Tasoshi Drakamoto joins the splinterlands ecosystem, and this card arrives with all the trappings of a dragon-themed mage-style fighter, inspired by the dragon clans and the unknown person responsible for creating the crypto ecosystem. But here is the thing: as someone who has been playing and writing about splinterlands for almost five years (400+ articles), Tasoshi may not redefine the meta, but will fill in a specific niche in certain battles.
First Impressions
Tasoshi Drakamoto does not seem like an absolute powerhouse. At eight mana cost, it is expensive. At level one, the stats will not blow you away with its two magic damage, three speed, 5 health, and 2 armor, but if you scratch the surface, you'll find abilities that hint at its potential. With Sneak right out of the gate, Tasoshi gives you the ability to chip away at an enemy's backline by focusing its damage on the last enemy unit. The more you level it, the more abilities it unlocks. By the time it is maxed, you are looking at a card that can support a team with buffs like Inspire while dealing more magic damage. Its role evolves from a mere damage dealer to a team support mage, making it one of those cards that can dominate when used correctly.
Where I start to have mixed feelings about Tasoshi is its potential cost. Currently, comparable cards like the Captain Fellblade can be picked up for $2. And while the stats are not identical, Fellblade's lower cost and dual damage output do make it difficult to justify that additional cost that Tasoshi carries. At this point, unless you are a collector or someone betting big on the long-term meta of this card, I find it difficult to make a compelling case for the card.
Tasoshi Drakamoto Lore
What the splinterlands team has done well with all promo cards of late is to make the card designs and lore more than another card with flashy stats and abilities. The dragon-inspired backstory of Tasoshi Drakamoto taps into that rich heritage. According to the official lore, she emerges from the dragon clans, trained in precision and deception. This sets the scene for a character that feels like more than another monster, but a dragon mage, honed by battle and imbued with a sense of purpose. While lore does not win matches, it certainly deepens the investment we have as players. Tasoshi fits seamlessly into the dragon theme that has always been a stronghold of splinterlands battles, making this card one for collectors and long-term players alike.
Theory-Craft Test
Now Tasoshi's role will be highly situational. In lower mana cap battles or even mid-level mana cap battles, its mana cost may be too steep. Yet in higher mana matches where you can justify an eight-mana spend, this dragon mage may be able to justify its spot. To evaluate how a card like Tasoshi would fit in, I tried a battle using Janni Rebel. Similar in mana cost, similar in role and similar in damage power. The battle did not end in victory, but it felt like a realistic example of how Tasoshi could operate.
Battle Details
- Mana Cap: fifty-five
- Rulesets: Odd Ones Out, Armored Up, Counterspell
Lineup Details
- Helios Matriarch (Summoner) - +1 speed and allows the use of a Gladiator card.
- Drybone Barbarian - DPS frontline melee tank with high melee power and health to deal some heavy blows.
- Marisol Contuma - another staple Gladiator monster pick that gets picked due to its high melee power and the reach ability, which allows it to attack from position two. With the Bloodlust ability, it becomes more powerful as it kills enemy monsters.
- Iziar - magic taunt tank and is an automatic pick in Life unit battles, thanks to its high health and decent magic damage.
- Silvershield Assassin - backline DPS double damage melee power monster with poison ability to unless fast attack unknowingly on the backline of the opposition
- Janni Rebel - support magic damage with melee power team-based buffs.
- Creeping Ooze - a low mana sacrificial monster which will serve as bait for the enemy backline monsters, and while it's alive, it will reduce the enemy monsters' speed.
How Did The Battle Go?
The main takeaway from the battle is that cards like Janni Rebel need the right supporting cast. In my battle, the real star was the enemy's Djinn Renova, providing critical healing that kept the opposition team going and providing enough survivability to clinch the victory. The lesson? Tasoshi will not carry a match on its own, but in the right hands, paired with solid healers, taunt tanks, and strong damage dealers, it can prove useful in large mana cap battles. And the question I come away from the battle is, will Tasoshi be able to justify its price? But it is difficult to tell. I would not recommend the Tasoshi to a new or average player.
Concluding Thoughts
Tasoshi Drakamoto's new promo card, a dragon mage, may shine in certain battles, especially when backed by strong healers and solid frontline tanks. But be prepared to invest in the card to fully exploit its potential, as the abilities it gains at later levels are where it is truly able to shine. But is it worth rushing out and spending big right now? Probably not. Similar cards are available for cheaper, and this card is more for collectors!
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