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Sirturmund’s & MonteXristo’s Recommended Tournament Lineups

Sirturmund and MonteXristo share five Bo3 Lineups for the upcoming Seasonals and Last Chance Gauntlet, and a handful of tips for those competing for the first time in the Open Rounds.

Welcome back to another weekly lineup article by Sirturmund & MonteXristo! We hope you missed us after our week off – the meta was a bit uncertain and we weren’t comfortable suggesting lineups we didn’t fully believe in.

Now that the meta has been shaken up a bit we’re happy to return with another batch of lineups to help you prepare for your Seasonal tournament!


The Vast Shuriman Desert

This is arguably the most powerful lineup in the game at the moment.

Featuring what are widely considered the two best decks, namely Pantheon and Mono Shurima – no, the nerfs weren’t enough to put the Shuriman Car Dealership out of business – this trio forces your opponent into very awkward bans… none of which feel good. 

Ziggs Taliyah

Regions
Shurima
30 cards
Bandlecity
10 cards
Rarities
25 700
champion
6
epic
1
rare
16
common
17
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
10
2
16
3
3
4
4
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Ziggs
3
Ziggs
5
Taliyah
3
Taliyah
Landmarks
7
1
Ancient Preparations
2
Ancient Preparations
1
Hexplosive Minefield
2
Hexplosive Minefield
2
Preservarium
3
Preservarium
Followers
12
1
Inventive Chemist
3
Inventive Chemist
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
3
Endless Devout
3
Endless Devout
4
Desert Naturalist
2
Desert Naturalist
5
Herald of the Magus
1
Herald of the Magus
Spells
15
2
Pokey Stick
2
Pokey Stick
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
3
Ancient Hourglass
2
Ancient Hourglass
3
Quicksand
2
Quicksand
3
Rite of the Arcane
2
Rite of the Arcane
3
Unleashed Energy
1
Unleashed Energy
3
Unraveled Earth
3
Unraveled Earth
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation

Mono Shurima

Regions
Shurima
40 cards
Rarities
26 200
champion
6
epic
2
rare
13
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
10
2
16
3
6
4
0
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Azir
3
Azir
4
Xerath
3
Xerath
Landmarks
7
1
Ancient Preparations
3
Ancient Preparations
1
Buried Sun Disc
1
Buried Sun Disc
2
Preservarium
3
Preservarium
Followers
15
1
Treasure Seeker
3
Treasure Seeker
2
Clockwork Curator
2
Clockwork Curator
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
2
Soothsayer
2
Soothsayer
3
Endless Devout
3
Endless Devout
4
Golden Ambassador
2
Golden Ambassador
Spells
12
1
Rite of Calling
1
Rite of Calling
3
Ancient Hourglass
2
Ancient Hourglass
3
Quicksand
3
Quicksand
3
Rite of the Arcane
2
Rite of the Arcane
3
Unraveled Earth
3
Unraveled Earth
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation

Pantheon

Regions
Demacia
14 cards
Mount Targon
26 cards
Rarities
23 200
champion
6
epic
0
rare
9
common
25
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
16
2
12
3
6
4
2
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Yuumi
3
Yuumi
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Followers
13
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Mountain Goat
3
Mountain Goat
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
4
Blinded Mystic
1
Blinded Mystic
Spells
21
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Zenith Blade
3
Zenith Blade
4
Bastion
2
Bastion
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike

Ban Strategy

Our own ban strategy is going to be pretty simple: remove the opponent’s Pantheon.

In the case there is no Pantheon you’ll want to take out Pirates or any other aggro deck that’s threatening to mess with your lineup, as all three decks are weak to aggressive strategies.

If there’s no Pantheon and no aggro, and you find yourself against a triple Shurima lineup, you’ll want to protect your Sun Disc from Ziggs Taliyah or anything else that may threaten it, like Zilean Xerath.

Possible Swaps

You could throw Sion in over Pantheon, but why play the third best deck when you could play the best deck?

I genuinely believe changing this lineup will only weaken it, on paper anyway. If you’ve never practiced one of these lists before you should make a swap to something you’re more comfortable with (but really, just put in the time to learn these!).


Monte’s Spice

This is likely the best aggro lineup at the moment, with my own personal flair thrown in (Nightfall).

Nightfall

Regions
Shadow Isles
19 cards
Mount Targon
21 cards
Rarities
23 400
champion
6
epic
0
rare
10
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
11
1
15
2
7
3
3
4
1
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Diana
3
Diana
4
Nocturne
3
Nocturne
Followers
18
1
Lunari Duskbringer
3
Lunari Duskbringer
1
Solari Soldier
3
Solari Soldier
1
Stygian Onlooker
3
Stygian Onlooker
2
Lunari Shadestalker
3
Lunari Shadestalker
3
Crescent Guardian
3
Crescent Guardian
3
Doombeast
3
Doombeast
Spells
16
0
Fading Memories
3
Fading Memories
1
Heavens Aligned
2
Heavens Aligned
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Unspeakable Horror
3
Unspeakable Horror
2
Unto Dusk
3
Unto Dusk
3
Stalking Shadows
1
Stalking Shadows
5
Moonlight Affliction
1
Moonlight Affliction

Pirates

Regions
Bilgewater
16 cards
Noxus
24 cards
Rarities
26 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
7
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
9
2
9
3
6
4
1
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
4
Twisted Fate
2
Twisted Fate
5
Gangplank
1
Gangplank
Followers
26
1
Crackshot Corsair
3
Crackshot Corsair
1
Legion Rearguard
3
Legion Rearguard
1
Legion Saboteur
3
Legion Saboteur
1
Precious Pet
3
Precious Pet
2
Imperial Demolitionist
3
Imperial Demolitionist
2
Legion Grenadier
3
Legion Grenadier
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
3
Arachnoid Sentry
1
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Island Navigator
1
Island Navigator
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
Spells
8
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Sigil of Malice
2
Sigil of Malice
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Draven Sion

Regions
Noxus
21 cards
Piltover & Zaun
19 cards
Rarities
26 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
7
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
11
2
12
3
0
4
1
5
3
6
6
7+
Champions
6
3
Draven
3
Draven
7
Sion
3
Sion
Followers
17
1
Reborn Grenadier
2
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
17
1
Poro Cannon
2
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Rummage
2
Rummage
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Survival Skills
1
Survival Skills
6
Decimate
3
Decimate

Ban Strategy

I do think Draven Sion + Pirates is the ideal core for a burn lineup, and you should be looking to beat up Pantheon and Sun Disc with this strategy.

This means we’ll be banning out anything that threatens us – for example Feel the Rush or even Sentinels (as we'll see in the next lineup) can be incredibly punishing to our all-in aggro strategy.

If Darkness shows up, you’ll want to get rid of that too, since basically any deck with healing and vast amounts of removal is something we don’t want to deal with. 

Possible Swaps

It’s totally understandable and likely advisable that you should play something else over Nightfall so you can have a better Pantheon matchup, the only trouble is that I don’t know what the best third burn/aggro deck could be.

You could try out Spiders – it does have the matchup spread you want – but I lost faith in that deck during Ahri Kennen meta. YiA is maybe still just good enough to bully Panth but it’s not a matchup I’ve tested and there aren’t enough games for stats to show up. 


The Society Against Aggro

Mono Shurima received some nerfs in the latest patch, leading to slightly fewer people playing the deck on the Ladder, in turn allowing Feel The Rush to reemerge at the top of ladder win rate stats.

This trio preys on the more aggressive decks in the current meta (like the three we've just seen above), which themselves target the Shurima and Pantheon lineups. 

Feel The Rush

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

Jayce Sentinel Control

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
21 cards
Shadow Isles
19 cards
Rarities
27 000
champion
6
epic
4
rare
6
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
3
1
13
2
4
3
5
4
1
5
8
6
4
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
2
Elise
4
Jayce
3
Jayce
5
Vi
1
Vi
Landmarks
1
3
The Forge Of Tomorrow
1
The Forge Of Tomorrow
Followers
14
1
Burgeoning Sentinel
3
Burgeoning Sentinel
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
3
Buhru Sentinel
3
Buhru Sentinel
4
Aloof Travelers
2
Aloof Travelers
7
Albus Ferros
3
Albus Ferros
Spells
19
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Glimpse Beyond
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
6
Piercing Darkness
2
Piercing Darkness
6
Shock Blast
3
Shock Blast
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination

Darkness

Regions
Shadow Isles
18 cards
Bandlecity
22 cards
Rarities
24 700
champion
6
epic
1
rare
11
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
2
1
15
2
2
3
8
4
3
5
8
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Veigar
3
Veigar
5
Senna
3
Senna
Followers
16
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
1
The Rekindler
Spells
18
1
Group Shot
2
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
1
Stress Defense
4
Withering Wail
2
Withering Wail
6
Minimorph
1
Minimorph
6
Piercing Darkness
1
Piercing Darkness
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance
9
The Ruination
1
The Ruination

Ban Strategy

Our target strategy is simple, we want to see at least one aggro deck in our opponent’s lineup.

Popular choices these days are Pirate Aggro and Draven Sion, both sporting considerable decent win rates and popularity, with the latter winning a couple of MaRu daily tournaments. All three of our decks should be able to outlast their aggressive early start and stabilize the longer the game goes. 

The decks that we do not want to see mainly come from two regions, Shurima and Demacia. Sun Disc is a very big threat and should probably be banned on sight, as even with their slight nerf they can still beat us faster than we can beat them. From Demacia, rally strategies just race us down as they’re able to capitalize on our high-cost cards to set up for a brutal Rally turn.

Possible Swaps

If you’re looking for an alternate deck to any of the ones presented here, Aurelion Sol Thresh should be decently positioned to slot into this lineup and still keep similar matchup tables. 


Pile Gamers

These decks might not seem like they share a lot in common, but the idea is that we are playing more aggressively to be able to beat the Shurima decks without fully going into triple aggro lineup.

In fact, this lineup works because it doesn’t outright lose to a triple control lineup.

Aphelios Fizz

Regions
Mount Targon
12 cards
Bandlecity
28 cards
Rarities
27 400
champion
6
epic
2
rare
19
common
13
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
19
2
6
3
2
4
0
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Fizz
3
Fizz
3
Aphelios
3
Aphelios
Followers
18
1
The Flight
2
The Flight
2
Assistant Librarian
3
Assistant Librarian
2
Conchologist
3
Conchologist
2
Grandfather Fae
3
Grandfather Fae
3
Gleaming Lantern
3
Gleaming Lantern
4
Rainbowfish
2
Rainbowfish
6
Papercraft Dragon
2
Papercraft Dragon
Spells
16
1
Fae Sprout
3
Fae Sprout
1
Trinket Trade
3
Trinket Trade
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Hush
2
Hush
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Pokey Stick
3
Pokey Stick

Ziggs Taliyah

Regions
Bandlecity
11 cards
Shurima
29 cards
Rarities
27 000
champion
6
epic
2
rare
17
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
10
2
15
3
4
4
4
5
0
6
1
7+
Champions
6
3
Ziggs
3
Ziggs
5
Taliyah
3
Taliyah
Landmarks
6
1
Ancient Preparations
1
Ancient Preparations
1
Hexplosive Minefield
2
Hexplosive Minefield
2
Preservarium
3
Preservarium
Followers
14
1
Inventive Chemist
3
Inventive Chemist
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
3
Endless Devout
3
Endless Devout
4
Desert Naturalist
3
Desert Naturalist
5
Herald of the Magus
1
Herald of the Magus
8
The Arsenal
1
The Arsenal
Spells
14
2
Pokey Stick
2
Pokey Stick
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
3
Ancient Hourglass
2
Ancient Hourglass
3
Quicksand
2
Quicksand
3
Rite of the Arcane
3
Rite of the Arcane
3
Unraveled Earth
2
Unraveled Earth
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation

Scouts

Regions
Demacia
32 cards
Bilgewater
8 cards
Rarities
28 800
champion
6
epic
4
rare
15
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
14
2
6
3
3
4
6
5
4
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Quinn
3
Quinn
Followers
27
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Penitent Squire
3
Penitent Squire
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Marai Warden
2
Marai Warden
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Sergeant
4
Island Navigator
3
Island Navigator
6
Cithria the Bold
3
Cithria the Bold
6
Genevieve Elmheart
1
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
7
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Ban Strategy

All three of our decks have great winrates into Sun Disc, making that our main target. Against the rest of the common field, such as Feel The Rush, Draven Sion, Pirate Aggro, and Ziggs Taliyah, we always have at least 2 out of 3 decks with positive win rates versus them. That’s the beauty of this lineup, there aren’t any outright losing lineups. 

Except for one deck: Pantheon Yuumi. All three of our decks lose badly to Pantheon Yuumi, so I would recommend always banning the deck if you go against it.

Other big Demacia decks, such as Lux Jayce, can also be problematic as they can abuse their matchup versus our Scouts. So be mindful of that.

Possible Swaps

Other variations of this lineup could include Sun Disc or Pantheon Yuumi itself, but I feel those decks make you more vulnerable to counter lineups. I would not recommend playing them unless you’re just not comfortable with one of the above. 


Sirturmund’s Pick – Trying To Counter The Field

As always, I overthink things too much and try to counter the most popular decks rather than play them myself… Well, sort of! =)

This week my picks are three decks meant to target Sun Disc and Pantheon Yuumi. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a third deck that could really do that, so had to settle for a version of Pantheon Yuumi teched to beat other Pantheon Yuumi decks.

Azir Irelia

Regions
Ionia
25 cards
Shurima
15 cards
Rarities
24 500
champion
6
epic
1
rare
10
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
14
1
11
2
6
3
3
4
6
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
3
Dunekeeper
1
Shadow Apprentice
2
Shadow Apprentice
1
Sparring Student
3
Sparring Student
1
Treasure Seeker
3
Treasure Seeker
2
Greenglade Duo
3
Greenglade Duo
2
Ribbon Dancer
3
Ribbon Dancer
4
Field Musicians
1
Field Musicians
5
Blossoming Blade
3
Blossoming Blade
Spells
10
1
Rite of Calling
1
Rite of Calling
1
Shaped Stone
2
Shaped Stone
2
Lead and Follow
2
Lead and Follow
4
Deny
1
Deny
4
Homecoming
1
Homecoming
5
Defiant Dance
3
Defiant Dance

Draven Sion

Regions
Noxus
20 cards
Piltover & Zaun
20 cards
Rarities
27 900
champion
6
epic
5
rare
5
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
11
2
11
3
2
4
1
5
0
6
8
7+
Champions
6
3
Draven
3
Draven
7
Sion
3
Sion
Followers
22
1
Reborn Grenadier
1
Reborn Grenadier
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
3
Boom Baboon
2
Fallen Rider
3
Fallen Rider
2
Ferros Financier
1
Ferros Financier
3
Arachnoid Sentry
2
Arachnoid Sentry
3
Sump Dredger
2
Sump Dredger
4
Aloof Travelers
2
Aloof Travelers
8
Captain Farron
2
Captain Farron
8
Lost Soul
3
Lost Soul
Spells
12
1
Poro Cannon
2
Poro Cannon
1
Ravenous Flock
1
Ravenous Flock
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Rummage
1
Rummage
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
3
Whirling Death
1
Whirling Death
5
Survival Skills
1
Survival Skills

Pantheon Yuumi

Regions
Demacia
13 cards
Mount Targon
27 cards
Rarities
23 000
champion
6
epic
0
rare
8
common
26
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
4
1
16
2
11
3
7
4
2
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Yuumi
3
Yuumi
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Followers
13
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Mountain Goat
2
Mountain Goat
3
Wounded Whiteflame
3
Wounded Whiteflame
4
Blinded Mystic
2
Blinded Mystic
Spells
21
1
Chain Vest
1
Chain Vest
2
Guiding Touch
2
Guiding Touch
2
Hush
1
Hush
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
2
Sharpsight
3
Sharpsight
2
Single Combat
2
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
2
Cataclysm
3
Zenith Blade
3
Zenith Blade
4
Bastion
2
Bastion
5
Concerted Strike
2
Concerted Strike

Ban Strategy

As mentioned, our main targets are Shurima and big Demacia decks like Pantheon and Lux. Azir Irelia is able to race these decks down very fast, and gets a big tempo swing with their recalls.

Similarly, Draven Sion is an aggro midrange deck that can push a lot of damage through Fearsome and Burn.

And, finally, Pantheon Yuumi with double BastionBastion can battle through counters like QuicksandQuicksand and Concerted StrikeConcerted Strike to get where it needs to. 

What I like about this lineup is that we don’t outright lose to control or other midrange piles, either. We have an even-ish spread across the board against these types of decks. 

Our boogeyman though is very obvious, aggro. Both Azir Irelia and Pantheon Yuumi are very vulnerable to triple aggro lineups. Unfortunately, if the opponent is playing pure triple aggro, there is not a lot we can do. I would recommend banning their Pirate Aggro and testing your luck against the rest. 


Seasonal Prep Tips

With the Open Rounds coming up, here's a few tips we thought may be useful for players that will compete in a Seasonal Tournament for the first time:

Figure out your lineup early.

Find some friends to practice your lineups with,

When choosing your lineup for Open Rounds, try to pick decks you’re comfortable on, but also decks that aren’t very polarized (as in, it's generally better to avoid decks that have highly skewed matchup tables like 70/30).

When it comes to Open Rounds, you can’t expect to hit a matchup you’re trying to target (I learned this the hard way when I saw exactly one Ahri Kennen player during the Ahri Kennen meta – here's a detailed article about my experiences in that Tournament) – more generally, avoid hard target strategies.

Don’t be afraid to just play the best decks. They’re at the top of the Ladder for a reason.

Don’t give up even if you go 2 losses early. This Seasonal counts towards worlds. So every single win that you get in a match will get you some seasonal points. Play it all out even if you have a bad performance.

And good luck!


About the authors

Sirturmund is a long-time player of the game, having played LoR since beta. He has found competitive success in the past year with a couple of seasonal top cuts finishes, rank 1 ladder placements, and first spot in a Qualifier of Mastering Runeterra's Championship. Best known for being one of the very few to still bring Star Springs to tournaments, you can find Sirturmund lurking around all the social media sites absorbing anything he can about the game!

MonteXristo has been playing the game since closed beta and has consistently made it to masters every season he’s been active.  His accomplishments include having peaked in the top 20, taking first place in the “Streamer Sideboard Showdown” and LPP Riot Grand Prix. When he’s not writing for Mastering Runeterra he keeps his card-slinging skills sharp by playing in the Runeterra Academy tournament, with his team The Wobbly Wombats!