6 Eternal Decks to Escape the Standard Meta

I've been feeling a bit burnt out from the Standard meta, so I decided to dip my toes into the Eternal meta. While the Ranked mode in Eternal is still closed, Casual Eternal has been a source of joy for me, allowing me to play against champions and strategies that I don't get to see in Standard meta.

Eternal has proven to be incredibly enjoyable, and I'm eager to share some of the decks I've either experimented with or faced. Let's delve into a few standout ones:

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Akshan Sivir Ionia

When you think of Akshan Sivir, the Demacia version likely comes to mind first. However, the Ionia version predates its Demacia counterpart. This deck leans more towards a combo-oriented playstyle, aiming to set up the necessary pieces before delivering a lethal Overwhelm or Elusive attack to secure victory.

Akshan is in the list for the value he offers with Warlord's Hoard. All three Sentinel's Hoard options offer significant utility depending on the game's circumstances. The card draw aids in replenishing resources, the revive can bring back key units for a game-winning play, and Spell Shield adds an extra layer of protection during the lethal attack.

Throughout the match, the focus is on leveling up one of your champions to activate The Absolver's condition, unlocking the Overwhelm keyword with the The Absolver's Return.

That Overwhelm keyword will be used on Sivir to set up the lethal play. If she's leveled, she'll share the Overwhelm keyword will all other attackers. However, that might not be just enough to end the game, this is where Flurry of Fists doubles the damage you're pushing. Since Sivir already has the Quick Attack keyword, she'll get Double Attack from Flurry of Fists, which she'll share with all other attackers. With a board full of Double Attack + Overwhelm units, your opponent will be in big trouble if they don't get rid of that Sivir.

If you don't have access to the Overwhelm keyword, Ghost gives the Elusive keyword letting you sneak in the Nexus damage and set up the winning play.

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Seraphine Ezreal Viktor

Seraphine and Ezreal have always created an amazing combo as they work together to set up the late-game burn plan.

This is a control deck that runs a lot of low-cost spells to level up Seraphine as early as possible. The plan is to ensure the opponent doesn't take over the board. Your damage spells play a crucial role in killing their units and weakening their aggression.

Sunken Temple and Back Alley Bar offer value and reduce the cost of your cards. This sets up stronger future turns where you get to play more cards and start shifting the game in your favor.

Viktor can become a win condition if he sticks on the board for a couple of turns. This forces resources out of the opponent that they'd rather use on Ezreal or Seraphine. Additionally, the Hex Core Upgrade advances Seraphine's level up.

Once Seraphine levels she'll give you access to the double cast ability, which should turbo-level Ezreal. If you manage to set up both champions on the board, your burn plan will be a nightmare for the opponent's Nexus.

An alternative win condition involves Purrsuit of Perfection; if its cost is reduced to 2, Seraphine can summon double Catastrophe, making it more of a challenge for the opponent to shut it down.

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Norra Swain

Norra Swain capitalizes on Bandle City's ping damage and value spells to enable Swain's level-up win condition while offering a solid early/mid-game plan.

Ping spells like Pie Toss and Pokey Stick synergize with Ravenous Flock and Disintegrate, disrupting the opponent's strategy and gradually working towards [[Swain]'s level-up.

Mysterious Portals, planted with cards like Norra, Junk Construct, and Portalpalooza, set up a wider board, creating opportunities for more aggressive attacks to strike down the opponent's Nexus.

The Leviathan and Swain stun lock serve as the final winning play, stunning two opponent units on the upcoming attack turn for a powerful strike to potentially close out the game.

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Nilah Twisted Fate

Nilah Twisted Fate was one of the top decks in the previous Eternal meta, but players quickly countered the archetype and kept it in its place.

This deck has a unique playstyle, prioritizing card draw with cards like Slipstream, Pool Shark, Zaunite Urchin, Maryam, Temple Caretaker, Exalted Cloudwinder, Sunken Temple, and Rummage. The card draw ensures you don't run out of resources as you set up aggressive attacks.

The draw potential threatens to level up Nilah and Twisted Fate, adding pressure on the opponent. A leveled Twisted Fate offers significant value, and opponents often prioritize eliminating him. The draw potential also sets up the Ruined Rex play, with Rocket Barrage capable of clearing the opponent's board for a more potent attack.

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Twisted Fate Gangplank

More known as Ping City, Twisted Fate Gangplank is an aggressive deck aiming to swarm the board and chip away at the opponent's Nexus. The strategy revolves around damaging the opponent's Nexus every turn to expedite Gangplank's level-up, setting the stage for an Overwhelm win condition. Cards like Make it Rain, Parrrley, and Pokey Stick enable Nexus damage on defensive turns and accelerate Gangplank's level-up.

Unfortunately, the deck is weaker than it used to be, mainly because of the Lecturing Yordle nerf. Losing the ability to create a Poison Dart on play means you won't have it on the defensive turn to ping the Nexus.

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Zoe Aphelios Viktor

Zoe Aphelios Viktor is all about generating value with champions. The Moon Weapons play a massive role in outvaluing opponents with Crescendum and Calibrum.

Zoe's Supercool Starchart provides low-cost unique Celestial cards. Since the deck runs a lot of low-cost cards, you're able to turbo-level up Zoe and turn her into a win condition. If Zoe levels, you'll be able to share keywords with your whole board. This could set up a full-on Elusive attack to sneak in Nexus damage and win the game.

Ballistic Bot gains a lot of Power throughout the game, setting the stage for the Infernum combo play to win the game with an Overwhelm hit.

Behold the Infinite serves as an alternate win condition, providing access to powerful Celestial units like The Great Beyond or The Immortal Fire.

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Closing Words

Eternal game mode has been a breath of fresh air as we wait for the upcoming patch. Many different archetypes to explore and the diversity of decks makes each game feel unique.