This is my entry to @splinterlands SHARE YOUR BATTLE Weekly Challenge! ^{Just click on the banner below to see what this challenge is all about!}

I don't know if there are others like me, but for three seasons now and since I got in the game, I have utilized predominantly one Splinter and a dabbling of two other Splinters here and there.

So when this week's challenge was announced: Share your Battle using the Fire Splinter, I was like....

***WHAT???? But I haven't... not once ever... used the Fire Splinter!***

This challenge pushed me to GET IN GAME and

use the Fire Splinter for the very first time!

The funny thing is I really did not actually own a Fire Summoner! If you do not have a Summoner card, you can't battle.

Fortunately for me, the Rare Fire Summoner MALRIC INFERNO is a playable card in my team, even if I don't own one "because it is part of the base set of cards that are always available to be used in battles". SWEETl!!!

To prepare for a Splinterlands battle, one is provided the RULE SET, the MANA, and the choice of SPLINTERS to battle with. One will not know the opponent's chosen splinter nor the opponent's chosen Splinter or lineup until both players are in the battle arena.

* * * * *

The Rule Set for this battle was Up Close & Personal, Mana was 17.

I chose the Fire Splinter [primarily for this week's challenge] and used only Monsters with Melee attack as prescribed by the Rule set.

My strategy included:

Chose Monster cards with ABILITIES to attack from the back positions. Monsters with Melee attack only from the first position unless they have special abilities, such as SNEAK or REACH, to do so from the back positions.
Put the two strongest Monster cards (i.e., more lives and armor, and higher speed) in the first and second positions to withstand attacks from both the opponent's tank and other Monsters. This may also allow time for back cards to utilize their abilities and damage or possibly eliminate opponent's Monsters. When Monsters in support positions reach the first position and they will not be able to use their abilities on Monsters other than the one "tank" Monster in first position.
Given the low 17 Mana of this battle, chose lower mana cards to be able to have at least 3 cards in the battle.

This was my line up in the battle:

* * * * *

SERPENTINE SOLDIER, in first postion. I chose him for having 4 lives plus one armour, and a fast speed of 4. He also has the SHIELD ability that can reduce damage from Melee [and Range] attacks.

* * * * *

In the second position, I choose the 3-headed dog CERBERUS. He's got 2 Melees with 5 lives and a good speed of 3. He has HEAL ability and can restore a portion of his health every round, which makes up for not having an armour.

^{I considered the GIANT ROC for this second position, but the higher Mana will preclude the next two Monsters with SNEAK abilities.}

* * * * *

Next, I picked the pretty blonde Neutral Monster ELVEN CUTTHROAT, primarily for her SNEAK ability and low Mana of 3, which will allow me to have another Fire monster in the lineup.

* * * * *

The last Monster in my lineup was the ugly but adorable KOBOLD MINER. He, too, has the SNEAK ability, and will target the last Monster on the enemy's team!

Okay, so here we go!!! WATCH ME BATTLE!

^{Please click on the thumbnail (photo)below, and then click arrow to watch this minute-long video!} https://youtu.be/jL2qtMfRP2c

* * * * *

So, I think that my strategy worked!

Given the same Rule and Mana, perhaps these two lineups will work as well:

Alternative 2

Cerberus
Giant Roc
Exploding Dwarf

Alternative 3

Cerberus
Giant Roc
Kabold Miner
Elven Cutthroat
Oh, and BTW, after I finished the battle above, I immediately purchased cards to have a Level 2 Rare Fire Summoner! And why not? Now that I have tried the Fire Splinter [thanks to this challenge], I am more inclined to use the Fire team in future battles!

Splinterlands is the first online game I have ever done. [I kid you not!] It took me this long from the time Steem Monster was first introduced to GET IN THE GAME..

As a beginner player at Splinterlands, I learn and understand how the cards behave and perform in battles by watching all my battles from start to finish.

In your comments below, please feel free let me know if you have any other suggested card positioning or drop me a tip or two that could help me and others play the game better.

I also hope that you enjoyed this sharing of my battles using the FIRE Splinter!

Note: "MY SPLINTERLANDS JOURNEY" series of articles is dedicated to novice and beginner players in Splinterlands like myself.
Please join me in my journey to navigate Splinterlands.
Let us learn and have fun together!!!
In case you are interested, please read about...
GIF Source
^{My First Battle experiences: My Splinterlands Journey #1
My First Quest experiences: My Splinterlands Journey #2
My First Experience Reaching Gold League: My Splinterlands Journey #3}
These articles contain videos of some of my battles:
- Three Rule Sets Using My Life Splinter - Mana 17:My Splinterlands Journey#4
- Watch Me Battle Using Water Splinter - Mana 99! My Splinterlands Journey #5
I hope that this article will be helpful to novice and beginner players of Splinterlands.

I am having so much FUN, and it is a challeging game to play! I want to thank @aggroed and @yabapmatt for creating such a fantastic game and another good way to build a bit of NFTs. Keep it coming!!!

Thank you also to @clove71, @stokjockey, @senstless, @welshstacker, @mattclarke, @cryptoFrancois, @grapthar, @jonnyla08, and @anouk.nox.spt for the continued help and assistance.

I have a passion for stacking silver & gold, home-cooking and travel. And now... I love battling in Splinterlands! Follow me in my life journey.

Thank you for viewing this article. I will see you again soon! @silversaver888

@silversaver888 is a proud member of #steemsilvergold

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@silversaver888 is a proud member of #ladiesofssg4eva -a club comprised of the beautiful female stackers of SSG.

ENJOY YOUR BATTLES!!!
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WHAT???? But I haven't... not once ever... used the Fire Splinter!

Okay, so here we go!!! WATCH ME BATTLE!

So, I think that my strategy worked!

Let us learn and have fun together!!!

I have a passion for stacking silver & gold, home-cooking and travel. And now... I love battling in Splinterlands! Follow me in my life journey.

Thank you for viewing this article. I will see you again soon! @silversaver888

@silversaver888 is a proud member of #steemsilvergold

The Silver Saver Channel Bar, ltd. ed.

Earn $5 in Mene credit for signing up for Mene with this invite link: https://www.Mene.com/invite/cK5BKh

@silversaver888 is a proud member of #ladiesofssg4eva -a club comprised of the beautiful female stackers of SSG.

ENJOY YOUR BATTLES!!!

***WHAT???? But I haven't... not once ever... used the Fire Splinter!***