Mastering Modern: Tips to Climb the Ranks and Maximize Rewards

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Splinterlands is one of the most engaging play-to-earn games out there, combining strategy, resource management, and a competitive ranking system. Many new players find themselves stuck in the lower leagues, unsure of how to climb the ranks efficiently or earn consistent rewards. Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can improve your gameplay, manage your collection wisely, and start unlocking better rewards. In this guide, I’ll share some practical tips that have worked for me personally and might help you level up your Splinterlands journey.

1. Start with a Focused Deck Strategy DONT BREAK THE BANK FOR CHEAP CARDS WITH NO UTILITY

One of the most common mistakes new players make is spreading their resources too thin across multiple splinters. Instead, it’s far more effective to focus on one or two splinters and build competitive decks around them.

Choose a splinter with strong low-mana options. Many battles have low mana caps, so having cost-efficient cards is crucial. For example, Earth offers cheap but durable creatures, while Death provides strong debuffs.
Level your core cards first. Instead of upgrading every card, prioritize the ones you use most often your key summoners and staple monsters.
Plan for versatility. Within your chosen splinters, build a mix of tanks, healers, ranged damage, and utility cards so you’re ready for different battle rulesets.

2. Understand Battle Rules and Mana Caps

Another critical skill in Splinterlands is adapting to battle conditions. Each match comes with unique rules and a set mana cap, and mastering these will often decide the winner.

Low mana battles: Focus on efficient cards with high health and abilities like Shield or Heal. Cards that overperform at low costs are game changers. Halfling Refugee is a game changer with all that damage and only 1 mana cost I use him alot. These are my commonly used 1 mana cards great for filling spots to use that left over mana.
High mana battles: Always prepare a strong frontline tank, a healer, and a mix of damage dealers. Spread your mana wisely so you don’t end up with a vulnerable backline. TAUNT WILL WIN THE MATCH!
Special rulesets: Some rules, like “Melee Mayhem” or “Reverse Speed,” completely change the value of certain cards. Keep a mental list of cards that shine in these situations and upgrade them early.

The better you can adapt and outthink your opponents and that’s how you rack up wins.

Olivia of the Brook

Every player has that one card they swear by, and for me, it’s Olivia of the Brook. I consider her one of the best cards in the game thanks to her Mimic ability.

Here’s why she deserves the spotlight:

Buff Stealing Power: Olivia can steal buffs from both enemies and allies, flipping the advantage in unpredictable ways.
Ruleset Versatility: Whether it’s a defensive grind or an aggressive matchup, her flexibility makes her valuable across multiple scenarios.
Game-Changing Swings: I’ve seen countless battles turn around simply because Olivia copied the right buff at the perfect moment.

When I’m climbing the ranks, Olivia often feels like my secret weapon. If you’re looking for a card that can rack up victories and throw off your opponents she is absolutely worth renting or investing in!

3. Manage Your Collection for Maximum Value

The in-game economy of Splinterlands is just as important as the battles themselves. Smart collection management will not only help you climb but also increase your long-term rewards. Don't be like me and buy a bunch of cheap reward cards with no utility and helping the team secure more wins!

Rent before you buy. If you need specific cards for certain leagues or rulesets, renting is a cheap and effective way to gain access without breaking the bank.
Prioritize summoners. Summoners define your entire strategy. Upgrading a summoner often unlocks higher-level monsters, giving you a massive edge.
Managing your cards smartly will let you compete in higher leagues and earn greater daily and seasonal chests.

4. Maximize Rewards with Smart Play

Climbing the ranks is one thing, but maximizing your rewards takes a bit of planning.

Daily Frontier chests: Dont sleep on Frontier Mode the summoners are more expensive then some Rebellion summoners. The rewards stack up make sure to get your battles in!

Season rewards: Push hard during the last days of the season. Many players rent extra power during this time, so plan ahead and secure the rentals you need early.
Guild participation: Join an active guild if possible. The passive bonuses and extra rewards from guild buildings make a noticeable difference over time. If your looking for an active guild feel free too apply we have two open spots and can always use more brawlers! https://splinterlands.com/guild/8308937a01778a6dd8af029df824ec010af0ea4a

I hope my tips help any new gamers if you need any advice feel free to reach out on the Splinterlands discord