There is nothing worse than having your last card line up into the first position and you get caught with your pants down as they happen to be an archer... fortunately for you, there is an ability just for that purpose.
Close Range allows archery cards to get up close and personal in the fight. It takes away the traditional issue with ranged cards and ensures archers are involved from all positions. With no real disadvantages to be had, there is no negative to the use of Close Range. What it is worth stating though is that the Close Range ability will come at the expense of other ability options which may further your cause.
There are definite advantages to using Close Range and it allows you to utilise an archer in the front line and while this may sound counter intuitive, there are some great options for this spot. If a single card flavour of Close Range is not your thing then there are even two summoners to chose from. Best of all most cards do not cost the earth!
So which cards are available in the list of Close Range? With a total of fourteen options, I present to you the list of Close Range cards available within Splinterlands. This list excludes the two Gladius options.
Close Range cards:
Ava The Undaunted
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $ 0.000 | $ 0.000 | 6 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 0.000 | $ 0.000 | 2 |
Alongside Weapons Training, Close Range is added to Shatter which makes this a pretty lethal card for 8 mana. With 3 damage and speed alongside 7 health supported by 2 armour, this is a solid offering for 8 mana. As a Legendary it definitely offers a good amount of value especially as it does not have a cost to purchase as it is in the current rewards. If you are lucky enough to pick one up with your rewards then enjoy! This has not been amongst my collection as of yet. I look forward to receiving one.
Gargoya Devil
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $0.042 | $0.042 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 1.333 | $1.333 | 1 |
Cheapest card on this list and honestly I think it has extreme value written all over it. Flying is awesome and highly useful and Close Range means it can be placed in the front line as needed for those Archery only battles. With 1 armour, 3 health and 2 damage at first level it does grow quite nicely into 3 damage at 3rd level. Well worth the investment as a Neutral card and the 50 cents or so to get there is an easy spend. Must buy if you haven't already - I use it all the time!
Molten Ash Golem
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $0.059 | $0.059 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 1.410 | $1.41 | 1 |
For 6 mana, 9 health is pretty decent. Sure the attacking stats aren't great but at 3rd level the damage increases to 2 as well as health to 10 which is good for 6 mana. While this card won't be a world beater for your line up, it will offer a nice option if you are stuck with the Fire element for a ranged battle. A half decent tank when needed, I'd rather have this card up my sleeve than not. 3rd level appears to be the sweet spot for this card with regard to stats - assuming you are not playing Diamond / Champion that is!
Lava Launcher
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $0.128 | $0.128 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 6.199 | $6.199 | 1 |
I have really started to like this card, for a similar reason to the Molten Ash Golem. Sure it has a high mana cost but its stats are pretty incredible for 9 mana. 3 damage and speed along side 6 armour and 5 health - wow! An awesome tank if necessary and turns the Fire deck into a very viable ranged unit. At 3rd level Lava Launcher gains the 4th damage point and that is for a little over $1.20 . A solid investment and one I love. A super reward card and enough on the market to get in on the action. A super buy at all levels.
Tinderlock
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $0.700 | $0.700 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 8.00 | $8.00 | 1 |
For me it is the Last Stand that makes this an interesting card. The stats are not great for 10 mana but Last Stand transforms this card's use for me. Traditionally, a Close Range card is something I'd consider as a tank but in this instance, I'd be tempted to either bury the card within my backline or place it in the last place position in a Fog of War ruleset so it triggers Last Stand. 3 damage is nothing to sniff at but 10 mana is alot for 2 speed and 8 health, especially considering the next and only real upgrade is at 4th level for Silence. Good for the lower levels but in my mind not worth buying much beyond 4th level.
Zyvax Vuul
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $1.122 | $3.317 | 3 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 44.98 | $44.98 | 1 |
I managed to pack this card once and more or less sold it immediately. In hindsight, it was a a good decision. I find the abilities here interesting especially combining Flying with Close Range but no matter how I look at Zyvax Vuul, it is a weaker version of Gargoya Devil. Sure it has 9 health and no armour is really needed but Recharge is a very niche ability that can be useful but I can count on one hand the number of times it has worked for me. Cheap enough to get in Regular Foil, so I'll pick that up there but I'll not bother with the Gold Foil personally.
Wave Brood
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $1.394 | $1.394 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 9.999 | $9.999 | 1 |
The Wave Brood is an awesome card which I have spoken about before regarding its Taunt ability. It occupies an unusual spot in the Water deck and as such it needs to be looked at a little differently. 8 mana and 12 health is awesome. This card is a tank no doubt about it and if you can get it to 3rd or 4th level, the extra damage and Void ability make it even better. The Close Range ability is a superb addition here and one to enjoy using. Must buy especially for those that use the Water deck. I am actually thinking of stacking a small collection of Level ones at this price.
Queen of Crows
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $1.889 | $1.889 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 9.599 | $9.599 | 1 |
Some good stats here for a ranged Death card. At 3rdlevel she gains Headwinds which is excellent in an archery only ruleset and if possible take Queen of Crows all the way up to 5th level where Slow begins to play a very strong part in the utility of this card. 11 health is good and 2 speed alongside 2 damage is okay but 3rd level+ is where the fun is to be had. The Death deck offers a number of options for ranged attacking but this is the only card which has Close Range in that selection. Worth picking up just for that option! Must buy for me.
Hero of Beyond
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $2.012 | $2.012 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 65.00 | $65.00 | 1 |
Similar to Queen of Crows, the Hero of Beyond is the only Life card offering Close Range and when it beats out other options for mana value is the armour. You want the tank to be able to take a few hits and armour is one way to keep this card alive for an extra turn. A great card overall and one I will definitely pick up if I decide to move to Wild anytime soon. 2 damage, 8 health and 1 armour is great and it puts it in direct contrast with the Gargoya Devil. Where this card is better is the abilities such as Last Stand (3rd Level) and Shield (5th Level). I am not sure I'd part with $65.00 for the Gold Foil version but good value for Close Range in general.
Fernheart
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $2.649 | $2.649 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 18.334 | $18.334 | 1 |
One of two summoners on this list and it offers additional health alongside the Close Range ability for only 4 mana. Compared to Beatrix Ironhand, this card wins hands down. The question is even at this price is Fernheart worth the investment? For me, it is not majorly worth it but if I had a bit of left over cash, then I'd consider picking up a level or two of it. For only 4 mana it would be a nice Brawl option... perhaps?
Axemaster
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $3.697 | $135.00 | 20 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 60.00 | $250.340 | 4 |
At the higher BCX card choices, the average price spikes to nearly double the current market low price. It would be worth a slow pick up of cards as it appears only 14 are available at the current low or roughly within that range. Close Range takes away one of the biggest issues with this card so well worth the investment if you have the funds. I know that picking one up is definitely on my list... just maybe not at level 4.
Beatrix Ironhand
| Cost Regular Foil BCX | Regular Foil Cost Close Range | Total BCX Required |
|---|---|---|
| $125 | $125 | 1 |
| Cost Gold Foil BCX | Gold Foil Cost Close Range | Total Gold BCX Required |
| $ 18.334 | $18.334 | 1 |
Very interesting situation here. With only 2 cards available for this Epic summoner, some rather wild prices have occurred. The cheapest available single BCX is for $125.00 which is madness really. Especially considering the Gold Foil version of this card can be had for $18 or so. Close Range is an underused ability and I wonder if this is an impact of land on the market? I would be considering a Gold Foil version if it was me here.
Final Thoughts:
Honestly, I'd still rather the Gargoya Devil. Its cost is impressive and so often it can be used due to it being Neutral. I wouldn't be surprised if over time this card rose in price a few iterations of Splinterlands later (you know once I've burned a bunch of copies!!)
Would you disagree with any of the summaries here?
Have you found a use for Zyvax Vuul?
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All card, icons, Splinter images and stats courtesy of Splinterlands
Ability and Ruleset blurbs taken from Splintercards
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