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By the Numbers – Best Decks, 24hs into the 3.16 Patch

With 24hs of data, these are the early best-performing decks from Patch 3.16!

Note: This is an older article - for the most up-to-date data, check the latest LoR Best Decks article!!

With 24 hours of data from Patch 3.16, these are the best LoR decks right now, according to Balco and Mastering Runeterra Meta Tier List:

Legends of Runeterra Decks - Meta Tier List

Not too surprisingly on the first post-patch day, many of the best LoR decks from last week are still among the Top Dogs… but Swain, Leona and good ol' Aurelion Sol are clawing their way up on the charts, and as we'll see below, they are not the only Champs that have jumped from obscurity right into the fray. Let's check their decks in detail!


Twisted Fate Swain, ft. Katarina

Nothing like a rejuvenated crowd favorite to take the ladder by storm! As Shadawx showcased yesterday, good ol' TF Swain was in a lot of pilots' radar, leading to a play rate of over 15% right now – numbers not seen since Illaoi Bard tried, and Kai'Sa succeeded, in breaking the meta during Forces from Beyond.

The most popular list currently punches above the 54% WR mark across 2,000+ games, and there are tons of successful variations – time to rejoice for anybody putting Empire above all.

TF Swain seems to squash Plunder and Taric Poppy (two of last patch's Top Dogs), and thus far beats Leona Aurelion Sol – Lee Sin Nami, though, kicks its behind most firmly.

Regions
Noxus
18 cards
Bilgewater
22 cards
Rarities
30 100
champion
6
epic
7
rare
5
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
11
2
7
3
5
4
6
5
0
6
4
7+
Champions
6
3
Katarina
1
Katarina
4
Twisted Fate
2
Twisted Fate
5
Swain
3
Swain
Followers
20
1
Crusty Codger
1
Crusty Codger
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Dreadway Deckhand
2
Dreadway Deckhand
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
2
Marai Warden
1
Marai Warden
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
7
The Leviathan
3
The Leviathan
8
Riptide Rex
1
Riptide Rex
Spells
14
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Disintegrate
2
Disintegrate
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Noxian Fervor
2
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Guillotine
1
Noxian Guillotine
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Swain Caitlyn

A very interesting take on the Tri-beam ImprobulatorTri-beam Improbulator Noxus Tempo archetype, with Swain taking the spot (although arguably not the role) that Draven used to have. The most popular list currently punches at a sillily high 56%+ WR in around 300 games – it appears to have a slight edge on TF Swain, but thus far its odds against Lee Sin Nami are disastrous.

Regions
Noxus
20 cards
Piltover & Zaun
20 cards
Rarities
29 600
champion
6
epic
6
rare
8
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
3
1
3
2
19
3
4
4
6
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Caitlyn
3
Caitlyn
5
Swain
3
Swain
Followers
13
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Aloof Travelers
1
Aloof Travelers
7
The Leviathan
3
The Leviathan
Spells
21
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
3
Aftershock
2
Aftershock
3
Death's Hand
3
Death's Hand
3
Piltover Peacemaker
3
Piltover Peacemaker
3
Scorched Earth
2
Scorched Earth
4
Parts Made Whole
3
Parts Made Whole
5
Tri-beam Improbulator
3
Tri-beam Improbulator

Leona Aurelion Sol DEDemacia

Two little-seen Champions brought to the fore!

And, in some cases, actually three: several builds, which don't seem to (thus far) do very well, add a copy of Zoe – at least this early on, going all-in on the Leona-Asol duo is a better bet.

Matchup data is hard to parse (since there are a mixture of good and bad builds), but TF Swain and Lee Sin Nami sound like bad news for this this sunny duo, while Taric Poppy presents very good odds.

Regions
Demacia
5 cards
Mount Targon
35 cards
Rarities
24 200
champion
5
epic
3
rare
12
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
14
2
5
3
2
4
11
5
0
6
5
7+
Champions
5
5
Leona
3
Leona
10
Aurelion Sol
2
Aurelion Sol
Followers
21
1
Solari Soldier
3
Solari Soldier
2
Solari Shieldbearer
3
Solari Shieldbearer
2
Solari Sunhawk
2
Solari Sunhawk
3
Solari Priestess
2
Solari Priestess
3
Sun Guardian
3
Sun Guardian
4
Solari Sunforger
2
Solari Sunforger
5
Rahvun, Daylight's Spear
3
Rahvun, Daylight's Spear
7
Eclipse Dragon
3
Eclipse Dragon
Spells
14
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Hush
1
Hush
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Sunburst
3
Sunburst

Lee Sin Nami, ft. Twisted Fate

Yeah: it's not a silly pun, it's just hard data – this thing kicks butts.

None of the popular new decks (Swain builds, Leona Asol, Elise Nocturne, Yasuo Leona) seem to be able to put up a fight against Blind Monk and Tidecaller. And Taric Poppy – one of the last patch's Top Dogs that can make a dent on Lee Sin Nami – seems to have a really rough time against the current field.

As scores of top pilots have suggested: if you have any stakes in Seasonals, and/or want to focus the rest of your ladder climb on what's very likely the best LoR deck, then this is it.

Regions
Bilgewater
20 cards
Ionia
20 cards
Rarities
35 100
champion
6
epic
9
rare
19
common
6
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
11
2
5
3
4
4
8
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Nami
3
Nami
4
Twisted Fate
1
Twisted Fate
5
Lee Sin
2
Lee Sin
Followers
15
1
Vastayan Disciple
3
Vastayan Disciple
2
Coral Creatures
3
Coral Creatures
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
5
Fleet Admiral Shelly
3
Fleet Admiral Shelly
8
Wiggly Burblefish
3
Wiggly Burblefish
Spells
19
1
Ionian Tellstones
3
Ionian Tellstones
1
Wuju Style
3
Wuju Style
2
Heavy Metal
2
Heavy Metal
2
Momentous Choice
3
Momentous Choice
3
Double Trouble
2
Double Trouble
4
Concussive Palm
1
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Akshan Pantheon

These two champs had their ups and down last Patch – today we find their best list punching above 54% in well over 300 games.  

Regions
Mount Targon
16 cards
Shurima
24 cards
Rarities
30 800
champion
6
epic
8
rare
3
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
12
2
11
3
5
4
1
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Akshan
3
Akshan
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Equipments
5
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
3
The Darkin Bloodletters
2
The Darkin Lodestone
2
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
14
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Mountain Goat
2
Mountain Goat
3
Merciless Hunter
1
Merciless Hunter
3
Vekauran Vagabond
2
Vekauran Vagabond
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wandering Shepherd
Spells
15
1
Shaped Stone
2
Shaped Stone
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Ruthless Predator
1
Ruthless Predator
2
The Absolver
1
The Absolver
3
Desert Duel
3
Desert Duel
3
Grappling Hook
1
Grappling Hook
3
Quicksand
1
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation
5
Heedless Resurrection
1
Heedless Resurrection

Fiora Pantheon

Quite the little-played archetype, but with some scary numbers – and a returned Champ that may give some old-timers nightmares. By the low play rate, probably the brainchild of just a handful of very dedicated, highly-skilled pilots, hitting above 56% in nearly 300 games. 

Regions
Demacia
15 cards
Mount Targon
25 cards
Rarities
28 500
champion
6
epic
5
rare
8
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
17
2
7
3
6
4
4
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Fiora
3
Fiora
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Equipments
3
2
The Darkin Lodestone
3
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
18
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Durand Protege
2
Durand Protege
3
Iula
2
Iula
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wandering Shepherd
6
Camphor, the Doubt
2
Camphor, the Doubt
Spells
13
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
3
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
2
Golden Aegis

Elise Nocturne NXNoxus

Dipping into Noxus only for Precious PetPrecious Pet, and leaning onto the Mistwraith package, the best Elise Nocturne deck comfortably reaches the 53% WR threshold in nearly 300 games.

According to this early glimpse at the data, versions with The Twisted TreelineThe Twisted Treeline, or leaning into the classic Noxus aggro spiders & spells package, are not doing too well.

Regions
Noxus
3 cards
Shadow Isles
37 cards
Rarities
23 600
champion
6
epic
0
rare
11
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
9
1
12
2
7
3
9
4
0
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
3
Elise
4
Nocturne
3
Nocturne
Followers
23
1
Precious Pet
3
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
Doombeast
2
Doombeast
3
Frenzied Skitterer
3
Frenzied Skitterer
4
Wraithcaller
3
Wraithcaller
Spells
11
0
Fading Memories
3
Fading Memories
1
Mark of the Isles
3
Mark of the Isles
3
Stalking Shadows
2
Stalking Shadows
4
Risen Mists
3
Risen Mists

Taric Poppy

The Hammer Duo is having a hard time accommodating to this new Meta – arguably the second-best deck by the end of last patch (and one of the few that can beat the very best, namely Nami Lee Sin), Taric Poppy is in the uncomfortable spot of being soundly beaten by several of the newcomers: odds against Leona Aurelion Sol and TF Swain look disastrous, and Elise Nocturne is an uphill struggle too.

They still manage to get a very solid WR overall, but much of their edge seems lost.

Regions
Demacia
19 cards
Mount Targon
21 cards
Rarities
28 700
champion
6
epic
5
rare
9
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
15
2
3
3
8
4
6
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Poppy
3
Poppy
4
Taric
3
Taric
Equipments
2
2
The Darkin Lodestone
2
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
20
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Frightened Ibex
2
Frightened Ibex
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Tyari the Traveler
3
Tyari the Traveler
3
Laurent Protege
3
Laurent Protege
5
Mountain Sojourners
3
Mountain Sojourners
Spells
12
1
Ranger's Resolve
3
Ranger's Resolve
2
Guiding Touch
3
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
1
Pale Cascade
4
Bastion
1
Bastion
4
Relentless Pursuit
1
Relentless Pursuit
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Fiora Taric

On the other hand, across just a handful of games, Taric Fiora (in pretty much the same shell as Taric Poppy, plus some extra protection spells) is doing amazingly well. Has Taric found a new best friend to climb with?

Regions
Demacia
26 cards
Mount Targon
14 cards
Rarities
26 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
8
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
16
2
2
3
9
4
8
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Fiora
3
Fiora
4
Taric
3
Taric
Followers
19
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
2
Tyari the Traveler
3
Tyari the Traveler
3
Laurent Protege
2
Laurent Protege
5
Mountain Sojourners
3
Mountain Sojourners
Spells
15
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Pale Cascade
2
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
1
Single Combat
4
Relentless Pursuit
3
Relentless Pursuit
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Miss Fortune Swain

"Alright, big Daddy," Sarah said, "we've got a deal – the card slinger is all yours, if you want him so much. But you, and that big boat of yours, you're coming with me. And you call me Captain."

Regions
Bilgewater
25 cards
Noxus
15 cards
Rarities
30 800
champion
6
epic
8
rare
3
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
8
2
6
3
3
4
6
5
2
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Swain
3
Swain
Followers
24
1
Crusty Codger
3
Crusty Codger
1
Jagged Butcher
3
Jagged Butcher
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
7
The Leviathan
3
The Leviathan
Spells
10
2
Make it Rain
2
Make it Rain
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Riptide Sermon
2
Riptide Sermon

Stay Tuned for More!

On early Friday, we'll have a look at which are the best LoR decks with 40 hours of data.And on Friday afternoon, Sirturmund and Monte will have their first recommended Tournaments & Gauntlets decks and lineups – leading right to our Big Birthday Tournament on Saturday!