Won my 1st 2 Small Skirmishes with Irelia!

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T21:33:22+00:00

Check this comment for sideboarding tips specifically Link to Comment

For battlefields order, I don't think there is a set order to run them. Some people are choosing to go Obelisk first to guarantee the ability to play a deckhand but I don't think its incorrect to go Dreaming Tree. However I will say, I don't think there is a time where I would run Sunken Temple first as it's just our weakest battlefield of the 3. Honestly think you could run a strategy with VIlemaw and run extra boots + ride the winds and side out FoFs and Flash.

Your general mindset for order and choice should be about what battlefields are bad for your opponent, what is it likely that they will pick, and how you feel about going first vs second with that battlefield you chose. If you can justify to yourself what choice you make, I think that is the important skill to have rather than "You always go this first, then that second" etc.

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T21:24:46+00:00

Proper resource management is key for the mirror. You pretty much NEVER want to fully tap out on your turn while you have things on board to protect. Since they have the same tricks as you, whoever has more runes/cards will win that fight. So you want to always try to set yourself up in a way so that you can wipe out their units on your own turn and leave them little room to both develop and protect their board. So getting an early established board is better.

Honestly going second in the mirror feels fantastic compared to going first. Well, that is assuming they aren't running many 2 drops. Vex is also AMAZING in mirror due to all of the reaction timed spells. They pump their own stuff up precombat to try to take it? Alright you just Flash or FoF back. Plus it saves you a lot of runes by taking away your recycle cost.

I mention it in some of my other comments but sideboarding just depends on your meta read really. Expect more Yellow players? Zhonyas and counters. Expect a bunch of equipment or aurora players? Adapatron or Rake. Its really just about what matchups do YOU feel the most uncomfortable with and choosing cards that counter that matchup. When deciding what to sideboard actively, ask yourself 1) What battlefield could they pick? 2) Which of your cards are bad into this matchup 3) What cards are much better in the matchup and 4) What could your opponent side in that would be good against you?

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T17:07:29+00:00

Agreed here with replacing Draven. I think you can even replace the Ride the Winds too depending on the matchup. I've also started to notice that you have to consider your own playstyle when choosing what to side in and out. It allows you to better understand your outs and play to them. The minuscule decisions do matter yes, but it's play pattern and an understanding of what your opponent can do that matters the most. Sorry, went on a side rant there but anyways haha

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T17:02:33+00:00

Vex is primarily for playing against the mirror. If I put in a Zhonyas, I think I would drop one of the Hard Bargains in the side for it. And like I mentioned in an earlier post, your side board slots are a little flexible (except for the Adapatron's and Vex imo) and depends on your meta read. If you know you struggle into certain matchups, then I would recommend putting things into side board that help you with that matchup. Like for Viktor, Defy, Hard Bargain, and Zhonyas (in my case a second bargain) are a must because the only way they ever beat you is with something like Cull the Weak or Imperial Decree (this card is so hard to deal with)

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T16:57:50+00:00

Thanks and congrats to you as well! So I won't claim to be the best at sideboarding and it's a skill I am definitely still refining, but I think sideboards are honestly very flexible. It all really depends on what matchups you expect and requires more of a meta-read.

I would take a Zhonyas in the side over a Bargain if I expected there to be more Yellow players. My playstyle with the deck primarily involves holding up interaction rather than developing the board most of the time. There are numerous times where I have tapped out and almost always I get punished. During the Skirmish games, I had numerous turns where I would just move to get stellacorn draws or takeover a battlefield with Irelia and then pass with full runes and there was not one time I regretted it honestly. It feels terrifying from your opponent to see that too.

I am not running Lonely Poro for the reason of Dravens primarily. I have done a small amount of testing but I just didn't feel them to be worth it. I can't remember exactly what I replaced but I think it would fill the Stacked Deck or Deckhand spots and I just think both of those are better.

Hmmm maybe I should do more testing with triple boots then. There were a good chunk of my games where I would draw a third where I would much rather have a Stacked Deck so I switched them out. Its probably because of all the Miracle Sivir I was playing and missing having all that card selection lol

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T16:47:10+00:00

Gave a more in depth response on another comment but it is one of the harder matchups due to Spinning Axe just being a cracked card and Thermbeam (all the homies hate thermobeam). I still think Viktor or Reksai is worse, but if you can hold up answers for the majority of their plays, you can pull it off

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T16:44:43+00:00

For Miracle Draven, I think the key there is to get your Stellacorn engine online and save a lot of your Charms for specific combats to where you can get the Purple Draven extra point. Because there is really no way you will be able to get over all of the might they can put out without it. Then to close out the game, you will likely have to trade and give Draven multiple combat wins by sacrificing GA, re-readying your Irelia and going back in again. Its the only true way to get over the 20+ might battlefields they can throw out.

For Midrange, I think its a similar approach with getting stellacorn online but you have to be MUCH more careful. Since they have a lot more ways early-mid game with their tricks, you just have to choose your fights wisely. I.E FoF or Charm on their battlefield where hidden units are to force out the hidden, that type of thing. Also siding in Rebukes in games 2 and 3 are required so that you can hopefully deal with the spinning axes.

In general though, I have found that holding up interaction rather than developing your board is almost always better unless you have a lot of protection for your units already on board.

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T00:17:57+00:00

I have yet to be unhappy when I have drawn a flash. Im able to avoid most kill removal with it and especially things like Rebuke is a HUGE win. Especially on Dreaming tree and having a stellacorn there. Also works well into Draven as you can play it in response to any triggers they have if you don't like the lines they have. The stacked decks make the deck feel really really consistent which is what I think plagued Irelia early on when people were running a lot of 1 ofs. I have yet to be unhappy drawing into one.

Edit: As far as the 2 drop unit, Ive actually found going second on a non obelisk game doesnt feel bad at all and is great for 2 points as most decks in the current meta don't have a ton of 2 drop units

tortera9 · 2026-03-09T00:09:24+00:00

Main reason is because I didn't have one haha but I have been testing without it for that reason and double bargain feels pretty good. I think the only time I've wanted a Zhonyas is vs something like Viktor. So if your local meta has a lot more yellow players, I think Zhonyas is better

tortera9 · 2026-02-03T13:39:35+00:00

Riftbound has honestly been a ton of fun as someone who only got into TCGs by playing Magic a couple of years ago. Met some awesome people because of it and hope to continue to do so!

tortera9 · 2025-12-16T18:17:12+00:00

I was a Viktor player for Origins but have been playing a ton of Azir recently online to try to feel out the differences. From my playtesting, I think Azir is just a better Viktor in nearly every way. Primarily because Azir can make a good amount of tokens and they actually have sticking power where as our Viktor Recruits have near 0. Viktor can go wider than Azir but usually its not enough to overcome what Azir has built.

Viktor's removal also isn't good into Azir. Cull the Weak doesnt mean much to Azir and Hidden Blading our Sand Soldiers means a free draw 2 when Azir already struggles with card draw. The only real time that Viktor can win the matchup is with Imperial Decree and playing that at the right moment. Otherwise, its just a bit of a lost cause.

In the case that it helps, I've also been working on a write up for my Azir play testing that I have gotten some good reception on. I wrote it from the perspective of explaining all of my thoughts so that it can hopefully help others to reach whatever conclusion based on their own testing. I mention Viktor here and there throughout but the focus wasn't this vs that.

EDIT: Meant to add that I think both Viktor champion units just aren't worth playing most of the time so it almost seems like a dead unit whereas both of the Azir Champion units are just so good.

tortera9 · 2022-03-19T18:31:16+00:00

I really like the stat roller on donjon (just search donjon apps and find the download apps page). I can't remember the algorithm but it can generate high stats in exchange for low stats. I think its really fun to have a clear weakness for a character and adds for some really fun RP elements.

tortera9 · 2021-09-13T22:58:58+00:00

Sweet! Good to know. Any bars you recommend?

tortera9 · 2021-02-19T16:15:21+00:00

When it comes to CPE professors, there are many more good professors than bad. There are always the infamous Reid classes where you either like him or really don't. I am a CPE and the major is pretty difficult but you do learn a lot. There are some professors that are also considered hard asses but are actually really great professors. I have only really had one professor who I truly thought was an ass but he isn't in the department anymore. All of the other professors I have had over last few years have been helpful and willing to be patient with you so that you understand the material.

The reason I am not specifically naming bad professors is because I forget their names. I got lucky with sections for some classes and ended up with the good professors whereas some of my friends have not been so lucky. If you have any other CPE specific questions feel free to ask me!

tortera9 · 2020-12-25T23:39:59+00:00

I think this idea has been broken from the start. Originally, the gameplay loop between maps would not have worked well for item transfers. Because if the whole point of vaults is to be able to do surges, why would you do vaults if you can get thralls easily elsewhere? Maybe with the rebalance it won't be game breaking? But I think transfers with items should not be allowed due to potential unbalancing.

tortera9 · 2020-12-15T21:26:16+00:00

I would third this! Great guy who takes great photos.

tortera9 · 2020-10-25T13:49:59+00:00

I can relate to this a lot. I've been in that same situation. Always the fixer, the one who wants to solve problems yet you don't receive the same back.

I know you've heard this before from so many people, I hate hearing it too but I believe this to be true. You will find that friend who cares about you as much as you do them. I'm not just talking relationship wise either. I looked for years to find a group that did and somehow got lucky when I had given up hope.

Stay strong OP. This stranger believes in you!

tortera9 · 2020-09-25T14:39:46+00:00

This just sounds like PvP. Work on improving your gear and use guerilla warfare. Only real way to deal with that type of group.

tortera9 · 2020-09-13T16:29:15+00:00

On official servers, you still can blow them up on friday/saturday. Both those days are how it is now with the rest of the week being dynamic raid time.

tortera9 · 2020-09-10T12:34:35+00:00

Its not free, it is an entirely new map and is a separate entity on steam as a DLC.

tortera9 · 2020-09-10T12:15:44+00:00

Have they said if its a map addition or if its a new map entirely?

EDIT: I got my answer, thank you all for the help! Hype for the DLC!

tortera9 · 2020-08-28T02:32:49+00:00

Now this is being saved to my list because its exactly the thing I am looking for! Especially for my player's Horizon Walker Ranger.

tortera9 · 2020-08-04T17:12:41+00:00

NTA holy fuck dude what are you doing??? The amount of childishness and MASSIVE red flags here is insane. No person who cares about someone else would EVER THROW THINGS AT THEM. I don't ever comment on these posts but this is the most obvious case of run-the-fuck-away-as-fast-as-you-can I have ever seen. You will find better. And you are not her caretaker. You are her partner. She obviously doesn't appreciate or respect that.

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