Azhar Ibn Sulaim and the Art of Taking the Hit

Hello, Splinterlands community friends—how are you all doing?
Hopefully your battles this week have had more sweetness than bitterness. This time, I’d like to have a relaxed chat about a Legendary Fire card that made one eyebrow rise the moment I read its details. I don’t own this card yet, but its aura is already unmistakable: Azhar Ibn Sulaim.

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The Fire Djinn That Stirs Trouble

Azhar Ibn Sulaim is a Legendary Fire Unit, specifically from the Djinn race. From the name alone, you can already feel a dignified Middle Eastern nuance. In Splinterlands, legendary cards are rarely just collection ornaments—and Azhar is clearly no exception.

He is a ranged attacker, a unit type that’s often underestimated early on but ends up being decisive in the mid to late stages of battle. With a mana cost of 9, Azhar is definitely not a casual drop. This is a card you play with intention, not on a whim.

Let’s be honest—the first thing that caught my eye was his speed: 8. In Splinterlands, speed often makes the difference between “almost winning” and “actually winning.”

Here are the core stats of Azhar Ibn Sulaim:

The stats are already solid, but what truly elevates Azhar are his abilities.

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Four Abilities, Four Reasons to Be Careful

At maximum level, Azhar has four abilities, and this is no throwaway combination.

1. Taunt (Level 1)
   This ability immediately changes the flow of the battle. All enemy attacks—except from the first position—are redirected to Azhar. He becomes a living shield. From this alone, it’s clear: Azhar is not just an attacker, but a noble sacrifice.

2. Backfire
   When the enemy misses, you have every reason to smile. If the enemy’s speed is below 4, the chance to miss is significant. With Backfire, a missed attack results in 2 damage reflected back. There’s a special satisfaction in watching an opponent lose not because they were hit—but because they aimed wrong.

3. Phase
   This one is particularly interesting. With Phase, magic attacks can miss too, just like physical attacks. In a meta filled with spellcasters, this ability synergizes perfectly with his high speed. Taunt, then Backfire and Phase—it’s like a complete execution package for slow units.

4. Shield Ward
   This final ability grants a shield to the allied unit in front of him. This means Azhar isn’t just the center of enemy aggression, but also a protector for his frontline ally. Like a captain saying, “Hit me first.”

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What’s surprising about Azhar Ibn Sulaim is how he forces opponents to play at his tempo. With Taunt and Phase, enemies often run out of options. Of course, this is a high-risk card. If the supporting team is weak, Azhar can fall faster than expected.

That’s where it becomes clear: Azhar is not a solo hero card. He shines when paired with healers, armor buffers, or other disruption units. When that synergy clicks, it feels like watching a walking fortress—slow, but lethal.

For me, Azhar Ibn Sulaim is an example of a legendary card with a strong identity. Not just powerful in numbers, but powerful in role. He reminds us that in Splinterlands, winning isn’t about who hits the hardest, but about who’s most prepared to take the hits.

My quick strategy tips:

• Use Azhar in mid–late game lineups
• Make sure you have healers or armor support
• Ideal against magic-heavy and speed-based teams

Azhar Ibn Sulaim isn’t loud—but once he steps into the arena, all eyes turn to him. And often, that alone is enough to secure a win.

See you on the next battlefield. 🔥

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