List of Splinterlands Rulesets

No modification to the standard gameplay rules and mechanics. 

Note: This is the only ruleset you will get in Novice.

Melee and ranged attacks will always hit their target.

Note: This applies to magic attacks as well even if there is a phase monster.

All monsters have the Scattershot ability.

All monsters lose their abilities.

Note: Summoner effects which give monsters abilities will still be effective (IE: Yodin Zaku).

All monsters receive the Thorns ability at the start of the battle. Enemy monsters that use melee attacks receive damage back.

Damage returned is equal to damage of the attacker divided by 2, rounded up.

Note: Melee attack monsters with the Reflection Shield ability do not take damage from thorns.

Note: The Amplify ability increases damage.

Monsters with ranged attack cannot be used.

Note: Monsters with 2 types of attack which include ranged in their attacks, such as War Chaang, also cannot be used.

All monsters receive the Magic Reflect ability at the start of the battle. Enemy monsters that attack with magic receive damage back.

Damage returned is equal to the damage of the attacker divided by 2, rounded up.

Note: Magic monsters with the Reflection Shield ability do not take damage from reflected magic attacks.
Note: The Amplify ability increases damage.

All non-flying monsters take 2 physical damage at the end of every turn. 

Note: Snared monsters are considered non-flying. Since the damage given is physical, it can be reduced to 1 if the monster has the shield ability.

All monsters start with the same health, based on the highest health on either team.

Note: Buffs and debuffs are done afterward so this is based on the base health.

All units gain the Opportunity ability which allows them to attack the unit with the lowest health on the enemy team.

Note: Abilities such as this, which give targeting changes, may interfere with a monster's other abilities. A chart is provided below for better reference.

Only monsters with even mana costs may be used.

Note: This rule does not apply to summoners.

All monsters gain the Blast ability.

All monsters receive the Return Fire ability at the start of the battle. Enemy monsters that attack with ranged attacks receive damage back.

Damage returned is equal to damage of the attacker divided by 2, rounded up.

Note: Ranged attack monsters with the Reflection Shield ability do not take damage from reflected magic attacks.

Note: The Amplify ability increases damage.

All monsters lose the Sneak, Snipe and Opportunity abilities. 

Note: Scattershot still works in this ruleset.

All monsters have the Fury ability.

Only monsters with ranged attacks may be used.

All healing abilities are removed.

Note: This applies to summoners too. Examples of healing abilities are Heal, Tank Heal, and Triage.

Monsters with melee attacks may not be used.

Note: Monsters with 2 types of attack which include melee in their attacks, such as War Chaang, also cannot be used.

Legendary monsters may not be used.

Note: Legendary summoners are still available.

Magic monsters may not be used in battle.

Note: Monsters with 2 types of attack which include magic in their attacks, such as Kralus, also cannot be used.

Melee monsters can attack from any position.

Note: Abilities still take precedence. 

All monsters are afflicted with the Poison debuff at the start of the game.

Note: Monsters who have Immunity are not afflicted. Additionally, this is a one-time application, which means that monsters that are cleansed or resurrected will not be re-applied with poison by this rule.

Only monsters with odd mana costs may be used.

Note: Summoners are not affected by this rule.

Monsters with lower speeds will attack before monsters with higher speeds. Miss calculations based on speed will also be reversed.

Note: Monsters with the Bloodlust ability will increase their speed when killing a monster.

Only common and rare monsters may be used in battles.

Note: Summoners are unaffected by this rule.

Summoners do not give any buffs/debuffs or grant/use abilities. 

Only monsters with magic attacks may be used.

All monsters gain the Enrage ability which multiplies their speed and melee attack by 1.5x rounded up.

Note: The attack multiplier only affects melee units and no other attack stats.

Trample will be able to retrigger infinitely as long as the trampling monster keeps killing other monsters.

All melee monsters gain the Sneak ability. 

Note: Refer to the ability override chart below.

No neutral monsters may be used.

All ranged and magic monsters gain the Snipe ability.

Note: Refer to the ability override chart.

All armor is removed from monsters and one cannot gain armor.

Note: Shield and Divine Shield are unaffected.

Only monsters with melee attacks can be used.

Note: Monsters with 2 types of attacks can be used as long as they have a melee attack as well. An example would be War Chaang.

All monsters have the Amplify ability.

Magic hits armor first before hitting health.