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

Weekend Warrior Weapons – Twenty Weapons of Choice for the Discerning LoR Ladder Climber

Meta Staples and Off-Meta Medleys, a for Steady and/or Spicy Ladder Climb!
Runeterra Decks

Greetings, my friend! Glad to see you again!

Please, step inside – I am confident you've come to check what we've collected and carefully curated this week, from formidable formulistas Balco's and Legna's findings, along with MaRu's own Meta Tier List – the very best blends, brews and medleys from across Runeterra!


LoR Weapons of Choice

This pleasant sight is what shall greet you, should you jump onto the Ladder today:

LoR Meta Tier List
Source: Balco's Meta Tier List

The ebbs and flows of our Meta have calmed down and now only a single blend, namely the returned Sejuani Gangplank, punches above 55% – we have a whopping eleven medleys near or above the 52% WR mark with play rates over 1% (what we usually call "Meta Decks"), and quite a few less popular yet quite promising brews.

By the way: the Portal Menace, also knowns as Heimer Norra, as reported last Tuesday when covering the best LoR decks, has toned down quite a bit: it's currently the most popular archetype in Runeterra, but it's performing overall at around 50%. We'll recommend its best formula when we speak about it further, but it seems unlikely to become the next Meta Tyrant.


Cream of the Crop

Behold – our selection of the best tools for the ladder-climbing job, if performance is what you seek. No fluttering of the cape nor flamboyant ideas in this section; just rigorous, ruthless execution. As per our exacting standards, all Cream of the Crop blends have win rates (WR) above 54%, with our sample being Platinum and above.


The Queen and King of Plunder: Sejuani Gangplank

If 2022 is the year you arrived to Legends of Runeterra, my friend, this will likely be the first time you lay eyes on this blend – although, let me tell you, veterans remember quite well Seasons past, when the King and Queen of Plunder ruled the ladder with an icy, iron fist. They have come back with a vengeance, having heard that Riptide SermonRiptide Sermon and Eye of NagakabourosEye of Nagakabouros appear to be fairly decent cards.

Their return is a bit puzzling, since they suffer against the most popular medley, namely Heimer Norra – they crush Pirates utterly, though, a blend in which GangplankGangplank used to be a staple in, so there is perhaps a bit of a score to settle there.

Strong against: Pirates, Kat Gwen, Nasus Kindred, (Taric Poppy?)

Struggles against: Eve Viego, EzKen

Regions
Freljord
3 cards
Bilgewater
37 cards
Rarities
27 600
champion
6
epic
4
rare
9
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
9
1
9
2
3
3
3
4
6
5
6
6
1
7+
Champions
6
5
Gangplank
3
Gangplank
6
Sejuani
3
Sejuani
Followers
19
1
Jagged Butcher
3
Jagged Butcher
1
Shellshocker
3
Shellshocker
2
Black Market Merchant
3
Black Market Merchant
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Yordle Grifter
3
Yordle Grifter
8
The Dreadway
1
The Dreadway
Spells
15
0
Warning Shot
3
Warning Shot
1
Parrrley
3
Parrrley
2
Make it Rain
3
Make it Rain
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Riptide Sermon
3
Riptide Sermon

Pirates

Gangplank may have come back to reclaim his Ladder throne, yet Pirates remain, as they have been for quite some time now, one of the most efficient climbing tools you may find – their potency has been tamed a tiny tad, though, with a handful of other popular blends having the better odds should the meet face to face.

As a result, Pirates have learned and adapted, as any keen observer will notice: their best formula, which is their second most popular, has now shifted to three copies of Shellshocker Shellshocker and a single copy of an Elusive Decimate: Slippery WaveriderSlippery Waverider.

Strong against: Trundle Timelines, Nasus Kindred, Ezreal Kennen, Taric Poppy, Lee Sin Akshan

Struggles against: Heimer Norra, Nami TF Ionia, Scouts, Sej Gwen, Sej Gangplank

Regions
Noxus
15 cards
Bilgewater
25 cards
Rarities
29 200
champion
6
epic
6
rare
6
common
22
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
12
1
6
2
6
3
6
4
4
5
6
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
Shellshocker
3
Shellshocker
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
4
Zap Sprayfin
3
Zap Sprayfin
5
Slippery Waverider
1
Slippery Waverider
Spells
12
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Decimate
3
Decimate
6
Riptide Sermon
3
Riptide Sermon

Scouts, aka Miss Fortune Quinn

This stalwart medley never stops shifting and refining – like Pirates, some lists now include Shellshocker Shellshocker to good effect. Gangplank's return is awful news for this blend, but Scouts has an otherwise great matchup spread.

Strong against: Pirates, Kat Gwen, EzKen, TF Nami Ionia

Struggles against: Eve Viego and Sej Gangplank (awfully in both cases!)

Regions
Demacia
29 cards
Bilgewater
11 cards
Rarities
26 800
champion
6
epic
2
rare
16
common
16
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
16
2
6
3
4
4
6
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Miss Fortune
3
Miss Fortune
5
Quinn
3
Quinn
Followers
24
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Shellshocker
2
Shellshocker
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Brightsteel Protector
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Vanguard Sergeant
3
Vanguard Sergeant
4
Island Navigator
3
Island Navigator
6
Genevieve Elmheart
2
Genevieve Elmheart
Spells
10
1
Ranger's Resolve
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Inspiring Light
3
Inspiring Light
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
4
Relentless Pursuit
1
Relentless Pursuit
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Nami TF Ionia

When looking at singular formulas, Nami TF Ionia is perhaps the most promising – our recommendation punches at 56% across more than 1,800 games, handily handling the two most popular matchups (Heimer Norra and Pirate Aggro) and not being overly afraid of the returned Plunder King and Queen.

Strong against: Heimer Norra, Pirates, Trundle Timelines, Eve Viego

Struggles against: Scouts, EzKen, Taric Poppy (badly!), Scouts (horribly!) – slightly the underdog against Sej Gangplank

Regions
Ionia
17 cards
Bilgewater
23 cards
Rarities
35 900
champion
6
epic
9
rare
23
common
2
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
7
2
6
3
8
4
7
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
3
Nami
3
Nami
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
Followers
12
1
Vastayan Disciple
3
Vastayan Disciple
2
Coral Creatures
3
Coral Creatures
5
Fleet Admiral Shelly
3
Fleet Admiral Shelly
8
Wiggly Burblefish
3
Wiggly Burblefish
Spells
22
1
Ionian Tellstones
3
Ionian Tellstones
1
Wuju Style
3
Wuju Style
2
Heavy Metal
3
Heavy Metal
2
Nopeify!
1
Nopeify!
3
Double Trouble
3
Double Trouble
4
Concussive Palm
3
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Deep Meditation
2
Deep Meditation
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
2
Eye of Nagakabouros

Taric Poppy

These Melee lovers have found their stride with a refined list – and have a blunt edge on the returned Plunder Royals, so recent news are good news for these two. 

Strong against: Sej Gangplank, Trundle Timelines, Nami TF Ionia, EzKen

Struggles against: Pirates, Nasus Kindred

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

Eve Viego

There is something about this medley's play pattern that does not quite gel with numerous pilots – from informal conversations, Eve Viego feels a tad too on-rails for many of them, and perhaps not in character for Viego in the sense that, lacking the protection tools a second region would provide, he becomes merely another threat that you slam on the board for your to foe worry about, without the Eve Viego player having much agency on what happens next.

By the numbers, though, Eve Viego has arguably one of the most enticing matchup spreads (keen readers will notice how often we list this blend as problematic for other brews) and overall performance – the kind of archetype that one would suspect would rule the Ladder if more pilots warmed up to it.

Strong against: Kat Gwen, Nasus Kindred, Scouts, Sej Gwen, Sej Gangplank (brutally) – slight edge on Pirates

Struggles against: TF Nami Ionia

Regions
Runeterra
14 cards
Shadow Isles
26 cards
Rarities
29 800
champion
6
epic
6
rare
9
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
2
1
12
2
11
3
3
4
2
5
5
6
5
7+
Champions
6
4
Evelynn
3
Evelynn
6
Viego
3
Viego
Followers
18
1
Barkbeast
2
Barkbeast
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Domination
3
Domination
3
Vora
2
Vora
5
Neverglade Collector
2
Neverglade Collector
7
Invasive Hydravine
3
Invasive Hydravine
Spells
16
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
3
Hate Spike
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Black Spear
3
Black Spear
6
Vengeance
2
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
2
Atrocity

Other Strong Meta Options

Potent, tried-and-true Meta brews in the 52-54% WR range (except the Portal Yordles; more about them in a bit). While by-the-numbers these perform a tad below the options we have seen above, all of these have been battle-tested and should serve you well!


Katarina Gwen, ft. Elise

A blend with many combos, hidden behind its aggressive façade. Not quite the juggernaut it was by the start of the Awakening Season, yet still a most potent blend. Skill-intensive, too: except for Scouts and Eve Viego (two lousy matchups for Kat Gwen), odds for most popular confrontations lie in the 47-53% range – in other words, all fair fights in which the outcome is very much not decided until the last card is played.

Strong against: Lurkers

Struggles against: Scouts, Eve Viego

Regions
Shadow Isles
25 cards
Noxus
15 cards
Rarities
28 800
champion
6
epic
4
rare
15
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
10
1
13
2
4
3
6
4
3
5
2
6
2
7+
Champions
6
2
Elise
1
Elise
3
Katarina
2
Katarina
4
Gwen
3
Gwen
Followers
21
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
1
Burgeoning Sentinel
3
Burgeoning Sentinel
2
House Spider
2
House Spider
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
3
Arachnoid Sentry
2
Arachnoid Sentry
4
Ruined Reckoner
3
Ruined Reckoner
5
Fallen Reckoner
3
Fallen Reckoner
6
Eternal Dancers
2
Eternal Dancers
Spells
13
1
Ravenous Flock
3
Ravenous Flock
1
Shadow Isles Tellstones
1
Shadow Isles Tellstones
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
2
Hate Spike
2
Vile Feast
2
Vile Feast
10
The Harrowing
2
The Harrowing

Trundle Vi Timelines

Troll King, returning through!

Turns out that none loves Yordles and Portals more than Trundle – loves them with a smashing 70%+ WR when they meet face to face, to be precise. As we mentioned in the past, though, the Troll King has numerous predators, and his success now, like in the early Awakening days, is largely explained by how he exploits weaker blends, while folding to the strong.

Strong against: Heimer Norra (ROFL!!), Viego Evelynn

Struggles against: Pirates, EzKen (horribly!), Nami TF Ionia (badly!), Taric Poppy, Lee Sin Akshan

(NOTE: matchups originally posted upside down - thanks to GenSchwartz for noting such blunder!)

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
23 cards
Freljord
17 cards
Rarities
27 200
champion
5
epic
7
rare
5
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
5
1
11
2
7
3
5
4
5
5
2
6
3
7+
Champions
5
5
Trundle
3
Trundle
5
Vi
2
Vi
Followers
21
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Boom Baboon
2
Boom Baboon
2
Ferros Financier
2
Ferros Financier
2
Vulpine Wanderer
1
Vulpine Wanderer
3
Kindly Tavernkeeper
2
Kindly Tavernkeeper
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Aloof Travelers
2
Aloof Travelers
4
Combat Cook
3
Combat Cook
6
Revna, the Lorekeeper
2
Revna, the Lorekeeper
8
It That Stares
1
It That Stares
Spells
14
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Concurrent Timelines
3
Concurrent Timelines
2
Mystic Shot
2
Mystic Shot
2
Troll Chant
1
Troll Chant
3
Aftershock
2
Aftershock
9
Buried in Ice
2
Buried in Ice

Lee Sin Akshan

After a week of middling performance, rogue and blind monk are kicking back, improving both their performance and popularity – having great odds against Timelines probably helps a bit here.

Strong against: Timelines

Struggles against: Pirates, Taric Poppy

Regions
Shurima
9 cards
Ionia
31 cards
Rarities
31 200
champion
6
epic
6
rare
16
common
12
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
20
2
2
3
4
4
6
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Akshan
3
Akshan
5
Lee Sin
3
Lee Sin
Followers
12
1
Forsaken Baccai
1
Forsaken Baccai
1
Vastayan Disciple
3
Vastayan Disciple
2
Eye of the Dragon
3
Eye of the Dragon
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Vekauran Vagabond
2
Vekauran Vagabond
Spells
22
1
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ionian Tellstones
1
Wuju Style
2
Wuju Style
2
Momentous Choice
3
Momentous Choice
2
Nopeify!
2
Nopeify!
2
Sonic Wave
3
Sonic Wave
2
The Absolver
3
The Absolver
4
Concussive Palm
2
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Deep Meditation
3
Deep Meditation

Ezreal Kennen

This, my friend, is what we normally call a "scattered" brew, with pilots testing a multitude of different formulas – its most popular version actually performs poorly, while the second one, seen below, hits like a truck. A most skill-intensive blend, that you will often hear lineups scholars Monte and Sirturmund include in their Tournaments & Gauntlets recommendations, as it is perhaps one of the strongest tools for the Best-of-Three job.

Strong against: Kat Gwen, Timelines, Nasus Kindred, Nami TF Ionia

Struggles against: Heimer Norra, Pirates, Taric Poppy

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
3 cards
Ionia
37 cards
Rarities
31 200
champion
6
epic
6
rare
16
common
12
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
11
2
8
3
10
4
0
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
1
Kennen
3
Kennen
3
Ezreal
3
Ezreal
Landmarks
3
3
God-Willow Seedling
3
God-Willow Seedling
Followers
11
2
Eye of the Dragon
3
Eye of the Dragon
3
Shadow Assassin
2
Shadow Assassin
4
Kinkou Wayfinder
3
Kinkou Wayfinder
7
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
3
Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed
Spells
20
1
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ionian Tellstones
1
Recall
3
Recall
2
Gruesome Theater
2
Gruesome Theater
2
Nopeify!
2
Nopeify!
2
Retreat
2
Retreat
2
Twin Disciplines
2
Twin Disciplines
4
Concussive Palm
2
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Homecoming
3
Homecoming

Sejuani Gwen

Gangplank may have overtaken the ladder, yet Sejuani Gwen continues to be a most proficient partnership – 54% in more than 700 games with our recommended lists, and other formulas produce similar numbers, which in turn strongly suggests there is room for refinements in this archetype.

Strong against: Nami TF Ionia – seems very strong against Sej Gangplank.

Struggles against: Nasus Kindred, Eve Viego, Taric Poppy

Regions
Freljord
23 cards
Shadow Isles
17 cards
Rarities
24 200
champion
6
epic
0
rare
14
common
20
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
16
2
4
3
3
4
2
5
4
6
6
7+
Champions
6
4
Gwen
3
Gwen
6
Sejuani
3
Sejuani
Followers
19
1
Boisterous Host
3
Boisterous Host
2
Phantom Butler
3
Phantom Butler
2
Ruthless Raider
3
Ruthless Raider
2
Tusk Speaker
3
Tusk Speaker
3
Conductor Of The Mists
1
Conductor Of The Mists
5
Scarmaiden Reaver
2
Scarmaiden Reaver
6
Alpha Wildclaw
1
Alpha Wildclaw
7
Ancient Yeti
3
Ancient Yeti
Spells
15
1
Three Sisters
2
Three Sisters
2
Inner Beast
2
Inner Beast
2
Troll Chant
2
Troll Chant
2
Unspeakable Horror
3
Unspeakable Horror
3
Strike Up The Band
3
Strike Up The Band
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity
8
Battle Fury
2
Battle Fury

Heimer Norra

Another interesting case – if you have kept eyes on the ladder during this week, you already know that these two went from "Who?" to "Whoa!" in no time… yet although they became the most popular blend overnight, their performance dipped sharply.

As it currently stands, their most popular variation manages a modest 51% WR – not what we'd normally recommend, but sometimes you have to make room for what the public demands. And it does have a fairly solid game against some of the Top Dogs.

Strong against: Pirates, Nasus Kindred, EzKean

Struggles against: Trundle Timelines (horribly!), Nami TF Ionia – slight underdog to Gwen blends (Red & Sej)

Regions
Shadow Isles
19 cards
Bandlecity
21 cards
Rarities
27 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
13
common
18
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
23
2
0
3
5
4
6
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Norra
3
Norra
5
Heimerdinger
3
Heimerdinger
Followers
6
2
Conchologist
3
Conchologist
2
Junk Construct
3
Junk Construct
Spells
28
1
Quietus
3
Quietus
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
2
Hate Spike
2
Pokey Stick
3
Pokey Stick
2
Unspeakable Horror
3
Unspeakable Horror
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
4
Sneezy Biggledust!
3
Sneezy Biggledust!
4
The Box
2
The Box
5
Portalpalooza
3
Portalpalooza
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance

Connoisseur's Corner

Not-so-common blends, or good formulas for otherwise mediocre archetypes – if you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path, while still fairly sturdy and well-tested, these are the medleys for you, my friend.


Nasus Kindred

Now, this is quite the interesting development – by play rate, Kindred Nasus  is very much what we'd call a Meta deck (since it's found more than 1% of the time in Platinum and above), yet for the past two weeks it was not a blend we could ardently endorse, given its somewhat lukewarm performance.

Yet it has finally found its stride (helped by superb scribe Shadawx's learned treatise on the topic, perhaps?), and now its best-performing formula punches above 53%, even though it still remains the underNasus against the two most popular blends in the ladder.

Strong against: Taric Poppy

Struggles against: Heimer Norra, Pirates (badly!), EzKen (horribly!)

(Note: Thanks to Whizzy, from Sirturmund's gang, for noting a mistake with the matchups!)

Regions
Shurima
11 cards
Shadow Isles
29 cards
Rarities
31 600
champion
6
epic
8
rare
7
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
3
0
8
1
9
2
5
3
10
4
0
5
3
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Kindred
3
Kindred
6
Nasus
3
Nasus
Equipments
2
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
1
The Darkin Halberd
1
The Darkin Halberd
Followers
13
0
Ravenous Butcher
3
Ravenous Butcher
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
1
The Wings and The Wave
1
The Wings and The Wave
3
The Undying
3
The Undying
4
Spirit Leech
3
Spirit Leech
Spells
19
1
Rite of Calling
2
Rite of Calling
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
3
Hate Spike
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Black Spear
2
Black Spear
4
Crumble
2
Crumble
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation
7
Atrocity
2
Atrocity

Bandlemacia Lulu Poppy

Rising to prominence in the last couple of days thanks to prominent pilot NicMakesPlays' performance (and, as such, earning a last-minute inclusion in Sirturmund's personal pick for this weekend's Tournaments & Gauntlets), Lulu Poppy has shown quite the legs, even when it folds to some of the popular Top Dogs.

Strong against: Pirates, Nasus Kindred, Nami TF Ionia

Struggles against: Heimer Norra (badly), Eve Viego (horribly), Taric Poppy, Timelines

Regions
Demacia
23 cards
Bandlecity
17 cards
Rarities
28 500
champion
6
epic
5
rare
8
common
21
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
14
2
8
3
5
4
3
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Lulu
3
Lulu
4
Poppy
3
Poppy
Followers
25
1
Byrd, The Bellringer
3
Byrd, The Bellringer
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
3
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Brightsteel Protector
3
Brightsteel Protector
2
Durand Sculptor
3
Durand Sculptor
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
2
Yordle Smith
3
Yordle Smith
3
Bandle City Mayor
3
Bandle City Mayor
3
Wandering Shepherd
2
Wandering Shepherd
6
Cithria the Bold
2
Cithria the Bold
Spells
9
1
Ranger's Resolve
2
Ranger's Resolve
2
Sharpsight
2
Sharpsight
4
Relentless Pursuit
2
Relentless Pursuit
5
Golden Aegis
3
Golden Aegis

Karma Viktor

This is indeed a thing, my friend – steadily rising in popularity while smacking at a wonderful 53%+. And, arguably, a one-of-a-kind blend when it comes to play pattern, as there is no other medley that plays quite like it.

Strong against: Heimer Norra, Nami TF Ionia, Eve Viego, EzKen

Struggles against: Pirates, Kat Gwen, Taric Poppy

Regions
Ionia
21 cards
Piltover & Zaun
19 cards
Rarities
29 700
champion
6
epic
5
rare
14
common
15
eternal
Mana cost
2
0
8
1
8
2
5
3
10
4
4
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
4
Viktor
3
Viktor
5
Karma
3
Karma
Landmarks
3
7
Back Alley Bar
3
Back Alley Bar
Followers
9
1
Fallen Feline
3
Fallen Feline
1
Vastayan Disciple
2
Vastayan Disciple
3
Shadow Assassin
1
Shadow Assassin
3
Tasty Faefolk
3
Tasty Faefolk
Spells
22
0
Thermogenic Beam
2
Thermogenic Beam
1
Ionian Tellstones
2
Ionian Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
3
Time Trick
2
Twin Disciplines
2
Twin Disciplines
3
Aftershock
1
Aftershock
4
Concussive Palm
3
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
4
Will of Ionia
2
Will of Ionia
5
Deep Meditation
1
Deep Meditation

Lee Sin Nami, ft. Twisted Fate

You could argue that this is merely a different Nami Ionia flavor, and I would be remiss to disagree – flavors, though, have the magical property of altering how we perceive what by the numbers may seem similar. It is also the approach that Seasonal Champion MajiinBae recommends, should you choose to play Nami Ionia.

Strong against: Heimer Norra (very!), Kat Gwen, (Timelines?)

Struggles against: Pirates

Regions
Bilgewater
21 cards
Ionia
19 cards
Rarities
35 100
champion
6
epic
9
rare
19
common
6
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
11
2
6
3
3
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
3
Double Trouble
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros

A Walk on the Wild Side

Should you wish to dance with risk and chance, these are all well-performing, if quite fringe, brews and blends – their performance is excellent, but their sample sizes are too small to predict, with any degree of confidence, how they shall fare tomorrow.


Twisted Fate Akshan

A recent up-and-comer from maître brasseur 4LW , which impressed our lineups maven Monte to the point of being one of his Tournaments & Gauntlets recommendations this week.

Regions
Bilgewater
17 cards
Shurima
23 cards
Rarities
30 700
champion
6
epic
7
rare
8
common
19
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
13
2
6
3
4
4
3
5
3
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Akshan
3
Akshan
4
Twisted Fate
3
Twisted Fate
Equipments
3
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
3
The Darkin Bloodletters
Followers
14
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
1
Shellshocker
3
Shellshocker
2
Marai Warden
3
Marai Warden
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Merciless Hunter
3
Vekauran Vagabond
2
Vekauran Vagabond
Spells
17
1
Shaped Stone
2
Shaped Stone
2
Heavy Metal
2
Heavy Metal
2
Ruinous Path
3
Ruinous Path
2
The Absolver
2
The Absolver
3
Quicksand
1
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Riptide Sermon
3
Riptide Sermon

Thresh Viego Ionia

Providing more food for thought about why numerous pilots dislike Eve Viego's play pattern (even when they recognize E-V as a powerful blend), there is no end to the experimentations we see pairing the Shadowy Shirtless King with the Pink Region – from Kindred Viego Ionia last week, to Thresh Viego now, Viego and 'protect-the-Queen' tools do form a marvelous marriage.

Strong against: Heimer Norra and Pirates?

Struggles against: Timelines?

Regions
Ionia
9 cards
Shadow Isles
31 cards
Rarities
27 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
13
common
18
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
0
1
18
2
8
3
3
4
3
5
4
6
4
7+
Champions
6
5
Thresh
3
Thresh
6
Viego
3
Viego
Followers
15
2
Greenglade Lookout
3
Greenglade Lookout
2
Sultur
3
Sultur
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Camavoran Soldier
3
Vora
3
Vora
7
Invasive Hydravine
3
Invasive Hydravine
Spells
19
2
Glimpse Beyond
3
Glimpse Beyond
2
Hate Spike
3
Hate Spike
2
Syncopation
3
Syncopation
2
Vile Feast
3
Vile Feast
3
Black Spear
2
Black Spear
4
Deny
3
Deny
6
Vengeance
1
Vengeance
7
Atrocity
1
Atrocity

Zaun Yuumi Zoe

"Let's beef up some cheap Elusives and go to town" has always been a good idea (and with truly terrifying results in some Metas). And equipment beefs up units, so…

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
14 cards
Mount Targon
26 cards
Rarities
26 100
champion
6
epic
3
rare
7
common
24
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
11
1
15
2
11
3
1
4
2
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
1
Zoe
3
Zoe
3
Yuumi
3
Yuumi
Equipments
3
2
The Darkin Lodestone
3
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
19
1
Daring Poro
2
Daring Poro
1
The Flight
3
The Flight
2
Esmus, Breath of the World
3
Esmus, Breath of the World
2
Lunari Shadestalker
2
Lunari Shadestalker
2
Solari Sunhawk
2
Solari Sunhawk
2
Sting Officer
2
Sting Officer
3
Sparklefly
3
Sparklefly
3
Wandering Shepherd
2
Wandering Shepherd
Spells
12
1
Poro Cannon
3
Poro Cannon
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!
4
Suit Up!
1
Suit Up!
5
Battle Bonds
2
Battle Bonds

Vi Jax

Trundle Timelines has returned, smashing things hardVi Jax, the 'other' Timelines brew, has not managed quite the same revival, but keeps itself busy and playables in the Meta fringes.

Regions
Piltover & Zaun
23 cards
Runeterra
17 cards
Rarities
26 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
8
common
23
eternal
Mana cost
0
0
5
1
20
2
6
3
6
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Jax
3
Jax
5
Vi
3
Vi
Followers
18
1
Zaunite Urchin
3
Zaunite Urchin
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Piltovan Castaway
3
Piltovan Castaway
4
Aloof Travelers
3
Aloof Travelers
4
Combat Cook
3
Combat Cook
Spells
16
1
Blades of the Fallen
2
Blades of the Fallen
2
Concurrent Timelines
3
Concurrent Timelines
2
Entrancing Lure
3
Entrancing Lure
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
2
Time Trick
3
Get Excited!
3
Get Excited!

Very well, my friend!

Runeterra Decks

Entering the third Awakening week, the meta shows signs of starting to settle down – Norra Heimer and the Plunder Royals have stirred the pot quite a bit these last few days, no doubt, but WRs are toning down across the board.

Yet, as we've seen, even the most entrenched lists (like Pirates adding an Elusive Decimate, or Nami Ionia now featuring Lee Sin) keep shifting and adapting, so… we shall see what next week's tide brings.

To close, our usual reminder: all stats and recommendations above are for choosing the best LoR deck for the Legends of Runeterra Ladder – if you are in need of weapons of choice for a Tournament or Gauntlet run, be sure to check Sirturmund's & Monte's recommended Best-of-Three decks and lineups.

And best of luck!


Any questions or comments, or more data you may need, please feel free to:

Poke me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerkoKerghans,

Ping me on Discord: https://discord.gg/VNN5NmGhXY,

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


Runeterra Decks