Antlion
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Contents
Overview
Antlion is an Earth creature that has a small bite but also with a small cost. For 2 
quanta, players can summon this creature onto the field; if they’re worried about it being killed however, they may also Burrow it in order to render it invulnerable to targeting effects.
General Use
Quick Facts:
- Both versions cost only 2 quanta for both the non-upped and upgraded versions.
- Has the ability to Burrow, reducing its ATK stat by half (rounded down), but making it invulnerable to targeting effects.
Although not as powerful as the Graboid, the Antlion is a simple creature that can be used in any deck that barely splashes into the Earth element, considering its cheap cost. For only 2 , players can summon a copy of this creature onto the field to deal 2 damage a turn. While the damage output appears to be low for the unupped version, the Elite Antlion does double the damage (4) for its cost, making it a fairly cost-effective damage dealer.
However, its main vulnerability is its lack of HP. To counter this though, players have the option to use its defensive ability, ‘Burrow’, to escape dangerous effects. Burrow will reduce its ATK stat in half unfortunately, but also allows it to be rendered invulnerable to targeting effects, making several devastating spells (Shockwave) and abilities (Devour) unable to affect the Antlion. In some cases, the reduced damage output from Antlion can be easily reversed via the use of several buff spells. Other times, the temporary damage reduction is best served as a final ‘surprise’ attack (i.e. - unburrowing multiple Antlions on the field in order to technically ‘double’ their damage).
Synergies
Players who have fear that their opening hands will have a shortage of quanta can still create decks with powerful rushing potential. Graboid | Elite Graboid can be mixed into a deck with several Antlions (assuming the player has their Mark set to the Time element), providing cheap creatures that can swarm the field and deal steady amounts of damage. Graboid’s evolution, Shrieker, can also Burrow as well, allowing players the chance to protect their Earth creatures without the usage of Quintessence or Cloak.
Similarly, if a player decides to keep deck entirely Earth-based (with an Earth Mark), Hematite Golem | Steel Golem is a more durable mid-ranged attacker that is less susceptible to CC without the need for to Burrow. In upgraded formats, Steel Golem and Elite Antlion can also create a powerful mono-Earth rush, with the Golems acting as stronger targets to either absorb or ignore the threats of damage, while the Antlions can serve as CC bait or offensive support.
Other Cards With Synergy
Fractal can be used on Antlions to spam them in masse, but players should note that this strategy is very quanta-heavy in non-upped formats, and not as cost-effectively unless both Fractal and the Antlion are upgraded. Momentum and Adrenaline can be used on an Antlion to help its damage output (assuming it doesn’t get killed after being played), and can help it thrive even while Burrowed. Of course, buffing spells such as Blessing will have diminished effects after unburrowing (it will not return its ATK stat to the odd number it was raised to, but rather, 1 lower than its original amount). Shard of Patience can be used when burrowing the antlion, the buff isn't halved and when unburrowing the creature it attack is doubled.
Conclusion
In the end, the Antlion is a tiny but swift creature for many Earth elementals; with the ability to protect itself upon sensing danger, and resurfacing again to deal its full damage, it can be a dandy form of offensive support alongside tougher and more alarming Earth creatures.
Popular Deck
Antlions, Golems, Hammers, and Dragons!? MADNESS!!!
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