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Top 10 Decks For Day 1 Ladder Climbing

Unveil the top 10 powerful decks to dominate the latest Runeterra meta, including strategies that survived nerfs and fresh combos to outwit your opponents and conquer the ladder.

With the ever-changing meta and frequent expansions, it's essential for players to stay updated with the latest and most powerful decks. In this guide, we have compiled a list of ten powerful decks that will help you climb the ladder quickly and efficiently. Some of these decks are hold overs from the last patch that were able to dodge the Nerf Hammer and some of them are new takes on decks.

#1 Samira Varus

This list was made before the last second addition of Momentous ChoiceMomentous Choice to the nerf list. While choice costing an extra mana is important it doesn't necessarily spell the end for this deck. Samira Varus is still a very strong deck and players have a tendeny to forget decks that have been hit by nerfs to their own detriment, don't let that happen to you.

Regions
Runeterra
28 cards
Noxus
12 cards
Rarities
27 700
champion
6
epic
3
rare
15
common
16
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
14
2
0
3
14
4
3
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Samira
3
Samira
4
Varus
3
Varus
Equipments
2
1
The Darkin Ballista
2
The Darkin Ballista
Followers
11
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
2
Lunari Cultist
2
Lunari Cultist
4
Ambitious Cultist
3
Ambitious Cultist
Spells
21
1
All Out
3
All Out
1
Noxian Tellstones
1
Noxian Tellstones
2
Momentous Choice
3
Momentous Choice
2
The Violent Dischord
3
The Violent Dischord
4
Furious Wielder
3
Furious Wielder
4
The Expanse's Protection
3
The Expanse's Protection
4
The Unending Wave
2
The Unending Wave
5
Heedless Resurrection
1
Heedless Resurrection
5
The Unforgiving Cold
2
The Unforgiving Cold

#2 Samira Tristana

Samira Tristana was putting up numbers before the patch and is very much under the radar. Now with the addition of Bandle GunnersBandle Gunners this deck has the potential to go as high as tier 1. Aggressive strategies are at their best right after a patch when players are trying to figure out what's good and trying new decks that they aren't comfortable playing. This deck could be good enough to have legs all the way to the Worlds Qualifier which makes it twice as attractive for go wide enthusiasts.

Regions
Noxus
19 cards
Bandlecity
21 cards
Rarities
32 800
champion
6
epic
8
rare
13
common
13
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
7
1
11
2
16
3
3
4
0
5
0
6
3
7+
Champions
6
2
Samira
3
Samira
3
Tristana
3
Tristana
Followers
21
1
Crimson Pigeon
3
Crimson Pigeon
2
Bandle Commando
2
Bandle Commando
2
Grandfather Fae
3
Grandfather Fae
2
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Ionian Hookmaster
3
Bandle City Mayor
3
Bandle City Mayor
3
Wandering Shepherd
2
Wandering Shepherd
4
Tenor of Terror
2
Tenor of Terror
10
Bandle Gunners
3
Bandle Gunners
Spells
13
1
Pie Toss
2
Pie Toss
1
Stylish Shot
2
Stylish Shot
3
Might
3
Might
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Noxian Fervor
3
Pirouette
2
Pirouette
4
Puzzling Signposts
1
Puzzling Signposts

#3 Heimerdinger Jayce

The Dark Donger legend lives on. Heimer Jayce has been one of the most successful control decks of all time at this point. With a buff to Soul HarvestSoul Harvest this SI control deck looks to once against assert it's dominance. Even if you don't want to play this deck knowing it's ins and outs will help you long term as it is a bit of a fan favorite and I expect to see it pick up in popularity as we head towards the Worlds Qualifier.

Regions
Shadow Isles
9 cards
Piltover & Zaun
31 cards
Rarities
27 300
champion
6
epic
3
rare
13
common
18
eternal
standard
Mana cost
3
0
9
1
9
2
4
3
3
4
3
5
9
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Jayce
3
Jayce
5
Heimerdinger
3
Heimerdinger
Landmarks
1
3
The Forge Of Tomorrow
1
The Forge Of Tomorrow
Followers
12
1
Adaptatron 3000
3
Adaptatron 3000
1
Forge Chief
3
Forge Chief
2
Ferros Financier
3
Ferros Financier
3
Hextech Handler
3
Hextech Handler
Spells
21
0
Production Surge
3
Production Surge
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Piltovan Tellstones
1
Quietus
2
Quietus
2
High Note
1
High Note
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Soul Harvest
2
Soul Harvest
6
Formula
3
Formula
6
Piercing Darkness
2
Piercing Darkness
6
Shock Blast
1
Shock Blast
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance

#4 Illaoi Jarvan

Illaoi Jarvan put a number of players through to day 2 of last months Runeterra Open. The deck has some draws that are borderline unbeatable. With most of the other top decks taking a hit look for decks like this that have avoided the Nerf pain to rise up in the ranks substantially. If this deck was already good enough to make top cuts and climb the ladder with before it's going to be a real threat post patch.

Regions
Demacia
15 cards
Bilgewater
25 cards
Rarities
27 500
champion
6
epic
3
rare
14
common
17
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
3
1
13
2
9
3
3
4
6
5
4
6
2
7+
Champions
6
4
Illaoi
3
Illaoi
6
Jarvan IV
3
Jarvan IV
Equipments
2
2
Eye of God
2
Eye of God
Followers
14
1
Watchful Idol
3
Watchful Idol
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
The Sea's Voice
3
The Sea's Voice
5
Buhru Lookout
3
Buhru Lookout
8
Nagakabouros
2
Nagakabouros
Spells
18
2
Answered Prayer
2
Answered Prayer
2
Form Up!
3
Form Up!
2
Single Combat
3
Single Combat
3
Cataclysm
3
Cataclysm
3
Tentacle Smash
3
Tentacle Smash
5
Eye of Nagakabouros
3
Eye of Nagakabouros
6
Riptide Sermon
1
Riptide Sermon

#5 Aatrox Vayne Quinn

One of the three decks that Team Red Pup used to put two of their players into the finals. Aatrox Vayne Quinn has undeniable pressure that never stops. If the metagame doesn't become overly hostile towards it look for this deck to continue it's dominance.

Regions
Demacia
28 cards
Runeterra
12 cards
Rarities
34 800
champion
6
epic
10
rare
12
common
12
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
15
2
10
3
3
4
1
5
2
6
0
7+
Champions
6
3
Vayne
3
Vayne
5
Quinn
1
Quinn
6
Aatrox
2
Aatrox
Equipments
10
2
The Darkin Spear
3
The Darkin Spear
2
The Darkin Harp
3
The Darkin Harp
1
The Darkin Bloodletters
2
The Darkin Bloodletters
2
The Darkin Aegis
1
The Darkin Aegis
2
The Darkin Lodestone
1
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
13
1
Fleetfeather Tracker
2
Fleetfeather Tracker
1
Steadfast Elkin
3
Steadfast Elkin
2
Petricite Broadwing
3
Petricite Broadwing
3
Blocking Badgerbear
2
Blocking Badgerbear
4
Ranger-Knight Defector
3
Ranger-Knight Defector
Spells
11
1
Catch!
2
Catch!
2
Blinding Assault
2
Blinding Assault
2
Form Up!
2
Form Up!
3
Cataclysm
2
Cataclysm
3
Fish Fight
3
Fish Fight

#6 Karma Sett

The boogeyman to some players Karma decks are here to stay. As control players rejoice, I'd like to point out to those that are less inclined to play pink that you do have nine turns to kill the Karma player. If you want to beat this deck try not to run into their stuns and tax their mana with efficient threats and answers. But if you are like me, let the good times roll! I can't wait to be picking up my Sett to level him once more and drawing a ton of cards, lets gooo!

Regions
Ionia
23 cards
Piltover & Zaun
17 cards
Rarities
25 600
champion
6
epic
2
rare
10
common
22
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
0
1
9
2
5
3
13
4
9
5
4
6
0
7+
Champions
6
5
Karma
3
Karma
5
Sett
3
Sett
Followers
8
3
Pit Professional
3
Pit Professional
4
Augmented Clockling
2
Augmented Clockling
4
Smooth Mixologist
3
Smooth Mixologist
Spells
26
2
High Note
3
High Note
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Tag Out!
3
Tag Out!
3
Aftershock
2
Aftershock
4
Caustic Riff
3
Caustic Riff
4
Concussive Palm
3
Concussive Palm
4
Deny
2
Deny
5
Place Your Bets
3
Place Your Bets
6
Formula
2
Formula
6
Hexbliterator
2
Hexbliterator

#7 NightFall

This is a brew from the #1 ranked ladder grinder himself Nicmakesplays, Nic was the ultimate NightFall champion often catching his opponents by surprise by playing it when the deck had started to be forgotten. With a ton of recent buffs over the past year can this deck finally shine? I for one intend to find out.

Regions
Mount Targon
32 cards
Shadow Isles
8 cards
Rarities
26 000
champion
6
epic
2
rare
12
common
20
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
9
1
12
2
10
3
5
4
4
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Diana
3
Diana
4
Nocturne
3
Nocturne
Followers
24
1
Lunari Duskbringer
3
Lunari Duskbringer
1
Solari Soldier
3
Solari Soldier
2
Lunari Shadestalker
3
Lunari Shadestalker
2
Twilit Protector
3
Twilit Protector
3
Crescent Guardian
3
Crescent Guardian
3
Lunari Priestess
2
Lunari Priestess
3
Moonlit Glenkeeper
3
Moonlit Glenkeeper
4
The Cloven Way
2
The Cloven Way
5
Cygnus the Moonstalker
2
Cygnus the Moonstalker
Spells
10
1
Heavens Aligned
3
Heavens Aligned
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
3
Stalking Shadows
2
Stalking Shadows
5
Moonlight Affliction
2
Moonlight Affliction

#8 Deep

Deep has shown it's self to be an adaptable mid and late game hoser. If you are a Deep lover you will be pleased to know that your baby is still viable. The Meta will tell just how viable but for day 1 climbing and trophy grinding this a great choice.

Regions
Shadow Isles
15 cards
Bilgewater
25 cards
Rarities
28 600
champion
6
epic
4
rare
14
common
16
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
5
2
11
3
7
4
1
5
6
6
4
7+
Champions
6
4
Maokai
3
Maokai
7
Nautilus
3
Nautilus
Followers
18
1
Dreg Dredgers
3
Dreg Dredgers
2
Sea Scarab
3
Sea Scarab
3
Deadbloom Wanderer
3
Deadbloom Wanderer
3
Jaull Hunters
2
Jaull Hunters
4
Megatusk
2
Megatusk
5
Abyssal Eye
1
Abyssal Eye
6
Devourer of the Depths
3
Devourer of the Depths
7
Shipwreck Hoarder
1
Shipwreck Hoarder
Spells
16
1
Jettison
3
Jettison
2
Heavy Metal
2
Heavy Metal
3
Lure of the Depths
3
Lure of the Depths
3
Undergrowth
3
Undergrowth
4
Salvage
2
Salvage
6
Vengeance
3
Vengeance

#9 Ekko Jinx

PuffballPanda took this deck straight to a top cut in last months Open. It packs a punch and if your opponents aren't used to playing vs Ekko you can a huge advantage. Yet another powerful deck that could pay dividends down the line to learn as the we approach the Worlds Qualifier.

Regions
Shurima
23 cards
Piltover & Zaun
17 cards
Rarities
29 600
champion
6
epic
6
rare
8
common
20
eternal
standard
Mana cost
3
0
12
1
9
2
4
3
12
4
0
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
4
Ekko
3
Ekko
4
Jinx
3
Jinx
Landmarks
3
1
Ancient Preparations
3
Ancient Preparations
Followers
16
1
Dropboarder
3
Dropboarder
1
Forsaken Baccai
3
Forsaken Baccai
2
Aspiring Chronomancer
3
Aspiring Chronomancer
3
Xenotype Researchers
2
Xenotype Researchers
4
Augmented Clockling
2
Augmented Clockling
4
Voice of the Risen
3
Voice of the Risen
Spells
15
0
Feral Prescience
3
Feral Prescience
1
Scrying Sands
3
Scrying Sands
2
Mystic Shot
3
Mystic Shot
2
Time Trick
3
Time Trick
3
Quicksand
2
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
1
Rite of Negation

#10 Malphite Taliyah

GrandpaRoji's baby is still kicking. If you like doing a little bit of everything this deck is for you. It's got just the right amount of power, synergy and fun to keep players coming back. Many a player has written this deck off to their own detriment. It can beat just about anything if it's plan comes together and is really a joy to play. If you don't know where to start I highly recommend Taliyah Malphite.

Regions
Shurima
21 cards
Mount Targon
19 cards
Rarities
29 200
champion
6
epic
6
rare
6
common
22
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
6
1
9
2
8
3
5
4
7
5
2
6
3
7+
Champions
6
5
Taliyah
3
Taliyah
7
Malphite
3
Malphite
Landmarks
10
1
Ancient Preparations
3
Ancient Preparations
2
Hibernating Rockbear
2
Hibernating Rockbear
3
Dragon Roost
2
Dragon Roost
4
Salt Spire
3
Salt Spire
Followers
13
1
Chip
3
Chip
2
Blue Sentinel
2
Blue Sentinel
2
Rock Hopper
3
Rock Hopper
3
Rockbear Shepherd
3
Rockbear Shepherd
6
Stonebreaker
2
Stonebreaker
Spells
11
2
Pale Cascade
2
Pale Cascade
3
Mikhael's Blessing
1
Mikhael's Blessing
3
Quicksand
2
Quicksand
4
Rite of Negation
2
Rite of Negation
5
Celestial Wonder
2
Celestial Wonder
5
Sunburst
2
Sunburst

#11 Samira Pantheon - Bonus

And because I love to under promise and over deliver here is a bonus 11th deck. It's last but certainly not least (I stole it from Yang's artice). In our team learning call that we do every week with our subscribers this deck was brought up as potentially the best new Samira Deck. Pantheon has been a scourge of formats past and with the power level coming way down across the board this deck is a must try!

Regions
Noxus
12 cards
Mount Targon
28 cards
Rarities
28 000
champion
6
epic
4
rare
11
common
19
eternal
standard
Mana cost
0
0
8
1
16
2
7
3
8
4
1
5
0
6
0
7+
Champions
6
2
Samira
3
Samira
4
Pantheon
3
Pantheon
Equipments
4
1
The Darkin Ballista
2
The Darkin Ballista
2
The Darkin Lodestone
2
The Darkin Lodestone
Followers
16
1
Saga Seeker
3
Saga Seeker
2
Grave Physician
2
Grave Physician
2
Lunari Cultist
3
Lunari Cultist
3
Iula
2
Iula
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wandering Shepherd
3
Wounded Whiteflame
2
Wounded Whiteflame
5
Retired Reckoner
1
Retired Reckoner
Spells
14
1
Noxian Tellstones
1
Noxian Tellstones
1
Targonian Tellstones
2
Targonian Tellstones
2
Guiding Touch
3
Guiding Touch
2
Pale Cascade
3
Pale Cascade
4
Furious Wielder
3
Furious Wielder
4
The Expanse's Protection
2
The Expanse's Protection