I have been wanting to try out SplinterForge gameplay for some time. I already have [made a small investment](https://leofinance.io/@vimukthi/additional-utility-for-splinterlands-through-splinterforge-3rd-party-game-or-making-my-first-investment-in-splinterforge) into the game. After seeing multiple vidoes from @achim03 I have finally made up my mind to play the game I invested into. (Even at that I was distracted by Layer 2 Labs). I kept the [Layer 2 Labs](https://layer2labs.io) exploration very brief and now I'm ready to explore SplinterForge as I write this article. 

![Starter Cards.png](https://i.imgur.com/hupTGXK.png)

SplinterForge has been rapidly updated over the two weeks it was off my attention. I wanted to write this article a few days ago. When I logged in again today, few more things had changed since the above update. Now the updates are shared on Discord. 

# Enter The Forge and Get Started
![Enter The Forge.png](https://i.imgur.com/yo0tWKY.png)

If you have not already made any purchases, take a look at Shop page. There are bonuses available for bulk purchases. @splinterlands players know how this work. __There is even the discounted pricing when purchasing with FORGE. Do not directly pay with your cryptocurrency. Use HIVE-Engine to exchange them for FORGE.__

- 10% Bonus for Buying 50+ Packs
- 15% Bonus for Buying 250+ Packs
- 20% Bonus for Buying 1000+ Packs

![Shop.png](https://i.imgur.com/mTSUxnw.png)

### Open 1 Alpha Pack
This was the initial test to see how things work out. 

![Open 1 Alpha Pack.png](https://i.imgur.com/SOcyUXV.png)

![Results 1.png](https://i.imgur.com/uoWS7Vg.png)

### Bulk Open Feature
There is support for 200 Pack openings at once. Neither myself nor most of my readers have that much money to invest. If you managed to acquire that many; Congratulations!

![Bulk Open Packs.png](https://i.imgur.com/g6NnJqE.png)

![Results 2.png](https://i.imgur.com/0Wwnmdz.png)

![Results 3.png](https://i.imgur.com/gsKDrnN.png)

So far the experience has been similar to a regular @splinterlands Pack opening. An extra feature to mention is that the historical Pack openings can be viewed at the bottom of Forge:

![History.png](https://i.imgur.com/2JeFQbw.png)

### There Are 3 Kinds of Heroes
These fit neatly into what we already know from @splinterlands
- Melee
- Magic
- Ranged

![3 Kinds of Heroes.png](https://i.imgur.com/jDskrex.png)

### Equip Cards to Improve Stats
I am starting with Wizard. Click the the slots around to see what Cards are available for each slots. I only have Cards to equip few of the slots.

![Equip Cards.png](https://i.imgur.com/ol6TG3w.png)

### Final Wizard Form With Stats
![Equip Complete.png](https://i.imgur.com/dannos3.png)

After this I will jump into Battle. I'm not writing this as a story. This is real time writing while playing SplinterForge. You can wish me luck (for future Battles!). 

# Boss Battle + Rules
This is the combat stage of SplinterForge. It is a new chapter and it seems there are many additional things to learn. 

![Boss Battle  Rules.png](https://i.imgur.com/fv37efS.png)

>- Bosses minimum stats are 3, they can not be debuffed lower.
>- Each fights stamina cost is equal to the amount of mana chosen (a minimum of 15 stamina will be used if less than 15 mana is selected)
>- Each boss has base abilities, plus addition random abilities per fight per boss that are re-randomized after every fight.
>- Summoner level DOES NOT MATTER.
>- Monsters maximum level is determined by what level you own/rent and tier of boss.
>- Some abilities don't work as normal. Hover over this line to see a list of abilities that do 1.5x dmg(1.5x total max) instead of their regular function.
>- Tank Heal and Triage can heal any damaged monster.
>- Speed is normalized to use a turn meter type system, faster characters will attack more often instead of everyone attacking every turn.
>- Shatter reduces boss armor by 10.
>- Poison damage happens at start of effected monsters turn.
>- Forcefield reduce damage by half (rounded up) instead of down to 1.
>- Hero stat levels limited by tier of boss.

### Additional Random Abilities
![Additional Random Abilities.png](https://i.imgur.com/TD3h3Oa.png)

These abilities are revealed after clicking on "Get Rules" button. I shall start with the Mighty Chicken as it is the weakest. 

### Bosses Have Leaderboards 
![Mighty Chicken Leaderboard.png](https://i.imgur.com/5Wh9zk8.png)

### No Timer for Selecting Cards
![Select Cards.png](https://i.imgur.com/GgNAUie.jpg)

### Lost 130 Stamina for These Results
Stamina is recovered 1 per each minute. Each round gives Bosses 1 or 2 random Abilities. I will try to repeat Battles and see how far I can take things.

![Battle Results.png](https://i.imgur.com/Qr7W1ps.png)

### Highlights of Boss Battles
The music was good. It may get boring after a while. It is still a good first user experience. There are many abilities that don't work. It is a hassle to figure out how things work. __You can bring 2 Summoners to Battle!__ That is definitely a highlight experience. We could see some of these innovations make it to @splinterlands There are many quirks and pleasant surprises waiting. So far the best results I managed to get was this:

![Best Results.png](https://i.imgur.com/bYtShes.png)

### The Best Tip: 1.5X Damage Monsters
Select these from the filter above and you will have an easier time with the game. Beyond that, it is a game of increasing stats and creating a good lineup of Monsters + Summoners for each round. 

### Suggestions for Improvement
I would like a faster and smoother website. Having an older laptop could be making things worse for me. A clear indication of what abilities are not getting utilized in Battle will contribute greatly to create a better team against the Bosses. 

### [SplinterForge Website](https://splinterforge.io)
SplinterForge is a new kind of development made possible through decentralization. Fans and entrepreneurs cannot bring value to Hearthstone like this. Eventually there will be too many games for me to check out and commit to. Even in that case, the benefit is not lost. More utility acts against sell pressure and potentially create more buyers for @splinterlands assets

## Happy Gaming! Happy Investing! 

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