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 Lone Boatman.

Gameplay Analysis

Lone Boatman is a Rare Life Monster from the Untamed set in Splinterlands. Known for its solid Ranged attack and supportive abilities, Lone Boatman excels at targeting backline enemies while also providing valuable armor repair. At higher levels, its ability to destroy enemy armor makes it an essential pick for armor-based strategies.

Mana Cost: 4
Attack Type: Ranged

Abilities by Level
Level 1: Snipe (Targets enemy Monsters that are not in the first position, prioritizing those with Ranged, Magic, or no attack)
Level 5: Repair (Restores armor to the friendly Monster whose armor has taken the most damage)
Level 10: Shatter (Destroys all armor on the target when hit)

Level-Based Insights

Level 1: Starts strong with Snipe, allowing Lone Boatman to pick off vulnerable backline support units or fragile attackers.
Level 5: Gains Repair, enhancing team sustainability by restoring armor—particularly powerful in Life Splinter’s armor-heavy strategies.
Level 10: Shatter allows Lone Boatman to completely strip away an enemy’s armor on hit, making it extremely valuable against armor-heavy opponents.

Comparative Analysis

How does this card compare to other similar ones?

Vs. Silvershield Sheriff: The Sheriff has a higher attack output but lacks Lone Boatman’s support abilities like Repair and Shatter, which provide more team utility.
Vs. Truthspeaker: Truthspeaker offers passive protection through Protect and Cleanse, while Lone Boatman balances offense and armor recovery, offering more versatility.
Vs. Pelacor Arbalest: The Arbalest deals more burst damage with Double Strike, but Lone Boatman brings valuable defensive utility that the Arbalest lacks.

Key Takeaway
Lone Boatman is a versatile ranged attacker that doubles as a support unit with Repair and Shatter. It shines in armor-heavy strategies and works exceptionally well in setups that rely on maintaining armor while targeting enemy backlines efficiently with Snipe.

Synergies

Lorna Shine (Life Summoner): Provides Divine Shield to protect allies, allowing Repair to restore armor after shields break.
Shieldbearer: A frontline tank that pairs well with Repair, keeping its armor intact longer and making it harder to break through.
Queen Mycelia (from Earth): Grants Protect and synergizes with Lone Boatman’s Repair to maximize armor durability.
Adelade Brightwing: Provides additional Repair and Resurrect, boosting overall team survivability.

Ruleset Performance

Favorable Rulesets:
Keep Your Distance: Only Ranged and Magic attackers can be used—Lone Boatman becomes a top pick here.
Armored Up: Extra armor from the ruleset works well with Repair and Shatter for both defense and offense.
Close Range: Allows Lone Boatman to attack from the front position, increasing flexibility in team positioning.

Challenging Rulesets:
Fog of War: Disables Snipe, limiting its backline targeting effectiveness.
Reverse Speed: Moderate Speed becomes a disadvantage when slower Monsters move first.
Explosive Weaponry: With low health, Lone Boatman becomes vulnerable to Blast damage.

Market Analysis

Price Overview
Regular Foil: around $ 0.125
Gold Foil: around $ 1.2

Investment Potential
Lone Boatman is a cost-effective Ranged attacker with valuable utility that scales well at higher levels. Its Shatter ability at Level 10 increases its value significantly in high-level competitive play, especially against armor-reliant teams. A strong investment for players who favor Life Splinter’s defensive strategies while maintaining solid offensive pressure.

Ratings

Usefulness: 9/10 (Excellent balance of offense and support, particularly in armor-based strategies)
Cost-Effectiveness: 8/10 (Affordable with strong value at mid to high levels)
Versatility: 8/10 (Fits offensive and defensive team compositions equally well)

Conclusion

Lone Boatman is a flexible Ranged attacker and support unit that thrives in Life Splinter strategies focused on armor durability and backline disruption. Its combination of Snipe, Repair, and Shatter makes it a must-have card for players who want a balance of offensive precision and defensive sustainability.

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. 😊