Search
Close this search box.
🎉 Join our thriving Discord Community, home to thousands of players and endless strategy discussions!
🎉 Join our thriving Discord Community

By the Numbers – Twenty-Five Best Meta and Off-Meta LoR Decks, Oct 21

We live in Vayne's World no longer – it's Seraphine's Show now!

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

LoR Best Decks – Seraphine's Show

As of early Friday, these are the best LoR decks and archetypes, according to Balco and Mastering Runeterra Meta Tier List:

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

Seraphine Ezreal Noxus has been the big news this week. Although they were already gaining traction last Sunday, the Piltover pair wasn't included in the above chart – now it has become the most popular deck by far, and among the strongest. 

Vayne remains one of the most flexible new champs we've seen in a long time, with several of her archetypes fighting at the top; and while Varus Akshan has lost quite a bit of steam, Varus Pantheon has risen to the fore.

Thus far, it looks like Domination was an aptly named expansion, with its three champs being from very viable to cream-of-the-crop – even though, as seen above, Jhinnie and Pirates have proven that some Old Dogs still pack a punch, it's clear to see that the majority of the best LoR decks have Domination champs in them.


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

Balco's chart above (like most data sites, including MaRu's Meta Tier List) and articles like Leer's Monday Meta Report sort LoR decks by archetype ("archetype" being the aggregate of decks 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 Legends of Runeterra decks by the best specific decklist for each archetype – since in each archetype some decks fare better than others (and sometimes the difference is quite noticeable), we'll broadly group the best LoR decks in four arbitrary categories, by amount of games played in the last three days in the data samples we check:

  • Juggernauts: LoR decks with more than 2100 games – these are the best tried-and-true meta decks in Legends of Runeterra.
  • Heavyweights: LoR decks with between 2100 and 900 games played – other excellent choices, with large enough samples to confidently say, "Yeah, this works."
  • Punching Up: LoR decks with between 900 and 300 games played – 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, these decks can put up one hell of a fight.
  • YMMV: decks with 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 decks in Platinum and above, and in the last three days, unless stated otherwise – and when talking about decks in general, or best LoR 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, decks with a winrate (WR) above 52% catch our eye, above 53% are eye-widening, and anything with a WR over 55% is exceptional.

On the other hand, do notice that when talking about matchup tables, it's always about archetypes – in other words, we'll recommend which are the best Legend of Runeterra decks (ie. specific decklist) you can choose to face the most popular archetypes (since you'll find all versions in the LoR ladder).

Last but not least: all stats and recommendations above are for choosing the best LoR deck for the Legends of Runeterra Ladder environment – the Best-of-Three format (found in Tournaments and Gauntlets) is a very different kettle of fish!

Sources: Balco, Legna, Mastering Runeterra Meta Tier List.

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


Juggernauts – Best LoR Meta Decks

Here we showcase LoR decks with more than 2100 games and good-to-great WR.

With ten days into the Domination expansion, weaker decks are being culled out, which also pushes the "bully" decks (those that prey on unrefined concepts, while being weak themselves to the strongest decks) away from the top. While the Meta may still shift (and perhaps wildly) if new decks are discovered, and/or old concepts are rejuvenated and reintroduced, it is quite likely that decks in this section remain a major factor in our Meta until a balance patch shakes things up.


Star of the Show: Seraphine Ezreal Noxus

Oh boy, do some early impressions age rather poorly…

… thank the Writing Gods that tempering expressions like "thus far" exist! =)

While Vayne is Domination's most flexible champion, Seraphine, and in particular Seraphine Ezreal Noxus, has amply demonstrated she has what it takes to run the show. Currently the most popular archetype (by a landslide), SerEz also has the most-played single list: 16,000+ games (a number we've never seen before in these reports), punching at nearly 54%.

Regions
Noxus
14 cards
Piltover & Zaun
26 cards
Rarities
29 300
champion
6
epic
5
rare
12
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
15
2
6
3
2
4
6
5
0
6
5
7+
Champions
6
2
Seraphine
3
Seraphine
3
Ezreal
3
Ezreal
Landmarks
3
7
Back Alley Bar
3
Back Alley Bar
Followers
9
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
5
Fanclub President
3
Fanclub President
Spells
22
1
Blade's Edge
2
Blade's Edge
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Disintegrate
3
Disintegrate
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
The Violent Dischord
3
The Violent Dischord
4
Statikk Shock
2
Statikk Shock
5
Drum Solo
3
Drum Solo
7
Sputtering Songspinner
2
Sputtering Songspinner

And it may not even be their best list: Seraphine and Ezreal actually have three different builds that make the Juggernaut cut both by playrate and performance, and their second most popular deck (with slight tweaks, like one less copy of Back Alley BarBack Alley Bar, adding Thorn of the RoseThorn of the Rose, and a handful of one-ofs in their Spell list, as described by Card Gamer's Seraphine Ezreal Deck Guide) strikes above 56% in close to 4,000 games.

Strong as SerEz is, though, it does not lack counters: Pantheon Vayne and Vayne Jax are two big show-stoppers, Fiora Vayne and Gwen Vayne have a slight edge on it, and if you want to fight music with music then Seraphine Viktor Shadows is also a very strong counter.

On the backswing, SerEz most harshly slaps Rumble Vayne, Zed Vayne, all Varus variants and Swain TF.

All in all, without a doubt the main ladder factor right now, although (thus far!) not yet at "broken deck" status.

Further reading: Card Gamer's extensive Seraphine and The Clash at Noxus – A Seraphine Ezreal LoR Deck Guide


Rumble Vayne NXNoxus

Part of Seraphine and Ezreal's success is explained by how well they do against the second Juggernaut, namely Rumble Vayne. Regardless of the ascent of their main predator, and with the exact same list as last Sunday

Regions
Demacia
11 cards
Noxus
29 cards
Rarities
26 500
champion
6
epic
3
rare
9
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
16
2
11
3
8
4
1
5
1
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
4
Rumble
3
Rumble
Equipments
3
2
Great Hammers
3
Great Hammers
Followers
18
1
Blade Squire
3
Blade Squire
2
Fallen Rider
3
Fallen Rider
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Rune Squire
3
Rune Squire
2
Runeweaver
3
Runeweaver
4
Ruined Reckoner
3
Ruined Reckoner
Spells
13
2
Single Combat
1
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Legionary Charge
3
Legionary Charge
3
Whirling Death
2
Whirling Death
4
Riposte
2
Riposte
5
Golden Aegis
1
Golden Aegis
6
Condemn
1
Condemn

… Yordle and Hunter keep pushing great numbers, punching above 54% in more than 10,000 games.

Zed Vayne is awful news for Rayne, with Annie Jhin and Panteon Varus being tough but doable. On the other hand Gwayne, Payne, and Viktor Seraphine variants are very favorable matchups, Jax Vayne is slightly favorable, and a chunk of less popular matchups (Red Gwen, Lurkers, Vayne Kayne) are a cakewalk.


Zed Vayne

Although losing quite a bit of steam this week – its best deck dropping from a 56% WR in 9,000 games last Sunday, to 53% in around 4,200 – Zed Vayne remains a major Ladder factor.

It has big problems with SerEz, an awful matchup against Swain TF, and now Fiora Vayne P&Z has emerged as an extremely powerful counter, with Pirates also plundering Zayne's parade – still, against the rest of the field, Zayne has even to very favorable odds.

Further reading: Leer's Return of Rally Elusives – A Vayne Zed LoR Deck Guide

Regions
Demacia
16 cards
Ionia
24 cards
Rarities
27 200
champion
6
epic
2
rare
18
common
14
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
20
2
6
3
4
4
2
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
3
Zed
3
Zed
Equipments
2
2
The Darkin Aegis
2
The Darkin Aegis
Followers
16
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Greenglade Duo
3
Greenglade Duo
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Young Witch
2
Young Witch
4
Combat Cook
2
Combat Cook
Spells
16
1
Ghost
1
Ghost
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Wuju Style
3
Wuju Style
2
Momentous Choice
3
Momentous Choice
2
Syncopation
1
Syncopation
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Twin Disciplines
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Golden Aegis
2
Golden Aegis

The Immutable Object: Annie Jhin

A poster child of "We ain't fixin' what ain't broken", Jhinnie's immutable build is determined to regain every last bit of their former glory: while less popular that last Sunday – around 4,000 games then, just around 2,700 now – blazing brat and bullet buff have kept their stunning 55% performance.

And for good reason: their matchup spread is excellent. They do have three very weak spots (Swain TF, Pirates, and Seraphine Viktor Shadows), but they are either roughly even (SerEz, Zayne, Vax) or very favored (Rayne, Payne, Gwayne) against most Top Dogs – and, in particular, they absolutely murder one of this week's rising stars: Pantheon Varus.

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

⭐Rising Star: Pantheon Varus

As noted last Sunday, Panth Varus is a deck to keep an eye on: it has risen from spicy fringe option to becoming our newest Juggernaut, and still has room for refinement given its many successful variations (it would seem that versions with less followers and more spells, for example, are the way to go).

Regions
Mount Targon
18 cards
Runeterra
22 cards
Rarities
27 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
13
common
18
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
15
2
3
3
14
4
4
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
4
Varus
3
Varus
Equipments
2
2
The Darkin Lodestone
2
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
10
1
Forsaken Baccai
1
Forsaken Baccai
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Lunari Cultist
3
Lunari Cultist
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wandering Shepherd
Spells
22
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Hush
2
Hush
2
Momentous Choice
3
Momentous Choice
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
4
Furious Wielder
3
Furious Wielder
4
The Expanse's Protection
2
The Expanse's Protection
4
The Unending Wave
3
The Unending Wave
5
Heedless Resurrection
1
Heedless Resurrection
5
The Unforgiving Cold
3
The Unforgiving Cold

Jhinnie, as said above, is one of the most lopsided matchups among Top Dogs (horrible 25% odds for Panth Varus; low enough to call it "auto-lose" in CCG lingo), and Ezreal Seraphine is a sore sight – but, on the backswing, Panth Varus is poised as one of Vayne's Banes: it's even or favored against all Vayne flavors (including more spicier takes like Fiora Vayne).

Definitely the deck for Varus fans, now that Akshan Varus has dipped in performance.


Notably Absent: Akshan Varus

While Varus has found a new partner in Pantheon, Akshan Varus has dropped below 50% and we won't recommend it today.


Heavyweights – Strong LoR Meta Decks

These LoR decks have between 900 and 2100 games in the last three days – now that the Domination dust is settling, it's very likely all these are the real deal!


Viktor Seraphine SIShadow Isles

Still looking for its best build, Viktor Seraphine Shadows punches above 54% in nearly 2,000 games. An ideal blend for those fond of fighting fire with fire (or, well, music with music), as SeraVik is one of the best Seraphine Ezreal counters you can bring to the ladder – it's also among Jhinnie's main predators. Pantheon decks, on the other hand, and decks that can apply relentless pressure (such as Rayne or Jax Vayne) tend in turn to counter SeraVik.

Further reading: Yangzera's Quiet High Note – A Spooky Seraphine Viktor Deck Guide.

Regions
Shadow Isles
9 cards
Piltover & Zaun
31 cards
Rarities
31 600
champion
6
epic
8
rare
7
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
17
2
1
3
3
4
6
5
2
6
5
7+
Champions
6
2
Seraphine
3
Seraphine
4
Viktor
3
Viktor
Landmarks
3
7
Back Alley Bar
3
Back Alley Bar
Followers
8
1
Acorn, the Hextechnician
2
Acorn, the Hextechnician
2
Ferros Financier
2
Ferros Financier
5
Fanclub President
3
Fanclub President
5
Subpurrsible
1
Subpurrsible
Spells
23
1
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Quietus
2
Quietus
2
High Note
2
High Note
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
1
Time Trick
2
Trail of Evidence
2
Trail of Evidence
2
Unspeakable Horror
2
Unspeakable Horror
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Flash of Brilliance
1
Flash of Brilliance
5
Drum Solo
2
Drum Solo
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance
7
Sputtering Songspinner
2
Sputtering Songspinner

⭐Rising Star: Viktor Seraphine IOIonia, ft. Karma

Although perhaps Seraphine Viktor's best build is not in SIShadow Isles?

After a bit of struggle, the IOIonia version is taking a page from Viktor Karma and putting up numbers to match: currently 1,600 games with their best deck, and smashing above 55%.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
24 cards
Ionia
16 cards
Rarities
33 800
champion
6
epic
8
rare
18
common
8
eternal
Mana cost
1
0
8
1
12
2
1
3
5
4
9
5
0
6
4
7+
Champions
6
2
Seraphine
3
Seraphine
4
Viktor
2
Viktor
5
Karma
1
Karma
Landmarks
3
7
Back Alley Bar
3
Back Alley Bar
Followers
9
1
Acorn, the Hextechnician
1
Acorn, the Hextechnician
1
Fallen Feline
2
Fallen Feline
1
Vastayan Disciple
1
Vastayan Disciple
2
Eye of the Dragon
2
Eye of the Dragon
5
Fanclub President
3
Fanclub President
Spells
22
0
Thermogenic Beam
1
Thermogenic Beam
1
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ionian Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Wuju Style
1
Wuju Style
2
High Note
1
High Note
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
2
Nopeify!
1
Nopeify!
2
Time Trick
2
Time Trick
2
Twin Disciplines
1
Twin Disciplines
3
Sump Fumes
1
Sump Fumes
4
Concussive Palm
1
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Deep Meditation
2
Deep Meditation
5
Drum Solo
1
Drum Solo
5
Unworthy Soul
2
Unworthy Soul
7
Sputtering Songspinner
1
Sputtering Songspinner

The matchup spread, though, is a bit of a red flag: although SeraVik IOIonia is, strictly speaking, the best Seraphine deck (as in: it beats both the SIShadow Isles version and Seraphine Ezreal NXNoxus, should they go toe-to-toe), it looks like the underdog against nearly all other popular archetypes – its only edges are against Pirates and Red Gwen.


The Juggernaut Hunter: Pirates, aka Miss Fortune Twisted Fate

They weren't just profiting from butchering unrefined decks (as Aggro archetypes tend to do in the turbulent early days of a new expansion) – Pirates have indeed found (again) a Meta in which they can thrive, and are slaughtering their way to a 55%+ WR in more than 1,300 games.

They still beat all the current Juggernauts (including the most recent, Panth Varus); their only nightmare is SeraVik (specially the Ionia version), with Payne and Vax also proving tough bones to chew.

Regions
Noxus
19 cards
Bilgewater
21 cards
Rarities
25 900
champion
6
epic
3
rare
6
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
10
2
6
3
6
4
3
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
Followers
22
1
Jagged Butcher
3
Jagged Butcher
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
1
Precious Pet
3
Precious Pet
2
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Legion Grenadier
2
Legion Grenadier
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
Spells
12
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Pantheon Vayne

Dropping from Juggernaut to Heavyweight, Payne has stuck to its last Sunday's build and still punches at a very solid 53% in around 1,200 games. While having massive headaches with Rayne and Jhinnie, Payne is one of the best all-around Seraphine counters, brutally crushing all her flavors.

The bad news for Payne is the other Pantheon brew, namely Pantheon Varus: Payne is the underdog by an abysmally low 36% odds.

Regions
Demacia
18 cards
Mount Targon
22 cards
Rarities
30 700
champion
6
epic
7
rare
8
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
17
2
9
3
3
4
4
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Equipments
4
2
The Darkin Aegis
2
The Darkin Aegis
2
The Darkin Lodestone
2
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
1
Durand Protege
3
Iula
3
Iula
3
Wandering Shepherd
2
Wandering Shepherd
6
Bloodcursed Harpy
2
Bloodcursed Harpy
6
Camphor, the Doubt
1
Camphor, the Doubt
Spells
12
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
2
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

⭐Rising Star: TealRed's Fiora Vayne

Last Sunday's fringe spice has turned into a powerhouse – the brainchild of Master Brewer TealRed (who, by the way, is currently on some Seraphine Maokai monstrosity) keeps running out of bubblegum, and now kicks butts at a 57%+ WR in 1,200+ games. 

Regions
Demacia
28 cards
Piltover & Zaun
12 cards
Rarities
33 700
champion
6
epic
9
rare
12
common
13
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
3
1
18
2
7
3
6
4
0
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
4
Fiora
3
Fiora
Equipments
6
2
The Darkin Harp
3
The Darkin Harp
2
The Darkin Aegis
3
The Darkin Aegis
Followers
21
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Chempunk Pickpocket
3
Chempunk Pickpocket
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Stony Suppressor
3
Stony Suppressor
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Combat Cook
3
Combat Cook
6
Bloodcursed Harpy
3
Bloodcursed Harpy
Spells
7
0
Thermogenic Beam
3
Thermogenic Beam
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
3
Fish Fight
1
Fish Fight

A very interesting matchup spread, too: strong into the Noxus and Ionia flavors of Seraphine while weak to the Shadows version; crushes the Zed and Jax flavors of Vayne, while weak to Rumble and Pantheon variants; murders Jhinnie, gets murdered by Swain TF, seems an underdog to Pantheon Varus.

If you are looking for a hot, roller-coaster-y deck, this is probably it!


Seraphine's Silencer: Vayne Jax

Well, nothing like Riot untying your hands and releasing all your cards (and probably your intended pairing Champ) to get things rolling: after struggling the whole of the Awakening expansion as a squatter struggling to to find a home (and, adding insult to injury, being the weaker version of the 'real' Timelines deck), Jax has met his soulmate in Vayne, and oh boy are they bashing skulls in the process.

One of the least solved archetypes right now (there are several very different builds, all doing from good to great), what currently looks like the best Jax Vayne list smashes foes with a 57% WR in around 1,200 games.

Regions
Demacia
24 cards
Runeterra
16 cards
Rarities
28 900
champion
6
epic
5
rare
10
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
16
2
9
3
4
4
5
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Jax
3
Jax
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
Equipments
3
2
The Darkin Aegis
3
The Darkin Aegis
Followers
19
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Steadfast Elkin
3
Steadfast Elkin
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Zealous Ranger-Knight
3
Zealous Ranger-Knight
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Combat Cook
2
Combat Cook
4
Ranger-Knight Defector
2
Ranger-Knight Defector
6
Bloodcursed Harpy
2
Bloodcursed Harpy
Spells
12
2
Entrancing Lure
2
Entrancing Lure
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Fish Fight
3
Fish Fight
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

If you urgently need to kindly ask Seraphine to shut the hell up, this is probably the best option: Vax is a great all-around Seraphine crusher (soundly beats all her flavors) and very strong into Pirates – it looks like the underdog against other Vayne blends, though (although not by much), with an uphill struggle against Pantheon Varus.

Further reading: Wekhar's Improvise, Adapt, Overwhelm – A Jax Vayne LoR Deck Guide.


Fiora Pantheon

Another former Juggernaut, the Fated Duelists has found a cozy 53% spot in the current Meta – clearly not the powerhouse it was right before Domination landed (and is still haunted by its horrid Jhinnie matchup), but a very playable option.

Regions
Demacia
14 cards
Mount Targon
26 cards
Rarities
28 500
champion
6
epic
5
rare
8
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
18
2
6
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
17
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Iula
3
Iula
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wandering Shepherd
6
Camphor, the Doubt
2
Camphor, the Doubt
Spells
14
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
3
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
2
Golden Aegis

TF Swain

Cardslinger and Grand General remain one of the best decks against both Zayne and Jhinnie – and now also against the ascending Jax Vayne, which they bloodily crush. Overall a fairly solid 52% deck, with around 1,000 games played; not a powerhouse by any means, yet a very solid workhorse.

Regions
Bilgewater
22 cards
Noxus
18 cards
Rarities
30 300
champion
6
epic
7
rare
6
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
11
2
7
3
6
4
6
5
0
6
4
7+
Champions
6
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
5
Swain
3
Swain
Followers
19
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
2
House Spider
3
House Spider
3
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
7
The Leviathan
2
The Leviathan
8
Riptide Rex
2
Riptide Rex
Spells
15
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
2
Heavy Metal
2
Heavy Metal
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Death's Hand
2
Death's Hand
3
Noxian Guillotine
1
Noxian Guillotine
3
Scorched Earth
1
Scorched Earth
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

⭐Rising Star: Privateers, aka Miss Fortune Swain

After making a bit of waves during the previous expansion, Miss Fortune Swain vanished as new Domination cards arrived – yet have now re-emerged in full force, and with 900 games on record have the highest WR among the Juggernauts and Heavyweights showcased today.

They appear underdogs to Swain TF, and have pain with Payne – but, outside of that, by current numbers they crush everything else.

Regions
Bilgewater
21 cards
Noxus
19 cards
Rarities
29 000
champion
6
epic
6
rare
5
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
11
2
6
3
3
4
6
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Swain
3
Swain
Followers
23
1
Crusty Codger
3
Crusty Codger
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
2
Fortune Croaker
3
Fortune Croaker
2
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
7
The Leviathan
3
The Leviathan
Spells
11
1
Ravenous Flock
2
Ravenous Flock
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

Punching Up – Runeterra Decks Doing Great

Runeterra decks with between 300 and 900 games in the last three days – solid picks if you'd rather pilot something a bit less played.


Gwen Vayne

After a very strong opening, Gwen Vayne's best deck has deflated quite a bit in playrate – 2,300+ games last Sunday, to about a fourth of that number in the last three days – yet has kept its very good 54% WR, with the version without main-deck Equipment and just two Opulent FoyerOpulent Foyers being the best positioned. Quite a good option against Seraphine flavors, by the way.

Further reading: Scissorsbox's Midnight Tumble – A Gwen Vayne LoR Deck Guide

Regions
Demacia
25 cards
Shadow Isles
15 cards
Rarities
33 100
champion
6
epic
9
rare
9
common
16
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
11
2
5
3
6
4
5
5
6
6
1
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
4
Gwen
3
Gwen
Landmarks
2
3
Opulent Foyer
2
Opulent Foyer
Followers
20
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
4
Combat Cook
3
Combat Cook
6
Eternal Dancers
3
Eternal Dancers
6
Genevieve Elmheart
3
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
12
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis
10
The Harrowing
1
The Harrowing

The Polar Express: Ashe LeBlanc

In what is probably an unintended pun from Riot's part, the Frostbite archetype is arguably the most polar-izing deck out there (in the sense that its good matchups tend to be very good, while its bad matchups tend to be very bad – a deck that more or less wins or loses its games right after the "match found" screen, so to speak).

For example: it has 80% odds ("auto-win" range, in CCG parlance) against Vax and Gwayne, while below-30% (nearly "auto-lose") versus Jhinnie and Seraphine flavors.

Regions
Freljord
20 cards
Noxus
20 cards
Rarities
27 000
champion
6
epic
2
rare
17
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
1
1
12
2
11
3
9
4
5
5
0
6
2
7+
Champions
6
3
LeBlanc
3
LeBlanc
4
Ashe
3
Ashe
Followers
19
2
Icevale Archer
3
Icevale Archer
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Trifarian Gloryseeker
3
Trifarian Gloryseeker
3
Avarosan Trapper
2
Avarosan Trapper
4
Combat Cook
1
Combat Cook
4
Trifarian Assessor
3
Trifarian Assessor
5
Avarosan Hearthguard
2
Avarosan Hearthguard
8
Incisive Tactician
2
Incisive Tactician
Spells
15
1
Three Sisters
1
Three Sisters
2
Troll Chant
3
Troll Chant
3
Brutal Skirmish
2
Brutal Skirmish
3
Culling Strike
2
Culling Strike
3
Flash Freeze
2
Flash Freeze
4
Whispered Words
2
Whispered Words
5
The Unforgiving Cold
3
The Unforgiving Cold

As long as you are okay with your games nearly never being fair, though, Ashe LeBlanc is THE deck to crush Vayne underfoot, as it defeats all her archetypes – also very good into Pantheon Varus, which as we've seen is a rising star.


Renekton Akshan, ft. Sejuani

Today's Triple Battle Fury Special is the Renekshan version, with a single copy of Sejuani, crushing at 56%+ in about 400 games (but you can't go wrong with the Sej Renekton version, if you prefer – only slightly lower WR and play rate).

Regions
Freljord
17 cards
Shurima
23 cards
Rarities
23 400
champion
6
epic
0
rare
10
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
11
2
6
3
3
4
3
5
1
6
5
7+
Champions
6
2
Akshan
2
Akshan
4
Renekton
3
Renekton
6
Sejuani
1
Sejuani
Landmarks
3
1
Buried Armory
3
Buried Armory
Followers
18
1
Treasure Seeker
3
Treasure Seeker
2
Ruthless Raider
3
Ruthless Raider
2
Tusk Speaker
3
Tusk Speaker
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Merciless Hunter
5
Ruin Runner
3
Ruin Runner
7
Ancient Yeti
3
Ancient Yeti
Spells
13
1
Exhaust
2
Exhaust
1
Shaped Stone
1
Shaped Stone
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Troll Chant
3
Troll Chant
3
Curse of the Tomb
3
Curse of the Tomb
8
Battle Fury
2
Battle Fury

Katarina Gwen, ft. Elise

Red Gwen has returned to roots, turning again into a trio and leaving Opulent FoyerOpulent Foyer for Gwen Vayne.

Regions
Noxus
17 cards
Shadow Isles
23 cards
Rarities
28 400
champion
6
epic
4
rare
13
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
10
1
14
2
4
3
5
4
3
5
2
6
2
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
1
Elise
3
Katarina
2
Katarina
4
Gwen
3
Gwen
Followers
21
1
Blade Squire
2
Blade Squire
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
2
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
2
Rune Squire
2
Rune Squire
3
Arachnoid Sentry
2
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Ruined Reckoner
2
Ruined Reckoner
5
Fallen Reckoner
3
Fallen Reckoner
6
Eternal Dancers
2
Eternal Dancers
Spells
13
1
Quietus
3
Quietus
1
Ravenous Flock
2
Ravenous Flock
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
10
The Harrowing
2
The Harrowing

Your Mileage May Vary – Fringe LoR Decks

Runeterra decks with less than 300 games played in the last few days – promising, but too little data to say for sure how they currently fare.


Zed Hecarim

Mirroring its stats from last Sunday – around 300 games played in the last three days, and punching above 54% – and with the exact same list, looks like we can remove the "May Contain Copium" warning label from this one.

Note that there are several spartan, foyer-less versions running around (some a lot more popular than these) but data seems clear: you want to be on three copies of Opulent FoyerOpulent Foyer.

Regions
Ionia
15 cards
Shadow Isles
25 cards
Rarities
29 600
champion
6
epic
6
rare
8
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
12
1
11
2
8
3
0
4
3
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Zed
3
Zed
6
Hecarim
3
Hecarim
Landmarks
3
3
Opulent Foyer
3
Opulent Foyer
Followers
21
1
Fireth, Reaper of the Sands
3
Fireth, Reaper of the Sands
1
Oblivious Islander
3
Oblivious Islander
1
Shadow Apprentice
3
Shadow Apprentice
1
Sparring Student
3
Sparring Student
2
Shark Chariot
3
Shark Chariot
2
Soul Shepherd
3
Soul Shepherd
2
The Stagehand
3
The Stagehand
Spells
10
0
Fading Memories
3
Fading Memories
2
Onslaught of Shadows
2
Onslaught of Shadows
3
Stalking Shadows
2
Stalking Shadows
5
Dragon Ambush
3
Dragon Ambush

Quinn Vayne (aka New Scouts?)

After letting everybody and their poro attack for free, Vayne has finally found the time to spend some time with Quinn – and they have splashed just a bit of PZPiltover & Zaun for a 55%+ deck.

Regions
Demacia
35 cards
Piltover & Zaun
5 cards
Rarities
34 000
champion
6
epic
8
rare
19
common
7
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
20
2
5
3
4
4
3
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
5
Quinn
3
Quinn
Equipments
6
2
The Darkin Harp
3
The Darkin Harp
2
The Darkin Aegis
3
The Darkin Aegis
Followers
16
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Stony Suppressor
3
Stony Suppressor
4
Ranger-Knight Defector
3
Ranger-Knight Defector
6
Genevieve Elmheart
2
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
12
1
Catch!
2
Catch!
1
Silence and Suppress
2
Silence and Suppress
2
Blinding Assault
3
Blinding Assault
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
3
Cataclysm
2
Cataclysm
4
Riposte
1
Riposte

The Nightmare Show: Nami Seraphine

Well, this better not be a thing, I guess, least millions of souls cry in terror as the ladder is suddenly desolated… yet, by current numbers (56%+ WR across 200+ games), it looks like it may very well be.

Regions
Bilgewater
17 cards
Piltover & Zaun
23 cards
Rarities
35 600
champion
6
epic
12
rare
5
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
16
2
9
3
0
4
6
5
0
6
6
7+
Champions
6
2
Seraphine
3
Seraphine
3
Nami
3
Nami
Followers
9
1
Acorn, the Hextechnician
3
Acorn, the Hextechnician
5
Fleet Admiral Shelly
3
Fleet Admiral Shelly
8
Wiggly Burblefish
3
Wiggly Burblefish
Spells
25
2
Heavy Metal
2
Heavy Metal
2
Iterative Improvement
3
Iterative Improvement
2
Line 'Em Up
2
Line 'Em Up
2
Make it Rain
1
Make it Rain
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
2
Time Trick
3
Double Trouble
3
Double Trouble
3
Flash of Brilliance
3
Flash of Brilliance
5
Drum Solo
3
Drum Solo
7
Sputtering Songspinner
3
Sputtering Songspinner

Malphite Taliyah

A quite old, usually fringe archetype that has found quite the success in the last few days – treat with care, as its performance is almost surely pushed upwards by a handful of extremely experienced, die-hard fans of this blend.

Regions
Shurima
27 cards
Mount Targon
13 cards
Rarities
29 300
champion
6
epic
5
rare
12
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
8
2
10
3
7
4
5
5
1
6
3
7+
Champions
6
5
Taliyah
3
Taliyah
7
Malphite
3
Malphite
Landmarks
11
1
Ancient Preparations
3
Ancient Preparations
2
Preservarium
3
Preservarium
3
Dragon Roost
2
Dragon Roost
4
Salt Spire
3
Salt Spire
Followers
10
1
Chip
3
Chip
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
3
Endless Devout
3
Endless Devout
6
Stonebreaker
1
Stonebreaker
Spells
13
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
3
Quicksand
3
Quicksand
3
Unraveled Earth
2
Unraveled Earth
4
Ground Slam
2
Ground Slam
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation
5
Sunburst
2
Sunburst

Taric Poppy

Another quite old champion pairing doing amazingly well in the Meta's fringe (55%+ in around 200 games) – and, now that everybody is attacking for free, packing five Rally spells is nothing your foes can cry foul about!

Regions
Demacia
20 cards
Mount Targon
20 cards
Rarities
27 200
champion
6
epic
4
rare
7
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
15
2
3
3
9
4
7
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Poppy
3
Poppy
4
Taric
3
Taric
Equipments
1
2
The Darkin Lodestone
1
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
20
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Frightened Ibex
2
Frightened Ibex
2
Brightsteel Protector
1
Brightsteel Protector
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Tyari the Traveler
2
Tyari the Traveler
3
Laurent Protege
3
Laurent Protege
5
Mountain Sojourners
3
Mountain Sojourners
Spells
13
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
4
Bastion
1
Bastion
4
Relentless Pursuit
2
Relentless Pursuit
5
Concerted Strike
1
Concerted Strike
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Vayne LeBlanc

Not nearly as punchy as it was last Sunday, Vayne LeBlanc still puts up a fight, and adds its unique Reputation bouquet to the ladder.

Regions
Noxus
18 cards
Demacia
22 cards
Rarities
32 400
champion
6
epic
8
rare
11
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
17
2
9
3
7
4
2
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
LeBlanc
3
LeBlanc
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
Equipments
3
2
The Darkin Aegis
3
The Darkin Aegis
Followers
18
1
Thrashing Snapper
3
Thrashing Snapper
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Trifarian Gloryseeker
3
Trifarian Gloryseeker
4
Combat Cook
3
Combat Cook
4
Ruined Reckoner
1
Ruined Reckoner
6
Bloodcursed Harpy
2
Bloodcursed Harpy
Spells
13
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Might
2
Might
3
Shield of Durand
1
Shield of Durand
4
Whispered Words
3
Whispered Words
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike

Seraphine Aphelios

With Aphelios being a fountain of two-mana spells, this was probably bound to happen – although the fringest brew we'll showcase today, Seraphelios has numbers that suggest it is a thing: WR over 56% in around 120 games, and in a shell that is proven to work quite well.

Regions
Mount Targon
11 cards
Piltover & Zaun
29 cards
Rarities
30 200
champion
6
epic
6
rare
11
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
7
1
15
2
3
3
0
4
9
5
0
6
4
7+
Champions
6
2
Seraphine
3
Seraphine
3
Aphelios
3
Aphelios
Landmarks
3
7
Back Alley Bar
3
Back Alley Bar
Followers
10
1
Lunari Duskbringer
2
Lunari Duskbringer
1
Zaunite Urchin
1
Zaunite Urchin
2
Ferros Financier
2
Ferros Financier
2
Mountain Goat
1
Mountain Goat
5
Fanclub President
3
Fanclub President
5
Subpurrsible
1
Subpurrsible
Spells
21
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Death Ray - Mk 1
1
Death Ray - Mk 1
1
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Poro Cannon
1
Poro Cannon
2
Crowd Pleaser
1
Crowd Pleaser
2
Guiding Touch
1
Guiding Touch
2
High Note
1
High Note
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
2
Pale Cascade
2
Pale Cascade
2
Rummage
1
Rummage
2
Time Trick
1
Time Trick
5
Drum Solo
2
Drum Solo
5
Purrsuit of Perfection
1
Purrsuit of Perfection
5
Sunburst
2
Sunburst
7
Sputtering Songspinner
1
Sputtering Songspinner

Wrapping Up

Vayne's World has turned into Seraphine's Show now – we have to go as far back as Worldwalker for an expansion in which new champions were this powerful, with few Old Dogs able to put up a fight.

You never know when some nearly-forgotten has-been suddenly returns to the spotlight (just ask Jhinnie), so we'll see.

Hope you have enjoyed today's selection, and good luck out there! =)


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

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


LoR Best Decks - The best Legends of Runeterra Decks, according to the latest data