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

Today, we'll show you how to play Lucian Merciless with Lucian Purifier.

This particular deck was named the Best of Lucian at the Dalian Regional Open. It is similar to Irelia decks, but it is faster. It also centers around combat and moving its units on the board instead of protecting a single unit with spells and counters.

This list is interesting because it plays several efficient defensive tools that work against most decks in the meta. 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:

CMAAAAAAAEAQAAD6AAAAAAIBAAAAOAQEAAAAYGUAAGAQCBADAADR445YAEBAGAAAE6CADHABAMBQAF27OEBACAAAVIBAOAYABMKWM4NXAHIADWQBAABACAAASEAQEAYAAMKQEAIAACCACAIDABTACAYAOE

The main idea behind this deck is to put pressure on the opponent by conquering points early on with Lucian - Merciless. You'll ready him the first time you conquer each turn. This way, you'll be able to save him by returning him to your base straight away.

This deck is built to support this mechanic by buffing and moving Lucian -Merciless around so that you can conquer more than once per turn.

You'll always attack with 5 or 6 Might (even more in the mid to late game), which is enough to win showdowns at the beginning of the match quite easily. However, this deck can't build wild boards and stack stats, so its late game is quite limited. It is critical you play all your cards at the right time and finish the game as fast as possible.

Lucian Purifier is in a very aggressive color combination and has a simple effect. With him in play, you'll always be ahead of your opponent, so he's perfect for conquering decks.

Lucian - Merciless is your main unit and win condition.

You must play him early and equip him as soon as possible. Unlike Irelia lists, this deck plays other copies of Lucian - Merciless. So, playing your Lucian aggressively and proactively, even if you aren't certain you can protect him, is the best call. You should have another copy of him in hand when you do this, though.

Putting pressure on your opponent is your main priority, so always be proactive instead of reactive (like Irelia lists). You'll lead the way.

Equip Skyfall of Areion and Trinity Force to him to set up explosive plays and get 4 points or more. Finish with Relentless Pursuit, Gem Jammer, or First Mate to conquer both battlefields at once and score your eighth point.

Zaun Warrens fixes this list's main weakness, which is drawing cards. However, it does make playing this deck a bit more difficult because all your cards are important, and you'll struggle to pick which one to discard. The secret is discarding Noxus Hopeful, repeated cards, or heavy cards, like Brynhir, which you won't play early on.

Don't discard equipment and finishers like Relentless Pursuit, Confront, and First Mate.

Sunken Temple also fixes this card draw issue, but you have to be really careful with it because paying 1 energy early on could expose you to removals. Always consider if the opponent can answer it before you draw cards.

Forge of the Fluft is perfect in match 3 because it lets you stack resources on Lucian - Merciless without spending runes. This way, he'll be able to hold battlefields or set up explosive plays in the late game.

Early Game

Early on, look for your equipment: Doran's Blade, Hexdrinker, or Trinity Force. Play them as soon as possible, then play Lucian - Merciless. Skyfall of Areion, despite expensive, also works.

Use Sabotage early on to remove key cards from the opponent.

Use Kai'Sa - Survivor to draw cards and fix your hand, if necessary. She is discardable, but quite flexible, as she helps you stay in the game and put pressure on the opponent. Nonetheless, avoid equipping red runes to her because they're better on Piercing Light and this card is crucial in the mid-game.

Mid Game

At this moment, try to stay ahead. Piercing Light will be essential to clear the board and "snipe" key enemy cards. It is expensive but worth it, so save your red runes for it.

Challenge is also valuable to remove threats.

Use Brynhir Thundersong to protect your combos and Ferrous Forerunner to get back in the game if your Lucian is removed.

End Game

Finishers like Relentless Pursuit, First Mate, and Confront allow you to conquer both battlefields to get your eighth point. Keep in mind, Relentless Pursuit stays active throughout the entire turn.

Gem Jammer can also be decisive, as you can use it to keep Lucian in play throughout your combo.

This deck struggles against yellow decks because of their direct removals.

Against Draven, experienced players will have an advantage. A good strategy early on is forcing them to spread their resources over the board so that showdowns are easier.

Against Irelia, your fast pace is an advantage.

Against Kai'Sa, you must remove Lucian from the board at the end of your turn. Consider using Unyielding Spirit and Ferrous Forerunner to survive.

Against Ezreal, your odds are better because you can intercept their key cards.

Blood Rush is excellent against orange lists and holding lists.

Unyielding Spirit and an extra copy of a Hexdrinker will help against Kai'Sa, Ezreal, and Annie.

You may swap these cards for Noxus Hopeful, Trinity Force, or Skyfall of Aerion as well.

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

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See you next time!