Use your favourite features in-game with our Desktop AppIt's often said by challengers that, "The earlier you can decide your line, the better your chance of winning."
Someone even said it more straight forward: "If you can decide your comp at 2-1, you have a better chance of winning."
Today, we are learning what the best openings are in Set 18 PBE, and how to map out your line from there in a simple way.
Rek'Sai is the item carrier for Malphite. Malphite is the best solo mega tank, therefore you want to prioritize Gargoyle Stoneplate. The augment "Solo Plate" is the best on 2-1.
Kha'Zix is not a Blackthorn unit, but he is really the secret sauce for this line. When you see him dropped from orb, you should definitely consider Blackthorn.
Kha'Zix can evolve Executioner Trait and Ravager Trait on himself to fill up this comp, and he is a 3 cost champion which you can reroll together with Azir at Lv7.
Make sure you get "U.R.F" or "Urf's Gambit" augment or a spatula from carousel to make an Blackthorn Emblem (Spat + Belt), so you can make Kha'Zix an Blackthorn for 6 Blackthorn. When you have 6 Blackthorn, the champion in the middle hex doesn't get killed but instead gets buffed, that's when you put Kha'Zix in there.
When you are making Warwick and Veigar items, you really don't need to consider what's best on them (Because you are not playing Veigar/Warwick reroll), they are just item holders for Azir, Zyra and Kha'Zix later on, so make sure the items you make are actually good on Azir, Zyra and Kha'Zix.
From this opening can either play Azir/Kha'Zix reroll, Blackthorn Ahri or Zyra Soraka AP 84. (Please click on the names of comps to see the full guide if you are interested.)
This is the easiest and most intuitive opening/line in Set 18. Since you don't have to sell your early units in the late game, they are simply connected.
For example, Yorick is your early-game tank. Later on, he becomes 2 Juggernaut with Amumu, who he was holding items for. Then Amumu → Maokai. (This is called 84 → 95, meaning a Level 8 4-cost board into a Level 9 5-cost board.) And you can keep Yorick the entire game for the synergy.
Yunara (Executioner) → Kennen (5-cost Executioner)
Karma (Spellweaver) → Ahri (4-cost Spellweaver) → Alune (5-cost Spellweaver)
See? This comp is literally designed to be intuitive and easy. So don't hesitate to try it out once you have this opening. It is consistent and stable.
If you get an early Master Yi (from an Orb) and Edge of Night, carry Master Yi instead of 1★ Karma. Master Yi can pivot into Kennen.
If you have no 2★ Karma or mana item, then you can also run Azir. Azir is a Summoner/Executioner, which synergizes with both Yorick and Yunara in this comp.
For Karma (Ahri) items, Jeweled Gauntlet + Blue Buff + Striker's Flail are the best, since Blossom is already giving a decent amount of AP. With those items, Ahri could one-shot the enemy backline with Kennen and Ashe. But in reality, you should slam items such as Void Staff or Spear of Shojin as well, just to win streak.
Late game example:
Please check out our full Blossom Ashe Ahri guide here if you are interested.
Extra Tips:
Between Sett and Amumu, whoever gets 2 starred first wears 3 items.
Blossom Lux is extremely good in this comp.
Ivern is also really good in most 95 comps if he comes early. Ivern is best with multiple mana items stacked on him.
Strong early game, due to plants as extra units.
If you have an Elderwood emblem, you can fit Soraka (4 costs Executioner) easily in 7 Elderwood without having to find Gnar.
If you have the emblem, Elderwood line can be super intuitive. So make sure to fish for an Spatula + Chainvest.
Late game you can simply play Soraka or Lux carry with the items from Leblanc.
Late game example:
Inferno already has Burn and Wound built in, so you don't have to make Sunfire Cape, Morellonomicon, or Red Buff. 3 Inferno upgrades one of your shop slots, so there is a small chance you can even get a 5-cost at Level 6. If you're really lucky, you can even get Draven or Elder Dragon at Level 6.
Akali can be the item carrier for both Elder Dragon and Kennen. Meanwhile, Xayah carries attack speed items for Draven.
Advantage:
5 Riftbeast makes it easier for you to 2★ your Riftbeasts by giving you a shop full of Riftbeasts every now and then. It's very intuitive and natural to play this opening into 7 or even 10 Riftbeasts.
Wolf → Red Buff (BrambleBack) → Elder Dragon all use the same set of items, so the transition literally couldn't be any simpler.
However, making it to Level 10 every game is impossible. In order to truly master the game, you should learn different variations of 95 with only 3 Riftbeasts. (Elder Dragon + Blue Sentinel, Elder Dragon gives 2 for the trait.)
Riftbeast reroll is also really easy to play from this opening.
Late game example for AD openings:
Make sure Draven is on the opposite end of enemy carry, so he can create a combo with Elder Dragon together, and kill enemy backline before their frontline even dies.
Please check out our Draven 95 guide here if you are interested. (Click)
