Today's battle was a memorable experience — especially when the match rule said you must use melee attacking cards and I set up my team follow those conditions. The goal from the beginning was have a strong tank in front, support behind to slow down and push the opponent's attack until the end, and finally secure victory. At first, it seemed risky work with a heavy card like 8 mana, but when my plan started working step by step and the opponent's balance broke down, the joy was boundless. The way the victory changed hands at the end the match was the best part the whole day.
Now, let's analyze the two cards in the picture — Endless Ape and Lioceros — in detail. All the statistics, levels, and powers I am talking about are based on the information seen in the pictures, so you will need to adjust your usage and strategy according to your own play style.
Endless Ape — Analysis and Strategy
The Endless Ape is an 8-mana melee attacker with a melee attack value 2, armor 1 health 10, and speed 2. The icon below the card indicates that it is in the Mundane Beast category. As you level up, you will see a gradual increase in HP, armor, or attack (the level table in the picture shows EST. POWER as you level up) — meaning that it can be turned into a tougher tank by leveling up.
Strengths
With high health (10) and moderate armor, it can withstand repeated hits while standing in front — ideal as a tank.
With its melee attack, it can quickly keep the enemy's front line in context.
Even though it has 8 mana, it is capable of controlling the game if it has consistent support.
Weaknesses
Melee attack is only 2 — it won't deal much damage in terms of attack unless it gets a boost or special ability.
Speed 2 doesn't have the advantage of being the first to strike; fast-hitting (high speed) attackers can do a lot of damage in the first few breaks.
Can be risky to bring into play in the first round of a match due to its high mana cost; needs proper support.
Tactical Tips
Use Endless Ape properly as a tank — place it in the front and place healers or system-support cards in the back.
If your team has Thorns or Reflection abilities, Endless Ape's high HP can increase the risk to the enemy.
Configure it for long fights as the HP and armor increase as you level up. If you look at the picture, EST. POWER increases significantly at levels 5-8 — so it's worth the investment.
Using stun/speed-de-buff cards can make Endless Ape attack first, which increases the damage done.
Lioceros — Analysis and Strategy
Lioceros in the picture has 7 Manner, Melee Attack 2, Armor 3, Health 7, Speed 2. This is also a tank-category card with the Mundane Beast label, but Armor is relatively high here (3) and Health is relatively low (7). Leveling up according to the level table provides armor, health, and potential ability boosts, making a leveled Lioceros stronger quickly.
Strengths
Having armor 3 means it's technically easier to block damage. Armor provides hit-reduction from risky attacks.
Low cost (7 mana) allows it to be brought into play evenly, allowing you to play it earlier or later depending on the battle conditions.
Resistance increases greatly upon leveling — making it a useful tank in the late game.
Weaknesses
Low total HP (7) — Even with armor, it can be easily knocked out in long fights, especially by fire-type or piercing attacks.
Melee attack 2 — Damage is limited unless it's buffed or has a military combination.
Tactical tips
You can choose Lioceros in mana control conditions — it's easy to bring into play and can launch attacks mid-early.
With armor-based buffs or healers, it can survive and hold the opponent for a long time.
THANALORIAN BLADE
Elf
A two-frontline strategy works great when used in conjunction with heavy tanks like Endless Ape — Lioceros will create temporary pressure, Ape will sustain the long fight.
How these two cards worked in today's battle
You set up your team to meet melee-only conditions; as a result, the opponent was forced to adjust their career style. At the beginning, Lioceros was used to provide quick output and create moderate pressure — this took away some of the opponent's front line units and consumed their resources/stamina. Then Endless Ape came forward and took a long hit and pulled the opponent's big weapons. Since you used support and specific buffs/debuffs in the back (some hybrid cards that can heal or support can be seen in the picture), Ape's HP was gradually maintained and in the end, the enemy's important attackers took additional damage or were eliminated. Even at the end of the match, your patience and positioning ensured victory—that's the most vivid reason for joy.
Learning and further improvement
The match reminds us: If you give the tank the right support, even a low attack power can win the match.
Leveling up Lioceros and putting more armor on it will give you a bear at a moderate cost.
Investing in Endless Ape will make it an indispensable tank in the late game—especially if you have Thorns/Reflection, or general heal support.
In the future, if you keep mana control and ordering under control, it is possible to ensure more victories under such conditions.
[Link](https://splinterlands.com/battle/sl_388e24620613fd6e65431ecb6ad38a51?ref=aburihan1)
In the end — that feeling victory is truly sweet. Forming a team according to melee-only conditions, understanding the power leveled cards and placing them in the right places, and patiently taking advantage of your opponent's mistakes—all of these together are the story of your victory. Remember today: you played strategically, won, and improved through play — the joy is completely legitimate. Good luck — may the next color be even stronger!