This post was made as entry for Splinterlands Community Engagement Challenge
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If you're looking for a new challenge in Splinterlands, there's an new mode that was just released that you can try out. It's called "Survival." In this mode, any card that dies in battle can't be used in other game modes until a cooldown period is over. This makes having multiple copies of cards an advantage because you can let some units and summoners die in combat but still have backups to use. Survival also has its own rating system, just like Wild and Ranked modes giving you more rewards overall by playing in multiple game modes at the same time like Modern Ranked, Wild Ranked and now, Survival Mode.
How to Play Survival Mode
Starting a battle in Survival Mode is as easy as Modern Ranked Format and Wild Ranked Format.
You just need to click on Survival Mode tab and click "Battle."
How to Lock Cards Out for Survival Mode
All cards are, by default, allowed in Survival Mode. You can select cards in your selection to opt them out for Survival Mode to not accidentally play them in this mode.
You can do this in 2 ways:
Click "Manage" below "Battle" button or go to your collection. Click a card you don't want to use in Survival Mode. Click the fourth option under "Status" beside the icon you use when you are cancelling rentals.
Another option is selecting the unit and Click on "Disable x Survival Card" that shows up above the Card ID.
The icon that looks like the Reborn Rule set or looks like "i" icon beside the unbind feature (looks like broken chains) for Soulbound cards is used to "Allow cards in Survival Mode". This is by default greyed out because the cards are allowed to be used in Survival Mode by default. Use this when you have multiple cards you want to allow the use in Survival Mode.
Why Lock Cards Out for Survival Mode
If you have cards you regularly use for Ranked Modern, Ranked Wild, Tournament or Brawl, you don't want them to accidentally die in Survival Mode leaving these cards unusable in other format.
Advantage of Playing in Survival Mode
Survival Mode like Wild Ranked Format or Modern Ranked Format which means it's new source of rewards. You can be the top 1 in Modern Format and Top 1 in Survival Mode giving you 2x the Leaderboards Reward.
If you don't have or play Splinterlands Land, this also gives new uses to your extra cards instead of renting out your excess copies.
Disadvantages of Playing in Survival Mode
Cards that die in Survival Mode gets a cooldown period where you cannot use them in other format. It's the same idea as when you delegate a card to someone and cancelled it making that card unusable for a set period of time.
Only Season Rentals can be used in Survival Mode since when these cards die, they cannot be used for a long time.
The cooldown duration of died units and summoner is as follows:
Note:
From Splinterlands Support Site
When you surrender, two random cards will be put on cooldown as if you lose them during the battle.
The Look and Feel of Survival Mode
Just like in Modern Ranked Format, you have the Battle Rules screen as a pre-battle. This shows you the rules and your enemy including the last teams they played.
Selecting your units are also the same. One difference and I don't know if this was by design, the filter option on the left side was all hidden at the start. You need to click the arrow down to reveal them and it would work like normal in Modern Ranked Format.
https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_f8f5437e77a391480b20d36ccd4b4958
The battle is actually just the same look and feel as Modern Ranked Format which is to be expected.
Now, let's check what we've all been here for, what happens to cards died in this format?
If you lose the battle, the summoner used will be put on cooldown as well. In this battle, Nidhoggr was put on a 4 day cooldown.
Dax Paragon was put on cooldown for 9 days. I don't know why an Epic card has longer cooldown than a legendary card.
Zyvax Vuul also was put on cooldown for 4 days.
Summary
This is a new exciting game mode for Splinterlands. I like the part that you have new uses for your card's other copies other than renting them out or using them on Land. I think this is a good additional option for players especially those who buy bulk packs and have multiple copies of the same cards.
While the cooldown on cards is a big ouch, the fact that it's not a permanent loss is a good thing. No matter how long the cooldown is, you can just wait them out, or better, don't use the cards you use in other battles like Modern Ranked or Brawls.
Playing in Survival Mode is a refreshing way to approach the game and this actually reminds me of that investment tip that everyone should follow, "Don't use what you can't afford to lose."
Disclaimer
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About the Author
Hey! I’m Mavis the Muggle, your friendly Splinterlands addict with a slight obsession for all things Harry Potter. 🧙
When I’m not immersed in gaming or wizardry, I’m busy learning new things. Recently, I’ve been having putting a lot of effort and having a blast creating content on Hive so relax!
You can support me by upvoting this post, reblogging, leaving a comment below or by using my Splinterlands referral link.
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