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 Acid Shooter.

Gameplay Analysis

The Acid Shooter brings unpredictable targeting and utility-focused abilities to the battlefield. Its low mana cost ensures it can fit into a variety of strategies, and its Neutral status allows it to be used across all splinters.

Mana Cost: 4
Attack Type: Ranged
Health: 2 (Level 1) to 5 (Max Level)
Armor: 0 (All Levels)
Speed: 3 (All Levels)
Ranged Attack: 1 (Level 1) to 3 (Max Level)
Abilities:
Scattershot (Level 1): Attacks hit random enemy targets, bypassing traditional positioning strategies.
Cripple (Level 4): Reduces the maximum health of targets, making them easier to eliminate over time.
Poison (Level 6): Deals 2 additional damage to targets at the end of each round when activated, adding sustained pressure.

The Acid Shooter’s random targeting with Scattershot is a double-edged sword—it can bypass protective setups like Taunt or armor-heavy tanks, but it may also target less optimal enemies. As it levels up, the addition of Cripple and Poison increases its disruptive potential, making it a valuable choice against high-health or sustain-based lineups.

Level-Based Insights

Levels 1–3:
At lower levels, the Acid Shooter is a low-cost ranged attacker. Its Scattershot ability makes it an unpredictable damage dealer, capable of targeting enemy backlines or bypassing front-line defenses. It is particularly useful in Bronze and Silver leagues, where formations are less rigid.

Levels 4–5:
The addition of Cripple at Level 4 elevates its utility significantly. Reducing the maximum health of targets ensures they become more vulnerable to follow-up attacks, making Acid Shooter a strong pick in battles of attrition.

Level 6 (Max Level):
Poison at Level 6 transforms the Acid Shooter into a sustained damage dealer. The 2 additional damage per round from Poison ensures that even tanky enemies or monsters protected by shields feel the pressure over time.

The Acid Shooter scales well across levels, transitioning from a random disruptor to a potent utility monster capable of destabilizing enemy strategies.

Comparative Analysis

How does Acid Shooter compare to other Earth splinter disruptor and utility cards?

Vs. Mycelic Morphoid:
Acid Shooter offers significantly more utility with abilities like Cripple and Poison, while Mycelic Morphoid is a cost-efficient 0-mana card for filling out lineups.

Vs. Regal Peryton:
Acid Shooter brings utility and disruptive targeting, while Regal Peryton focuses on raw Magic damage and high evasion due to its speed.

Vs. Venari Scout:
Acid Shooter provides random disruption and Poison, whereas Venari Scout’s Sneak ability ensures consistent backline targeting.

Key Takeaway
The Acid Shooter stands out for its utility-driven design, offering flexibility in countering sustain-heavy or high-health enemy compositions. Its abilities synergize well with attrition and AoE strategies.

Synergies

The Acid Shooter pairs effectively with:

Amplify Support: Cards like Queen Mycelia and Venari Wavesmith can enhance its Poison damage, making it a lethal threat.
Anti-Healing Strategies: Works well with monsters like Dr. Blight, ensuring that opponents cannot recover from the damage caused by Poison and Cripple.
AoE Damage Dealers: Combines with monsters that deal Blast or other AoE damage, as Cripple and Poison create synergy by softening multiple enemies.

Ruleset Performance

This card excels in the following rulesets:

Reverse Speed: Its moderate speed allows it to perform reasonably well, ensuring reliable attacks in this ruleset.
Equalizer: Gains value as its naturally low health is normalized, allowing it to focus on utility and disruption without being at a durability disadvantage.
Noxious Fumes: Pairs excellently with Poison, applying additional pressure to opponents unable to heal through the persistent damage.

Market Analysis

Historical Price Movement
Regular Foil: Historically priced between $0.10–$0.30 per BCX, reflecting its situational utility and accessibility for players.
Gold Foil: Ranges between $2.00–$4.00 per BCX, appealing to collectors and DEC-maximizing strategies.

Investment Potential
The Acid Shooter’s unique abilities and flexibility across battle scenarios provide solid long-term value. Its utility-driven design ensures relevance even as new cards are introduced, making it a sound addition to any Earth-focused deck.

Conclusion

The Acid Shooter is a versatile and disruptive utility card, offering a combination of Scattershot, Cripple, and Poison to destabilize enemy strategies. Its low mana cost and Earth alignment make it flexible for a wide range of battles, and its abilities scale well across levels. While its random targeting may not suit every strategy, its utility shines in battles that require adaptability and attrition.

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. 😊