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Weekend Warrior Weapons, First Friday Edition

The Seventeen Best-Performing Blends, for the Discerning Ladder Climber
Runeterra Decks

Welcome, my friend!

Welcome to this wonderful First Friday, and the wildest Meta we have seen in a long time – last Wednesday's patch truly has been beautifully bountiful!

I am getting head of myself, I know; but I am sure you will excuse my excitement when you lay eyes on today's selection!

So, please, come, let me showcase our selection. To brews and blends furnished by formidable formulistas Balco and Seth we have added those that we've collected ourselves, along with prominent pilots' takes overhead at the Blue Bird Inn.

Would you like to…

… glimpse at this bountiful new Meta?

… check the marriage between Demacia and Krakens, unleashing the wildest brews seen in a long time?

  • Kuvillux, aka Lux Illaoi,
  • Twisted Fate Jarvan IV Illaoi, quite the mouthful and quite the shell,
  • Garen Illaoi

… the Old Guard, strongest decks from the previous patch still making waves?

  • Yuumi Pantheon,
  • Scouts
  • Tri-beam, aka Ezreal Caitlyn,
  • Tryndamere Trundle,
  • Lurkers,

… the rejuvenated ancient archetypes?

  • Deep,
  • Thralls

… decks that may hide great promise under a façade of mediocrity?

  • Jhin Annie, the most popular blend by far,
  • Zed bard, the second most popular blend,
  • Miss Fortune Annie,
  • Illaoi Bard,

… other promising options?

  • Garen Bard; not an Elite deck, but very much a Bannerman deck,
  • Ezreal Annie,
  • Today's Hidden Gem: Taric Poppy

A Glimpse into a Glorious Meta

This is perhaps as good as it gets, my friend: blends that were powerful three days ago are still powerful, their potency largely untouched by nerfs, yet when we look at the best performing brews…

Tier List by Balco

… it is truly a beauty to behold so many new faces among the Top Dogs.

Even two ancient archetypes, Thralls and Deep, have been rejuvenated so successfully that now rightfully claim a stake at the peak.

Do notice that Jhin Annie is arguably the main factor in this meta, given its large play rate. There is much to discuss about the Virtuoso and the burning brat, but let us pace ourselves – for now, we shall say that the audience loves this new duo, and as such any blend favored into Jhinnie will tend to do well.

And no, Jhinnie is not as bad as it looks by average figures. As you would expect from the Virtuoso, there is much more nuance than what first greets the eye.


Demacian Kraken

I know what you are thinking, my friend.

"Where da bloody **** did that come from!?"

Doubtlessly, countless pilots all across the ladder are wondering the same thing about this Squid Surprise because, let us be honest: who in their right mind, having heard of IllaoiIllaoi last week, would have thought, "Of course! Let's team her up with LuxLux!"

Yet such is this brave new Meta, my friend: truly a thing of terrible beauty!

Let us dive into this most bountiful new marriage.

Kuvillux, aka Lux Illaoi

As far as I have been able to trace its lineage, this is a creation of maîtres brasseur Kuvi.

As mentioned yesterday, the huge majority of pilots favoring this medley use this exact formula, to wrecking results all over. As if the champion combination was not bewildering enough, you will also notice that this blend conspicuously lacks six-mana spells – yet cast doubts aside, my friend: almost three thousand games played thus far with at 57% WR speak volumes about this blend's potency.

Notably, it seems to prey on pretty much all other new blends…

… it falls prey to some of the strongest Old Dogs, though, so we shall see how this blend fares.

Strong Against: Annie Jhin, Bard blends, Lurkers, Viego Shurima, Twisted Fate Jarvan Illaoi, Taric Poppy.

Struggles Against: Thralls, Trundle Tryndamere, Yuumi Pantheon, Ezreal Caitlyn

Regions
Demacia
21 cards
Bilgewater
19 cards
Rarities
24 600
champion
6
epic
0
rare
16
common
18
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
11
2
13
3
3
4
8
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
5
Lux
3
Lux
Followers
18
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Hired Gun
2
Hired Gun
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Durand Protege
2
Durand Protege
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
3
Vanguard Sergeant
2
Vanguard Sergeant
Spells
16
1
Demacian Tellstones
2
Demacian Tellstones
2
Answered Prayer
2
Answered Prayer
2
Single Combat
1
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
1
Cataclysm
3
Shield of Durand
2
Shield of Durand
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Twisted Fate Jarvan IV Illaoi

Same region pairing, featuring Illaoi again, yet quite the different build – this is very much not a "let's swap one champ for another and call it brewing" type of blend.

Strong Against: Annie Jhin, Deep, Thralls, Zoe Bard

Struggles Against: Kuvillux, Lurkers, Ezreal Caitlyn 

Regions
Demacia
17 cards
Bilgewater
23 cards
Rarities
25 100
champion
6
epic
1
rare
13
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
14
2
9
3
4
4
7
5
2
6
1
7+
Champions
6
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
4
Twisted Fate
1
Twisted Fate
6
Jarvan IV
2
Jarvan IV
Followers
16
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
5
Buhru Lookout
3
Buhru Lookout
8
Nagakabouros
1
Nagakabouros
Spells
18
2
Answered Prayer
3
Answered Prayer
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis

For a similar take, here's superb skipper and scribe MonteXristo's take on Illaoi and her glorified followers, or prominent pilot Darkodius opinion on the matter.


Garen Illaoi

This region pairing keeps on giving, my friend!

Here is yet another Demacian Kraken marriage, which again does not content itself with swapping champs, but can be said to be an altogether different blend

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Zed Bard, Deep, Thralls.

Struggles Against: Kuvillux?

Regions
Demacia
23 cards
Bilgewater
17 cards
Rarities
24 000
champion
6
epic
0
rare
13
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
15
2
7
3
3
4
9
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
5
Garen
3
Garen
Followers
15
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
Spells
19
2
Answered Prayer
3
Answered Prayer
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
2
Cataclysm
3
Tentacle Smash
2
Tentacle Smash
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

The Old Guard

Strongest three days ago, among the strongest still: these previous patch's Top Dogs need not learn new tricks to stay on top.

Yuumi Pantheon

The feline Fae and her Fated friends have gone nowhere, in case you were wondering. Their potency is largely untouched, marred only by the fact they seem to be one of the few blends that have trouble with Jhinnie.

Strong Against: Pretty much everything right now…

Struggles Against: … except Jhinnie, and Tri-beam blends.

Regions
Demacia
18 cards
Mount Targon
22 cards
Rarities
23 400
champion
6
epic
0
rare
10
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
18
2
11
3
4
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Yuumi
3
Yuumi
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Followers
14
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Mountain Goat
1
Mountain Goat
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
4
Blinded Mystic
1
Blinded Mystic
Spells
20
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
2
Cataclysm
3
Zenith Blade
3
Zenith Blade
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis

Miss Fortune Quinn, aka Scouts

Another steadfast, iron-willed medley that refuses to vacate the Meta's peak. 

Its current success is explained largely by the murderous way in which it deals with the Virtuoso and the burning brat – yet Kuvillux and other old brews give Scouts pause.

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Bard blends, Twisted Fate Jarvan Illaoi

Struggles Against: Yuumi Pantheon, Kuvillux, Ezreal Caitlyn

Regions
Demacia
34 cards
Bilgewater
6 cards
Rarities
29 400
champion
6
epic
4
rare
18
common
12
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
15
2
7
3
3
4
6
5
4
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Quinn
3
Quinn
Followers
22
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Sergeant
4
Island Navigator
3
Island Navigator
6
Cithria the Bold
2
Cithria the Bold
6
Genevieve Elmheart
2
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
12
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
3
Cataclysm
1
Cataclysm
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Ezreal Caitlyn Noxus, aka Tri-beam

The Tri-beam champions find themselves in an interesting spot: they are favored, even if slightly, both against most new champions and the two Top Dogs from the last patch…

… yet the both rejuvenated medleys, Deep and Thralls, absolutely destroy Tri-beam's plans.

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Zed Bard, Scouts, Yuumi Pantheon, 

Struggles Against: Deep and Thralls (horribly!), Zoe Bard, Garen Bard

Regions
Noxus
14 cards
Piltover & Zaun
26 cards
Rarities
29 300
champion
6
epic
5
rare
12
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
3
1
8
2
18
3
4
4
3
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
3
Caitlyn
3
Caitlyn
3
Ezreal
3
Ezreal
Followers
13
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
2
House Spider
2
House Spider
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Station Archivist
3
Station Archivist
8
Captain Farron
2
Captain Farron
Spells
21
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
3
Piltover Peacemaker
3
Piltover Peacemaker
3
Scorched Earth
3
Scorched Earth
4
Statikk Shock
3
Statikk Shock
4
Whispered Words
1
Whispered Words
5
Tri-beam Improbulator
3
Tri-beam Improbulator

Tryndamere Trundle

Another Top Dog from last patch that finds itself in an interesting position.

Unlike other blends in this category – which murder most newcomers – this icy champion pair is even into Jhinnie and Zoe Bard.

It is fairly strong into Kuvillux, though, so I would not dare predict this blend's fate in the coming days, and will largely depend on how the meta shapes up.

Its current overall potency is, on the other hand, undeniable. 

Strong Against: Thralls, Zoe Bard, Kuvillux

Struggles Against: Scouts

Regions
Freljord
30 cards
Shadow Isles
10 cards
Rarities
30 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
12
common
16
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
2
1
6
2
1
3
7
4
6
5
3
6
15
7+
Champions
6
5
Trundle
3
Trundle
8
Tryndamere
3
Tryndamere
Landmarks
3
4
Blighted Ravine
3
Blighted Ravine
Followers
8
2
Faces of the Old Ones
3
Faces of the Old Ones
8
It That Stares
3
It That Stares
10
She Who Wanders
2
She Who Wanders
Spells
23
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Flash Freeze
1
Flash Freeze
4
Avalanche
2
Avalanche
4
Withering Wail
2
Withering Wail
5
Catalyst of Aeons
3
Catalyst of Aeons
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity
8
Voices of the Old Ones
2
Voices of the Old Ones
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination
12
Feel The Rush
3
Feel The Rush

Lurkers, aka Pyke Rek'sai

Ah, what a beautiful labeling irony… shallowness being superior to depth!

Yet such is what current figures imply, Lurkers preying quite ruthlessly on Deep.

Pyke and friends also bully several of the weaker new blends, though, making Lurkers a very solid choice for the current ladder. 

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Deep, Swain Annie, Zoe Bard

Struggles Against: Kuvillux, Scouts, Yuumi Pantheon

Regions
Bilgewater
17 cards
Shurima
23 cards
Rarities
27 300
champion
6
epic
5
rare
2
common
27
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
12
2
6
3
0
4
9
5
2
6
2
7+
Champions
6
3
Rek'Sai
3
Rek'Sai
5
Pyke
3
Pyke
Followers
28
1
Sharkling
3
Sharkling
1
Treasure Seeker
3
Treasure Seeker
1
Xer'sai Hatchling
3
Xer'sai Hatchling
2
Aspiring Chronomancer
3
Aspiring Chronomancer
2
Redfin Hammersnout
3
Redfin Hammersnout
2
Snapjaw Swarm
3
Snapjaw Swarm
3
Xer'sai Caller
3
Xer'sai Caller
5
Xerxa'Reth, The Undertitan
3
Xerxa'Reth, The Undertitan
6
Xer'sai Dunebreaker
2
Xer'sai Dunebreaker
8
Jaull-fish
2
Jaull-fish
Spells
6
2
Call the Pack
3
Call the Pack
5
Blood in the Water
3
Blood in the Water

Old is the New New

Old Dogs are not often taught new tricks, but new cards can surely make wonders for ancient archetypes!

Deep, aka Maokai Nautilus

A plethora of lifegain tools – above all UndergrowthUndergrowth and Vile FeastVile Feast – have dragged Deep from the bottom all the way to the top.

There is ongoing turbulent brewing, though, and some cards that seemed well positioned just yesterday (like Withering WailWithering Wail) are absent in the best-performing list that we recommend below. Also notice the inclusion of one copy of AtrocityAtrocity.

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Ezreal Caitlyn, Ezreal Annie

Struggles Against: Yuumi Pantheon, Lurkers, Garen Bard

Regions
Shadow Isles
15 cards
Bilgewater
25 cards
Rarities
24 800
champion
4
epic
6
rare
13
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
8
2
11
3
5
4
2
5
4
6
5
7+
Champions
4
4
Maokai
1
Maokai
7
Nautilus
3
Nautilus
Followers
18
1
Dreg Dredgers
3
Dreg Dredgers
2
Sea Scarab
3
Sea Scarab
3
Deadbloom Wanderer
3
Deadbloom Wanderer
3
Jaull Hunters
2
Jaull Hunters
4
Megatusk
1
Megatusk
5
Abyssal Eye
2
Abyssal Eye
6
Devourer of the Depths
3
Devourer of the Depths
7
Shipwreck Hoarder
1
Shipwreck Hoarder
Spells
18
1
Jettison
2
Jettison
2
Bone Skewer
2
Bone Skewer
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Lure of the Depths
3
Lure of the Depths
3
Undergrowth
3
Undergrowth
4
Salvage
3
Salvage
6
Vengeance
1
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity

Thralls, aka Lissandra Taliyah

As expected during the reveals last week, and as super skipper Shadawx suggested last Wednesday, Harbinger of ThrallsHarbinger of Thralls has indeed propelled Thralls to the fore.

This icy medley's fate appears intimately intertwined with Jhinnie's: the Virtuoso and the blazing brat are Thrall's main weak spot, while being even or favored against most of the current field…

… although from the left field, Thralls may have even bigger problems with Taric Poppy.

Strong Against: Ezreal Caitlyn, Ezreal Annie, Scouts

Struggles Against: Jhinni, Yuuumi Pantheon, Taric Poppy (horribly!)

Regions
Freljord
22 cards
Shurima
18 cards
Rarities
30 600
champion
5
epic
9
rare
11
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
9
2
6
3
6
4
5
5
6
6
1
7+
Champions
5
3
Lissandra
3
Lissandra
5
Taliyah
2
Taliyah
Landmarks
6
1
Frozen Thrall
3
Frozen Thrall
4
Blighted Ravine
3
Blighted Ravine
Followers
11
2
Clockwork Curator
3
Clockwork Curator
2
Harbinger of Thralls
3
Harbinger of Thralls
3
Kindly Tavernkeeper
2
Kindly Tavernkeeper
5
Draklorn Inquisitor
3
Draklorn Inquisitor
Spells
18
1
Imagined Possibilities
2
Imagined Possibilities
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Time in a Bottle
3
Time in a Bottle
3
Ice Shard
1
Ice Shard
4
Avalanche
1
Avalanche
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation
6
Promising Future
3
Promising Future
6
Sands of Time
3
Sands of Time
9
Buried in Ice
1
Buried in Ice

A Word about Generous Donors

Three blends that we shall not recommend, no grounds of currently showing no redeeming qualities, are SwainSwain AnnieAnnie, JhinJhin YasuoYasuo, and ZoeZoe BardBard.

Do notice that, as any popular blend, these do affect the meta by ways of donating LPs to the rest of the field – if you are considering a medley with which to stick in the coming weeks, then blends that do poorly against any of the above may actually be a good idea (as long as your weapon of choice has good odds against the truly strong brews), since one would expect such medleys to perform better once bad brews are weeded out and the meta is whittled into shape.


Let us Dig Further

Artists know well that first impressions are crucial – yet appearances are deceiving, and they satisfy only the crude and shallow: discerning eyes find true delight in layers of nuance.

These extremely popular blends could, at first glance, be said to be mediocre at best…

… but let us scratch under the surface, shall we? Maybe there is more than what is seen at first sight.


Annie Jhin

Here we are at last – the most popular champion pair: the Virtuoso and his odd choice of sidekick, the blazing brat.

Time to discriminate wheat from chaff, my friend: this very, very good medley's performance is being dragged into the mud by a quite popular but rather atrocious concoction running Ravenbloom ConservatoryRavenbloom Conservatory, and other weak variations that do not serve this archetype well.

Those are not the blends you want to be on – whereas the below formula, including such interesting options as The StagehandThe Stagehand, is the correct one: its WR is well above 55% over more than a thousand games.

Regions
Runeterra
28 cards
Noxus
12 cards
Rarities
22 000
champion
6
epic
0
rare
3
common
31
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
15
2
7
3
3
4
0
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Annie
3
Annie
4
Jhin
3
Jhin
Followers
28
1
Crackshot Corsair
3
Crackshot Corsair
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
2
Boomcrew Rookie
3
Boomcrew Rookie
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Solari Sunhawk
3
Solari Sunhawk
2
The Stagehand
3
The Stagehand
2
Tusk Speaker
3
Tusk Speaker
3
Arachnoid Sentry
1
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Doombeast
3
Doombeast
Spells
6
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Zed Bard

Another case of a very strong blend being marred by awful mash-ups – there is an appalling concoction, which includes God-Willow SeedlingGod-Willow Seedling, that smells like a ruse to hoodwink naive pilots into donating LPs.

Yes, it is that foul.

On the other hand, the below blend – already the most popular, thankfully – is booting butts most thoroughly, its WR North of 55% across 1200 games.

Regions
Ionia
31 cards
Runeterra
9 cards
Rarities
26 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
8
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
9
2
12
3
10
4
0
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Zed
3
Zed
4
Bard
3
Bard
Followers
25
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Inspiring Mentor
3
Inspiring Mentor
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Navori Highwayman
3
Navori Highwayman
3
Greenglade Elder
3
Greenglade Elder
3
Shadow Assassin
3
Shadow Assassin
3
The Maker
3
The Maker
4
Fae Guide
1
Fae Guide
7
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
3
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
Spells
9
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
4
Concussive Palm
2
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Will of Ionia
2
Will of Ionia

Miss Fortune Annie

Pirates, but with Annie – simple, yet effective.

There are several slight variations of this concept, all of them with somewhat mediocre results – except this spicy blend, making room for Eye of NagakabourosEye of Nagakabouros and Brother's Bond by cutting Precious PetPrecious Pet. Sky-high WR over nearly three hundred games.

Regions
Bilgewater
16 cards
Noxus
24 cards
Rarities
26 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
8
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
10
2
8
3
5
4
2
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Annie
3
Annie
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
Followers
25
1
Crackshot Corsair
3
Crackshot Corsair
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Legion Grenadier
3
Legion Grenadier
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
3
Arachnoid Sentry
2
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Island Navigator
2
Island Navigator
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
Spells
9
2
Brothers' Bond
1
Brothers' Bond
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
2
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Illaoi Bard

Recommendations become a bit murky in this case, so proceed with caution – unlike the other blends in this section, the differences between good and bad lists are not clear-cut, and sample sizes are small.

Still, the below-recommended formula fares fairly well, while other variations of this archetype struggle below 50%.

Regions
Bilgewater
28 cards
Runeterra
12 cards
Rarities
27 600
champion
6
epic
4
rare
9
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
12
2
6
3
8
4
3
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Bard
3
Bard
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
Landmarks
3
2
Mystic Vortex
3
Mystic Vortex
Followers
22
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Pool Shark
3
Pool Shark
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
4
Zap Sprayfin
2
Zap Sprayfin
8
Nagakabouros
2
Nagakabouros
Spells
9
2
Answered Prayer
3
Answered Prayer
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Other Promising Options

Garen Bard

As noted yesterday, BardBard has not pulled off the miracle of turning Elites into a competitive archetype – the Elites-heavy version of this archetype, which includes BattlesmithBattlesmith and Vanguard RedeemerVanguard Redeemer, performs quite badly.

On the other hand, a fairly similar Bannerman list, but relying on Fleetfeather TrackerFleetfeather Tracker and Esmus, Breath of the WorldEsmus, Breath of the World, will serve you well, my friend – that's the list you want to take to the ladder!

Strong Against: Jhinnie

Struggles Against: Deep, Kuvillux, Lurkers

Regions
Demacia
34 cards
Runeterra
6 cards
Rarities
27 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
12
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
13
2
6
3
6
4
5
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Bard
3
Bard
5
Garen
3
Garen
Followers
26
1
Cithria of Cloudfield
3
Cithria of Cloudfield
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Laurent Protege
3
Laurent Protege
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Sergeant
4
Vanguard Bannerman
3
Vanguard Bannerman
6
Cithria the Bold
3
Cithria the Bold
Spells
8
1
Demacian Tellstones
1
Demacian Tellstones
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
5
Golden Aegis
2
Golden Aegis

Ezreal Annie

While blends with Ravenbloom ConservatoryRavenbloom Conservatory are dragging Jhinnie's overall performance through the mud, TybaulkTybaulk's favorite landmark may have found a home with Ezreal Annie.

Matchups are all over the place, though, so proceed with care.

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Zed Bard, Yuumi Pantheon

Struggles Against: Deep and Thralls (horribly!), Kuvillux.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
16 cards
Noxus
24 cards
Rarities
24 000
champion
6
epic
0
rare
13
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
1
0
15
1
12
2
9
3
3
4
0
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Annie
3
Annie
3
Ezreal
3
Ezreal
Landmarks
3
1
Ravenbloom Conservatory
3
Ravenbloom Conservatory
Followers
9
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
2
Spell Slinger
3
Spell Slinger
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
Spells
22
0
Thermogenic Beam
1
Thermogenic Beam
1
Blade's Edge
3
Blade's Edge
1
Piltovan Tellstones
3
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Disintegrate
3
Disintegrate
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
3
Death's Hand
3
Death's Hand
4
Statikk Shock
3
Statikk Shock

Taric Poppy Demacia

For a connoisseur such as yourself, my friend – here is perhaps the most notable finding from today's already bountiful selection: 59% WR, nearly a thousand games with this exact formula,  yet overall play-rate low enough to still be a well-kept secret…

… some of its matchups are atrocious, making this blend's fate highly dependent on how the Meta winds will blow, but as of right now, it's a hidden gem.

Strong Against: Jhinnie, Thralls, Deep, Zed Bard

Struggles Against: Kuvillux and Lurkers (horrible matchups!)

Regions
Demacia
25 cards
Mount Targon
15 cards
Rarities
26 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
8
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
16
2
3
3
7
4
6
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Poppy
3
Poppy
4
Taric
3
Taric
Followers
23
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Solari Soldier
3
Solari Soldier
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Laurent Protege
3
Laurent Protege
5
Mountain Sojourners
3
Mountain Sojourners
Spells
11
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
4
Relentless Pursuit
1
Relentless Pursuit
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Very well, my friend…

… I truly hope you find our selection today to your liking and delight!

Any questions or comments, or more data you may need, feel free to:

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

Ping me on Discord: https://discord.gg/VNN5NmGhXY,

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

And good luck in your climb!