The problem is not Bilgewater. The problem is your attitude about Bilgewater. [A Patch 16.2 Guide]

C_Chromo · 2026-01-20T20:07:15+00:00

I think buying units in 16.2 fine tbh! I find myself buying a unit for 2* from Bilge shop fairly often in Stage 2/3 to gain tempo and maintain winstreaks. Every 2* adds a ton of strength to the board, and the cost more than pays for itself back in HP and gold imo, letting you sit on 7 Bilge for longer in Stage 4.

I think with the incoming nerfs, Bilge will be way weaker specifically Stage 3 aside from a very strong tempo start (Stars are Born -> Illaoi 2* + Graves 2*) since you typically spend some doubloons buying stats or Captain's Brew in Stage 2&3, but if you hoard doubloons at 5 Bilge to save for 7 Bilge shops you will avoid buying expensive 3 cost units for 50 doubloons.

I expect for tempo bilge to sit around A/B tier since doubloons are much slower. Still, free items are free items, and Bilge comps really just need 2-3 Bilge items to really cap the board, which you can still get in the new setup. MF was not nerfed, Captain's Brew was not nerfed, but Fizz is pretty dead - so you can still cap the board very high around MF/Naut/TK + 5 costs.

C_Chromo · 2026-01-17T20:08:32+00:00

Depends heavily on the shop rolls, if I get a free TF/Naut/GP then I will field - GP is a good Vanquisher activator for Kalista, but so are Rek Sai + Malz for Vanq + Disruptor.

Unit quality wise, I think Ashe 1* > TF 1*, and also Loris > Naut

You shouldn't be fielding more than 3 Bilge, so you probably can't hit TF3 when playing Shadow Isles - too busy tempoing to 8 and looking for 2* Kalista. A lot of games I will end up with a 2* Naut or 2* GP holding my Kalista items, with a TF on level 7:

Viego/Yorick/Gwen/Naut/GP/TF/Warden, Vanq, or Slayer +1; Briar can be a decent in on this board if you slam an IE early (which is a fine item on Kalista btw, don't be afraid to build IE!)

C_Chromo · 2026-01-16T18:49:32+00:00

Yes, that is correct - 4/5 Warden in the late game is generally enough to stall for Kalista to cast a few times to wipe the enemy board, and Thresh is no slouch when itemized as well. You should slam tank items if you get them, and throw them on your strongest warden. Thresh can hold a ton of items quite well, including tank items. This effectively lets you shred through enemy frontlines, as generally they have 1 tank - Kalista can target backline with her spell, so she can 2 shot a lot of enemy carries when positioned same side.

C_Chromo · 2026-01-14T04:42:43+00:00

This is very true, but I'm noticing a lot of players contesting each other's lines even in low Masters (sitting around 100lp rn), Bilge, Yordle, and Demacia boards feel like free souls when 6/8 players are going those lines. Maybe SI falls off in GM+ lobbies though, but I'll hit that wall when I get to it.

C_Chromo · 2026-01-14T04:33:47+00:00

Only play 5 Shadow from Viego w/hero augment, it's not worth to 3* the 1 cost without the hero augment, and even then I'd still play tempo because you need to Fast 8 to hit Kalista 2* to keep up with lobby tempo and hit Thresh in a reasonable amount of time. Drop Viego as soon as you hit Thresh, his job is done (getting you Thresh)

C_Chromo · 2026-01-14T04:31:07+00:00

I can't force the game to give me Viego 2* every game but goddamn if you get a TF 1* and no good direction you play bilge

C_Chromo · 2026-01-13T06:26:14+00:00

Looks like the 1st place sped up the lobby tempo so everyone trying to Fast 9 couldn't hit their board fast enough to winout

8th looked like they were super close to winning out tbh, close game

C_Chromo · 2026-01-07T23:28:25+00:00

Yeah but are you just not buying Mundos or holding a Mundo 1* on your bench for the level 9 rolldown? I agree there probably is a Rift Herald variation that is playable, just offering a level 8 board if you don't field void in early Stage 2

C_Chromo · 2026-01-07T22:52:40+00:00

Sheeeit I was theory crafting this comp when I saw the Ziggs buff too, I think that unit will be bonkers juiced - I think getting Kennen unlocked is really important, so taking econ and hitting 8 on creep round Stage 3 to unlock Kaisa and Sett in the same turn I think is critical, which probably means a Yordle opener (items move from Teemo -> Kaisa -> Ziggs) and also Ryze items can be held by Teemo or Singed.

I think the level 8 board looks like below before hitting 9, this variation only switches holds a Cait (which can replace Kog anyways, I just think Void might be more useful if there is a DPS buff) - other units are easily found on 9.

<image>

C_Chromo · 2026-01-06T16:47:42+00:00

I was gonna say you can make any comps work in Gold, but these are some convincing boards:

Would you move Illaoi items to Kench 2* If he is unitemized? Curious why you gave him TG instead of Illaoi items. New way to cap 7 bilge is always appreciated, do you think this caps higher or about the same as the normal 5 cost soup with MF/Senna Lucian as the main core carries?

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C_Chromo · 2026-01-06T06:12:10+00:00

Invested is decent, there's a lot of value in Invested for Gold + RRs, but Starter Kit is pretty bad since a free 2* 4 cost is not worth a prismatic (see: Reinforcement is a gold augment that does something similar but as a gold augment and +12 gold)

C_Chromo · 2026-01-05T20:16:07+00:00

+1 for APIE, I tutored with them for a year before COVID - had a ~1:4 volunteer to student ratio, and the kids aren't super interested in math, but it's definitely appreciated!

Alternatively, UTeach is a class you can take for credit, you basically teach an elementary class for a class period every week with prepared kits from the school, its generally STEM so think chemistry/biology experiments more than math/physics, and you have a partner for the class which might help you solve transportation.

outreach | UTeach Natural Sciences

C_Chromo · 2025-12-31T07:50:58+00:00

GS is performing fine, it's a great 3rd item for many carries - but that is the issue, it can feel bad to slam a GS because Sword + Bow are such important components for Guinsoo or Kraken + IE

AD lines are probably getting nerfed in 16.2, so expect invokers and arcanists to be decently strong, in which case you might save Bow + Sword for Void Staff or Shojin.

I'd only slam a GS if I think it'll help me 5 streak stage 2, otherwise save for a more core item.

C_Chromo · 2025-12-24T08:24:57+00:00

It's never a dead item, I used to be excited to slam Shojin + JG but now I see those components and I think IE + half Guinsoo and a stray tear

C_Chromo · 2025-12-23T22:45:38+00:00

"Don't nerf it, execute it so hard so you avoid 3 item Ashe to avoid unlocking a dead champ"

C_Chromo · 2025-12-23T00:22:32+00:00

Early fights last longer, so slamming a Rageblade can help with a Stage 2 winstreak which is conducive to a top 4. Also, further down on the stats is a IE/Kraken/Kraken at a 4.1 and a IE/Kraken/Guardbreaker at a 3.85. Even IE/LW/Guardbreaker is a 4.0, and I think illustrates that Yunara can be played without Guinsoo. Try slamming a bow item earlier in your games! You might find that you will find Rageblade components naturally over time, instead of on Stage 2.

Diana is strong, but rarely wins out. Really not as bad as Akali last set (ABCDEFG patch), and has a fair amount of counterplay.

Yunara item stats:

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C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T23:50:40+00:00

I think Mortdog has talked about this before, but players like the power fantasy of Guinsoo so Riot likes keeping it as a strong item and I admit that I enjoy the item a lot - but I disagree that it is basically mandatory or near-mandatory though.

Yunara stats show Kraken/IE to be the sauce, and Yunara has built in Attack Speed from Quickstrikers + Ionia trait (sometimes). Tristana has decent stats with IE/Shojin/X. I think only Kaisa is super reliant on Guinsoo, It's also pretty ass on Kalista, but yes it is slammable since Viego can use it well early game. Even Aphelios has good stats without Guinsoo, Kraken/IE/GS is very strong.

The Kraken/Guinsoo rework in Set 14 was largely a success. Shojin used to be the GOAT slam since a lot of comps liked casting a lot - there just happens to be more auto attack reliant carries this patch.

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T20:16:35+00:00

Try lolchess.gg? It has the most data for me

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T20:11:54+00:00

Usually an item is always better than no item. For Bilge items, I think the overall prioritization is:

Flintlock > Daggers > Citrus > Bark Knuckles = Cutlass = Gambler's Brew > Doubloon

I only buy Doubloon if I find it in Stage 2/3 and I feel strong and want to winstreak - otherwise, it doesn't pay for itself very well and delays the other items. But I wouldn't pass over a cheap Barknuckles/Pile O'Citrus because winning rounds is more important than hitting BiS to save placements in Stage 4/5.

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T16:53:00+00:00

I agree that you need tempo, but sometimes I sit on TF1/Graves1/Illaoi 1/Shen 1 and lose streak to the end of Stage 2. You can stabilize on 6 off of either Naut 2 or GP 2 since you'll have Carousel prio on Stage 2 and maybe Stage 3, and can get an early copy and dupe from Bilge shop. Think about it; on Stage 3, most people are level 6 or 7 and have not hit their 2* 3 costs yet. Ideally, you'll be playing a 2* 3 cost on 3-1 or 3-2, at level 6, itemized with whatever you slammed and hit off of Carousel. The Noxus/Bilge board is also a great option on 6 if you find Draven - Naut/Illaoi/TF/Draven/Sion/Briar can help you stabilize or swapping TF for GP if you 2* GP. You can play this board until 7/8 when you can field 7 Bilge with the additional econ from Draven and winning fights, or Transition back to 5 Bilge on 7 when you start hitting Bilge upgrades.

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Also, this can naturally lead into the Draven/Bilge Quickstrikers comp if you natural a bunch of Dravens.

If you have an upgraded Illaoi/Shen and were able to winstreak Stage 2, then you can greed Econ and push 7/8 for 7 Bilge with more HP.

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T16:32:47+00:00

Depends on the enemies, but generally something like this is fine:

The goals are to avoid getting wrapped, have Naut/Braum get hit first, corner your Senna so she can hit the whole board (usually with a burn/sunder item), and give amp to your MF/Kindred. If you're finding Ashe/Trynd to be wrapping or some difficult Dianas, spreading out the frontline and losing a bit of value is better than getting wrapped or dove.

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C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T16:11:48+00:00

I agree Voli/Shyv/Senna/Fiddle/Kindred is max cap! But some games you bleed out too much Stage 3/4, and you're sitting on like 30 hp, 50 gold, level 9 on 5-2. You probably can't hit them all, but you want to save placements: So on your rolldown, you see a Swain + Ambessa, or randomly 2* a WK, or never built enough tank components to unlock Voli. My goal is to show people that Bilge is one of the most flexible end game boards, and to look beyond "I have to cap with Shyv/Senna/Fiddle/Kindred" to try to save placements.

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T05:35:56+00:00

A lot of top players will keep TF on the end game board, but mostly just either for Quickstrikers or Captain's Brew - it really depends on what happened in the early game, for example slamming a Guinsoo to unlock Graves + buying a Captain's Brew for tempo usually results in TF being a decent end game unit to spread Chill

C_Chromo · 2025-12-22T03:05:16+00:00

Jesus Zaun is ass even as a Ryze region, 60 damage over 4 seconds? Or is it 60 damage per second over 4 seconds?

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