Why Can’t Old Splinterlands Players Play Anymore?
I’ve been trying to get back into Splinterlands after being away for a while — and honestly, I feel completely lost. The game I used to know seems to have transformed into something entirely different. I still have my account, my cards, and my Summoner’s Spellbook, but none of that seems to matter anymore.
Before, all I needed was my Spellbook and a few cards to start battling and earning. It was simple: choose your Summoner, build your team, and fight. But now? Everything feels alien. The interface, the battle system, even the economy — all changed.
When I logged in recently, I found myself staring at screens full of tokens, licenses, staking options, SPS, DEC, vouchers, Rebellion packs, Soulbound cards, and something called Modern and Wild formats. I had no idea which one to choose or what I should even be doing to start a match. My old decks seem weak, and the new cards have abilities I’ve never seen before.
The worst part is that the Summoner’s Spellbook — once the key to unlocking the game — feels obsolete. It doesn’t grant the same advantages it once did, and the entry point for new or returning players feels way higher now.
I can’t help but wonder:
What happened to the simple, strategic game I used to love?
Why are so many veteran players unable or unwilling to return?
I want to play again, but I don’t even know where to begin. Should I rent cards? Buy new ones? Focus on SPS staking? What’s the most profitable strategy in 2025?
To the current community — please, help an old player out. Explain to me how Splinterlands evolved to this point. What’s the best way for someone like me, who once loved this game, to come back and actually enjoy it again?
I’m sure I’m not alone in this. There must be many others like me — nostalgic players who want to return but feel completely disconnected. Maybe if we can understand what’s changed, we can find a way to bridge the gap between the old Splinterlands and the new one.