disbanded, the scholars of Splinter began to unveil many secrets, including those surrounding Splintershards. The vast deposits of a previously unknown rock were scattered throughout Splinterlands, and accumulating enough shards can grant immense power.

Learning is a continuous journey, and the loading screens often present valuable insights. For instance, did you know that speed affects not only the order of attacks but also the likelihood of missing? Melee and ranged attackers face a 10% chance to miss for each point of speed difference! This newfound knowledge clarifies why exceptionally fast units tend to evade more attacks, exemplified by the Pelacor Bandit.

Section 1.2: The Importance of Speed in Battles

This understanding has shifted my perspective on speed's significance, revealing that summoners who can enhance or diminish speed are more powerful than I previously thought. A recent battle perfectly illustrated this point, where a single speed point made a decisive difference.

In a match governed by the "Going The Distance" rule, only ranged cards were allowed. I had to replace Tarsa with Qid Yuff and incorporate the Piercing ability. With only 15 mana, I crafted a unique combination:

• Qid Yuff: Grants Piercing to friendly monsters
• Venari Marksrat: Functions as a Decoy with Martyr
• Lava Launcher: A ranged unit with Close Range ability

To my surprise, my opponent utilized the same cards but with a different summoner. Initially, I doubted the effectiveness of Pyre, but this decision soon proved to be pivotal. The Lava Launchers swiftly eliminated the Venari Marksrats, both enhanced by Martyr, leading to an evenly matched scenario. However, a quick calculation reveals that Piercing would chip away at health while impacting armor. Would this be sufficient to offset the disadvantage of lower speed? See the full battle here!