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 Tusk the Wide.

Gameplay Analysis

Tusk the Wide excels as a frontline tank, absorbing damage while providing utility to its team. With Inspire at Level 4, it boosts the Melee attack of all allied monsters, making it a valuable addition to Melee-centric lineups.

Mana Cost: 6
Attack Type: Melee
Health: 12 (Level 1) to 14 (Max Level)
Armor: 0
Speed: 1
Melee Attack: 1 (Level 1) to 3 (Max Level)
Abilities:
Void (Level 1): Reduces damage from Magic attacks.
Inspire (Level 4): Increases the Melee attack of all allied monsters.

With a manageable mana cost and a combination of defensive and offensive utility, Tusk the Wide fits well into a variety of Fire splinter strategies.

Level-Based Insights

Levels 1–2:
At Level 1, Tusk the Wide serves as a reliable tank with Void, making it highly effective against Magic-focused opponents. This is its primary role in Bronze and Silver leagues.

Levels 3–4:
At Level 3, Tusk the Wide gains increased Melee attack, enhancing its offensive contribution. Level 4 introduces Inspire, significantly boosting the overall damage output of Melee-based teams and increasing its strategic value.

Level 5–6 (Max Level):
At max level, Tusk the Wide maximizes its health and attack stats, solidifying its role as a durable and supportive tank. The combination of Void and Inspire makes it an essential pick for balanced or aggressive lineups in higher leagues.

Comparative Analysis

How does Tusk the Wide compare to other Fire splinter tanks?

Vs. Living Lava:
Living Lava offers Shield, reducing damage from Melee and Ranged attacks, making it a superior choice against physical attackers. Tusk the Wide counters Magic attackers with Void and provides Inspire for team-wide offensive boosts.

Vs. Forgotten One:
Forgotten One provides immunity to status effects and higher offensive power, but lacks the team-wide utility of Inspire. Tusk the Wide is more versatile in Melee-heavy compositions.

Vs. Grum Flameblade:
Grum Flameblade is a high-health, Bloodlust-driven tank. While it offers unparalleled offensive snowball potential, Tusk the Wide provides more consistent team-wide damage buffs.

Key Takeaway
Tusk the Wide excels in Melee-focused strategies, offering both defensive resilience and team-wide offensive boosts.

Synergies

Tusk the Wide pairs effectively with:

Tarsa: The Fire summoner Tarsa provides +1 Melee attack and +1 Health, enhancing both Tusk’s survivability and offensive synergy with Inspire.
Serpentine Spy: While Tusk absorbs damage on the frontline, Serpentine Spy capitalizes on the boosted Melee attack to target and eliminate low-health enemies.
Antoid Platoon: With its Shield ability and low mana cost, Antoid Platoon works well alongside Tusk to create a durable front line.

Ruleset Performance

This card excels in the following rulesets:

Equalizer: Tusk the Wide’s high base health gives all monsters a significant health pool in this ruleset, further bolstering its frontline durability.
Reverse Speed: With a speed of 1, Tusk the Wide thrives in Reverse Speed battles, often attacking before faster opponents.
Melee Mayhem: The combination of Taunt, Void, and Inspire makes Tusk an exceptional pick, enabling all Melee monsters to attack from any position with boosted damage.

Market Analysis

Historical Price Movement
Regular Foil: Historically priced between $0.19–$0.25 per BCX, reflecting its dual role as a tank and team buffer.
Gold Foil: Gold versions range between $3.50–$4.20 per BCX, appealing to collectors and players seeking increased DEC rewards.

Investment Potential
Tusk the Wide’s versatility as a durable tank and Inspire utility ensures consistent demand. Its affordability makes it a solid investment for both competitive players and collectors, particularly for those focusing on Fire splinter strategies.

Conclusion

Tusk the Wide offers a unique combination of defensive and offensive utility, making it a valuable addition to Fire splinter lineups. Its Void ability counters Magic-heavy teams, while Inspire boosts the damage output of Melee monsters, enabling aggressive strategies.

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. 😊