Legends of Runeterra Analysis: Which Explorer is the Best?

With the release of the Fates Voyage: Onward set, we've had the addition of the Explorer package of cards in the game. These cards were released in Runeterra with the goal of bringing each region useful control resources to deal with any mechanic that might be strong in the meta.

Even though Explorers all have the same effect, there are some which are better than others. That happens because of the cards' base stats, their mana costs, and also the context of the regions each one brings.

Considering that, let's head into my thorough strength ranking for each Explorer.

Out of all Explorers, this one is the worst. Even though this card has the best keyword in the entire game, Elusive, in the context of the current meta lists, the decks that bring these two regions don't get an advantage by bringing this card all that much.

The main reason is its mana cost. As incredible as it sounds, three mana is a lot, even with Janna in the meta. The other reason is that landmark and equipment removal effects are found in Piltover & Zaun and Bilgewater abundantly, such as, for instance, Aftershock and Heavy Metal.

Explorers are units that work well in Control lists, or slower Midrange lists. As we don't currently have any of those archetypes in Bilgewater, Octo Adventurer ends up becoming unnecessary in a deck with that region.

Lastly, this card's stats are awful. Even though it has 4 health, 1 attack for 3 mana doesn't allow you to trade with any unit in the current meta equally.

Ionia is a bit unpopular after Coin was nerfed and because the meta isn't all that favorable for slower Ionia decks.

Bandle City, on the other hand, really enjoys using Portal Pioneer. It really matches the current game rhythm in Bandle City lists, and Attune is a very strong keyword in the current metagame.

This card is only 4th in this list because its base stats are extremely weak. A mere 1/1 for 2 mana is pitiful. What really saves this card is how Bandle City needs tools to remove keywords, and destroy landmarks and equipment.

Note that Bandle City is the card creation region, so the game rhythm imposed by decks in this region isn't affected if you want to play a Portal Pioneer on curve.

Pioneer could be better positioned in this list if Ionia wasn't so unpopular in terms of current Control lists. Current decks that bring this region are mostly aggressive and don't really match a slower game rhythm.

This unit might be the one which best matches its regions' game styles. Targon and Shadow Isles, currently, are exclusively Control regions, and their slow decks can easily embrace Spectral Surveyor as a support card.

Lifesteal is a very rare resource in the current meta. Many Lifesteal cards were rotated, and this mechanic has been off the radar of many players. A simple 2-health heal is enough to end any aggressive list's hopes and dreams in many situations.

Spectral Surveyor's stats, just like other Explorers' stats, aren't that great. But a 2/2 for 3 mana is quite fair, and it is already a card that goes in the range of units which can trade with most low-cost followers in the game.

Another important factor regarding this unit is that Targon and Shadow Isles don't really have a good way to remove landmarks, and Spectral Surveyor resolves these regions' issues with that very well.

This unit fits slower Demacia Midrange lists like a glove. Volibear decks ramp through a landmark mechanic, Sigil of the Storm, and, as a result, Scholarly Pioneer quickly became a very strong resource to guarantee these landmarks' removals in mirror matches.

Despite this card having somewhat bad stats, Challenger is an extremely strong keyword. You can very easily pull away blockers with your Scholarly Pioneer, and many times you'll even trade equally with your opponent's low-health units.

Demacia and Freljord definitely can't handle equipment, landmarks, or enemy keywords efficiently, and that is another strong reason for you to bring Pioneer in your decks with these regions.

In our first place, we have Armed Acquisitioner as the best Explorer, by a long mile. This card is incredible, its stats are very strong, and they really match the current lists that bring Noxus and Shurima. Two cost is also very cheap, which adds another reason as to why you should bring this card.

Noxus is once again popular in the meta, as Control decks that bring Samira and Janna are on the rise. This means you'll play an Armed Acquisitioner for just 1 or 0 mana many times.

Three attack points are enough to trade and slay 90% of the entire game's early game units. Not to mention Noxus and Shurima don't have good equipment removal tools, and can't traditionally heal. You can even say Scorched Earth is the best landmark removal in the game, and it is in Noxus, but, even then, you'll many times not bring it to bring Armed Acquisitioner instead.

By itself, this unit is responsible for calming down some control/combo lists in the current meta, which, if it wasn't for this Explorer, would struggle to deal with meta cards. We're talking about Explorer's Blunder removing Warden of the Tribes' keywords, and Explorer's Malfunction destroying a copy of The Darkin Spear of a Formidable list.

If you read this far, now you know who is the best Explorer in Runeterra.

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