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Splinterlands Survival Mode is A New Era for Blockchain Gaming

Splinterlands poster

Splinterlands, a leading blockchain game built on the Hive network, has announced an exciting new gameplay format called Survival Mode. This ranked mode introduces unique mechanics that promise to shake up the game’s economy and redefine the strategy behind every battle. Whether you're a seasoned Splinterlands player or new to blockchain gaming, Survival Mode offers a fresh perspective that combines innovative mechanics with rewarding play-to-earn opportunities.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Survival Mode, its mechanics, rewards, and how it stands out in the dynamic world of blockchain games.


What Is Splinterlands Survival Mode?

Survival Mode is a ranked gameplay format designed to coexist alongside Splinterlands’ existing Modern and Wild formats. It aims to create a significant impact on the game's economy while introducing a more strategic layer to gameplay.

Here’s what sets Survival Mode apart:

  • Energy-Free Battles: Unlike other formats, Survival Mode requires no energy to play.

  • Card Cooldowns: When a card dies in battle, it enters a cooldown period, becoming temporarily unusable.

Essentially, your cards themselves act as a resource, adding a layer of collection management strategy. This shift makes it vital for players to have multiple copies of key cards at different levels to maximize their options.


How Does Survival Mode Work?

The mechanics of Survival Mode share some similarities with the Wild format but bring two game-changing elements:

  1. No Energy Requirement: Players can battle without worrying about energy limits.

  2. Card Cooldown Mechanic: If a card is used and dies in battle, it cannot be used again for a set period.

To address the cooldown challenge, players can purchase Revival Potions using DEC, Credits, or Glint to immediately reset their cards. These potions add an intriguing layer of resource management and strategy, rewarding players who plan their battles and collections carefully.

Automation tools and battle helpers will also be available for this mode, making it accessible for a broad range of players.


Why Survival Mode Is a Game-Changer

Survival Mode transforms how players approach their collections and battle strategies:

  • Shift in Strategy: Instead of focusing on a single high-level card, players must consider how many copies of a card they need across different levels.

  • Encouraging Depth: For the first time, players are incentivized to diversify and expand their card collections, making the format more engaging for collectors and strategists alike.

These changes bring a fresh, web3 gaming experience that aligns with the ethos of blockchain games—rewarding players for their strategic investments and gameplay skills.


Rewards in Survival Mode

Survival Mode offers compelling play-to-earn opportunities, with rewards designed to mirror those in other ranked formats:

  • $SPS Rewards: Players earn $SPS tokens based on reward shares gained from battles. The size of the reward depends on the total number of reward shares accumulated over the past 15 days.

  • Leaderboard Prizes: Compete for leaderboard rewards by finishing among the top-rated players each season.

Initially, the reward pool will be funded by the studio. If the format proves successful, governance proposals may transition rewards to be sourced from the DAO or remaining SPS inflation. Future plans also include adding Glint rewards for winning battles, providing even more incentives for players to participate.


Launch Timeline and Future Updates

Announced on November 22, Survival Mode is expected to launch in early 2025. This release is part of a broader effort to keep Splinterlands at the forefront of blockchain gaming innovation, with the developers teasing several other exciting updates for the year ahead.

The initial rollout will gather player feedback and data to refine the format further. With the potential addition of new mechanics, Survival Mode could evolve into one of the most popular and strategic formats in blockchain TCGs.


How Does Survival Mode Compare to Other Formats?

Here’s a quick breakdown of how Survival Mode stacks up against Splinterlands’ other ranked formats:

Feature

Modern & Wild Formats

Survival Mode

Energy Requirement

Required

Not Required

Card Cooldown

Not Applicable

Cards enter cooldown after death

Strategy Focus

Team Composition

Collection Depth & Management

Rewards

$SPS Tokens, Leaderboard Prizes

$SPS Tokens, Leaderboard Prizes

While Modern and Wild formats emphasize individual battle strategy, Survival Mode focuses on long-term planning and resource allocation.


Why Should You Try Survival Mode?

If you’re a fan of blockchain games and enjoy exploring new strategies, Survival Mode offers a unique challenge. It’s not just about winning battles—it’s about managing your resources, expanding your collection, and making strategic decisions that have a ripple effect across multiple matches.

Survival Mode is ideal for players who:

  • Enjoy managing collections and strategizing over the long term.

  • Want to earn rewards while exploring a new gameplay dynamic.

  • Are looking for a fresh twist on play-to-earn gaming.


Final Thoughts

Survival Mode is shaping up to be an innovative addition to Splinterlands and the broader web3 gaming ecosystem. Its unique mechanics, rewarding gameplay, and emphasis on strategy make it an exciting format for both new and experienced players.

Ready to jump into the action? Check out more about Splinterlands and other blockchain games on NFT Playgrounds.

Prepare your collection, plan your strategy, and get ready to survive!

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