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By the Numbers – Best LoR Decks, 24hs into the Variety Patch!

The best Legends of Runeterra decks, according to the latest data!

Note: This is an older article.
For the most recent data, check the latest LoR Best Decks article, or our Meta Tier List!


Best Legends of Runeterra Decks

As of Thursday, roughly 24 hours after the LoR Variety Patch landed, these are the six most popular LoR decks according to the Mastering Runeterra Meta Tier List:

LoR Best Decks: Legends of Runeterra Meta Tier List, sorted by play rate

Kayle Leona remains, as last week, one of the strongest decks in Runeterra – but looks like Leona's chances of becoming one of the Queens of the LoR meta may have come to an end: Lux, partnering with Jayce, has jumped to the top of the charts, while Kayle has seemingly found better partners in, surprise surprise… Elites!

It should be stressed, though, that this is very early data: as usual with a new patch, it takes time for brewers to refine and optimize new (or very old…) decks, today's mighty may fall in a few days, once the Runeterra meta settles down.


Still Strong: Kayle Leona

While not the most popular archetype, KayleKayle LeonaLeona launches this patch cycle with the most popular deck list – 1,400+ games since yesterday, win rate near 55%, and bringing to the fray the exact same build we saw as strongest in last week's data:

Regions
Noxus
14 cards
Mount Targon
26 cards
Rarities
26 900
champion
5
epic
6
rare
9
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
12
2
6
3
0
4
10
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
5
5
Kayle
2
Kayle
5
Leona
3
Leona
Followers
27
1
Crimson Pigeon
3
Crimson Pigeon
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Solari Soldier
3
Solari Soldier
2
House Spider
1
House Spider
2
Solari Shieldbearer
3
Solari Shieldbearer
2
Solari Sunhawk
3
Solari Sunhawk
2
Twilit Protector
3
Twilit Protector
3
Sun Guardian
3
Sun Guardian
3
Wandering Shepherd
2
Wandering Shepherd
5
Rahvun, Daylight's Spear
3
Rahvun, Daylight's Spear
Spells
8
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Brothers' Bond
1
Brothers' Bond
2
Pale Cascade
1
Pale Cascade
3
Might
1
Might
5
Shunpo
2
Shunpo

It's never a surprise to find one of the strongest decks from last patch still doing well, but the fact that this list's winrate has dropped by 2% is quite telling: new powerhouses are already putting a dent on the previous Top Dogs, with Jayce Lux, Heimer Jayce, and above all Garen Jarvan give Kayle Leona nightmares.


Elite Surprise: Garen Kayle, ft. Jarvan

Now, ain't life full of surprises!

First: looks like Kayle now has not one, but (at least) two top-tier decks.

Second: Elites are not only still competitive (as they've been since January), but now they are downright scary. Probably that big bad Blocking BadgerbearBlocking Badgerbear's fault, really!

Regions
Demacia
37 cards
Mount Targon
3 cards
Rarities
28 000
champion
6
epic
4
rare
11
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
7
2
10
3
3
4
7
5
2
6
3
7+
Champions
6
5
Garen
3
Garen
5
Kayle
2
Kayle
6
Jarvan IV
1
Jarvan IV
Followers
24
1
Cithria of Cloudfield
3
Cithria of Cloudfield
1
Trusty Ramhound
3
Trusty Ramhound
2
Battlesmith
3
Battlesmith
3
Blocking Badgerbear
3
Blocking Badgerbear
3
Vanguard Redeemer
1
Vanguard Redeemer
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Squire
3
Vanguard Squire
4
Vanguard Bannerman
3
Vanguard Bannerman
6
Cithria the Bold
1
Cithria the Bold
7
Xolaani the Bloodweaver
1
Xolaani the Bloodweaver
Spells
10
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
9
Champions' Strength
2
Champions' Strength

Success requires no explanation, though: 1,300+ games since the patch landed, and punching well above 58%.

This new hotness seems to have great odds against Ryze and Kayle Leona; Jayce Lux, on the other hand, appears like a tough bone to chew.


Jayce Lux

Now, take this with a grain of salt: although it's the most popular archetype, it's also wildly scattered (as in, there are tons of different versions, so it's hard to know in each case if their performance is a fluke or the real deal) – the most popular Jayce Lux deck, seen below, packs a whopping 59% punch but with only around 230 games since the patch landed; other Jayce Lux decks, like this one, find success including three copies of FormulaFormula and a couple of more expensive followers.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
29 cards
Demacia
11 cards
Rarities
28 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
17
common
14
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
4
1
12
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
10
6
3
7+
Champions
6
4
Jayce
3
Jayce
5
Lux
3
Lux
Landmarks
2
3
The Forge Of Tomorrow
2
The Forge Of Tomorrow
Followers
15
1
Forge Chief
3
Forge Chief
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
2
Laurent Duelist
1
Laurent Duelist
2
Mageseeker Persuader
3
Mageseeker Persuader
2
Petricite Broadwing
2
Petricite Broadwing
7
Albus Ferros
3
Albus Ferros
Spells
17
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
5
Concerted Strike
1
Concerted Strike
6
Assembly Line
3
Assembly Line
6
Back to Back
1
Back to Back
6
Hexbliterator
3
Hexbliterator
6
Shock Blast
3
Shock Blast

Matchup data is always sketchy this early on (and doubly so for such a scattered archetype) but looks like Jayce Lux may have an edge on pretty much all other strong forerunners (and specifically over Garen Elites and Kayle Leona), with the exception of Taliyah Ziggs.


Taliyah Ziggs

Another "Don't fix it if ain't broken" deck (or, well, LoR being a CCG, probably more like "Don't fix what's already broken"), Taliyah Ziggs is the third most played decklist this patch, with the exact same build as last week and punching above 55% in close to 800 games. It also looks like one of the few strong decks with good odds against Jayce Lux.

Regions
Shurima
24 cards
Bandlecity
16 cards
Rarities
26 000
champion
6
epic
2
rare
12
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
12
2
15
3
3
4
3
5
0
6
1
7+
Champions
6
3
Ziggs
3
Ziggs
5
Taliyah
3
Taliyah
Landmarks
6
1
Hexplosive Minefield
3
Hexplosive Minefield
2
Preservarium
3
Preservarium
Followers
14
1
Inventive Chemist
3
Inventive Chemist
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
3
Endless Devout
2
Endless Devout
3
Waste Walker
3
Waste Walker
4
Desert Naturalist
2
Desert Naturalist
8
The Arsenal
1
The Arsenal
Spells
14
2
Drop the Bomb
3
Drop the Bomb
2
Pokey Stick
3
Pokey Stick
3
Ancient Hourglass
1
Ancient Hourglass
3
Rite of the Arcane
2
Rite of the Arcane
3
Unleashed Energy
2
Unleashed Energy
3
Unraveled Earth
2
Unraveled Earth
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation

Gwen Quinn

Gwen and Quinn were making some small waves in the fringes last week – their performance right now is far from stellar, yet still a playable deck with a fresh twist.

Regions
Demacia
14 cards
Shadow Isles
26 cards
Rarities
31 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
17
common
11
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
16
2
6
3
6
4
3
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Gwen
3
Gwen
5
Quinn
3
Quinn
Landmarks
3
3
Opulent Foyer
3
Opulent Foyer
Followers
12
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
2
Redeemed Prodigy
3
Redeemed Prodigy
6
Eternal Dancers
3
Eternal Dancers
Spells
19
1
Quietus
2
Quietus
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
2
Hate Spike
2
Sharpsight
1
Sharpsight
2
Vile Feast
2
Vile Feast
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
4
Relentless Pursuit
3
Relentless Pursuit

Kalista Nocturne

Never a bad idea to bring a refined, aggressive deck to a fresh new fight! Kalista and Nocturne have been doing quite well for quite some time, and at least this early in the new patch cycle they have kept most of their punch: win rate above 53% in about 600 games.

Regions
Shadow Isles
38 cards
Noxus
2 cards
Rarities
27 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
12
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
10
1
9
2
9
3
9
4
0
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Kalista
3
Kalista
4
Nocturne
3
Nocturne
Followers
23
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
1
Precious Pet
2
Precious Pet
1
Stygian Onlooker
3
Stygian Onlooker
2
Arachnoid Horror
3
Arachnoid Horror
2
Mistwraith
3
Mistwraith
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
3
Frenzied Skitterer
3
Frenzied Skitterer
4
Wraithcaller
3
Wraithcaller
Spells
11
1
Mark of the Isles
2
Mark of the Isles
3
Soul Cleave
3
Soul Cleave
4
Risen Mists
3
Risen Mists
10
The Harrowing
3
The Harrowing

EveTech #1: Return of Evelynn Viego

Although shunned by players at large, Eve Viego became a low-key powerhouse after the Hate SpikeHate Spike buff last year, and remained so until the spell was nerfed. Now buffs to SteemSteem and DominationDomination have put Eve Viego back on the map, and is thus far one of the most promising EvelynnEvelynn decks… although, as we'll see next, there are three more!

Regions
Shadow Isles
25 cards
Runeterra
15 cards
Rarities
29 800
champion
6
epic
6
rare
9
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
13
2
7
3
6
4
3
5
5
6
3
7+
Champions
6
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
6
Viego
3
Viego
Followers
24
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
2
Ceaseless Sentry
3
Ceaseless Sentry
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Domination
3
Domination
4
Steem
3
Steem
5
Neverglade Collector
3
Neverglade Collector
7
Invasive Hydravine
3
Invasive Hydravine
Spells
10
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
3
Hate Spike
2
Vile Feast
1
Vile Feast
3
Black Spear
1
Black Spear
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance

EveTech #2: faint's Renekton Evelynn

RickoRex will always push some Overwhelm oddity to top performance (in this case, apparently faint's concept) – be warned, though, that he is RickoRex, and you are probably not, so mileage may overwhelmingly vary.

Regions
Runeterra
10 cards
Shurima
30 cards
Rarities
28 600
champion
6
epic
6
rare
3
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
8
2
7
3
11
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
4
Renekton
3
Renekton
Landmarks
3
1
Buried Armory
3
Buried Armory
Equipments
3
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
3
The Darkin Bloodletters
Followers
21
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
1
Treasure Seeker
2
Treasure Seeker
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Domination
1
Domination
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Merciless Hunter
4
Steem
3
Steem
5
Ruin Runner
3
Ruin Runner
Spells
7
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
3
Curse of the Tomb
3
Curse of the Tomb
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation

EveTech #3: Evelynn Kai'Sa

Evelynn and Kai'sa were one really disappointing pairing when they first arrived to Runeterra. The recent buffs to SteemSteem and DominationDomination may have made the trick, though, with several Eve Kai lists doing moderately well.

Regions
Runeterra
16 cards
Shurima
24 cards
Rarities
33 400
champion
6
epic
10
rare
5
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
12
2
6
3
10
4
6
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
5
Kai'Sa
3
Kai'Sa
Landmarks
3
2
Preservarium
1
Preservarium
2
Void Gate
2
Void Gate
Equipments
1
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
Followers
24
1
Voidling
3
Voidling
2
Belvethi Elder
3
Belvethi Elder
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Domination
3
Domination
3
Vora
2
Vora
4
Steem
3
Steem
4
Void Blaster
3
Void Blaster
5
Ruin Runner
2
Ruin Runner
9
Void Abomination
2
Void Abomination
Spells
6
2
Hate Spike
2
Hate Spike
2
The Absolver
1
The Absolver
3
Quicksand
1
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation
5
Heedless Resurrection
1
Heedless Resurrection

EveTech #4: Evelynn Lucian

Cute lil' Lucian triggers Steem now. I mean, in a good way – granting the strongest foe Vulnerable. And he's so cute, our lil' husk-sized Lucian, that even Evelynn decided to play with the toy Sentinel a bit.

Don't laugh, though: they are punching above 57%, these two!

Regions
Demacia
22 cards
Runeterra
18 cards
Rarities
34 200
champion
6
epic
10
rare
9
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
14
2
9
3
7
4
1
5
3
6
1
7+
Champions
6
1
Lucian
3
Lucian
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
Followers
21
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Dawnspeakers
3
Dawnspeakers
3
Domination
3
Domination
3
Vora
3
Vora
4
Steem
3
Steem
6
Genevieve Elmheart
3
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
13
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Hate Spike
3
Hate Spike
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
4
Riposte
1
Riposte
5
Concerted Strike
1
Concerted Strike
9
Champions' Strength
1
Champions' Strength

What about Heimer Jayce?

Professor and Student show really juicy numbers when you look at their archetype, but the most popular lists are mediocre or downright bad (while their archetype's win rate is pushed upwards by fringe lists with sky-high performance but really small sample sizes). That's kind of par for the course with these two (Heimer Jayce is traditionally one of the most scattered LoR decks) – in a couple of days we should have enough data to paint a clearer picture.


What about Ryze decks?

Looking awful right now (unless you are MajiinBae), even though Ryze decks remain very popular.


Not Looking Good (this early on): Darius LeBlanc, Akshan Varus, Caitlyn Teemo, Seraphine Decks

All of the above decks have been played quite a bit (between 300 and 600 games with their most popular lists), but neither their archetypes as a whole nor the specific decks are doing too well right now.

Things may change in a heartbeat this early on, though, so we'll see!


Wrapping Up

Variety: the spice of life and CCGs!

A new meta is shaping up – since this Variety Patch largely lacked buffs, strong decks remained strong, and at the top we find several lists that are the exact same as last week. Yet, as we've seen, there are already a handful of powerful up-and-comers, and others will almost surely show up in the next few days.

For the time being, enjoy the freshly brewed chaos, and good luck out there!


If you have any questions or comments, or more data you may need, feel free to:

Poke me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerkoKerghans,

Stop for a chat on the Mastering Runeterra Discord: https://discord.gg/8RQqZECTz2,

Or find more writings on substack: https://riwan.substack.com/


Technical Note – About overall archetypes and specific decks, and what we mean by "LoR best decks"

Most data sites (including our LoR Meta Tier List, and our meta stats page) and articles like Leer's Legends of Runeterra Meta Decks Report sort LoR meta decks by archetype ("Archetype" being the aggregate of all decks in LoR with a specific champion combination) – that's also how matchup tables are shown in pretty much all data sites.

In this article, we'll sort these decks by the best specific decklist for each archetype. And, whenever we talk about LoR decks in general, or best Legends of Runeterra decks in particular, we'll always be referring to specific lists (while reserving "archetype" to denominate the aggregate of all decks with a particular champion pair).

As a rule of thumb, LoR decks with a win rate (WR) above 52% catch our eye; above 53% are eye-widening, and anything with a WR over 55% is exceptional.

Sources: Legna, Mastering Runeterra Meta Tier List, and our LoR meta stats page.


LoR Meta FAQs

Where does this data come from?

Directly from Riot (via Riot's API) – Liver, our wonderful coder and unsung MaRu 🐐 (also in charge of designing the website) makes the data automagically appear in our meta tier list and meta stats page, and all-around LoR 🐐 Legna shares his data (from the same source, although following a different set of players) with us too.

What are the best decks in LoR?

Short answer: Depends on how you define "best", of course! =)

Much longer answer: Check the Technical Note at the end of the article, above all about the differences between "archetypes" and "decks" in Legends of Runeterra's data.

Practical answer: As of today, Garen Kayle Jarvan, Kayle Leona, and Jayce Lux (although there are tons of different lists for the latter, making it difficult to recommend a specific build in its case).

Which is the highest win rate deck in LoR?

Jayce Lux takes the crown today (although with the same caveat outlined above: it's a very scattered archetype right now).