More Than Cards: Discovering Identity in Splinterlands

Hello to all loyal Splinterlands fans.
One big question still lingers today: how long have we been playing Splinterlands without ever truly being present inside the game?

Recently, Splinterlands officially introduced AVATARS and EXEMPLARS, a new system that—honestly—feels like opening a door to a completely different dimension. This isn’t just about changing a profile picture. This is about identity.

At first, I thought AVATARS were just cosmetic features. Turns out, they’re far more than that. AVATARS represent who we are across the entire Splinterlands ecosystem. We can build our own characters with an RPG-style system: choosing race, gender, facial features, hair, outfits, accessories, backgrounds, frames, even visual effects. The races currently available are Humans, Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves, each with male and female variations.

And this is only the beginning.

What really made me think was the design decision behind it. Accessories, outfits, and backgrounds can be changed anytime. You can design your look however you like—or if you want to leave it to fate, just hit randomize.

But if you want to change your race or core physical traits, you’ll need special items that are craftable and tradeable. That means identity has weight. There are consequences. And in my opinion, that’s actually cool.

The moment that made me smile was when I realized the Avatar Shop launched at the same time as the Winterfest Event. There are ugly sweaters, Winterfest hats, and other limited seasonal items. It feels like, “oh, my avatar is celebrating the event too—not just my account.” A small detail, but with a big impact on immersion.

Then we get to the part that truly made me pause: EXEMPLARS. If the AVATAR is who we are, then the EXEMPLAR is us stepping onto the battlefield. This is not a skin. Not a cosmetic variant. This is a living card that we build ourselves—from element, stats, mana cost, to abilities. You level it up using Glint, earn points, and freely decide what kind of card it will become.

Honestly, this is where I felt both excited and challenged. Every decision is personal. Do you focus on speed? Damage? Utility? Thankfully, Splinterlands gives us room to make mistakes and learn through items like Polymorph Potion and Capacity Flux. You can reset and experiment again, without that “oh no, I ruined my build” feeling.

Another thing I really like is that EXEMPLARS are not included in ranked play. They’re placed in tournaments, challenges, the new version of guild brawls, and future game modes. This is important—it keeps balance intact while giving EXEMPLARS their own space to grow.

The most surprising feature for me? The Badge system. We can showcase achievements: the year we joined, Champion milestones, Land titles, even Discord achievements. Our avatar truly tells a story before the battle even begins.

My reflection is simple: this feature is not for instant players. It’s for long-term players. For those who want to grow, experiment, and feel like they truly belong in the world of Splinterlands.

My final impression: this is one of the most ambitious updates Splinterlands has ever released. The strategy going forward? Start collecting Glint, don’t rush your build, study the direction of the new meta, and enjoy the process of building your own identity. Because this time, we’re not just playing cards.

We are the card.

Talk about Splinterlands,
If you haven't tried out this fantastic game called Splinterlands yet, I invite you to Join.
It's free, but you'll need to invest in a beginning deck or buy gaming cards to gain real assets like cards and tokens.

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If you already joined the splinterlands, and are looking for a place to grow. We need YOU. We are a chill, social guild looking for a few more active members! If you think you might be a fit, join us in our Discord