## This week's Splinterlands [battle challenge](https://steempeak.com/splinterlands/@splinterlands/4pzvnh-share-your-battle-weekly-challenge-win-upvotes) theme is Manticore. The manticore is from the dragon splinter and has flying which makes it a pretty useful monster to utilize. I had a quest that involved no neutral monsters so I decided to use my dragon splinter to give myself more choices in monsters that were not neutral. I used the manticore for all 3 battles but enjoyed the following one the most. The battle can be found [here](https://steemmonsters.com?p=battle&id=1d10d1b860d59e9279a26f50a001fffc3cebad1b&ref=golddeck) ![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/golddeck/k2FNechO-image.png) ![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/golddeck/puOV5luK-image.png) ## Rules were Armored up and Little League #### With a 42 mana cap **Armored up:** Means that all monsters have 2 armor in addition to their normal armor stat.. **Little League:** Means that only monsters and summoners that cost 4 mana or less may be used in battles. ### Summoner Selection: In this particular battle I had the choice of 6 summoners but decided to use my dragon splinter for more choices in monsters. With the Dragon splinter and the rules I had 2 choices either Daria or Camila. I chose Daria because she allows me to use higher level monsters than my Camila does and also her +1 melee will help 1/2 my monsters I will use. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/reward/Daria%20Dragonscale_lv3_gold.png *** ## Monster Selection **1rst Position:** I choose the Spineback Turtle for my tank because of the thorns ability, I really like the thorns ability in any little league match. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/beta/Spineback%20Turtle_lv4_gold.png *** **2nd position:** I used my manticore for this position because it has reach and the highest health of all of my cards with reach so it would make a great backup tank. I also like the flying aspect as well because it makes it harder to hit when it is being attacked. I wish my Daria and Manticore were 1 level higher so that I could have thorns but alas not yet:( https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/reward/Manticore_lv3_gold.png *** **3rd position:** I put feasting seaweed in my 3rd position to protect against attacks from my opponent because the feasting seaweed has a lower health. I like the opportunity this card has. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/untamed/Feasting%20Seaweed_lv3_gold.png *** **4th Position:** I choose the crustean king next because of the tank heal ability. I thought I was going to face more magic attacks then I did and was hoping that the king would help to counteract them by healing my tank. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/beta/Crustacean%20King_lv4_gold.png *** **5th Position:** I choose mermaid healer for this position because of her triage ability. Triage is nice because she will heal monsters that are behind the tank. I also like that she is level 3 and has the magic attack. With the armored up rule magic is really useful. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/promo/Mermaid%20Healer_lv3_gold.png *** **6th Position** I chose the Coral Wraith as my last card for the magic sneak ability. https://d36mxiodymuqjm.cloudfront.net/cards_by_level/untamed/Coral%20Wraith_lv2_gold.png **Conclusion:** My strategy worked very well for this battle, it took me 4 rounds to defeat my opponent but my manticore acted as a great backup tank. ![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/golddeck/XyBtw09G-image.png)