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 Hill Giant.

Gameplay Analysis

Hill Giant is a Common Earth monster from the Chaos Legion set in Splinterlands. With its low mana cost and substantial health, it serves as a durable option for players seeking a resilient front-line presence in their battles.

Mana Cost: 3
Attack Type: Melee
Melee Attack: 1 (Levels 1–3), 2 (Levels 4–5), 3 (Levels 8–10)
Speed: 1 (Levels 1–2), 2 (Levels 3–10)
Health: 6 (Level 1), 7 (Levels 2–4, 6), 8 (Levels 5, 7–8), 9 (Levels 9–10)
Abilities:
Stun (Level 6): Gives the monster's attacks a chance to stun the target, causing it to skip its next turn.

Hill Giant's low mana cost combined with high health makes it an excellent choice for low-mana battles, providing durability and frontline support. The addition of the Stun ability at Level 6 enhances its utility by potentially disrupting enemy attacks.

Level-Based Insights

Levels 1–5:
Offers a solid health pool and increasing melee attack, suitable for early-game strategies requiring a sturdy frontline.

Levels 6–10:
The introduction of the Stun ability at Level 6 adds a strategic advantage by incapacitating opponents, making Hill Giant more valuable in mid to late-game scenarios.

Comparative Analysis

How does Hill Giant compare to other low-mana Earth monsters?

Vs. Goblin Thief:
Goblin Thief has a similar mana cost (3) but focuses on Sneak attacks targeting the enemy's backline. Hill Giant, with higher health and the potential to stun, serves better as a frontline tank.

Vs. Mycelic Morphoid:
Mycelic Morphoid has a lower mana cost (1) and provides the Thorns ability at higher levels, reflecting melee attacks back to the attacker. Hill Giant offers greater health and the Stun ability, making it more durable and disruptive in direct combat.

Key Takeaway
Hill Giant serves as a cost-effective, durable frontline melee attacker within the Earth splinter. Its substantial health and the addition of the Stun ability at higher levels make it a strategic choice for players seeking to control the battlefield and disrupt enemy attacks.

Synergies

Hill Giant pairs effectively with:

Obsidian: While Obsidian boosts Magic attack, pairing Hill Giant with magic attackers can create a balanced team with both durability and offensive power.
Regal Peryton: Combining Hill Giant's frontline tanking with Regal Peryton's magic attacks can create a formidable Earth team.

Ruleset Performance

Good Rulesets:
Little League: Only monsters and summoners with a mana cost of 4 or less can be used, making Hill Giant's low mana cost advantageous.
Equal Opportunity: All monsters have the Opportunity ability, allowing Hill Giant to utilize its melee attack more flexibly.

Bad Rulesets:
Reverse Speed: Monsters with lower speed attack first; Hill Giant's low speed becomes advantageous in this scenario.
Up Close & Personal: Only monsters with melee attacks can be used, allowing Hill Giant to participate despite its low stats.

Market Analysis

Historical Price Movement
Regular Foil: Approximately $0.01 per BCX, with 349 cards available on the market.
Gold Foil: Approximately $0.19 per BCX, with 19 cards available on the market.

Investment Potential
Hill Giant's affordability and utility in various battle scenarios make it a valuable addition to any player's collection. Its demand is sustained by its effectiveness in low-mana battles and the strategic advantage provided by its Stun ability at higher levels.

Conclusion

Hill Giant stands out as a durable, low-mana melee attacker within the Earth splinter, offering substantial health and the potential to disrupt enemy strategies through its Stun ability. Its synergy with various team compositions and effectiveness in multiple rulesets make it a strategic asset for players seeking versatility and reliability in their battles.

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. 😊