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 Gargoya Lion.

Gameplay Analysis

Gargoya Lion is a Common Neutral monster from the Chaos Legion Reward set in Splinterlands. Its combination of abilities and stats makes it a versatile choice for various battle scenarios.

Mana Cost: 6
Attack Type: Melee
Melee Attack: Starts at 1 (Level 1) and increases to 3 at Level 7
Speed: Starts at 1 (Level 1) and increases to 3 at Level 8
Health: Starts at 6 (Level 1) and increases to 7 at Level 10
Armor: Starts at 2 (Level 1) and increases to 3 at Level 4
Abilities:
Flying (Level 1): Increases the chance of evading Melee or Ranged attacks from Monsters who do not have the Flying ability.
Void (Level 5): Reduces damage from Magic attacks.
Enrage (Level 9): When damaged, this Monster has increased Melee attack and Speed.

Gargoya Lion's abilities make it a durable and evasive tank, capable of mitigating various types of damage.

Level-Based Insights

Levels 1–4: With Flying and a base Melee attack of 1–2, Gargoya Lion serves as an entry-level tank with evasion capabilities.
Levels 5–8: The addition of Void at Level 5 enhances its resilience against Magic attacks, making it a more reliable frontline defender.
Levels 9–10: Gains Enrage at Level 9, increasing its Melee attack and Speed when damaged, allowing it to become more formidable as it takes hits.

Comparative Analysis

How does Gargoya Lion compare to other Neutral tanks?

Vs. Pelacor Mercenary: Pelacor Mercenary offers higher health and the Heal ability, providing self-sustainability. Gargoya Lion, with its combination of Flying, Void, and Enrage, offers a balance between evasion, magic damage reduction, and increased offense when damaged.
Vs. Gelatinous Cube: Gelatinous Cube has the Heal and Scavenger abilities, allowing it to grow stronger as the battle progresses. Gargoya Lion provides immediate defensive and offensive capabilities without relying on the accumulation of health.

Key Takeaway
Gargoya Lion is a versatile Neutral tank with a blend of evasion, magic resistance, and offensive potential when damaged. Its abilities make it suitable for various battle scenarios, especially where adaptability is crucial.

Synergies

Gargoya Lion pairs effectively with:

Brownie: Provides Inspire and Swiftness abilities, boosting Gargoya Lion's Melee attack and Speed, especially beneficial when Enraged.
Chaos Dragon: Its Blind ability enhances Gargoya Lion's evasion, complementing its Flying ability.
Scavo Hireling: Offers Repair ability to restore Gargoya Lion's armor, maintaining its durability in battle.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Earthquake: Gargoya Lion's Flying ability allows it to avoid Earthquake damage, providing an advantage in such battles.
Up Close & Personal: Only Melee attack Monsters can be used; Gargoya Lion's Melee attack and defensive abilities make it a strong contender.

Challenging Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Monsters with lower Speed attack first; Gargoya Lion's increasing Speed at higher levels may be a disadvantage here.
Magic Reflect: While Gargoya Lion has Void to reduce Magic damage, it lacks Magic Reflect, making it less effective against Magic-heavy teams.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: Approximately $0.01 per BCX.
Gold Foil: Approximately $0.13 per BCX.

Investment Potential
Gargoya Lion's affordability and versatility make it a valuable addition for players seeking a reliable Neutral tank. Its demand is influenced by its effectiveness in various battle scenarios and rulesets.

Conclusion

Gargoya Lion stands out as a dependable Neutral tank, offering a combination of evasion, magic resistance, and increased offensive capabilities when damaged. Its adaptability makes it a strategic choice for players looking to strengthen their lineup across multiple splinters.

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. 😊