Hello, fellow Splinterlands enthusiasts!

Rune Arcanist

Today, we're diving into the details of the Rune Arcanist, a Rare Earth/Water Unit from the Rebellion Promo Edition. This 7-mana card is an intriguing addition to your arsenal, especially if you're looking for a magic attacker with excellent utility and survivability. Let's explore why this card deserves a spot in your lineup.

Card Overview

Mana Cost: 7
Type: Magic Attack
Faction: Earth/Water
Rarity: Rare
Stats at Max Level (Level 8):
- Magic Damage: 2
- Speed: 3
- Armor: 2
- Health: 8

Abilities

Weaken:
- Reduces the health of all enemy units by 1.
- This ability is excellent for softening up your opponent's team, making it easier to secure kills and dominate the battlefield.
Phase Ward:
- At the start of battle, the unit in front of this card gains the Phase ability.
- This is a game-changer for protecting your frontline tank against magic attacks, especially in battles where magic-heavy teams are prevalent.
Cripple:
- Each time the Rune Arcanist damages an enemy, it permanently reduces their max health by 1.
- This ability adds a layer of attrition to your strategy, punishing high-health enemies and making them easier to dispatch over time.
Scavenger:
- Gains 1 health each time a unit dies on the battlefield.
- The Rune Arcanist becomes increasingly tanky as the battle progresses, making it a resilient mid-to-late game threat.

Strengths

Versatility: The combination of Weaken, Cripple, and Scavenger makes the Rune Arcanist a highly versatile card that can fit into various strategies. It can weaken enemies, chip away at their max health, and grow stronger as the battle rages on.
Synergy: The Phase Ward ability allows the Rune Arcanist to support your frontline tank effectively, providing magical defense against enemy spellcasters. This synergy can make a huge difference in magic-heavy matchups.
Durability: With 2 armor and 8 health (which can increase with Scavenger), the Rune Arcanist can survive long enough to make a significant impact on the battle.

Weaknesses

Low Magic Damage: While its abilities are strong, the Rune Arcanist's base magic damage of 2 at max level might feel underwhelming compared to other magic attackers in the same mana range.
Speed: With a speed of 3, it’s not the fastest card out there. This could make it vulnerable to faster units with abilities like Sneak or Opportunity.
High Mana Cost: At 7 mana, the Rune Arcanist might be challenging to fit into low-mana battles, limiting its usability in certain situations.

Best Uses

Tank Support: Pair the Rune Arcanist with a durable frontline tank to maximize the value of Phase Ward. This combination can significantly reduce incoming magic damage while allowing the tank to absorb physical hits.
Attrition Strategies: Use the Weaken and Cripple abilities to gradually dismantle high-health enemy compositions, particularly in battles with healing-heavy teams.
Sustain Builds: Combine the Rune Arcanist with other cards that benefit from long battles, such as those with Heal or Life Leech, to create a sustainable and resilient team.

Suggested Lineups

Earth Composition:
- Tank: Mycelic Infantry (to benefit from Phase Ward and protect against melee/ranged attacks).
- Support: Goblin Psychic (to heal the tank and apply Affliction).
- Damage Dealer: Rune Arcanist (to weaken and cripple enemies while sustaining itself).
Water Composition:
- Tank: Diemonshark (for high speed when Enrage ability trigger).
- Support: River Hellondale (to resurrect the Rune Arcanist if it falls).
- Damage Dealer: Rune Arcanist (to provide utility and sustain).

Final Thoughts

The Rune Arcanist is a versatile and unique card that excels in utility and support roles. While it may not be your primary damage dealer, its ability to weaken enemies, protect your tank, and grow stronger over time makes it a valuable asset in many team compositions. If you’re looking for a card that can turn the tide of battle through strategic play, the Rune Arcanist is an excellent choice.

What are your thoughts on the Rune Arcanist? Have you used it in your battles, and if so, how has it performed for you? Let me know in the comments below! See you in the next review, Yeah!