Spineback Turtle is still an OK-ish tank

Spineback Turtle was a popular tank when Alric Stormbringer lived among the starting summoner. You would put the turtle in front with all magic monsters behind it and it worked just fine. Is this card still useful though?

Spineback Turtle challenge

The Battle

With Alric Stormbringer gone, I would have expected the Spineback Turtle to phase out of meta as well. Out of curiosity, I gave it a shot. 2 Armor 6 Health is a lot for the cost of 4 mana.

https://splinterlands.com?p=battle&id=sl_f1855e5c047a5206be137fe470f8c7cf&ref=greenmask9

If you expect your opponent to target the tank (or make him to), Spineback Turtle is some cheap tank ability to put in the vanguard.

I chose melee monsters for the damage which makes non-sneak monsters always target the first position.

Spineback Turtle fought valiantly dealing 0 damage on top of tanking but that was expected. I don't put her in the vanguard to do damage - that doesn't matter. She was supposed to tank damage and for that, she is the most versatile 4 cost monster that will be useful even if the opponent uses a lot of magic.

Check how the battle turns out.

Valuations

Unfortunately, the cost is between $3 and $4 which is a lot for a common card. That money would give you a whole new pack of cards. So I don't think it is worth buying. Perhaps, you may rent it which is way cheaper even if you keep it for ages to come!

Leveling Up

Spineback Turtle is perfectly fine in the low-tier leagues. Especially when it reaches level 4 and gains thorns. At that point, it is worth putting in the back too if you fight players who like sneak monsters way too much.

Beyond level 4, Spineback Turtle scales into damage and more armor. I think this is wrong and I certainly would like her to do so if I played the higher leagues. I don't use monsters like this to deal damage. I want them to act as a cheap buffer or a meat shield.

Getting 2 damage and 1 speed between is wasted potential from my perspective, so I think Spineback Turtle is most useful in lower-tier leagues up until level 4 but not above.

Share your battle

This post was created to support an ongoing challenge SHARE YOUR BATTLE by @splinterlands. It is a good way to support the game I deem most fleshed out from the blockchain games, at the same time, earn tasty upvotes.