Set 18 TFT Guide: Learn how to play Draven Elder Dragon AD 95 in one guide

[Team Builder Link]

1.Key Idea:

The key in this comp is to use the combined damage of Draven and Elder Dragon's ults to one-shot the enemy backline.

Once enemy backline carries are dead, it doesn't matter how tanky their frontlines are — they are just sandbags waiting to be destroyed.

Draven's ult is his R in Summoner's Rift, where he throws his axes in a line, so make sure Draven stands in a line with the enemy carry. Normally, the opposite corner is good, but it can be countered and requires calculation. For example, if the enemy positions their strongest tank near Draven, then you have to switch to the other end instead.

Draven can be replaced with Lux if you have AP carry items instead of AD. A lot types of Lux can be played straight up, such as Inferno, Coven, Lunar, etc.

Ezreal was recently buffed. He's also good if you start with an Elderwood opener and have Shojin.

2.Early Openings

1. Inferno Elderwood Opening

Akali→Elder Dragon

Varus→Ezreal

Xayah→Draven

You only need to have two of those three carries itemized. Save some items for your main tank.

2. Riftbeast Opening

Murkwolves→Elder Dragon (Could play Brambleback before Elder Dragon)

Mama Beak → Draven

Potential Item Carrier for Elder Dragon

Akali, Warwick, Rengar, Murkwolves, Brambleback

Potential Item Carrier for Draven

Xayah, Caitlyn, Mama Beak, Master Yi, Aphelios.

3 Costs champion + Heroic Grab Bag is a very cheesy but incredibly simple and effective way to fast 9. Especially if you get it at 2-1, you will dominate stage 2 with your 3 costs 2 star, and have a lot of extra econ.

3. How to handle Stage 4

If you want to play a 95 board in high elo, you almost have to take a beating at Stage 4, unless you are playing an 84 board into 95. (Meaning: a Level 8 four-cost board into a Level 9 five-cost board.)

But 84→95 is safe and risky at the same time, you could guarantee Top 4, but could also get stuck at Lv8 and never get to go 9.

In a truly high elo lobby, even if you are playing a two-starred 3-cost or 4-cost carry board perfectly, you could still lose Stage 4 fights regardless, making the investment seem pointless afterwards.

Which means, fast 9 sometimes is the only solution.

Think about it in this way:

You win early game → Your enemies now want to win Stage 4 to secure Top 4 → You sacrifice Stage 4 → Your enemies roll down to 0 in Stage 4 → Your enemies throw their heaviest punches into the ocean → You fast 9 and win the game.

This is a perfect strategy with one precondition:

You have to win early game.

If you don't win early game, you won't have enough HP to take a beating at Stage 4 and survive.

So make sure you treat early game seriously. Slam your items (we talked about Thief's Gloves being good on Elder Dragon and Kennen), play your strongest board, and sometimes cheese with augments. This is how you truly play 95 in high elo.

If you have the "Duo Queue," "Glided Steel," or "Luxury Subscription" augments, you could welcome your 5-cost a little bit earlier, saving yourself the trouble of finding an item holder during the pivot and potentially winning some rounds during mid game.

However, it also comes with a risk — it could be a completely different 5-cost that can't use your items at all. So you should only choose these augments when you are sure your items are flexible, or when you are really stuck at an economy breaking point and don't have enough gold to find an item holder.

4. How to choose your tank

Maokai is a scaling tank, if he comes early then he is the best.

But if Maokai comes around the same time with Taric, then Taric is better.

For 4 costs tank, they are crucial for your mid game, and enable your synergies.

2 stars 4 costs tank > 1 star 5 costs tank

For example, if your Amumu or Sentinel gets upgraded to 2 star first, then they should be your main tank.

5. Item Flexbility

You don't need perfect items for this comp. However you should prio Backline Carry items (means Draven, Ezreal or Lux) items more than your Fighter items and Tank items.

We talked about Elder Dragon and Kennen are totally fine with TG (Thief's Gloves), and frontline items can create very little difference.

Draven really needs that one Guinsoo's Rageblade to guarantee his attack speed, which equals to Ezreal and Lux need Shojin or Blue Buff.

On top of the core item, the rest two items can be slightly flexible. But in general for Draven: You can choose between Executioner Emblem, Kraken's Fury and Death Blade. Double Kraken' is also really good.

For Ezreal: Shojin (Blue Buff) + Death Blade, Last Whisper, Striker's Flail.

Ivern is best with mana items, Double Spear of Shojin or Adapative Helm are best on him.

Potential flex slots:

Elder Dragon or Kennen can be replaced with Gnar, Gnar can use fighter items and TG (Thief's Gloves) just as well.

After Gnar, you could add in Alistar for 2 Brawlers and 3 Elderwood, making your frontline even tankier.

You could also always add in Lux, certain Lux gives special benefit to your whole team or weaken enemy team.

If Draven has Executioner Emblem, then you could add in Soraka for more Executioner, so Draven/Ezreal/Kennen can be buffed together.

Check out our Draven WITHOUT Elder Dragon version of 95 here if you are interested.