Irelia/Azir (Ireliazir) LoR Deck Guide

Alright guys, gather 'round! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most iconic and powerful decks in Legends of Runeterra: Irelia/Azir, affectionately known as Ireliazir. This deck is all about combining the relentless aggression of Irelia with the strategic board control of Azir to overwhelm your opponents with a flurry of blades and sand soldiers. If you're looking to dominate the ladder and pull off some seriously satisfying combos, you've come to the right place. Let's break down everything you need to know to pilot this deck like a pro.

What Makes Ireliazir Tick?

So, what’s the secret sauce that makes Ireliazir such a force to be reckoned with? Well, it's all about synergy, baby! This deck thrives on the interplay between Irelia's Blade Dance mechanic and Azir's ability to summon Sand Soldiers. The idea is to flood the board with ephemeral attackers, overwhelm your opponent's defenses, and chip away at their Nexus until they crumble. Irelia, the Blade Dancer, brings the aggression with her ability to summon attacking blades, while Azir, the Emperor of the Sands, provides a steady stream of Sand Soldiers that can be buffed and used to control the board. The combination of these two champions creates a powerful synergy that can be difficult for opponents to handle.

The deck's strength lies in its ability to generate a wide board of attackers very quickly. Cards like Bladesurge and Ribbon Dancer allow you to summon multiple attacking units in a single turn, putting immense pressure on your opponent. Azir's Sand Soldiers, while individually weak, become a significant threat when buffed by cards like Emperor's Dais or when used in conjunction with Irelia's Blade Dance. One of the critical aspects of playing Ireliazir is understanding how to sequence your plays to maximize the number of attacks you can generate each turn. This often involves planning ahead and anticipating your opponent's moves to ensure that you can maintain board control and continue applying pressure.

Moreover, Ireliazir is a very versatile deck that can adapt to different matchups. It can be aggressive, pushing for early damage, or it can play a more controlling game, using its wide board to defend and set up for a big late-game push. This flexibility makes it a challenging deck to play against, as opponents must constantly adjust their strategy to account for the various threats that Ireliazir can present. However, it's important to note that Ireliazir is not an easy deck to master. It requires a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, as well as excellent decision-making skills. Knowing when to commit to an attack, when to defend, and when to conserve resources is crucial to success with this deck.

Key Cards and Combos

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty and break down the key cards that make this deck sing. Knowing these cards inside and out will help you make the right plays at the right time and leave your opponents scratching their heads in confusion.

• Irelia: Our star dancer! Irelia's ability to summon attacking blades with Blade Dance is the heart of this deck. Use her to generate multiple attacks and overwhelm your opponent's defenses. Leveling her up transforms her into an even more formidable threat.
• Azir: The Emperor of the Sands brings the Sand Soldiers to the party. These ephemeral units might seem weak on their own, but they can be buffed into a serious threat with the right cards. Azir's ability to summon Sand Soldiers also helps to maintain board control and set up for big attacks.
• Bladesurge: This card is your bread and butter for generating attacks. It summons two attacking blades, allowing you to quickly flood the board and apply pressure. It's also a great way to trigger Irelia's level-up condition.
• Ribbon Dancer: Another key card for summoning multiple attackers. Ribbon Dancer summons an attacking blade and gives +1|+0 to allies, making your board even more threatening.
• Emperor's Dais: This landmark continuously summons Sand Soldiers at the start of each round. It provides a consistent source of units to help maintain board control and fuel your attacks.
• Sparring Student: A cheap unit that gains +1|+1 each time an ally attacks. Sparring Student can quickly become a significant threat if left unchecked, especially when combined with Blade Dance.

Now, let's talk about some killer combos. The Irelia + Azir combo is the most obvious one. Summon Sand Soldiers with Azir, then use Blade Dance to launch a devastating attack with both the blades and the soldiers. Another powerful combo is Bladesurge + Sparring Student. Use Bladesurge to summon two attacking blades, then watch as your Sparring Student grows in power with each attack. Keep an eye out for opportunities to use Emperor's Dais to continuously generate Sand Soldiers, then buff them with cards like Lead and Follow to create an unstoppable wave of attackers.

Mulligans and Early Game

Okay, so you've got your deck ready and you're queuing up for a match. But what cards should you be looking for in your opening hand? Knowing how to mulligan correctly can make or break your early game, so pay attention!

In general, you're looking for cards that will help you establish board presence and start applying pressure early. Sparring Student is an excellent keep, as it can quickly become a significant threat if left unchecked. Emperor's Dais is also a good keep, as it provides a consistent source of units to help maintain board control. If you have either Irelia or Azir in your opening hand, you should generally keep them, as they are the core of your deck. However, be mindful of the matchup and consider whether you need to prioritize other cards that can help you survive the early game.

In the early game, your primary goal is to establish board presence and start chipping away at your opponent's Nexus. Use Sparring Student and Emperor's Dais to create early threats, and look for opportunities to use Bladesurge and Ribbon Dancer to generate multiple attacks. Be mindful of your mana curve and try to play something every turn to maximize your efficiency. Don't be afraid to trade units if it means maintaining board control or preventing your opponent from developing their own threats. Remember, the early game is all about setting the stage for your mid-game power plays, so play smart and stay focused.

Mid to Late Game Strategies

Alright, you've survived the early game, and now it's time to kick things into high gear. The mid to late game is where Ireliazir truly shines, as you have access to your most powerful cards and combos. Here are some strategies to help you dominate the later stages of the game.

In the mid-game, your focus should be on leveraging your board presence to generate overwhelming attacks. Use Irelia and Azir to summon multiple attackers and apply immense pressure to your opponent's Nexus. Look for opportunities to use Lead and Follow to buff your Sand Soldiers and make them even more threatening. Be mindful of your opponent's defenses and try to play around their removal spells. Don't overextend your board if you suspect your opponent has a board wipe, but don't be afraid to commit to an attack if you think you can force them to make unfavorable trades.

In the late game, your goal is to close out the game as quickly as possible. By this point, you should have a wide board of attackers and a significant advantage in terms of resources. Look for opportunities to use Deny to protect your key units and prevent your opponent from disrupting your game plan. If you have a leveled-up Irelia or Azir, they can be incredibly difficult for your opponent to deal with. Continue to apply pressure and force your opponent to make difficult decisions. If they can't keep up with your relentless attacks, they'll quickly crumble.

One of the keys to success in the mid to late game is knowing when to commit to an attack and when to hold back. Sometimes, it's better to conserve your resources and wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. Other times, it's better to go all-in and force your opponent to react. The decision depends on the specific situation and your opponent's deck. The more you play Ireliazir, the better you'll become at making these decisions.

Matchups and Tech Choices

No deck is an island, and Ireliazir has its strengths and weaknesses against different matchups. Understanding these matchups and making smart tech choices can give you a significant edge on the ladder.

Ireliazir generally performs well against slower, more controlling decks that struggle to deal with its wide board of attackers. However, it can struggle against aggressive decks that can overwhelm it early or decks with lots of removal that can disrupt its combos. Here are a few specific matchups to keep in mind:

• Aggro Decks: These can be tough matchups, as they can often outpace Ireliazir's early game. Consider teching in cards like Steel Tempest or Nopeify! to help you survive the early onslaught.
• Control Decks: These are generally favorable matchups, as Ireliazir can often overwhelm them with its wide board of attackers. However, be mindful of their board wipes and try to play around them.
• Midrange Decks: These matchups can be coin flips, depending on who draws better. Focus on establishing board presence and applying pressure early to gain an advantage.

As for tech choices, consider adding cards like Deny to protect your key units, Nopeify! to counter enemy spells, or Steel Tempest to deal with early aggression. The specific tech choices you make will depend on the meta and the decks you're encountering most frequently on the ladder. Always be willing to adjust your deck to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive guide to piloting Ireliazir in Legends of Runeterra. This deck is a powerhouse, capable of overwhelming opponents with its relentless aggression and strategic board control. With practice and a deep understanding of the deck's mechanics, you can climb the ladder and dominate the competition. So go out there, summon some blades and sand soldiers, and show your opponents the true power of Ireliazir! Good luck, and have fun!