Hail, Champions! Next up in our series of pre-release theorycraft articles is Soraka!
Given that we're not "done" with Targon yet for this set (re: expect Zoe in December), it will be interesting to see whether or not they extend Targon's region rewards past Level 25 this patch and, if they do, if it is a "new chapter" dedicated exclusively to Soraka, comparable to how other region roads are extended. Targon Level 28 region reward could be a Champion Capsule with 1 guaranteed copy of Soraka, but we don't know for certain yet.
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1. Derpyologist's Soraka + TK Healing
Hypothesis: TK's constant self-damage from An Acquired Taste and Soraka's healing package will synergize great together.
Execution: Our last article featured an aggressive take on this partnership; this time, we're looking for more healing synergies including the alternative win-condition, Star Spring.
Why it could work: "Winning by healing" is a frighteningly powerful win condition, and this deck has a high concentration of healing and damaged units. Plus if things do get dicey, you can get a lot of utility from TK's obliterates.
Why it might not: Radically new archetypes like this usually take several iterations to figure out (anybody remember the first few days of deep decks?).
2.) Nchu's Soraka + Taric Supports
Hypothesis: Soraka's Support tag means she's highly synergistic with Taric and Mountain Sojourners.
Execution: A marriage of Targon's big-buff supports and Demacia Challengers.
Why it could work: We already know Demacia challengers have a lot of potential; Soraka might be the extra bit of survivability they need to become meta.
Why it might not: The only new cards here are Soraka and Sharpsight, and it seems unlikely those changes alone will make this archetype come alive.
3.) Soraka + Trundle
Hypothesis: Trundle's regeneration should fast-track Soraka's leveling.
Execution: A combination of Freljord damage-lovers Scarmother Vrynna and Scarthane Steffen, damage-givers Ember Maiden and Tarkaz the Tribeless, and healing cards.
Why it could work: Usually the problem with damage-lovers is that they are already partially damaged so they're easier to kill off; being able to reliably heal them might make them a true threat.
Why it might not: This strategy is putting a lot energy into a few units, so it's vulnerable to plays like Vengeance and Noxian Guillotine.
4. Soraka + Swain
Hypothesis: Stargazer provides an alternative means for Swain to strike nexus: Elusive.
Execution: A standard Swain/The Leviathan framework with a some Targon healing included. Broadbacked Protector can also level Swain 75% on his own while providing some nice stall.
Why it could work: Swain decks are always powerful and fairly reliable. Also: getting Swain to nexus strike without The Leviathan would be huge.
Why it might not: This variant might be less consistent than a traditional Swain + TF deck.
5. Soraka + Miss Fortune Vulnerable
Hypothesis: Working with Vulnerable, you can force survivable trades and then heal your units back up afterwards.
Execution: A midrange Scout deck with TK's damaged followers plus select Targon healing cards.
Why it could work: Anytime you can force a 2-for-1 trade or better you're gaining card advantage, plus Scouts have always been a reliable performer.
Why it might not: Dropping Demacia's contributions to change to Targon means this deck is slower, and historically Scout decks are either fast or dead.
6. FakeHero3's Soraka + Vlad
Hypothesis: Vladimir / Crimson decks have been waiting for healing to pop off.
Execution: A Vlad/Crimson deck with lots of 1-damage pings and the usual Star Spring, and Star Shepherd.
Why it could work: You're presenting a dual-threat now of winning through combat or through healing. Crystal Ibex also lets you grant permanent overwhelm to a high-attack unit, addressing an issue some earlier Vlad decks had.
Why it might not: The biggest drawback of Vlad is that your opponent gets better value blocks thanks to defender's advantage, and healing any survivors after-the-fact doesn't address that.
That's all the Soraka decks we have for now -- what are your thoughts about her? Let us know below.
Comments
For those interested: it does look like the Targon expansion is dedicated to Soraka, so I would anticipate Level 28 to be that free copy of her.
I will be very surprised if the Region Roads don't all end up the same length after December's release. All regions will have the same number of Champions at that point, so it would be hard to justify leaving one road shorter than the rest.
And I would think the last leg of the Targon journey would feature the last Targon Champion to be released, i.e., Zoe.
This came to my attention too late for the article, but here's a neat TK + Soraka deck that NicMakesPlays tweeted on Friday.
Side note: Nic, why you no save deck to DB? :*-(
That one banks pretty hard on the Star Spring win con. I don't know that Tahm Kench can carry you to victory if the healing plan goes south.