In the ever-shifting world of Splinterlands, victory doesn’t just belong to the stronges... most of the times it belongs to the smartest. Rulesets are the great equalizers, turning predictable battles into puzzles that demand strategy, flexibility, and a little bit of flair.
This week’s Community Engagement Challenge is our chance to show how you turn the tide when the rules flip the script. From the foggy confusion of Fog of War to the pint-sized chaos of Little League, they want to see how we prepare, pivot, and prevail.
Here's my question? How do you handle Magic Reflect without nuking your own team? What's your approach when this ruleset comes knocking? You go full melee or you play an odd game? Wanna see my strategy? I go for orcs!
Why? Because the orcs are renowned for their brute strength and relentless fighting style! Tget are designed as tough, melee-focused brawlers, they thrive in the thick of battle and are perfect for frontline roles or aggressive lineups that rely on sheer force.
Orcs are most commonly tied to the Earth Splinter, though they occasionally appear as neutrals or across other sets. Sometimes, brute strength alone isn’t enough. When enhanced by the powers of the Archon through Bloodline Dominion synergy, their raw power can take on a whole new edge.
The mana cap was generous, but the battle rules made things tricky. With Counterspell paired with Keep Your Distance, it was clear that relying on melee attackers wouldn’t cut it. Instead, I had to pivot... building a lineup focused on ranged units, while still letting the orcish might shine through in unexpected ways.
That’s exactly how Gorgug the Endless led my horde of orcs to victory... in a battle where he surprisingly had to keep his distance. The line-up matched the rullset rumble!
Gorgug the Endless: Archon with -1 Ranged Attack and Bloodline
Djinn Oshannus: Caster with Void
Warborn Shaman: Caster Orc
Steppe Stalker: Ranged Orc with Close Range
Grimward Ruinshot: Ranged Orc
Naga Windmaster: Ranged with Headwinds
Razorhound: Ranged with Strengthen
Gorgug was the perfect orc for the job, thanks to his ability to reduce ranged damage and grant Enrage to his bloodline allies. I built a strong synergy around him, combining the Archon and Naga Windmaster to further weaken the enemy’s ranged firepower. The result? A devastating combo that dropped both Lava Launcher and Contessa L’ament to just one attack power!
Casters on a Counterspell board? Absolutely—Djinn Oshannus was a safe pick with his built-in Void, and I went with Warborn Shaman not just because he’s an orc, but because his Void Armor offered extra protection from reflected damage. It was the perfect way to buy a few extra rounds and soften the self-inflicted hits.
The first round passed without much excitement, but the action kicked off halfway through the second. Warborn Shaman landed the killing blow, only to be answered by Iidri Fyre’s Redemption, dealing one damage to all my units. No major drama yet—but the real clash was just beginning.
Ash Mirage stepped in as the tank, and while this infernal beast is no pushover, it simply couldn’t withstand the fury of the orcs. Lava Launcher was left with an impossible mission—his allies just weren’t strong enough to back him up. Meanwhile, my entire lineup was still intact, with Djinn Oshannus fearlessly leading the charge.
Then came round four—and with it, casualties. The Pyromancer unleashed a devastating blast, taking out Naga Windmaster and Razorhound in one fiery blow. The Blast damage chained perfectly, and the aftermath triggered a brutal swing: enemies gained +1 ranged attack, while all my remaining units lost 1 health.
But orcs don’t back down. In a move straight out of Suicide Squad, Warborn Shaman struck down the Lava Launcher—only to fall to Counterspell in the same moment. A true kamikaze play. Suddenly, it was a 3v3... but I still had faith in my orcs.
The Pyromancer had a good run, but it ended abruptly after Oshannus casted a wave that extinguished the flames! The djinn's next victim was the Clockwork Aide, and Countess Sinash was left helplessly alone! See the full battle here!
Strategically, Orcs shine when you build around their strengths. They’re great at soaking damage while dishing it back, especially when boosted by melee or health buffs. If you’re looking to build around them or figure out how to counter them... you will rule the battlefield!
Residual Income:
Claim your Zerion XP!
Sonium: Sake Fi / Kyo / Arkada / Algem / Untitled Bank
AI Agents & Mindshare: Kaito / Theoriq / FantasyTop
Play2Earn: Splinterlands & Holozing
