Hi all,

Introduction

Another post in this series. Thank you for your support in the previous posts 😊

This series intends to determine if there are other aspects of cards that may contribute to increasing its value. Based on your feedback I can focus on more/other things – so feel free to tell me where you want me to go into further detail.
I include some analysis on where the cards fit in terms of gameplay, strategy, comparison with other cards, and a market analysis of its price. Feel free to suggest what more do you want me to look into in this series, and your support is much appreciated!
In this edition I will be looking at the Serpentine Spy.

Gameplay Analysis

Serpentine Spy is a Common Fire Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. Known for its low mana cost, high speed, and deadly offensive capabilities, it excels at targeting and eliminating low-health enemy Monsters, making it a staple in aggressive Fire lineups.

Mana Cost: 3
Attack Type: Melee
Abilities by Level
Level 1: Opportunity (Targets the enemy Monster with the lowest health, allowing it to bypass tanks)
Level 10: Poison (Attacks have a 50% chance to apply poison, dealing additional damage at the start of each round)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: With Opportunity, Serpentine Spy can bypass front-line tanks and focus on eliminating fragile backline Monsters. Its high speed allows it to strike early in most matchups.
Level 10: The addition of Poison increases its long-term damage output, making it even more lethal by dealing extra damage over time.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Tenyii Striker: Tenyii Striker has Sneak and Dodge, making it a more evasive backline assassin, while Serpentine Spy deals more immediate damage with Opportunity but lacks evasion.
Vs. Scorch Fiend: Scorch Fiend is a 0-mana utility unit that provides a distraction, while Serpentine Spy actively eliminates threats with high damage and speed.

Key Takeaway
Serpentine Spy is a fast and deadly attacker that excels in taking out low-health enemy Monsters. Its Poison ability at Level 10 further enhances its effectiveness, making it a high-priority unit in aggressive Fire teams.

Synergies

Tarsa (Fire Summoner): Increases Serpentine Spy's Melee Attack and Health, boosting its offensive power and survivability.
Conqueror Jacek: Grants Scattershot and Piercing, allowing Serpentine Spy’s attacks to break through armor and hit unexpected targets.
Amplify (e.g., Queen Mycelia): If an enemy has Return Fire or Thorns, Amplify can make those damage sources stronger, which is risky for Spy—but also enhances Poison damage.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Equal Opportunity: All Monsters get Opportunity, allowing Serpentine Spy to shine in an all-offense environment.
Little League: With a 3-mana cost, Spy becomes one of the most dangerous attackers in this restricted format.
Melee Mayhem: Allows Spy to attack from any position, giving it more flexibility.

Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Spy’s high Speed (5+ at max level) makes it weak in slow-speed battles.
Super Sneak: Forces all Melee units to attack the backline, overriding its Opportunity ability.
Noxious Fumes: With low health and no self-healing, Spy struggles to survive poison damage.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.085
Gold Foil: around $ 1.4

Investment Potential
Serpentine Spy is one of the strongest low-mana Fire attackers, making it a high-value investment for players who favor fast, aggressive strategies. Its Poison ability at max level increases its long-term value, ensuring it remains relevant in high-level competitive battles.

Ratings

Usefulness: 9/10 (One of the best Opportunity attackers in the game, with high Speed and offensive power)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10 (Affordable and powerful at all levels, though maxing it for Poison is costly)
Versatility: 7/10 (Excels in aggressive teams, but struggles against Magic and Reverse Speed rulesets)

Conclusion

Serpentine Spy is a lethal, high-speed assassin that dominates battles by swiftly eliminating low-health targets. Its Opportunity ability makes it a key piece in Fire’s aggressive strategies, while Poison at Level 10 enhances its long-term damage output. A must-have for Fire Splinter players who prefer fast, efficient eliminations in battle.

What do you think about this card? Do you use it in your lineups? Share your experiences in the comments and let me know which card you'd like me to analyze next!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. 😊