I don't know if it is the same with others, but my splinterland cards actually grow on me, and the Serpentine Spy or Serpie as I like to call it, is probably my most loved cards. Prior to this week's challenge, I had already published a post about this Melee monster that has earned a special place in my heart.

THEME: Serpentine Spy

Edition: Untamed
Rarity: COMMON
Element: Fire
Current Trade Value: $0.07

The Story

I first ran into this card in a battle with a formidable opponent that employed the monster to devastating effect. Judging by the amount of damage the card dealt me, I figured it will be an expensive card but to my surprise, it is just a cheap common monster.

I went into the market and bought a few of the cards, initially taking it to level two. I usually do this with most cards I think I'll like, and after the test run, I went all in and bought out like 30 something of these to get to level 4.

Just like every card in Splinterlands, this monster has its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths and weaknesses are¹;

• Low Mana cost: Can be used in all sorts of battles, particularly those were the ruleset permits low mana
• Packs a punch: For such a cheap card, it packs a mean punch.
• Quick and Nimble: At level 4, it gets to a speed of 5, meaning it usually strikes first and that's particularly awesome because it can strike a crippling blow to the opponent with your first hit.
• Opportunity ability: When the ruleset allows the use of special abilities, this monster offers the Opportunity ability. With this ability, it only goes for the most vulnerable monster on your opponent's deck. It can come in handy for situations where you want to take out a centerpiece like a healer protected from Sneak and shielded upfront.

Weakness

• Low health: For all its positives, it is still a very fragile card with the health of only 2, and the slightest damage will take it out.
• weak against magic: It is also very vulnerable to magic and offers zero resistance to such attacks.

The Battle

So Serpie is a spy, or basically a ninja, so it works better when it is not seen. When you watch it in battle, it sort of gives you the feeling that it is sneaking up on its target in pretty much a serpent would.

My first interaction with this Monster was getting g my ass kicked by some opponent I can't remember but I remember watching this card in battle and just think; "look, there is a ninja and one I must have". That's exactly what I did and in this video above, you'll see a level 4 Serpie operating in silence and doing the noble task of mopping up in silence.

Battle Rules

The Initial health of all monsters is equal to the base health of the monster on either team with the most health

Summoners have no effect on the Monsters

The Opponent

My opponent went with the Water Summoner I like to call Lord Gandalf, featuring one legendary monster called Lord of the Sea and a bunch of other decent cards. He set up on the healing ability of that Crab dude but got his positioning all messed up.

Team

Cerberus

Hell hound with healing ability. It also packs a precise mean punch, and with a speed of 4 that was boosted to 5 by flame imp, it hit my opponent early enough to matter.

Creeping Ooze

This disgusting looking monster serves one purpose and that's to slow down my opponent's cards. Due to the ruleset, its health jumped to 7 and was a useful punching back for my opponents while the serious cards did the real damage.

Flame Imp

This ugly little rascal is one hell of a monster, no cap. At level 5, he increases the speed of all friendlies, and considering his low mana cost, he's a pretty important card.

Serpentine Spy

Serpie's really badass, everyone who has him thinks the same. He's a spy so so that explains why he hits like a ninja. It isn't cut out for the frontline, or rearguard in the event your opponent has a monster with sneak ability. Keep this ninja somewhere in the middle, and you have a deadly card that priorities hitting the weak point of your opponent.

Spark Pixies

Spark Pixies or Sparky(not to be confused with Brownie, I call Sparky sparky, and yes saying it twice means it is a different name) is a rare card I got a while ago. It is pretty nimble and shouldn't be used at the rear guard because of its low health. It hits early and hardly misses.

Imp Bowman

This is the French and fancier cousin of the Flame Imp and is a pretty impressive card at level four. It is an Epic card and at level 4 it comes with armour-piercing arrows, even more speed and precision, and that ugly mustache lol. Okay, I'm not really a fan of mustaches.

Summary

Serpentine Spy is a pretty badass card that only sparkles when it is combined with tougher cards and embedded in the middle. Keep it away from the frontline and if possible, slow down your opponent a bit to ensure all his hits connect.

Uhmmmm

This is an entry for @splinterlands share your battle weekly challenge. You can join the fun by talking about this card and earn upvote for your content. Extra points that you get to show off your card in action.