Legends of Runeterra

https://lor.mobalytics.gg/meta-tier-list

Hey look they did that thing I suggested...hey look spider aggro is in S tier who guessed that....maybe you guys should stop bad mouthing me when my calls and suggestions literally are meta before the meta?

S tier - Spiders, Ahiri, rally, Pantheon

A tier - everything else

Wow they literally even kicked Lee Sin of the tier list entirely not sure who called that? Need I go on guys, money talks bs walks.

Like some of the high minded stuff like the general decline of champ based win cons in favor of over powered followers...we might not really see the ramifications of that for a other year but it will happen if Riot doesn't start changing up its knee jerk champ nerf reactions in favor of buffing other weaker under played Champs.

Like its not enough that a ton of amazing decks have either dropped a tier or have disappeared all together practically overnight? How big and bright does the bat signal need to be till we start taking notice?

Man the tier list is straight up out the window right now.

https://lor.mobalytics.gg/stats/regions

When you actually examine the up to date win rates for decks the existing tier lists are essentially useless.

We have seen a massive number of decks drop to a barely playable winrate like 51%

So I'll list only the decks that are currently 53% and higher, yes the list is kinda scuffed.

1. Kenin Ahiri 57% combo is doing well into the grindy card piles people are running

2. Spider aggro 57% yeeep good old Elise perhaps the best vanilla champ

3. Pirate aggro 56% never went anywhere always was good always will  be

4. Lurk 55% the most resilient midrange deck in Runeterra will always have a place

5. Pantheon 54% Whiteflame is a good card bro

6. Rally Zed 54% you know the drill

7. Darkness 53% solid control

8. Poros 53% grindy aggro

Everything else has dropped to 0 like a bullet. Plunder midrange get out of here, poppy decks gone, yordle burn gone, Sion never knew yeee, Akshan who? Lee Sin what? 

Honestly it's time for a new mobalytics tier list  because all these nerfs, plus the recent buffs, plus meta defining grindy cards like white flame have absolutely upset the meta.

Post buffs the most exciting deck I wanted to explore was mono shurima.

Basically carrying on the back of three important changes. Sun disc is free now, empire ascended is 6 mana and xerath got a point of health.

All of this means we can meme with movie time and lose less often.

So this is the version I settled on tripple Azir tripple Xerath feel best. One buffs your deck the other puts your opponent on a clock.

The next problem to solve is A how do we have board presence and B how do we remove stuff so the opponent doesn't steam roll us. Problem C how do we protect Champs and disc.

For A I chose count down reducers at 2, 3, and 5 mana. If they are just gonna trade anyway let them do the thing we want them to do. Plus treasure seeker, big sand boy devalues swings.

For B I chose right of the arcane and unworthy as removal options.

For C its basically soothsayer or bust.

So thats it that the deck, is it slow and kind of a meme absolutely, but youre already limiting yourself to a meme deck so might as well play the best version.

So we finally get a look at what the devs think needs to be improved from an archetype perspective.

The big winner is control...vengeance is 6 mana this one mana difference is game changing. It's actually possible to pass pass into like a Zigs kill if your hand is super heavy.

Freijord changes to anivia and and trundle again I'm like not the biggest fan of this deck but it should punish infinite value Bandle decks and Heimer, Zoe etc. So thats great. The deck also has an actual identity and unique play flavor and I'm all about that.

Kindred goes down to 4 mana and Xerath gets a point of health big buffs to the I just want you to stick to the board Champs. I have said before that in skilled hands Xerath has no skill ceiling and now that he's that much harder clear he's a real threat.

Mono shurima now gets to auto play its landmark and again 6 mana instead of 7 mana to auto level its Champs to tier 3. Hey look Riot is putting the fun back in there game...great stuff I'd like to see more of this.

Reminds me of when they buffed braum he was basically unplayable before and now he's at least a little scary as like a hard counter. I could almost see Fiora and Shen having their nerfs reverted because again we want these champs playable, for the sake of fun.

I think Riots getting that so a few more buff passes like this one and I think the game will be in a much more "unbalanced" but funner (not a real word) state.

So its well known that Runeterra is the most balanced card game in the genre.

It does this by sacrificing powerful archetypes with unique flavor upon the nerf cross over and over again until everything is essentially equal.

Case and point, I look and see what Graplr the only streamer still supporting the game daily is playing and its Heimer Zoe with Whiteflame?

So basically infinite value soup with zero synergy or deck flavor. I don't know about you guys but when I see that I'm just craving the days when I could get rushed down by pirate aggro, or Azir sandman, or a Zillian Ekko deck went infinite on me, or Ezreal burned me down, or Poppy built an insane board or a million other unique and interesting independent deck builds existed and were sucessful.

They were sucessful not because.they were balanced but because.they weren't, and that's the real story here, "synergy" means when I run this card with that other card they are better than than both those cards alone...without synergy you don't have decks, and you dont have a card game.

I know I've been harping on this but it seems like people are starting to agree with the whole do the regions, Champs, followers, and spells have enough flavor. The answer they did before.that flavor was nerfed out of existence.

Riot stop nerfing and start buffing seriously, we get roughly 20 nerfs to every single buff on average and it's killing the "synergy" it's killing the "decks" its killing the "fun" in your game.

Thread title.

So Bruised by God one of the best Runeterra players strictly on ladder has come out to say that he thinks the Kenin Ezreal nerf was heavy handed.

https://youtu.be/7TGeMe3REbw

I personally agree, because the only thing keeping infinite value decks in cheque aka shellfolk cycle shenanigans (as an example) was the very real threat that you would just instantly lose queuing into a combo matchup that would just burn you down to 0 even if you had 100 cards.

That threat is gone now, taking the matchup options of aggro-> midrange -> control-> combo down to essentially midrange/aggro/control soup aka I start agressive, cycle hard, play midrange threats and then transition into infinite value lategame.

You compound this lack of deck building identity with limited viable champion compositions, and I can understand his frustration and the general lack of engagement with the game from popular streamers like Swim and Mogwai.

Afterall how can you cry for a nerf and simultaneously be responsible for the dumbing down of the game by limiting the deck building variety and matchup tables, and champ compositions.

Now this is more of an overall trend in the game, a lot of interesting and viable decks have been nerfed into the ground leading into a lack of build identity. I think Shen can be pushed back on top to fight dragons, Azir Irelia can be pushed back to fight aggro, and Fizz Tf can be pushed back to counter control, and yes Ezreal Kenin can be pushed to counter value decks.

If everything is broken and unbalanced by definition nothing will be and it will lead to more dynamic and unpredictable matchups and play experiences. Just my two cents, what do you guys think?

Ladder experiences are driven by heroes and Villains. You as the deck brewer have something to prove you want to beat that meta deck into the ground everyone else says is so op, but what happens when there are no villains anymore.

Lor is a fascinating case study because it is essentially the most balanced digital card game in existence to the extent that they will never need to rotate cards and only live balance changes will effect potential deck performance outcomes.

Case and point, Pirate aggro! People stopped playing this deck largely out of boredom but it still puts up numbers I'm talking 57% percent winrates currently right now making it essentially one of the best decks in the game.

But it isn't a villain and it's isn't played enough to be worth counter brewing against and very little satisfaction comes from beating it.

Lee Sin by comparison is not an amazing deck hovering between 51 and 52 percent winrate but it's play patterns are dynamic enough to stick in the mind of the looser.

You are getting beaten 100% when Lee Sin kicks you down to 0. My point is for me personally I find myself playing LOR far more when there is essentially a boss deck to beat, and far less when people can run any midrange soup and win.

Don't pressure the devs to hotfix too fast in the future, enjoy each stage of the meta as it progresses, and let things breathe a bit...otherwise it's just gonna be Bilgewater for literally the next 10 years of this games life cycle.

When Kennen first came along, I discovered in my first match that you don't have to play just recalled units for his trigger to level up. Any duplicate unit will work. This has led me to the question? What other play styles and champions does he pair with? Bellow is my first experiment.

As you can see, is focuses on fielding units (at best, the Encroaching Mist) and then recalling and copying them to re-trigger their effects. I think this is a deck style that could be used with other unit spam champions like Azir but what do you think? What are other creative ways to speed level Kennen? Or use his support cards to buff other decks?

PS: I'm also looking for feedback on this deck. It plays well, but not great and I'm looking for ways to improve.

Keep in mind I never played Kenin Ezreal I am simple going imperically based on stats.

The deck has gone from a commanding 55% winrate to a 45% winrate. Putting Lee back as the best Ionia deck seeing it go up 1% to 52.

Honestly I don't know if it was actually worth it, like if you enjoy midrange decks absolutely they are doing better control is also doing better.

But it hasn't shaken up the meta in the way people thought, while simultaneously killing an entire archetype just because people couldn't tech properly or play the matchup.

So on the one hand you have a new champ being murdered one week into his release, just so the other decks can go up 2% on ladder like it seems like maybe the reaction was too strong here.

But on the other hand if a deck like Azir Irelia could be considered meta altering maybe Kenin was just as bad, who's to say.

What do you guys think?

https://lor.mobalytics.gg/stats/decks

Honestly, I consider everything about these new stats to be absolutely terrifying.

All the decks are extremely strong and versatile and their winrates have gone through the roof.

1. Dragons already called that one plus 55%

2. Lisandra plus 55% 

3. Midrange plunder plus 55%

4. Pantheon plus 55%

I guess ezreal was keeping these decks in cheque and now that he's gone they are absolutely dominating

So no longer do you need to tech against aggro and combo now it's how the hell do you deal with all these midrange powerhouses?

Honestly, I don't know it's very possible something like a Lee Sin combo deck will ultimately be the tournament answer, but that lineup is scary and difficult to play against.

Maybe a new king of aggro will emerge and start pressuring from the other end as well, and that's usually when midrange starts to take a hit, but right now it's open season.

So we talk a lot about meta, and card balance, and what Champs are strongest.

But sometimes it's worth drawing back the curtain on matchups we personally struggle with  and anything excluded is relatively easy to deal with or tech against, or play against.

1. Dragons - it challenges and strikes with demacia, it grows large midrange threats, and ramps into Asol...this deck scares me because it essentially perfect at being equally good into everything and the best decks often are.

2. Infinite cycle Heimer - kill one thing and they play another, and another and another and another...this deck is control proof and midrange proof so it's everything I hate.

3. Deep & Lurk - something about these decks just very menacing, one is an excellent tournament deck that is just waiting for its time, and the other will just steam roll you if you arent playing perfectly

4.  Ahiri - out of all the new Ionia cards Ahiri is the trickiest to deal with. Amazing stat line for mana with the best keyword, and she basically has elusive too. You enter into a tough situation do you sharpsite the droplet only to eat a twin disciples no you don't so you eat dmg every turn and it's death of a thousand cuts 

5. Rumble - the ultimate do you have the answer card, you can just throw it out. Much like Sivir it's just a pain but unlike her he has a much better level up, but if he does get answered you just loose.

6. Xerath, I have a lot of respect for players who main this guy because his play pattern when run well is exceptionally erratic and unpredictable. Will you beat him most of the time sure but it will be scary the whole time.

So yeah thats it for my list, once again I don't believe these are the best or most competitive decks just the lists that impact me the most when playing against them. 

Things like aggro, and Ezreal you run into so often you can run those matches in your sleep.

Hey everyone,

New to the game and this genre of game in general. I've spend most my resources on freljord and shadow isle cards. As far as champs go in the region I like using Elise and Ashe, but they don't seem to synergize well. 

My deck is also reliant on high level and mid level cards, but it seems like I'm always expect a big card to get me out of trouble. Assuming that's not the way to go.   

Can someone recommend a deck within those regions? I'll just swap out what I don't have. I don't have any poro cards. 

Thanks in advance. 

Yordle Trible, Kenin Ezreal, Pirate aggro all got hit pretty hard.

So you pretty much won't need to hard tech into these decks anymore and learn to win these matchups properly.

I think a lot of people will be happy about that, and honestly I am too.

Just because something is possible to beat if you work at it hard enough, doesn't mean every player should be required to exist in such a restrictive build space:

1. Poppy is a 2/3 or a 3/4 on swing

2. Ionia allegiance now requires you to run two different 1 drops you can't tutor duplicates

3. The bounce landmark had its countdown increased

4. The yordle Tribal 2 drop only buffs attack now

5. Gangplank is a 5/4

In most cases these decks and archetypes will require rebuilding and I'm happy to show off some options here except for pirate aggro because who cares:

First up splashing yordle mechs might give yordle Tribal a little more sustain. As for discard fodder you have 2 different owl generators, and squire.

Its very possible Kenin drops allegiance all together now that both allegiance and combo speed have been nerfed for a more sustained midrange play style, maybe even Yassao will see play in my dreams.

Yeah so you're getting stunned, you're getting comboed out, and burst down and you can't do anything. I know it's frustrating, the meta decks just aren't cutting it right now, and you dont want to play the mirror.

Well boys I've got you covered here are 3 deck concepts that all do well into Kenin, you could call them control lists but they play like midrange.

1. Just challenge everything

Drag that little ****** with laurent protégé or bird as soon as he comes down, and then drag everything else over and over until you get the concede. Keep your singles and sharpsights for reactive plays.

2. Nami TF control

Pings all day long, and lots of attune and draw to keep things flexible. Probably the only "infinite" cycling deck I enjoy because there is some skill involved.

3. Slay Control

Vulnerable is almost as good as challenger, and we have things like vile feast and other sweepers to keep the party rolling. Has the addeded benefit of playing well into other midrange decks.

So yeah if you don't like these lists just build your own, remembering that if you can't out control the combo deck you have to out aggro them consistently so that limits your deck building option to low curve threats like pirate aggro etc. and most people already know those lists so here are the more interesting options.

---Bonus--- 

Swain decks are always strong in combo situations because youre essentially putting them on a clock to go off and they don't run a ton of non self bounces sometimes none. So yeah thats basically all the regions so you can counter Kenen with pretty much anything you want to greater or lesser effect as long as its built right.

https://lor.mobalytics.gg/stats/archetypes

Really happy the new decks are performing well, kennen Ezreal easily counterable but also there are enough tech choices availible that you can counter attempts to counter it.

Ie proactive plays cloud stance instead of recall which gets really bad when the opponent knows its coming. Like it isn't fiz, you just drag kenen or block kenen and wait for the recall/buff and respond accordingly. Basically screws the entire deck...so yeah cloud stance is op run it and run with both twin disciplines and the Lee Sin card.

The deck becomes a lot more powerful when your opponent forced to make the first move instead of vice versa and you won't always have the luxury to play solitaire.

But right now yes absolutely every meta deck plays solitaire because card interaction is hard so it's doing great.

Pantheon is fantastic for a all in on one card type strategy, he's basically a mini arsenal and who doesn't love that card?

Ahiri already has a solid home, and personally I think robo boy is amazing people just run him wrong he's a Jinx activator, it's what he does well, he isn't good when you try to use him as a worse pantheon or a Sion pal, because Sion doesn't want you invoking mechs.

And yes all the old decks are still good too so I would say the meta is in a fantastic place, the only really big loosers are the old solitaire decks that cycled infinitely because Ezreal Kenen just does it better and that's okay.

A new Epic Ionia Spell, Children of the Forest, has been revealed!

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Learn more about Beyond the Bandlewood

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A new Epic Ionia Unit, Sai'nen Thousand-Tailed, has been revealed!

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Learn more about Beyond the Bandlewood

Head on over to our dedicated guide for Beyond the Bandlewood!

A new Common Ionia Unit, Windsinger, has been revealed!

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Learn more about Beyond the Bandlewood

Head on over to our dedicated guide for Beyond the Bandlewood!

A new Common Ionia Spell, Charm, has been revealed!

Discuss this card below or head on over to the card page to give it a rating!

Learn more about Beyond the Bandlewood

Head on over to our dedicated guide for Beyond the Bandlewood!