Illaoi Decks In Legends Of Runeterra: A Comprehensive Guide

by Alex Braham 60 views

Hey there, deck-building enthusiasts! Are you ready to dive deep into the world of Legends of Runeterra and master the formidable Illaoi? This comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to know about crafting and piloting winning Illaoi decks. We'll cover the best deck compositions, strategies, card choices, and tips to help you crush your opponents and climb the ranks. So, grab your tentacles (metaphorically, of course), and let's get started!

Understanding Illaoi: The Kraken Priestess

Before we jump into deck construction, let's get acquainted with the star of the show: Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess. Illaoi is a powerful champion in Legends of Runeterra, known for her ability to generate Tentacles and overwhelm the board. Her abilities revolve around summoning Tentacles, which attack the enemy Nexus and other units. When these Tentacles strike an enemy, they apply a debuff that can devastate the enemy's board. Illaoi is not just about raw power; she also brings a unique and challenging playstyle that focuses on board control, value generation, and strategic aggression. Illaoi's level-up condition is quite straightforward: you need to have destroyed 15 units with your Tentacles. This task can be quickly achieved by making her a constant threat on the board. Illaoi's level 2 form amplifies her ability. She summons a Tentacle at the start of each round, which greatly increases the pressure on your opponent. This ensures that you have a steady stream of tentacles, which can control the board and apply consistent pressure. Mastering Illaoi requires a strategic mindset. You need to understand how to maximize the value of your Tentacles, control the board, and set up the perfect opportunity to strike. Illaoi decks can be incredibly rewarding to play. Their ability to generate consistent pressure and control the board makes them formidable opponents in the right hands. So, if you like the idea of summoning massive tentacles and crushing your foes, then Illaoi is definitely the champion for you.

Illaoi's Core Abilities

  • Tentacles: Illaoi's signature ability. They are summoned onto the board and attack enemies, inflicting a debuff called Vulnerable. This makes the enemy susceptible to additional attacks, creating devastating combos.
  • The Sea: Kraken's Grasp: This card generates Tentacles. The Kraken's Grasp creates a Tentacle that can strike the enemy Nexus directly and can apply pressure on the enemy.
  • Level Up: To level up Illaoi, you need to destroy 15 units with your tentacles. Once you achieve this, she becomes even more terrifying. When she is leveled up, she summons a Tentacle at the start of each round. This ability ensures that you constantly have Tentacles on the board.

Building an Illaoi Deck: Key Considerations

When constructing an Illaoi deck, you need to consider a few crucial factors. The deck needs to have synergy with Illaoi's mechanics, offering cards that can effectively summon and utilize Tentacles. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

  • Synergy: Focus on cards that complement Illaoi's ability to summon and empower Tentacles. Look for cards that can reliably summon Tentacles and those that benefit from having Tentacles on the board.
  • Removal: Inclusion of effective removal spells and units is crucial to control the board and eliminate the opponent's threats. This allows your Tentacles to do their work without being easily stopped.
  • Protection: Having ways to protect Illaoi from removal spells is important. Consider cards like Deny or other protection spells to keep her alive and consistently generate value.
  • Win Conditions: You have to identify how you plan to win. It is possible to overwhelm your opponent with Tentacles, but you may also need alternative win conditions or ways to close out games if the board is disrupted.

Regions to Pair with Illaoi

The choice of the secondary region is essential for your Illaoi deck. Different regions offer different advantages and playstyles. Here are some of the most popular and effective pairings:

  • Bilgewater: Bilgewater is the most natural partner for Illaoi. It is a perfect match due to the fact that it shares synergies with Tentacles and it offers access to cards that can help to damage your opponent's units to activate your Tentacles. Also, Bilgewater offers access to powerful removal options, which are perfect for controlling the board and protecting Illaoi. Bilgewater offers a strong win condition for the deck.
  • Demacia: Demacia is a strong option that adds protection for Illaoi. Demacia offers protective spells like Barrier, which can keep Illaoi alive against removal and strong units. It can provide a more control-oriented style with strong units. Demacia's inherent strengths make it a solid choice.
  • Shadow Isles: Shadow Isles can provide a more aggressive and controlling approach. Shadow Isles offers a variety of removal spells and strong units. This allows for a reactive play style. Shadow Isles offer more support.

Sample Illaoi Decks and Strategies

Let's get into some real-world deck examples to show you how these concepts come together. Keep in mind that the meta is constantly evolving, so adapt these lists to your play style and current trends!

Illaoi/Bilgewater: The Tentacle Overload

This is a classic and reliable archetype. It focuses on overwhelming your opponent with Tentacles while controlling the board with removal spells. Here's a basic list:

  • Champions: Illaoi x3, Gangplank x3
  • Key Cards: Tentacle Smash, The Sea: Kraken's Grasp, Make it Rain, and a variety of other useful cards.
  • Strategy: Early game, play units. Mid-game, start summoning Tentacles and begin board control using the spells. Level up Illaoi, and begin applying heavy pressure. Finish your opponent with Tentacle attacks or Gangplank's abilities.

Illaoi/Demacia: The Fortress

This deck offers a more defensive and resilient approach. Demacia's protection spells keep Illaoi alive while you control the board. Here's how it works:

  • Champions: Illaoi x3, Garen x3
  • Key Cards: Barrier, Single Combat, Chain Vest, and a variety of other useful cards.
  • Strategy: Use Demacia's defensive spells to protect Illaoi while summoning Tentacles. Use strong Demacia units to control the board. Level up Illaoi and use Garen to finish the game with the strong units.

Illaoi/Shadow Isles: The Control Freak

This deck is very flexible. It focuses on controlling the board and out-valuing your opponent. Here's a basic list:

  • Champions: Illaoi x3, Nasus x3
  • Key Cards: Vengeance, Grasp of the Undying, Spirit Leech, and a variety of other useful cards.
  • Strategy: Remove units with Shadow Isles spells. Level up Illaoi and use her Tentacles to apply pressure. Use Nasus to finish the game with large attacks.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Mastering Illaoi

Here are some advanced tips to help you hone your Illaoi skills and take your game to the next level:

  • Predicting Your Opponent's Moves: Pay attention to your opponent's regions. Understand what removal spells and threats they might have. Planning ahead can save you from a lot of nasty surprises.
  • Mulligan Strategy: Always mulligan aggressively for your champions, key cards, and early game board presence. Keep at least one copy of your champion in the first hand. Try to find the ideal hand in order to set the tempo.
  • Tempo Management: Balance board control with developing your own threats. Don't overextend into a board wipe. Always be calculating your trades and making the most efficient plays possible.
  • Adaptation: The meta is constantly changing. Be prepared to adapt your deck choices and strategy based on the current trends. Sometimes switching out a few cards can make a big difference in a match.

Conclusion: Tentacles for the Win!

That's it, guys! You now have the knowledge you need to start building and playing Illaoi decks in Legends of Runeterra. Remember to experiment with different builds and strategies to find what works best for you. With practice, you'll be summoning Tentacles, crushing your opponents, and climbing the ranks in no time. Good luck, and may the Kraken be with you!

I hope you enjoyed this guide. If you have any questions or want to share your own Illaoi deck ideas, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy gaming!