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Weekend Warrior Weapons – Twenty-Five Potent Brews, from Last-Week Staples to Recent Discoveries, to Climb the Ladder With

Ahri Kennen still rules the Meta... yet Kindred, spiders and fatty furry critters have taken the ladder by storm!
Runeterra Decks

Welcome, my friend, welcome!

Friday's here…

… and what a Friday, indeed! First of this meta, and first of the year; first first Friday is frankly as fine and first-rate an alliteration as one could possibly fancy!

But you are not here for puns and wordplay, so do excuse my outburst! Please, step inside, and let me show you our current selection of fine brews and exotic blends, meticulously curated from notable numeromancers Legna (link) & Balco (link).

By the way, did yesterday's small sample succeed in whetting your appetite? Because we do have five-fold the options today! So, would you like to…

… check an overview of how this brave, recently-balanced Meta looks like?

… take fatty furry critters to the ladder?

  • Legacy Poros, aka Champless FR P&Z, which took the ladder by storm,
  • Braum Poros,
  • Jinx Poros,

… relish in playing one of the new, competitive Kindred decks, which lets be honest, by itself makes this patch worth it?

  • Kindred Viego, a variation of tried-and-true Thresh Viego,
  • Elise Kindred Sentinels, which underwent a lot of experimentation during the previous meta but never quite clicked,
  • A similar approach with Elise Kindred Vi,
  • Yet another take with Elise Kindred Ezreal,

… aim for ruthless efficiency and climb with the still-ruling elite?

  • Ahri Kennen Shurima, its rule uncontested,
  • Pantheon Taric, now the best-performing Pantheon variant,
  • Elise Noxus, clawing her way upwards,
  • Draven Rumble, chuckling "Hey, we've got elusive Poros too!"
  • Lonesome Pantheon, stoically standing in its former shadow's shadow,
  • Pantheon Shyvana, punishing Poros with fiery rage,
  • Lurker, because they are always there,
  • Darkness, rooting for Spiders over Poros,

… take the not-so-popular, yet quite potent, for a spin?

  • Elise Trundle, sailing the rather unpopulated Control waters,
  • Pirates, thriving in the turbulent meta,
  • Ahri Lulu,
  • Dragons,
  • Fizz Lulu, not showing nowhere near the playrate it has last week, but still all the winrate,
  • Lulu Poppy, aka Lulu Drift, aka Revenge of the Avatar of Azirelia,
  • Ramp Aurelion Zol,

… or join the scientific efforts trying to bring Freljord to the Meta's top?

  • Trundle Tryndamere P&Z,
  • Trundle Sejuani Tryndamere, aka Feel the Ramp,
  • Elise Tryndamere, proving there are many ways to make a spider fat.

Do bear in mind that all numbers and stats relate to a deck's performance on the Ranked Ladder (at Platinum and above, specifically).

If your interested in Tournament and/or Gauntlet lineups -- in case that, say, you're considering competing in the Fourth Qualifier (link) for our very own $5K Championship this coming Sunday -- you'd do well to check Wamuu's latest Tournament Tech article (link).

Kings, Beggars, and Newcomers: a First Glance to this Brave New Meta

These are the best performing decks, from among those that currently show a playrate larger than 1% in Platinum, Diamond and Masters:

Data by Balco

… and these are the kindest, most munificent souls who generously donate LPs left, right and center:

Data by Balco

… so, my friend, do tell the people what you have seen today: Sun Disc decks remain utterly underclassed poro poop, and other old, popular archetypes have apparently not received enough Riot love to return to relevance.

There are two interesting details to note, though, about the fickle nature of deck brewing:

  • During the past meta, week after week Lonesome Pantheon showed superiority over the Taric variant by an ample margin… Yet this week, as the meta shifted around them, so did their respective performances. We shall see if this early trend proves true, but I do find it a beautiful example of how decks cannot simply be juxtaposed side by side when desiring to find out which is superior -- one needs to consider the rest of the field to reveal their power levels.
  • Elise Freljord combines two concepts that most definitely work in this meta -- namely Elise and her spiders, and making small things big through Iceborn LegacyIceborn Legacy --  yet it does not seem to find success. Goes to show that what works on paper does not always do so on the ladder… yet, as we shall see, research is far from over in this particular direction.

And one so sharp-sighted as yourself surely noted Nightfall's nonattendance in the above two lists: Diana and her nocturnal crew seem to be the one old archetype that the buffs did manage to push into "playable" range, although for now not much farther than the 50% winrate mark where it currently sits.

The Pilose Poro Pack

If you have been anywhere near the ladders as of late, you have surely seen them: hairy, elusive Daring PoroDaring Poros made huge by Iceborn LegacyIceborn Legacy.

As it is customary tradition for any patch, harrowing shrieks for nerfs soon followed, yet as preeminent pilots have pointed, such bawls may have been perhaps a tad hasty: as noted below, these blends -- while objectively strong, and perhaps subjectively frustrating -- have no lack of very strong counters.

Legacy Poros, aka Champless Freljord P&Z

Currently the most popular deck on the ladder by a very wide margin: play elusive Poros, nourish and fatten the cute little buggers, punch face. As said above, weak to several of the strong Meta decks.

Strong Against: Darkness, Elise Trundle, Kindred Viego, Thralls.

Struggles Against: Ahri Kennen blends, Draven Rumble, Elise Noxus, Nightfall, Pantheon Taric & Pantheon Shyvana, Ahri Lulu, Pirates

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
25 cards
Freljord
15 cards
Rarities
6 200
champion
0
epic
0
rare
11
common
29
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
15
1
14
2
6
3
0
4
3
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
0
Followers
16
1
Daring Poro
3
Daring Poro
1
Forge Chief
2
Forge Chief
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Avarosan Sentry
3
Avarosan Sentry
2
Poro Herder
2
Poro Herder
3
Station Archivist
3
Station Archivist
Spells
24
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
1
Stress Testing
2
Stress Testing
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Iterative Improvement
3
Iterative Improvement
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
3
Time Trick
3
Poro Snax
3
Poro Snax
5
Iceborn Legacy
3
Iceborn Legacy
8
Battle Fury
2
Battle Fury

Braum Poros

A somewhat different take with good performance over 400+ games, although it loses when facing the Championless version. Unrivaled for showing off that Santa Braum skin though.

Strong Against: Elise Trundle, Darkness

Struggles Against: Champless Poros, Ahri Kennen, Draven Rumble, Pantheon Taric

Regions
Freljord
25 cards
Piltover & Zaun
15 cards
Rarities
18 000
champion
3
epic
3
rare
10
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
15
2
3
3
4
4
6
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
3
4
Braum
3
Braum
Followers
13
1
Daring Poro
3
Daring Poro
1
Lonely Poro
3
Lonely Poro
2
Patched Porobot
3
Patched Porobot
2
Poro Herder
3
Poro Herder
4
Fabled Poro
1
Fabled Poro
Spells
24
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
1
Three Sisters
3
Three Sisters
2
Iterative Improvement
3
Iterative Improvement
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Troll Chant
3
Troll Chant
3
Poro Snax
3
Poro Snax
5
Aurora Porealis
3
Aurora Porealis
5
Iceborn Legacy
3
Iceborn Legacy

Jinx Poros

An experimental build with little data, very similar to the Champless variant but seems to actually be favored against it.

Also, it has Jinx!

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
28 cards
Freljord
12 cards
Rarities
14 100
champion
3
epic
0
rare
7
common
30
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
13
1
15
2
6
3
3
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
3
4
Jinx
3
Jinx
Followers
18
1
Daring Poro
3
Daring Poro
1
Forge Chief
3
Forge Chief
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Avarosan Sentry
3
Avarosan Sentry
2
Poro Herder
3
Poro Herder
3
Station Archivist
3
Station Archivist
Spells
19
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
1
Stress Testing
1
Stress Testing
2
Iterative Improvement
3
Iterative Improvement
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
3
Time Trick
3
Poro Snax
3
Poro Snax
5
Iceborn Legacy
3
Iceborn Legacy

Kindred Unleashed

You know me, my friend: I am not one to issue one caveat when I can furnish two or three.

And, right now, part of me feels compelled to mumble them by the dozens, because harshly learned life lessons have taught us that, when something is too good to be true, it usually is not.

Yet, here we are: competitive Kindred decks.

Plural.

Let the hunt begin!

Kindred Viego

More than 1500 games at high level and a 52% winrate strongly suggest this archetype is neither meme nor fluke.

And our recommended list has performed above the 55% winrate mark, with more than 400 games under its belt.

It does have a hard time against several of the most powerful decks in the format though, but screw caveats: this works, my friend. This works!

Strong Against: Elise Trundle, Lonesome Pantheon, Aurelion Zoe

Struggles Against: Poros, Ahri Kennen, Darkness, Elise Noxus, Draven Rumble

Regions
Ionia
18 cards
Shadow Isles
22 cards
Rarities
25 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
6
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
0
1
13
2
6
3
12
4
0
5
6
6
3
7+
Champions
6
4
Kindred
3
Kindred
6
Viego
3
Viego
Followers
12
2
Greenglade Lookout
3
Greenglade Lookout
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Shadow Assassin
3
Shadow Assassin
7
Invasive Hydravine
3
Invasive Hydravine
Spells
22
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Syncopation
1
Syncopation
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
Concussive Palm
2
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Spirit's Refuge
2
Spirit's Refuge
4
The Box
1
The Box
4
Will of Ionia
2
Will of Ionia
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance

Elise Kindred Sentinels

A blend that saw quite a bit of experimentation when Jayce and his support cards were released, now surging again after Kindred's buffs. With around 400 games played at high level, it shows an extremely interesting matchup table. 

First, this seems to be one of the few decks that actually loses to Sun Disc decks, which one would assume is good news: once Azir's loyal followers get the message that their favorite deck is really, really bad, the meta may become more favorable to EKS.

Second, notice its favorable odds against two of the strongest decks in the format.

Strong Against: Poros, Ahri Kennen, Lurkers

Struggles Against: Sun Disc, Darkness

Regions
Shadow Isles
28 cards
Piltover & Zaun
12 cards
Rarities
26 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
11
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
3
1
10
2
3
3
11
4
2
5
2
6
6
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
3
Elise
4
Kindred
3
Kindred
Followers
15
1
Burgeoning Sentinel
3
Burgeoning Sentinel
2
Ferros Financier
1
Ferros Financier
3
Buhru Sentinel
3
Buhru Sentinel
4
Aloof Travelers
3
Aloof Travelers
5
Officer Squad
2
Officer Squad
7
The Rekindler
1
The Rekindler
9
Commander Ledros
2
Commander Ledros
Spells
19
0
Thermogenic Beam
3
Thermogenic Beam
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
The Box
3
The Box
4
Withering Wail
2
Withering Wail
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
2
Atrocity
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination

Elise Kindred Vi

A somewhat similar build but with a host of new tricks. Performs even better than the non-Vi version, has similar problems with Sun Disc (hence even more reason for optimism), and also appears to be a strong Ahri Kennen counter.

Strong Against: Elise Trundle, Ahri Kennen, Darkness

Struggles Against: Sun Disc

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
11 cards
Shadow Isles
29 cards
Rarities
27 400
champion
6
epic
4
rare
8
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
3
1
11
2
3
3
9
4
3
5
3
6
6
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
1
Elise
4
Kindred
3
Kindred
5
Vi
2
Vi
Followers
12
1
Burgeoning Sentinel
3
Burgeoning Sentinel
2
Minion
2
Minion
3
Buhru Sentinel
3
Buhru Sentinel
9
Commander Ledros
2
Commander Ledros
9
Corina Veraza
2
Corina Veraza
Spells
22
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
Statikk Shock
2
Statikk Shock
4
The Box
2
The Box
4
Withering Wail
2
Withering Wail
5
Grasp of the Undying
1
Grasp of the Undying
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
2
Atrocity

Elise Kindred Ezreal

An experimental version, favored by preeminent pilot 4WL in their ascension to Top 10. 

Strong Against: Poros, Ahri Kennen, Elise Noxus

Struggles Against: Elise Trundle

Regions
Shadow Isles
20 cards
Piltover & Zaun
20 cards
Rarities
27 000
champion
6
epic
4
rare
6
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
6
1
15
2
8
3
5
4
0
5
2
6
1
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
3
Elise
3
Ezreal
1
Ezreal
4
Kindred
2
Kindred
Followers
16
1
Burgeoning Sentinel
3
Burgeoning Sentinel
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
3
Buhru Sentinel
3
Buhru Sentinel
3
Station Archivist
3
Station Archivist
4
Aloof Travelers
3
Aloof Travelers
9
Commander Ledros
1
Commander Ledros
Spells
18
0
Thermogenic Beam
3
Thermogenic Beam
1
Go Hard
3
Go Hard
2
Glimpse Beyond
1
Glimpse Beyond
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
3
Time Trick
2
Vile Feast
2
Vile Feast
3
Aftershock
1
Aftershock
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance

The Ruling Royalty: Strongest Meta Staples

Much as the buffs may have shaken the Meta's middle tiers (and infested the ladder with fattened furry critters), the cream of the crop remains fairly unchanged.

If you favor the tried and true, my friend, then you probably know it already, because it is likely what you were piloting three days ago.

Their Royal Majesties, Ahri Kennen Shurima

Its rule currently undisputed and uncontested, Ahri Kennen Shurima shows winrates the likes of which nerf hammers are made of.

The SI version, featuring Go HardGo Hard, still packs one hell of a punch but (except when facing each other) remains an inferior choice.

Strong Against: Pretty much everything not list below

Struggles Against: Spider decks, Anivia SI, Pirates, Elise Kindred (& Vi). May be weak to Nightfall, too.

Regions
Ionia
38 cards
Shurima
2 cards
Rarities
24 200
champion
6
epic
0
rare
14
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
16
2
5
3
7
4
0
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Kennen
3
Kennen
2
Ahri
3
Ahri
Landmarks
2
3
God-Willow Seedling
2
God-Willow Seedling
Followers
18
1
Dancing Droplet
3
Dancing Droplet
1
The Mourned
3
The Mourned
2
Fae Bladetwirler
3
Fae Bladetwirler
2
Navori Conspirator
3
Navori Conspirator
3
Shadow Assassin
3
Shadow Assassin
4
Kinkou Wayfinder
3
Kinkou Wayfinder
Spells
14
1
Recall
3
Recall
2
Nopeify!
2
Nopeify!
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
4
Deny
1
Deny
4
Homecoming
3
Homecoming

Taric Pantheon

A potential case study of how a deck's strength cannot be measured in a vacuum: Taric Pantheon lived under Lonesome Pantheon's shadow the whole of last meta… yet the Taric variant now finds itself the clearly superior option, notably by its much better matchup against the fatty furry menace.

It is too soon to celebrate, though: this blend's Achilles' heel is Elise Spiders (its odds being in the 10% range), so the ebb and flow of the meta may again turn the tables next week.

Strong Against: Poros, Darkness, Lonesome Pantheon

Struggles Against: Elise Noxus, Ahri Kennen, Akshan Sivir 

Regions
Demacia
11 cards
Mount Targon
29 cards
Rarities
24 200
champion
6
epic
0
rare
14
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
13
2
6
3
12
4
4
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
4
Taric
3
Taric
Followers
9
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
Spells
25
2
Hush
2
Hush
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Zenith Blade
3
Zenith Blade
4
Bastion
3
Bastion
4
Blessing of Targon
3
Blessing of Targon
5
Concerted Strike
3
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis
6
Redoubled Valor
2
Redoubled Valor

Elise Noxus

Now countering two of the most powerful decks, few are enjoying this meta as much as our Mistress of Many Legs.

This blend's matchups tend to be very lopsided one way or the other (good matchups are great, bad matchups are horrible), so it may not be a flawless formula if you fancy fair fights in most games. Having said that, great winrate and quick matches make it one of the most efficient ladder climbers currently.

Strong Against: Poros, Ahri Kennen, Kindred Viego, Lurkers, Pantheon builds

Struggles Against: Darkness, Draven Rumble, Pirates, Ahri Lulu

Regions
Noxus
21 cards
Shadow Isles
19 cards
Rarities
14 700
champion
3
epic
0
rare
10
common
27
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
13
2
12
3
0
4
0
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
3
2
Elise
3
Elise
Followers
27
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
1
Precious Pet
3
Precious Pet
1
Stygian Onlooker
3
Stygian Onlooker
2
Arachnoid Horror
3
Arachnoid Horror
2
House Spider
3
House Spider
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Doombeast
3
Doombeast
3
Frenzied Skitterer
3
Frenzied Skitterer
Spells
10
2
Unto Dusk
1
Unto Dusk
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Stalking Shadows
3
Stalking Shadows
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Draven Rumble

Making room for the full complement of Daring PoroDaring Poros, Draven Rumble went from "ain't no deck for Rumble" a few weeks ago to "top of the meta" now.

Strong Against: Poros, Elise Noxus, Kindred Viego, Lurkers, Thralls

Struggles Against: Elise Trundle, Elise Kindred blends (horrible matchup).

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
19 cards
Noxus
21 cards
Rarities
23 700
champion
6
epic
1
rare
6
common
27
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
12
2
12
3
3
4
0
5
3
6
1
7+
Champions
6
3
Draven
3
Draven
4
Rumble
3
Rumble
Followers
16
1
Reborn Grenadier
3
Reborn Grenadier
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Ballistic Bot
3
Ballistic Bot
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Fallen Rider
3
Fallen Rider
8
Lost Soul
1
Lost Soul
Spells
18
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
3
Ambush
1
Ambush
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
3
Might
3
Might
3
Whirling Death
2
Whirling Death
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Lonesome Pantheon

Standing stoic under its former shadow's shadow, the Lonesome blend is still one of this meta's most potent blends.

Strong Against: Elise Kindred blends

Struggles Against: Ahri Kennen, Kindred Viego, Elise Noxus, Thralls

Regions
Demacia
18 cards
Mount Targon
22 cards
Rarities
14 700
champion
3
epic
0
rare
10
common
27
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
18
2
9
3
4
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
3
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Followers
12
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
Spells
25
1
Chain Vest
3
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
3
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Zenith Blade
3
Zenith Blade
4
Bastion
1
Bastion
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis

Pantheon Shyvana

Another Pantheon blend capable of punishing Poros, this is preeminent pilot GrandpaRoji's recommended list, also providing appreciable performance in our favorite data sources.

Strong Against: Poros, Elise Trundle, Darkness, Lonesome Pantheon

Struggles Against: Ahri Kennen, Elise Noxus, Kindred Viego

Regions
Demacia
19 cards
Mount Targon
21 cards
Rarities
24 000
champion
6
epic
0
rare
13
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
16
2
6
3
8
4
7
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
4
Shyvana
3
Shyvana
Followers
14
1
Dragon Chow
3
Dragon Chow
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
4
Blinded Mystic
2
Blinded Mystic
5
Screeching Dragon
3
Screeching Dragon
Spells
20
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Hush
2
Hush
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
3
Dragon's Clutch
3
Dragon's Clutch
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
2
Golden Aegis

Pyke Rek'sai, aka Lurkers

While Deep fails to find its footing, there's no doubt who rules the seas.

(Spoiler: Pirates, probably, as we shall soon see! =)

Strong Against: Thralls, Dragons, Pantheon Taric

Struggles Against: Elise Trundle, Ahri Kennen, Elise Noxus, Nightfall, Pirates

Regions
Bilgewater
16 cards
Shurima
24 cards
Rarities
28 600
champion
6
epic
6
rare
3
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
10
1
12
2
6
3
0
4
6
5
3
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Rek'Sai
3
Rek'Sai
5
Pyke
3
Pyke
Followers
30
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
3
Xer'sai Dunebreaker
8
Jaull-fish
3
Jaull-fish
Spells
4
1
Bloodbait
1
Bloodbait
2
Call the Pack
3
Call the Pack

Veigar Senna, aka Darkness

Still strong in this convoluted meta, Darkness keeps its fingers crossed while rooting for Elise to overrun all Poros.

Strong Against: Kindred Viego, Elise Noxus, Elise Kindred blends

Struggles Against: Poros, Pantheon Taric, Deep

Regions
Shadow Isles
15 cards
Bandlecity
25 cards
Rarities
26 200
champion
6
epic
2
rare
13
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
15
2
3
3
7
4
3
5
5
6
4
7+
Champions
6
4
Veigar
3
Veigar
5
Senna
3
Senna
Followers
19
2
Conchologist
3
Conchologist
2
Darkbulb Acolyte
3
Darkbulb Acolyte
2
Twisted Catalyzer
3
Twisted Catalyzer
4
Stilted Robemaker
3
Stilted Robemaker
6
Ixtali Sentinel
3
Ixtali Sentinel
7
The Rekindler
2
The Rekindler
8
Dess & Ada
2
Dess & Ada
Spells
15
1
Group Shot
3
Group Shot
2
Pokey Stick
3
Pokey Stick
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Mist's Call
1
Mist's Call
3
Stress Defense
2
Stress Defense
4
Withering Wail
1
Withering Wail
6
Minimorph
2
Minimorph

Connoisseur's Corner

In the look for something a bit more exotic? No better time than a first first Friday like today, when a big chunk of the meta falls into that category!

All archetypes below have at least 200 games under their belts in Platinum and above, which gives some degree of confidence in their overall performance. Do take everything with a healthy dose of caution, though.

Elise Trundle

Cephalopod and BaJAtakk swear by this Control deck, featuring The Howling AbyssThe Howling Abyss. Its performance is more than decent across a fairly large number of games: a somewhat similar game plan as Poros (in this case Iceborn LegacyIceborn Legacy making spiders fat), but aiming for the late game via TrundleTrundle, Abyss and board wipes.

Strong Against: Lurkers, Draven Rumble, Nightfall, Elise Kindred

Struggles Against: Poros, Kindred Viego, Pantheon Shyvana

Regions
Freljord
17 cards
Shadow Isles
23 cards
Rarities
26 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
11
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
12
2
0
3
5
4
6
5
8
6
1
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
3
Elise
5
Trundle
3
Trundle
Landmarks
5
4
Blighted Ravine
3
Blighted Ravine
6
The Howling Abyss
2
The Howling Abyss
Followers
6
1
Hapless Aristocrat
3
Hapless Aristocrat
2
Avarosan Sentry
3
Avarosan Sentry
Spells
23
1
Crawling Sensation
2
Crawling Sensation
1
Three Sisters
3
Three Sisters
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
The Box
1
The Box
4
Withering Mist
1
Withering Mist
5
Iceborn Legacy
3
Iceborn Legacy
6
Brood Awakening
3
Brood Awakening
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination

Pirates!

Turbulent seas means good time for a bit of old-fashioned piracy, and great matchups into some of the strongest decks out there certainly doesn't hurt.

Our recommended list adds a bit of go-wide punch via Brothers' BondBrothers, and seems to be working wonders.

Strong Against: Poros, Ahri Kennen, Kindred Viego, Elise Noxus, Lurkers

Struggles Against: Not much save Akshan Sivir and Nightfall, apparently

Regions
Noxus
21 cards
Bilgewater
19 cards
Rarities
24 600
champion
6
epic
2
rare
5
common
27
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
11
2
8
3
2
4
4
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Gangplank
3
Gangplank
Followers
23
1
Crackshot Corsair
3
Crackshot Corsair
1
Jagged Butcher
3
Jagged Butcher
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
1
Marai Warden
3
Iron Ballista
2
Iron Ballista
4
Zap Sprayfin
2
Zap Sprayfin
Spells
11
2
Brothers' Bond
1
Brothers' Bond
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Double Up
1
Double Up
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Ahri Lulu

One of the strongest decks last week, still performing very well. Quite solid into Poros.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
24 cards
Ionia
16 cards
Rarities
29 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
7
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
16
2
9
3
3
4
0
5
0
6
6
7+
Champions
6
2
Ahri
3
Ahri
3
Lulu
3
Lulu
Followers
18
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Flame Chompers!
3
Flame Chompers!
3
Sump Dredger
3
Sump Dredger
7
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
3
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
7
Windfarer Hatchling
3
Windfarer Hatchling
Spells
16
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Nopeify!
1
Nopeify!
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
4
Suit Up!
3
Suit Up!

Dragons

Winged fire breathers are doing quite well in this generous meta, chock-full of LP donors.

Strong Against: Elise Trundle

Struggles Against: Ahri Kennen, Lurkers, Elise Noxus