What Is Splinterlands?

Splinterlands is an online collectible card game using blockchain technology. Every card in the game is owned as a non-fungible token (NFT) and is traded using similar features to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. If you’ve ever played collectible trading card games like Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon, you’ll find a similar experience with Splinterlands, but through a web browser and blockchain wallet.

Cards are available to buy and sell through third-party online marketplaces. Winners can earn real money, making it a lucrative platform for extremely skilled players with the best cards. Splinterlands works on the Ethereum blockchain and requires players to create an account or connect an existing Web3 wallet like MetaMask to get started.

Basics of Splinterlands

Splinterlands is a card-based online game. Players collect a deck of cards, which is then used to play in a battle against other players. Each card has a unique feature or attribute, making characters stronger and more likely to win. As Splinterlands is a “play-to-win” crypto game, players can win real money in the game. Users can choose a free mode where they can’t win real money prizes or a paid model where they can earn any kind of prize when signing up.

New players need a “Summoner’s Spellbook,” which costs $10, to begin. As of July 2022, the cost of Splinterlands cards on third-party marketplaces ranges from around 0.01 to around 1 ETH each. The game launched in 2018.

Introduction to Splinterlands

Players buy and collect cards to play and win against other players (although the cards can also be collectibles). In-game battles allow you to pick a lineup of characters called summoners and monsters. Monsters can perform various types of attacks or dozens of abilities. Cards have different stats making them more or less powerful. Some of the attributes on the cards include:

• Health
• Speed
• Attack
• Armor
• Abilities
• Splinter
• Mana cost

The game gets its name from Splinters, which is one of six different character categories of players using different elements in battle. Splinters use in-game language for names, and the main elements used are earth, fire, water, life, death, dragon, and neutral mercenaries.

There is a growing library of more than 500 cards available to collect. The game uses an in-game currency called Dark Energy Crystals, which players use to buy items. Popular marketplaces with Splinterlands support include OpenSea, PeakMonsters, and Monster Market if you want to purchase cards outside of the game. The app is also compatible with the Tron and WAX blockchains.

Earning Money with Splinterlands

Players can earn real money playing Splinterlands in several ways:

• Tournaments
• Ranked play
• Quests

As of July 2022, the game has paid out more than $6 million in prizes to tournament winners, according to the game’s official website. Other prizes include card packs, collectible cards, magic potions, and Dark Energy Crystals. Collectors can also make money selling the cards they get through the game in marketplaces like OpenSea. If you win a rare card, it may be valuable to another player.

If someone has a rare card that they don’t want to part with, cards are also rentable. When cards are rented, players earn a payment, and the renter gets temporary exclusive rights to use the card, powered by the underlying blockchain.