Riftbound: Deck Tech - Best of Ahri (Dalian Regional Open)

Today, we'll show you how to play Holding Ahri with Spiritforged cards.

This deck in particular was named the Best of Ahri at the Dalian Regional Open.

It is interesting because it plays many great defensive tools that work against most meta decks. Nonetheless, in the current state of the game, this list often struggles with tempo in the mid-game because Draven and Ezreal lists simply draw too many cards. So, it is not a high-tier list. It can still steal a few wins against midrange archetypes or lists that are also not at the top of the meta.

Before we begin, however, let me introduce myself. My name is Total, and I used to cast Legends of Runeterra tournaments professionally. I covered all the official tournaments, including Worlds, and I am known for creating deck guides for LoR as well. Now, I am a part of the Riftbound community!

Deck Code:

CMAAAAAAAAAACAQAAAVFSAAAAIBQAAB2L5TQCAYAIUBASAAAFMWS4S2TKRVHI6QCAMACEJACAYAAAQSNPD7QDGACUQBAIAYAFAWTLVYBAAAQCAAAHEBAIAAAIBUHO6YCAMACAKYBAAAEE

The main idea behind this list is to conquer a battlefield and hold it throughout the entire game, preventing your opponent from fighting for the board.

This is considered an aggressive holding list because it is quite fast and plays cheap units, but it is still reactive. You'll prepare your runes at the end of your turn so that you always have resources to play reaction spells.

To finish the game, you'll play Thousand-Tailed Watcher or Tasty Faefolk. Both work as comeback cards or "ready" units that will help you conquer your eight point.

Ahri Nine-Tailed Fox is one of the "middle-tier" legends from the first set. In set 2, she is an interesting option against aggressive decks.

Her passive effect is strong against decks that play lots of cards on the board, like Draven and Ezreal, which are currently meta. However, she'll still struggle to defend her battlefields against them, even though her passive effect nerfs enemy units.

That's because decks like Draven and Ezreal can set up explosive turns quite early on with cards like Rhasa the Sunderer and Battering Ram. Depending on how many units the opponent summons in a turn, you might struggle to defend your board consistently.

To perform well in these matchups, the opponent can't combo fast. The other option is getting the perfect hand, but that's no guarantee.

This deck is quite flexible when it comes to its main champion.

Ahri - Alluring is essential against slow lists or off-meta lists. She'll speed up your game plan and let you end matches early. With her, you'll put a timer on the game and force the opponent to remove her from play.

She is critical because she keeps this strategy focused on only one battlefield. There is no need to fight for the other.

On the other side, Ahri - Inquisitive is perfect against Draven and other fast decks. She makes sure you win duels in turn 2 or 3 and also kickstarts this holding strategy.

Grove of the God-Willow is this list's main battlefield, and pretty straightforward: it draws cards whenever you hold.

The Dreaming Tree is similar, but you must only activate its effect in showdowns, while you're defending a battlefield. Avoid spending spells in this battlefield to only draw cards. Save your resources for combat.

Ravenbloom Conservatory is the weakest battlefield out of these three. You'll usually only play it in the last match in a best-of-three.

Early Game

Early on, you should try to play units as soon as turn 1, conquer a battlefield with them and defend that battlefield whenever possible.

One addition to this version is Lonely Poro, which is discardable and flexible in the early game.

As for Plundering Poro, it may seem counter-intuitive because it is a conquering unit. However, even if it does only conquer once, the Gold Gear Token it creates is useful in the mid-to-late game.

Ravenbloom Student is still one of the best reaction cards. It gives you some gas in the early-to-mid game.

Eager Apprentice discounts the cost of spells by 1 while it is in a battlefield. It improves matches against explosive decks, when you'll need several reaction spells.

Consider playing hidden Consult the Past as soon as possible and Zhonya's Hourglass at your base early on to create value for free later on.

Mid Game

You must play Ahri - Alluring as soon as possible against slow decks. She is your main win condition in these matches.

Sprite Mother can reconquer an empty battlefield or fight for a taken battlefield.

The same goes for Tasty Faefolk and Thousand-Tailed Watcher, your comeback cards.

End Game

Time Warp interacts directly with Ahri - Alluring, and gives you 4 holding points. This is the strongest combo in this deck, and, oftentimes, it is your only way to win. So, this list plays 2 Time Warp.

This deck would have an advantage against Draven, and that's why someone brought it to the Dalian Regional Open. However, in practice, it struggles in these matchups.

You will manage to defend your battlefields, but a well-played Draven turn will completely mow you down. Against experienced players, your odds are even smaller.

On the other side, against orange midrange lists or control lists like Viktor, you'll have an advantage because of your many counters and cheap cards.

You'll struggle against Irelia. She can easily set up her strategy and conquer battlefields multiple times per turn. The only way to win this matchup is if you play Ahri - Alluring + Time Warp.

Uncheked Power is great against Draven. Replace a Janna - Savior for it.

Emperor's Divide works as a finisher against slow lists. However, it is a win-more card and will only win matches that were already won.

Block protects key units and can save Ahri - Alluring.

Disarming Rake is great against Irelia, Ornn, Lucian, and other decks that use equipment cards or Gears.

Win Wall stops enemy Time Warps.

Retreat lets you return Thousand-Tailed Watcher to your hand to protect it from control decks or removals.

If you read this far, thank you! I hope you had fun and enjoyed reading this article.

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See you next time!