Sion Review and Theorycraft

Hey, den here! I’m excited to analyze the new Noxus champion that was spoiled today – Sion.

In this article, I will start by rating the champion, then share a theorycraft that attempts to make his gameplay dream into a reality and finish with ratings for all the other cards revealed.

Overall, I expect Sion will be tough to evaluate and get right because he mixes two good concepts that aren’t necessarily always go well together.

On one hand, he can abuse the explosiveness of the discard mechanic, which has been thriving in LoR for a while. However, on the other hand – Sion is an expensive beat-stick – and the high-end bruisers as a type don’t have a good track record in terms of their impact on the meta.

Anyway, let’s get to the analysis and ratings!

5.0: Meta-defining card, should prove itself as a staple in multiple top-tier archetypes.
4.0: Archetype staple, or auto-include in multiple archetypes.
3.0: A solid playable, could serve as a staple for some archetypes.
2.0: Could be used for specific synergies, or to counter some decks.
1.0: Unlikely to find its place in the meta.

Sion – 2.0

Sion is a high-costed bruiser, and his role is to close out matches thanks to his Overwhelm keyword combined with a potentially very high attack.

If I were to make a comparison with already existing champions, Sion could be put in the same category as Darius or Tryndamere, but he has some upside and an interesting twist: the discard mechanic.

Sion can do his straightforward job of being a huge beat-stick to close out games on its own if leveled up, but he also has the capacity to impact the game while never actually entering the field thanks to his effect when discarded.

However, the discard archetypes in LoR so far haven’t supported units with high attack values very well, so there might be a limit to the effectiveness of ‘granting Overwhelm to the strongest ally’ part of Sion’s kit’ – at least in the current state of things.

This means Sion will likely not see play in the currently most popular Discard deck featuring Jinx and Draven. However, he might inspire a new way to look at the discard mechanic that can be used in some slower midrange strategies.

If there’s a slower meta that allows for a discard mechanic focused on setting up things properly rather than being extremely explosive – then Sion has a shot at becoming a meta champion.

His champion spell Roar of the Slayer looks to be solid – it will often be able to snipe a Sion’s blocker and push more damage with Overwhelm.

All in all, I expect Sion to produce a weaker deck than the current pairing of Draven and Jinx, as I feel the faster approach is better when it comes to discard. But seeing this evergreen mechanic being pushed in a different direction is extremely intriguing and if the metagame would slow down, this approach would have a shot.

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Sion Vi Theorycraft by Den created by Rainmaker • last updated 2 years ago

Regions

Types

Rarities

Mana Cost

Champions (6)

followers (18)

Spells (16)

It is a safe route to pair Sion with Draven, Jinx, or another champion that has a direct link to the discard mechanic.

However, I tried to think outside the box and instead went with a champion that could benefit from Sion’s ability to grant Overwhelm when discarded – and that champion is Vi.

The idea behind this deck is to play tempo while working towards a level 2 Sion or a 10-attack Vi – and once either of those tasks is done, we can go for the kill.

Whether we are using Sion to give Vi Overwhelm or hard-casting him – we are looking for the big damage output right there. We also have Survival Skills for protection and the occasional Ruined Reckoner to catch the opponent off-guard with an additional attack.

The rest of the deck simply is here for tempo, discard fodder, and to help grow our champions throughout the match. We aren’t trying to be an all-out aggressive deck, so the new Lost Soul could be good for trading in the midgame.

Roar of the Slayer – 3.0

This card looks to be a staple in any discard archetype that isn’t focused on winning through sheer pressure.

A 3-mana Fast-speed removal that works well inside the synergy cannot be overlooked and should be a great stepping stone for slower-paced discard decks.

Ancient Warmonger – 2.0

Compared to Ruin Runner, this card lacks the Spellshield that makes that Overwhelm beater so special.

That simple difference should limit the use of this unit to discard archetypes where it would serve as a midrange threat but also a nice occasional combat trick.

Fallen Reckoner – 1.0

Risen Reckoner

The card isn’t bad, but it is incredibly slow and conditional. After you’ve disabled one of their blockers, the priority will go back to your opponent who will be able to react to it.

Outside of dropping it at the end of your defensive turn in order to set up an open attack next turn, it is hard to imagine other efficient use cases for the card.

Burn decks like Shurima Noxus could run 1 copy for specific matchups.

Fallen Rider – 3.0

Risen Rider

Depending on how good the Fearsome keyword is in the meta, this card could have a serious impact in a discard deck. Simply put, it is a unit that replaces itself when discarded and gives you one of the best 2-drops in the game.

At worst, you get a 3/1 Fearsome, which could get in some damage or act as a relevant blocker itself.

Might be a staple in discard aggro decks for the foreseeable future.

Lost Soul – 1.0

Twinblade Revenant

If we were ever to see a metagame rewarding decks who want to out-grind their opponent, this would be one of the key cards for the discard mechanic.

Unfortunately, with time, the game looks to go faster rather than slower, which makes Lost Soul a card that should fall short of having a decent spot in the competitive environment.

Noble Rebel – 1.0

If Rummage was still at 1 mana, this card could have had a shot at being good.

At best, this is a 5/3 Overwhelm unit, which only has 1 more attack point than Iron Ballista, a card that isn’t played anymore.

In order to get that extra attack point, you need to discard 3 cards during the game, which is pretty unlikely to happen by turn 3.

Reborn Grenadier – 4.0

If you have been playing Flame Chompers! in your discard decks (which I know you have, don’t lie to me), you probably want this card too.

First, this card works both as fodder and as an enabler, fulfilling your needs whether you would like to discard something or use this unit to help you cast a discard card.

Also, this is a ton of pressure in a game where every player has only 20 health – especially in a region that features cards like Decimate for example.

This card could enter the current Discard Aggro builds or maybe push an even more aggressive variant of it down the line focused purely on Nexus damage.

Also, it is potentially a 3/2 blocker summoned on Burst speed.

Salt and Stitches – 2.0

If 3 Reborn Greandiers in a deck are not enough for your taste, here’s a way to get some more.

Just like the original unit card, this spell pushes a damage-oriented build with almost a Focus-speed Waking Sands.

If such a deck would be created, I have little doubt about this card making the cut, at least in 1 or 2 copies.

Grave Physician – 2.0

A nice utility card that could serve well even outside of a pure discard deck.

The fact that it draws a unit could help some Noxus decks looking for reliability in their gameplay like Draven Riven or maybe even Ezreal Draven.

Because we are moving closer to an overflow of the cards that require discarding other cards, I see this unit amongst the first to be cut from the deck as we start to optimize our build.

Weapons of the Lost – 0.0

Summoning Trifarian Shieldbreaker with a “Deal 3 to a unit” spell attached to it for 8 mana isn’t a good deal.

Moreover, you’re completely losing the effect you’re paying for if you’re playing this spell onto an empty board.

And should I remind anyone that the unit it summons hasn’t seen play in over a year either?

Closing Words

Overall, Sion looks quite hard to make work, but we have also been given some good tools to build around him, so there could be a deck that features him – especially considering his flexible role inside a discard deck.

Down the line, I can Sion as a supporting champion, maybe alongside another high attack champion like Vi, for example, where his discard ability could be used to its full potential.

Flavor-wise, I love Sion and will definitely give him a shot once the cards are available, and we’ll see how far he can charge!

As usual, feel free to join the discussion about the newly revealed cards on RuneterraCCG Discord, and look for me on Twitter for anything LoR-related, whether it’s talking about decks, cards or simply sharing a meme.

If you would need coaching and want to work on the fundamental of your game before entering Bandle City, you can also find me at Metafy.

Good game everyone,

den

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