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By the Numbers – Twenty-One Best Meta and Off-Meta Decks

The overwhelming onslaught of Chimes and Tentacles is slowing down… have Kai'Sa and Shen managed to turn the tide?

LoR Best Decks -- Tentacle Tide Turned?


This is an older issue of 'By the Numbers' -- for the most recent article, check this link!!


Last Friday, Illaoi Bard's overwhelming tide seemed unstoppable.

As of early Sunday, the Resistance has managed to slow it down, pushing it a couple of percentage points below from truly broken – according to Balco:

LoR Best Decks -- Meta Tier List

(For context: Riot's rules of thumb for problematic decks are a WR over 55% and a play rate over 15% – an archetype breaking past both thresholds is what we'd label "broken")

Whether or not Illaoi Bard crosses those thresholds depends on how the rest of the field shapes itself – thus far, as noted last Friday, pilots have indeed jumped onto strong decks that have good (KaiSiv) and very good (Shen Bard) odds against the Tentacled Menace.


Technical note – about archetypes and decklists, and what we mean by "best decks"

The above chart groups decks by archetype ("archetype" being the aggregate decklists of a specific champion combination).

Below we'll provide the best decklists for these archetypes – since in each archetype some decklists fare better than others (and sometimes the difference is quite noticeable), we'll broadly group decklists in four arbitrary categories, by amount of games played in the last few days in the data samples we check:

  • Juggernauts: decklists with more than 2100 games – best tried-and-true tools for the climbing job.
  • Heavyweights: between 2100 and 900 games – other excellent choices with large enough samples to confidently say, "Yeah, this works".
  • Punching Up: between 900 and 300 games – we're entering the Land of Small Sample Sizes here, on top of the meta being up in the air, but as far as numbers go, it looks like these decklists can put up one hell of a fight.
  • YMMV: between 300 and 150 games – risky stuff, but here's where you usually find the spice.

For this article, in all cases we'll look at decklists in Platinum and above. 

Sources: Balco, Legna, MaRu's own data-mining.

If you have any feedback on how these decklists could be showcased differently, do let me know! =)


Juggernauts – Best Decks in LoR

LoR Best Decks -- Illaoi Bard, best LoR deck

Decklists with more than 2100 games: these are the best LoR decks, tried-and-true tools for the climbing job.


Illaoi Bard

We have three decklists today that fall in the Juggernaut category…

… and two of them are Illaoi Bard variations – that's how strong this archetype is.

We'll recommend below the second most popular decklist, which slaps at above 56% with more than 2200 games – but if you want to play really safe, you can't go wrong with the most popular version, which punches at 'only' 54% across a bewildering 10,000+ games.

In case you need tips to pilot this powerhouse, Leer has a freshly fished Illaoi Bard Deck Guide; he's not a fan of The ListThe List, so he prefers 1x [Cosmic Binding].

The Tentacled Menace is unfavored against Sivir Kai'Sa (although even against other Kai'Sa mutations), two hot new trends (Katarina TF and Draven Sion), and a severe underdog to the cool new kids in town, Shen Bard.

Regions
Bilgewater
31 cards
Runeterra
9 cards
Rarities
26 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
7
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
1
0
8
1
11
2
6
3
6
4
5
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Bard
3
Bard
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
Followers
18
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
2
Hired Gun
3
Hired Gun
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
Spells
16
0
The List
1
The List
1
Ye Been Warned
2
Ye Been Warned
2
Answered Prayer
2
Answered Prayer
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Blood in the Water
2
Blood in the Water
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Riptide Sermon
3
Riptide Sermon

Annie Jhin

Blazing brat and bullet buff are not having the best of times right now – their list is pretty set in stone, so not many tweaks they have access to – but they are still packing a bit of a punch, at 51.5% WR in 2200+ games.

Their big problem is Illaoi Bard, which is a very bad matchup, with other uphill struggles include Heimer Jayce, Spider-Gwen and Jinx Bard.

On the other hand, Jhinnie is very strong into Shen Bard, so should the meta swing in that direction, Jhinnie's fortunes may rebound.

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

Heavyweights

LoR Best Decks -- Shen Bard

These decklists have between 900 and 2100 games in the last three days, making them solid choices with large enough samples to confidently say, "Yeah, this works."


Irelia Azir

His Sand Soldiers slapped aside by the Tentacle Army, Azir & friends still remain a very solid option, with our recommended decklist reaching 53% in around 2,000 games.

And, interestingly, while being underdog to Illaoi Bard, it's favored against all Kai'Sa mutations (one of Illaoi Bard's counters), and also Shen Bard (the strongest Illaoi Bard counter).

Regions
Shurima
16 cards
Ionia
24 cards
Rarities
26 500
champion
6
epic
3
rare
9
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
13
1
12
2
9
3
1
4
5
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Azir
3
Azir
3
Irelia
3
Irelia
Landmarks
3
2
Emperor's Dais
3
Emperor's Dais
Followers
21
1
Dunekeeper
2
Dunekeeper
1
Shadow Apprentice
3
Shadow Apprentice
1
Sparring Student
3
Sparring Student
1
Treasure Seeker
2
Treasure Seeker
2
Greenglade Duo
3
Greenglade Duo
2
Ribbon Dancer
3
Ribbon Dancer
3
Domination
3
Domination
5
Blossoming Blade
2
Blossoming Blade
Spells
10
1
Rite of Calling
1
Rite of Calling
1
Shaped Stone
2
Shaped Stone
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
4
Homecoming
1
Homecoming
5
Defiant Dance
3
Defiant Dance

Shen Bard

So here it is, the shiny new toy – must be all those Barriers, making it so shiny! =)

Silly jokes aside, this is perhaps this patch's most interesting story thus far: not only a viable Shen deck (finally!), but the one that is indeed preserving the balance.

Calling it "viable" right now is selling it a bit short (it punches at nearly 55%, across 2000 games), but as top pilots have pointed out, caution should be observed: Shen Bard's performance is indeed inflated by its great matchup against Illaoi Bard, while being disfavored against most other popular decks:

LoR Best Decks -- Shen Bard matchup table
Source: Legna

In other words, if you want to put time into a strong Illaoi Bard counter, you may want to look into Sivir Kai'Sa, which we will describe a bit further down.

Regions
Runeterra
9 cards
Ionia
31 cards
Rarities
25 400
champion
6
epic
2
rare
9
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
10
2
3
3
14
4
0
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Bard
3
Bard
4
Shen
3
Shen
Followers
17
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Greenglade Caretaker
3
Greenglade Caretaker
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Kinkou Student
3
Kinkou Student
3
Shadow Assassin
3
Shadow Assassin
7
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
2
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
Spells
17
1
Ghost
2
Ghost
1
Ionian Tellstones
3
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ki Guardian
3
Ki Guardian
2
Nopeify!
1
Nopeify!
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Moral Support
3
Moral Support
4
Spirit's Refuge
3
Spirit's Refuge

Katarina Twisted Fate

A Ravenbloom ConservatoryRavenbloom Conservatory deck without Annie?

Yep!

What's more: this is pretty much Annie TF without Annie – and boy oh boy does swapping the burning brat for the eye-scarred knife juggler seem to work (while, currently, Annie TF is having a rather hard time).

In particular, KaTF has game against Illaoi Bard, and very good odds against Heimer Jayce and Azirelia. It does have an uphill struggle against Kai'Sa and Shen Bard, though, so whether the Tentacle tide turns or pushes forward will impact how well KaTF does.

Regions
Noxus
21 cards
Bilgewater
19 cards
Rarities
28 000
champion
6
epic
4
rare
11
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
9
2
9
3
5
4
3
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
3
Katarina
3
Katarina
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
Landmarks
3
1
Ravenbloom Conservatory
3
Ravenbloom Conservatory
Followers
12
1
Pool Shark
3
Pool Shark
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
3
Arachnoid Sentry
2
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Zap Sprayfin
2
Zap Sprayfin
8
Riptide Rex
2
Riptide Rex
Spells
19
1
Blade's Edge
3
Blade's Edge
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Disintegrate
3
Disintegrate
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Culling Strike
2
Culling Strike
3
Scorched Earth
2
Scorched Earth
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Jinx Bard

Don't sleep on this one, folks.

It's been doing great since the second half of Worldwalker, and has performed incrementally better this week: right now, 54% across 1200 games in the last three days.

Suffers from: Sivir Kai'Sa & Heimer Jayce

Stomps over: Azirelia, Shen Bard, Jhinnie, KatYa

Roughly even: Illaoi Bard, non-Sivir Kai'Sa

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
31 cards
Runeterra
9 cards
Rarities
25 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
3
common
28
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
17
2
3
3
9
4
0
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Bard
3
Bard
4
Jinx
3
Jinx
Followers
23
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Forge Chief
2
Forge Chief
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Flame Chompers!
3
Flame Chompers!
3
Sump Dredger
3
Sump Dredger
6
Augmented Experimenter
3
Augmented Experimenter
Spells
11
2
Iterative Improvement
2
Iterative Improvement
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Rummage
3
Rummage
4
Suit Up!
3
Suit Up!

Akshan Kai'Sa Demacia

The first of three Kai'Sa Demacia mutations (the other two are described below) – by current numbers, and from top pilots' opinions, it would appear the other two versions are better, even though this list comfortably surpasses 53% in more than 1,200 games.

Regions
Demacia
18 cards
Shurima
22 cards
Rarities
26 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
11
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
15
2
6
3
5
4
9
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
2
Akshan
3
Akshan
5
Kai'Sa
3
Kai'Sa
Landmarks
1
2
Preservarium
1
Preservarium
Followers
18
1
Voidling
3
Voidling
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Merciless Hunter
4
Void Blaster
3
Void Blaster
5
Radiant Guardian
2
Radiant Guardian
9
Void Abomination
2
Void Abomination
Spells
15
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
3
Cataclysm
1
Cataclysm
3
Quicksand
2
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation
4
Supercharge
1
Supercharge
5
Concerted Strike
3
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis

Sivir Kai'Sa Demacia

Arguably the second most powerful deck right now after Illaoi Bard (although comparing a 1K-game list and a 10K-game list is a bit like comparing apples to oranges, of course).

The list below reaches 56% in more than 1,000 games and, above all, has a superb matchup table: it's even or favored against pretty much all popular decks, having an edge against Illaoi Bard. The only uphill struggle seems to be Draven Sion, which is gaining steam but is still far from being overly popular.

If there's one deck I can recommend putting your time in and trying to learn inside-out, it would be this one.

Regions
Demacia
19 cards
Shurima
21 cards
Rarities
26 600
champion
6
epic
2
rare
15
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
10
2
5
3
8
4
8
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Sivir
3
Sivir
5
Kai'Sa
3
Kai'Sa
Followers
21
1
Baccai Reaper
2
Baccai Reaper
1
Voidling
3
Voidling
2
Belvethi Elder
3
Belvethi Elder
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Greenfang Warden
1
Greenfang Warden
4
Silverwing Diver
2
Silverwing Diver
4
Void Blaster
3
Void Blaster
5
Radiant Guardian
2
Radiant Guardian
9
Void Abomination
2
Void Abomination
Spells
13
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
The Absolver
1
The Absolver
3
Ancient Hourglass
1
Ancient Hourglass
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
5
Concerted Strike
3
Concerted Strike

Lone Kai'Sa Demacia

Some top pilots swear Lone Kai'Sa is the best Kai'Sa mutation – by performance, the second most popular list has legs to support that claim, with a 56% WR in nearly 1,000 games.

It seems a serious underdog to both Azirelia and Annie Jhin, though, and has no edge on Illaoi Bard – but, interestingly, is even against Draven Sion, which looks like a thorn in KaiSiv's side.

Regions
Demacia
17 cards
Shurima
23 cards
Rarities
16 900
champion
3
epic
2
rare
10
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
11
2
10
3
5
4
4
5
0
6
1
7+
Champions
3
5
Kai'Sa
3
Kai'Sa
Followers
19
1
Voidling
3
Voidling
1
Xer'sai Hatchling
2
Xer'sai Hatchling
2
Belvethi Elder
3
Belvethi Elder
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Durand Protege
2
Durand Protege
3
Greenfang Warden
2
Greenfang Warden
4
Void Blaster
3
Void Blaster
9
Void Abomination
1
Void Abomination
Spells
18
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Rite of Calling
3
Rite of Calling
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Quicksand
3
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation
4
Supercharge
1
Supercharge
5
Concerted Strike
1
Concerted Strike

Punching Up

Decklists with between 300 and 900 games played in the last three days – we're entering the Land of Small Sample Sizes here, but as far as numbers go, it looks like these decks can put up one hell of a fight.

Do notice how depopulated this section has become – as the Juggernauts and Heavyweights become more refined and the meta settles down, pilots tend to migrate either to said popular options, or look for more niche decks, as we'll see in the last section. 


Heimerdinger Jayce Shadows

Professor and Student find themselves in a struggle to adapt – their most popular list, which we recommended last Tuesday, now sits at a paltry 48%...

… yet the second most popular punches above 55%, albeit across a smallish 330-game sample.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
31 cards
Shadow Isles
9 cards
Rarities
27 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
12
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
5
0
6
1
9
2
6
3
3
4
3
5
7
6
1
7+
Champions
6
4
Jayce
3
Jayce
5
Heimerdinger
3
Heimerdinger
Followers
10
1
Adaptatron 3000
2
Adaptatron 3000
1
Forge Chief
2
Forge Chief
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
3
Hextech Handler
3
Hextech Handler
Spells
24
0
Production Surge
3
Production Surge
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Flash of Brilliance
3
Flash of Brilliance
6
Piercing Darkness
2
Piercing Darkness
6
Shock Blast
2
Shock Blast
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination

Katarina Ziggs Annie Shurima

Worldwalker's premier aggro deck still has legs: 52%+ in nearly 450 games (and keeps being superior to the other Noxurimaggro variant, Sivir Ziggs).

Slight underdog to Illaoi Bard, absolutely murders Azirelia. 

Regions
Noxus
23 cards
Shurima
17 cards
Rarities
23 200
champion
6
epic
0
rare
9
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
14
1
9
2
11
3
0
4
3
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Annie
2
Annie
3
Katarina
2
Katarina
3
Ziggs
2
Ziggs
Followers
24
1
Baccai Reaper
3
Baccai Reaper
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
1
Treasure Seeker
3
Treasure Seeker
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Legion Grenadier
3
Legion Grenadier
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Merciless Hunter
5
Ruin Runner
3
Ruin Runner
Spells
10
2
Ruinous Path
3
Ruinous Path
3
Might
2
Might
3
Noxian Fervor
2
Noxian Fervor
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Twisted Fate Nami Shadows

Big-brainiest deck ever?

During Worldwalker, there was hardly a doubt among top pilots that this was one of the best decks, but its ladder performance was always mediocre at best. Currently, the list below reaches 52% in 400 games, but that may be due to expert pilots being the only ones interested in it.

In case you want to give it a try, here are Drisoth's (the deck creator) tips and insights (notice they were written during Worldwalker, though), and here a Jasensational's Deck Guide about it.

Also, there's a somewhat similar take going for Gwen instead of TF; it's doing okay, but not as well as the classic Nami TF variant.

Regions
Bilgewater
25 cards
Shadow Isles
15 cards
Rarities
35 000
champion
6
epic
10
rare
13
common
11
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
3
1
9
2
9
3
5
4
5
5
2
6
5
7+
Champions
6
3
Nami
3
Nami
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
Followers
10
2
Coral Creatures
2
Coral Creatures
4
Zap Sprayfin
2
Zap Sprayfin
5
Fleet Admiral Shelly
3
Fleet Admiral Shelly
8
Wiggly Burblefish
3
Wiggly Burblefish
Spells
24
0
Fading Memories
2
Fading Memories
1
Shadow Isles Tellstones
3
Shadow Isles Tellstones
2
Answered Prayer
1
Answered Prayer
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Double Trouble
3
Double Trouble
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
2
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination
10
The Harrowing
1
The Harrowing

Your Mileage May Vary

LoR Best Decks -- Draven Sion, the next meta breaker?

Decklists with less than 300 games played in the last few days – promising, but too little data to say for sure.


Ahri Bard

Gee, doesn't this look like déjà vu…

folks, don't sleep on Ahri Bard! =)

Friggingly-high 58% WR and, yes, it's a fairly small sample – 250ish games – but, c'mon, we do know this works!

Not convinced yet?

It frigging DEMOLISHES Illaoi Bard, for Chime's sake!!

Yes, dies to Jhinnie and Azirelia but, well, nothing in this life's perfect – don't sleep on Ahri Bard!

Regions
Ionia
31 cards
Runeterra
9 cards
Rarities
25 200
champion
6
epic
2
rare
8
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
13
1
15
2
2
3
8
4
0
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
2
Ahri
3
Ahri
4
Bard
3
Bard
Followers
19
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Dancing Droplet
3
Dancing Droplet
1
The Mourned
2
The Mourned
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Navori Conspirator
3
Navori Conspirator
2
Navori Highwayman
1
Navori Highwayman
3
Shadow Assassin
2
Shadow Assassin
7
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
2
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
Spells
15
1
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ionian Tellstones
1
Recall
3
Recall
2
Nopeify!
2
Nopeify!
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Homecoming
3
Homecoming

Name a More Iconic Duo

Annie Burn – because some things just fit! =)

Burns super-hot, by the way: well over 55%.

Regions
Noxus
26 cards
Piltover & Zaun
14 cards
Rarities
14 300
champion
3
epic
0
rare
8
common
29
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
12
2
13
3
0
4
0
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
3
1
Annie
3
Annie
Followers
23
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
1
Precious Pet
3
Precious Pet
2
Boomcrew Rookie
3
Boomcrew Rookie
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Legion Grenadier
3
Legion Grenadier
3
Station Archivist
2
Station Archivist
3
Used Cask Salesman
3
Used Cask Salesman
Spells
14
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Sigil of Malice
2
Sigil of Malice
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Aphelios Viktor

Another Worldwalker powerhouse that has been a bit forgotten. Does suffer in front of both Illaoi Bard and KaiSiv, but has game against Shen Bard and Annie TF.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
27 cards
Mount Targon
13 cards
Rarities
23 500
champion
6
epic
1
rare
5
common
28
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
15
2
9
3
2
4
1
5
0
6
4
7+
Champions
6
3
Aphelios
3
Aphelios
4
Viktor
2
Viktor
5
Vi
1
Vi
Followers
22
1
Lunari Duskbringer
3
Lunari Duskbringer
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Ferros Financier
2
Ferros Financier
2
Flame Chompers!
3
Flame Chompers!
2
Mountain Goat
2
Mountain Goat
3
Sump Dredger
3
Sump Dredger
7
The Winding Light
3
The Winding Light
Spells
12
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Pale Cascade
2
Pale Cascade
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
8
Give It All
1
Give It All

Caitlyn & Friends

This is what some may call "a pile", but one with fairly solid credentials: reached the top of the APAC ladder, and with an impressive WR at that.

Here's a short write-up about it by Sarah, Jott and Yondy describing this Subpurrsible oddity.

Regions
Noxus
14 cards
Piltover & Zaun
26 cards
Rarities
26 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
11
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
1
0
5
1
11
2
13
3
6
4
4
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Caitlyn
3
Caitlyn
3
Riven
1
Riven
4
Viktor
1
Viktor
5
Vi
1
Vi
Followers
14
2
Ferros Financier
1
Ferros Financier
2
House Spider
3
House Spider
2
Sting Officer
1
Sting Officer
3
Arachnoid Sentry
1
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Station Archivist
3
Station Archivist
4
Aloof Travelers
2
Aloof Travelers
5
Subpurrsible
3
Subpurrsible
Spells
20
0
Thermogenic Beam
1
Thermogenic Beam
1
Blade's Edge
2
Blade's Edge
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Disintegrate
1
Disintegrate
2
Iterative Improvement
3
Iterative Improvement
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
3
Aftershock
1
Aftershock
3
Noxian Guillotine
1
Noxian Guillotine
3
Piltover Peacemaker
1
Piltover Peacemaker
3
Scorched Earth
2
Scorched Earth
4
Statikk Shock
3
Statikk Shock

Draven Sion

The Revenant and his axe-hurling sidekick (or is it the other way around?) are gaining traction fast – they fold to Shen Bard, but as predicted by Seasonal Champ Prodigy a few days ago:

… it beats both Illaoi Bard and Annie TF (also wrecking KaiSiv and Jhinnie in the process).

Probably one of the hottest trends right now!

Regions
Noxus
19 cards
Piltover & Zaun
21 cards
Rarities
26 500
champion
6
epic
3
rare
9
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
11
2
8
3
0
4
3
5
3
6
6
7+
Champions
6
3
Draven
2
Draven
5
Vi
1
Vi
7
Sion
3
Sion
Followers
18
1
Reborn Grenadier
3
Reborn Grenadier
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Fallen Rider
3
Fallen Rider
3
Sump Dredger
3
Sump Dredger
8
Lost Soul
3
Lost Soul
Spells
16
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Rummage
1
Rummage
2
Salvaged Scrap
1
Salvaged Scrap
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
5
Survival Skills
2
Survival Skills
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

LeBard

Yes, at this point it's becoming clear that "just add Bard" may be the most successful brewing formula but, well, we're here to share data and decks (and World Top 8 Aikado vouches for its non-cringiness!), so this is what the numbers say: a very solid 53% WR in nearly 200 games in the last three days, and this thing has been making waves since earlier than that.

Regions
Runeterra
6 cards
Noxus
34 cards
Rarities
27 700
champion
6
epic
3
rare
15
common
16
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
8
2
8
3
16
4
0
5
0
6
1
7+
Champions
6
3
LeBlanc
3
LeBlanc
4
Bard
3
Bard
Followers
24
1
Blade Squire
1
Blade Squire
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Thrashing Snapper
3
Thrashing Snapper
2
House Spider
2
House Spider
2
Trifarian Gloryseeker
3
Trifarian Gloryseeker
2
Trifarian Hopeful
3
Trifarian Hopeful
4
Basilisk Rider
3
Basilisk Rider
4
Crowd Favorite
2
Crowd Favorite
4
Trifarian Assessor
3
Trifarian Assessor
8
Incisive Tactician
1
Incisive Tactician
Spells
10
3
Might
2
Might
3
Whirling Death
3
Whirling Death
4
Bloody Business
2
Bloody Business
4
Whispered Words
3
Whispered Words

Tryndamere Trundle Shadows

Control making a comeback?

Way too early to tell with these small sample sizes but, yep: in the fringes, TryTrund has been steadily gaining traction.

Regions
Shadow Isles
9 cards
Freljord
31 cards
Rarities
30 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
12
common
16
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
2
1
8
2
2
3
7
4
6
5
2
6
13
7+
Champions
6
5
Trundle
3
Trundle
8
Tryndamere
3
Tryndamere
Landmarks
3
4
Blighted Ravine
3
Blighted Ravine
Followers
12
2
Avarosan Sentry
2
Avarosan Sentry
2
Faces of the Old Ones
3
Faces of the Old Ones
3
Kindly Tavernkeeper
2
Kindly Tavernkeeper
8
It That Stares
3
It That Stares
10
She Who Wanders
2
She Who Wanders
Spells
19
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
Avalanche
2
Avalanche
4
The Box
1
The Box
4
Withering Wail
1
Withering Wail
5
Catalyst of Aeons
3
Catalyst of Aeons
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination
12
Feel The Rush
3
Feel The Rush

Vi Trundle Timelines

Once the Top Dog, Timelines didn't quite manage to make a splash during Worldwalker, even when it seemed about to, a couple of times.

Current numbers are very encouraging (over 55% WR) – highly recommended if you haven't played a Timelines deck before.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
24 cards
Freljord
16 cards
Rarities
29 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
7
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
9
1
15
2
0
3
3
4
6
5
2
6
2
7+
Champions
6
5
Trundle
3
Trundle
5
Vi
3
Vi
Followers
21
1
Forge Chief
3
Forge Chief
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
2
Vulpine Wanderer
3
Vulpine Wanderer
4
Aloof Travelers
3
Aloof Travelers
6
Revna, the Lorekeeper
2
Revna, the Lorekeeper
8
It That Stares
1
It That Stares
Spells
13
0
Thermogenic Beam
3
Thermogenic Beam
1
Three Sisters
3
Three Sisters
2
Concurrent Timelines
3
Concurrent Timelines
2
Troll Chant
3
Troll Chant
9
Buried in Ice
1
Buried in Ice

Lux Illaoi

Overshadowed by the True Tentacle Menace, Illaoi Lux keeps doing okay in the fringes.

Regions
Demacia
20 cards
Bilgewater
20 cards
Rarities
27 500
champion
6
epic
3
rare
14
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
10
2
7
3
3
4
9
5
4
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
5
Lux
3
Lux
Followers
13
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Brightsteel Protector
1
Brightsteel Protector
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
3
Vanguard Sergeant
1
Vanguard Sergeant
Spells
21
1
Demacian Tellstones
2
Demacian Tellstones
2
Answered Prayer
2
Answered Prayer
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
1
Single Combat
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis
6
Back to Back
1
Back to Back
6
Riptide Sermon
3
Riptide Sermon

Viego Evelynn

Proceed with caution, but here it is again: a successful, if fringe, Evelynn deck!

There are several versions doing quite poorly, but the list recommended below, which is the most popular, reaches a very solid 53% WR in nearly 200 games.

Regions
Runeterra
12 cards
Shadow Isles
28 cards
Rarities
29 400
champion
6
epic
6
rare
7
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
1
1
9
2
13
3
7
4
0
5
6
6
4
7+
Champions
6
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
6
Viego
3
Viego
Followers
17
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Domination
3
Domination
3
Vora
3
Vora
4
Spirit Leech
2
Spirit Leech
7
Invasive Hydravine
3
Invasive Hydravine
Spells
17
1
Shadow Isles Tellstones
1
Shadow Isles Tellstones
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Black Spear
3
Black Spear
3
Undergrowth
1
Undergrowth
4
Crumble
2
Crumble
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity

Closing Words

Has the Tentacle Tide been turned?

For now, it would appear so – with two solid decks as counter, as of today Illaoi Bard's WR has dipped a bit below 55% (one of the 'broken archetype' threshold), and it still has a bit to go before reading a 15% play rate (the other threshold).

It still is without a doubt a powerhouse, and by-the-numbers the best decklist you can jump onto if climbing quickly is what you want.

Still, by matchups tables one would say KaiSiv is actually the best deck in the format, and Bard Shen surely ruins Nagakabouros' day, so…

… we'll see! =)

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 Poetry Discord (we talk a fair bit about the LoR best decks and data, too! =): https://discord.gg/VNN5NmGhXY,

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

And good luck in your climb!


LoR best decks