Last few days of Dec 2021. The season is coming to an end, and I’m still close to zero power. Splinterlands dropped me a couple of cards here and there, but it feels like the game is just taking pity on me.

Hmm… maybe I should take a risk and buy a pack. I doubt I will get 1000 power from it, but it will give me an idea of how much collection power each card pack gives.

Plus, I get to use up some of these potions that the game loves to give out, killing two birds with one stone.

I just need to do this ID verification thing so that I can get some credits in the account 😊

A unique type of paywall

Great. This is the third time seeing this error message. I’ve tried all sorts of selfie angles and it’s not working since yesterday. More lighting, less lighting. Plain background, white background. Am I doing something wrong?

(Furious typing at Google)

Okay, Splinterlands manually identified me after sending in a support ticket. The staff was friendly and kind, wishing me success in my plays. I can finally get some credits and get this show on the road!

Omg, this is ridiculous…

Going back and forth with Splinterlands regarding multiple tries and refunds, the conclusion by the support team is that there is an issue with my credit card/debit card/bank account that is causing this.

They’ve combined all the support tickets and closed the case for good. It feels like a slap in the face honestly.

Wondering what Bronze III brings

Well, that was a waste of 3 days figuring out how to swipe credit cards for credits. I wonder how I even got the Summoner’s Spellbook in the first place.

Zero power. Zero DEC. No problem.

The season is ending in a moment, and I’m getting 5 chests today for being in Bronze III. I hope the end of season chests have a better drop rate than the daily ones. Those are horrible.

It is slightly depressing to see my rating hitting Bronze I but getting Bronze III rewards instead. Not sure why I bother grinding after completing the daily quests. It’s just draining my DEC energy capture rate for no rhythm and reason.

Haizzzz. Deep breath. Relax.

The countdown has ended. Let’s see what we got.

Unexpected windfall

Wow! I’ve received not 1, not 2, but 3 cards! Nice.

This snake is purple, so I’m assuming it’s of a higher rarity.

(After messing around for a while in Splinterlands' interface to find my cards, I noticed the unusually long bar in the "Battle!" tab)

What??? I have 600+ power?!?! Where is it coming from?

(After another round of messing around)

Omg wow, there is a tab for gold foil cards… This 1 card alone is giving me 500 power. That’s halfway towards Bronze II! I can’t believe this…

I can start renting these cards out and earn DEC. The answer to all my pain and suffering is right here!

Light at the end of the tunnel

In a few days, DEC will start to accumulate in this account. I can use PeakMonsters to rent some cards and get to 1000 power.

No more zero DEC per win.
No more being stuck in Bronze III.

I’ve finally gotten myself on the starting line in Splinterlands. Let the games begin!