Hey guys! Ready to dive into the awesome world of Illaoi decks in Legends of Runeterra? This guide is your ultimate playbook for building and mastering decks centered around the Kraken Priestess herself. We'll explore her strengths, the best supporting cards, and some killer deck strategies to crush your opponents. Whether you're a seasoned LoR veteran or just starting out, this is your one-stop shop for everything Illaoi. So, let's crack open some tentacles and get started!

Understanding Illaoi: The Kraken Priestess

Before we jump into deck building, let's take a closer look at Illaoi and what makes her tick. Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess from the Bilgewater region, is all about overwhelming your opponent with constant pressure and value. Her level-up condition revolves around attacking with her tentacles, and once she levels up, she becomes a relentless force on the board. Her key ability involves summoning Tentacle tokens, which are crucial for triggering her effects and overwhelming the enemy. Illaoi is a mid-range champion, meaning she thrives in the mid-game, deploying her tentacles and chipping away at the enemy's Nexus. Her synergy revolves around board flooding and capitalizing on favorable trades, making her a formidable champion in the right hands. The unique aspect of Illaoi is the Tentacle Smash spell. This spell allows her to summon a Tentacle, enabling her to activate her level up and damage the enemy Nexus or their units. Understanding this dynamic is key to playing Illaoi decks effectively.

Illaoi's level 1 form has a solid stat line of 3/5 with the ability to create a Tentacle in your hand when you attack. This means when you attack with her, you get a free Tentacle, which is great for triggering other Tentacle-related effects. Her level 2 form, once she levels up, becomes even more powerful, with a 4/6 stat line and the ability to summon a Tentacle when she attacks. Furthermore, she gains the ability to give all allied Tentacles +2/+0 when you attack, making those Tentacles even more dangerous. This means that after she levels up, every attack with her can become a devastating board-wide buff, making it nearly impossible for your opponent to stop the onslaught. One thing to remember when playing Illaoi is that you're aiming for board control. You want to make sure you have enough units and Tentacles on the board to overwhelm your opponent. It's a game of patience and a game of maximizing the value you get out of each of your units and spells. Also, her level-up condition requires you to attack with Tentacles, adding another layer of strategic depth to the gameplay. This requires you to place her in a deck where she has the support to allow her to achieve this.

Another thing to consider when playing Illaoi is the deck composition, which needs to include a good mix of units, spells, and support cards that can help protect Illaoi and her tentacles while you build up your board presence. The ideal Illaoi deck typically focuses on the combination of board control, tempo, and overwhelming the enemy with powerful attacks. For example, some decks may contain spells that offer protection, damage, or card draw, while others may contain units that synergize with the tentacles. Ultimately, the best Illaoi deck for you will depend on your personal play style and your preference for different combinations of regions and card synergies. So, take some time to experiment and see what works best for you. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, there's always something new to learn and strategies to discover. With her unique abilities, Illaoi brings a different type of gameplay, which requires strategic thinking and careful planning. This is what makes her such a compelling and exciting champion to play. With the right deck composition and a good understanding of her abilities, you can dominate the battlefield.

Core Synergies and Supporting Cards for Illaoi Decks

Alright, let's talk about the key cards and synergies that make Illaoi decks so effective. When building an Illaoi deck, you need to consider units that can generate tentacles, protect Illaoi, and apply pressure on the board. Bilgewater offers excellent synergy with Illaoi, providing access to strong removal, card draw, and aggressive units. The goal is to build a board presence while also disrupting your opponent's plans. Here are some of the cards that work incredibly well with Illaoi:

• Tentacle: The bread and butter of your deck. These tokens are generated by Illaoi and other supporting cards, and they're essential for triggering Illaoi's abilities and applying pressure. Their 1/1 stats might not seem like much, but they can quickly overwhelm your opponent when multiplied. Make sure you use the tentacles to attack frequently and trigger Illaoi's abilities. Use Tentacles to pressure the enemy Nexus and force your opponent to deal with your board.
• Vile Feast: A cheap removal option, allowing you to remove early threats and gain a small amount of health. This card is great for controlling the early game and setting the stage for Illaoi to come online. It's a great tempo play when you need to stabilize the board. When using Vile Feast, try to consider when your opponent will likely be using units, and use Vile Feast in advance, so you have the upper hand when they commit their units. If you pair it with other cards that deal damage to units, Vile Feast can provide additional value, making it a key component of an effective Illaoi deck.
• Harrowing: This card is essential for generating Tentacles. It summons two Tentacles to your hand, giving you the ability to summon more tentacles and level up Illaoi faster. It can also be used to trigger Tentacles and deal damage to your opponent. Always try to consider your opponent's removal spells before playing this card.
• Tentacle Smash: The signature spell of Illaoi, allowing you to summon a Tentacle and damage the enemy Nexus or their units. Its flexibility makes it a must-have in any Illaoi deck. Using Tentacle Smash at the right time can swing the momentum in your favor and put pressure on your opponent. Remember to use it to activate Illaoi's level-up ability and create more value.
• Other Supporting Cards: Look for cards that provide card draw, removal, and additional board presence. Cards like Get Excited! and Mystic Shot from other regions are perfect for helping you manage the board and keep Illaoi alive. Also, include some of the other cards that pair well with Illaoi to help you dominate the battlefield.

The choice of supporting cards will vary depending on the strategy of the deck and the specific meta, so experiment and find what suits your play style. Remember, the core of an Illaoi deck is about generating and utilizing tentacles, so focus on cards that support this strategy. By including these cards, you can create a powerful and effective Illaoi deck. Remember to experiment with these synergies to find the perfect balance for your deck.

Sample Illaoi Deck Archetypes and Strategies

Let's get into some specific Illaoi deck archetypes and strategies that you can use to climb the ranked ladder. These deck ideas will give you a solid starting point, but feel free to customize them based on your preferences and the current meta. Remember, the key is to understand the core principles and adapt your strategy accordingly. Let's delve into some cool deck types you can try out!

Illaoi/Jarvan IV (Demacia): The Midrange Powerhouse

This deck is all about board control and overwhelming the opponent with powerful units. Jarvan IV, with his challenger ability, allows you to remove key enemy units while providing additional attack power. Combining these two characters will let you dominate the board and force the enemy to make difficult trades. Here's a quick look at the core strategy:

• Early Game: Focus on controlling the board and setting up your tentacle spawns.
• Mid-Game: Deploy Illaoi and Jarvan IV and start pressuring the opponent.
• Late Game: Use your powerful units and tentacle attacks to finish off the opponent. Using your units effectively allows you to build an advantage and push for victory.

Illaoi/Swain (Bilgewater/Noxus): The Control and Burn Deck

This deck aims to control the game with removal spells and then finish the opponent with burn damage. Swain provides additional Nexus damage when enemies are stunned, while Illaoi generates tentacles. This deck is perfect for players who enjoy controlling the board and slowly grinding down the opponent.

• Early Game: Focus on drawing cards, removing the enemy units, and setting up Tentacles.
• Mid-Game: Deploy Illaoi and Swain to start applying pressure and controlling the board. Utilize the opponent's stunned units to trigger Swain's effect.
• Late Game: Use burn spells and tentacle attacks to finish off the opponent. This deck is all about carefully managing your resources and capitalizing on your opponent's mistakes.

Illaoi/Gnar (Piltover & Zaun/Freljord): The Aggro-Midrange Hybrid

This deck combines Illaoi's tentacles with Gnar's aggression to create a powerful board presence. This deck is perfect for those who want to play an aggressive style. Gnar provides an early game threat that can be followed up by Illaoi's mid-game dominance.

• Early Game: Focus on playing Gnar and other early units. Control the board and set up Illaoi with spells.
• Mid-Game: Play Illaoi, and start overwhelming your opponent with tentacles and powerful attacks. Using Gnar and Illaoi together can be an effective strategy.
• Late Game: Finish off the opponent with your big units and tentacle attacks. Also, using spells that deal direct damage to the enemy can help win the game.

These are just a few examples, and the best deck for you will depend on your play style and the current meta. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations and strategies. By understanding the core mechanics of Illaoi and her supporting cards, you can create a deck that suits your play style and helps you climb the ranked ladder. Always remember to adapt your strategy based on your opponent's deck and play style. This is key to becoming a successful Illaoi player.

Tips and Tricks for Playing Illaoi Decks

Alright, let's go over some pro tips to take your Illaoi gameplay to the next level. Mastering Illaoi decks is all about understanding the nuances of her abilities and knowing how to maximize her value. Here are some key tips:

• Board Control is Key: Illaoi decks thrive on controlling the board. Focus on removing enemy threats, developing your own board presence, and setting up favorable trades. This strategy is essential for your Illaoi deck to be successful.
• Prioritize Tentacle Placement: Make sure to position your Tentacles strategically. Placing them in locations where they can attack multiple enemy units or the Nexus can maximize their value and pressure your opponent. This will ensure your opponents can not ignore your tentacles.
• Card Advantage: Card advantage is crucial in LoR. Try to maximize your card draw and minimize your card disadvantage. If you can get a lead in card advantage, you will be able to sustain your resources and outlast the opponent. This will allow you to cycle through your deck effectively, making you more efficient at setting up your plays. Look for cards that can help you with card draw.
• Adaptability is Key: LoR is a dynamic game. Be prepared to adapt your strategy based on your opponent's deck and the current meta. If you can adapt and counter your opponent's strategies, then you can increase your chances of winning.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you'll become at mastering the intricacies of Illaoi decks. Practice against different matchups, experiment with different deck compositions, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learning from your mistakes will make you a better player. The more games you play, the better you will understand the different strategies for Illaoi.

By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to dominating the Rift with Illaoi. The core of Illaoi decks involves board control and applying pressure, and by mastering these principles, you can take your gameplay to the next level. So go out there, experiment with different strategies, and have fun.

Conclusion: Embrace the Kraken!

So there you have it, guys! A comprehensive guide to building and playing Illaoi decks in Legends of Runeterra. Remember, Illaoi is all about board control, overwhelming your opponent with Tentacles, and adapting to the situation at hand. By mastering her core synergies, experimenting with different deck archetypes, and following the tips and tricks provided, you'll be well on your way to crushing your opponents. Now go forth, embrace the Kraken, and conquer the Rift! We hope this guide helps you on your journey! Remember to have fun and experiment, and most importantly, enjoy the game!